DWADASA
JyotirLinga Temples of Lord Shankar - Significance, Stories
JYOTIRLINGA:
THE STORY OF THE LIGHT
What is jyotirlinga ?
Worship of shivalinga is considered the prime
worship for the devotees of Lord shiva. Worship of all other forms is
considered secondary. The significance of the shivalinga is that It is the
resplendent light (flame) form of the Supreme - solidified to make the worship
of It easier. It represents the real nature of God - formless essentially and
taking various forms as It wills. More details on the shiva linga significance
could be found at Shaivam A Perspective.
This jyoti swarupa of God exist in all the
shivalinga forms, there are prominent abodes across Indian subcontinent, where
It is in a splendid form. These are renowned as DWADASA JYOTHIRLINGAs or 12
jyotirlingas. These are held at much great esteem since the ancient
pre-historic times. As per puranas said in many sections as well as in detail
about the glory of these jyothilingas. Devotees have been getting pulled
towards these JYOTHIRLINGA TEMPLES due to the highly benevolent divine presence
in these abodes, since ancient times.
The 12 jyotirlinga temples
There is an sanskrit shloka that lists the
twelve jyotirlinga temples. (This and the complete DWADASA jyotirlinga sthotra
could be found at Scripture Page) You may observe these sthothra in so many
shiva temples in the world.
“Saurashtre Somanathamcha Srisaile Mallikarjunam|
Ujjayinya
Mahakalam Omkaramamaleswaram ||
Paralyam Vaidyanathancha
Dakinyam Bheema Shankaram |
Setu Bandhethu
Ramesam, Nagesam Darukavane||
Varanasyantu
Vishwesam Tryambakam Gautameethate|
Himalayetu
Kedaaram, Ghrishnesamcha shivaalaye||
Etani
jyotirlingani, Saayam Praatah Patennarah|
Sapta Janma Kritam
pApam, Smaranena Vinashyati||”
Mahadeva, the Lord incorporates in Himself,
the aura and the holiness of all the twelve Jyotirlingas. The grandeur of these
places is unique. Devotees line up in great numbers to take a look and get a
Darshan of all the Jyotirlingas.
Location of the jothirlinga temples
Two
on the sea shore, three on river banks, four in the heights of the mountains
and three in villages located in meadows; the twelve Jyotirlingas are spread
out like this. Every place has been described in glorious words by many
detailing the surroundings etc.
Those
of us who go to these temples of Shubhankara Shankara- Jyoti-Sivasthan, receive
the holy blessings of the Lord, and come back happy, peaceful and blessed. This
in indeed depends on one’s devotion and experience too.
Somnath
JyotirLinga in Saurashtra (Guj)
Mallikarjun jyothirlinga in Srisailam (A.P.)
Mahakaleshwar
jyotirlinga in Ujjaini (M.P.)
Omkareshwar
jyotirlinga in Shivpuri / Mamaleswara (M.P.)
Vaidyanath
jyotirlinga in Parali (Maharastra)
Nageswar
jyotirlinga in Darukavanam
Kedareswar
jyotirlinga in Kedarnath / Himalayas (Utt)
Tryambakeswar
jyotirlinga in Nasik (Maharastra)
Rameshwar
jyotirlinga in Setubandanam / Rameshwaram (T.Nadu)
Bhimashankar
jyotirlinga in Dakini (Maharastra)
Visweswar
jyotirlinga in Varanasi (U.P.) and
Ghrishneswar
jyotirlinga in Devasrovar (Mah).
Those
who chant the Dwadasa JyotirLinga Stotram or prayer will attain salvation and
enlightenment and be released from this cycle of human existence with all its
travails. By worshipping the Lingas, people of all castes, creeds and colour
would be freed from all difficulties. By eating the holy offering made to these
Lingas (Naivedyam) one would be rid of all the sins instantly.
As a
matter of fact, we do the Darshan of the JyotirLingas as a part of our daily
life. Sun, Fire and Light etc., are indeed a part of that great Light. “Om
tatsavituvarenye” these magical words of the Gayatri mantra or chant invoke
this Supreme light only. By chanting this powerful Mantra, humans can obtain
divine power to their life-light or Atmajyothi.
The
aura of the Sun rays and the various benefits that can be derived there from is
indeed a difficult task to describe. This gorgeous life-light is the only thing
that is responsible for the activity in the universe. We salute this life
force.
“Agni”
or fire is a great light. For all the activities on the earth, “Fire” is the
pivot.
Deepajyoti
or light and its greatness, is known to all of us, and we offer our prayers.
Let us celebrate the glory of light. Light is offered a place of pride at
welcome celebrations and on all auspicious occasions.
“Shubham karoti kalyanam Arogyam Dhanasampada|
Shatru buddhi
vinashaya Deepa Jyoti namostute||”
This
light removes the darkness from the lives of one and all. Darkness means
ignorance and it is destroyed by this light. The natured light of God makes all
our wishes come true, when we take a Darshan of it.
Thus,
by taking a Darshan of these twelve JyotirLingas, the auspicious air
surrounding them and the holy pilgrimage, will bring happiness, peace and
satisfaction to all.
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
GURUVAYUR SRI KRISHNA
Guruvayur Lord Sri Krishna Temple (Malayalam: ഗുരുവായൂര് ക്ഷേത്രം, Guruvāyūr Kṣētṟaṁ) is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Krishna, located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus of Kerala and is often referred to as "Bhuloka Vaikunta" which translates to the "Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth". The idol installed at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple represents a form of Krishna with its four arms carrying the conch Pancajanya, the magical discus with serrated edges Sudarshana Chakra, the mace Kaumodaki and a lotus with a Holy basil garland. This idol represents the majestic form of god Vishnu as revealed to Vasudeva and Devaki around the time of Krishna; hence Guruvayur is also known as "Dwaraka of South India". Krishna is popularly known in Kerala by different names such as Kannan, Unnikkannan ("Baby" Kannan), Unnikrishnan, Balakrishnan, and Guruvayurappan.
Board depticting non-hindus are not allowed inside the temple
The "presiding" deity in the Sri Kovil of the Guruvayur Lord Sri Krishna Temple is Vishnu. He is currently worshipped (the "puja") according to routines laid down by Adi Shankara and later written formally in the tantric way, the inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, by Cennas Narayanan Nambudiri (born in 1427). The Cennas Nambudiris are the hereditary tantris of the Guruvayur Temple. The temple (puja) routines are strictly followed. The tantri is available full-time at the Temple to ensure this. The Melsanti (Chief Priest) enters the sanctum sanctorum at 2:30 in the morning and does not drink anything up to the completion of "noon worships" at 12:30 PM.[4] The Vedic traditions being followed at this temple with absolute perfection is the hallmark of the Guruvayur temple. It is important to note here that, even though the shrine is considered to be one of the holiest spots for Vaishnavites, the temple is not a part of the famous 108 Holy Temples.
Story of the deity
Garuda statue at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
The deity of the Guruvayur Temple is unique, since it is carved out of a stone called "Patalanjana Stone", and is considered extremely sacred by the Hindus. This idol was once worshipped by god Vishnu in Vaikuntha and he handed it over to god Brahma. King Manu and his wife, Satarupa worshipped Brahma for a child and being gratified with their devotion, they received this Deity from him and advised them to start worshipping it. Being pleased with their worship, Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them with the boon that he himself will be born as their child in their four re-births in three different forms and in four different situations, with the deity.
Thus they got the good fortune to worship the same deity in all four rebirths. They gave birth to Prsnigarbha who gave to the world the practice of Brahmacarya (Celibacy). In their next birth, Sutapas and his wife were born as Kasyapa and Aditi and their son was Vamana. In the third rebirth as Dasaratha and Kausalya, Vishnu was born as their son Rama. In the fourth rebirth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Vishnu was born as their eighth child Krishna. In the long run, god Krishna himself installed this deity at Dwaraka and worshipped it knowing that it is none other than himself.
At the time of Krishna's ascension to heaven, his devotee Uddhava became sad thinking of the departure of Krishna. Krishna then gave his foremost disciple and devotee Uddhava this deity and instructed him to entrust Bṛhaspati (the master of the demi-gods) with the task of taking the deity to a suitable location. Uddhava was plunged in grief thinking of the fate that would befall the world in the Age of the Demon during his absence. Krishna pacified Uddhava and promised him that he himself would manifest in the deity and shower his blessings on the devotees who take refuge in him.
A deluge had closed in on Dwaraka, but Bṛhaspati salvaged the deity floating in the water, with the help of his prime disciple Vayu. Bṛhaspati and Vayu went around the world in search of an ideal place. At last they entered Kerala through Palakkad gap where they met Parasurama who was going to Dwaraka in search of the very deity they were bringing. Parasurama led Bṛhaspati and Vayu to a lush green spot with a beautiful lotus lake where they felt the presence of god Siva. Siva along with Parvati welcomed them and told them that this would be the ideal spot for installing the deity. Siva permitted Bṛhaspati and Vayu to perform the consecration rites and blessed them that henceforth this place would be known as "Guruvayur" (since the installation was done by guru ("master") Bṛhaspati and Vayu). Siva with Parvati then left to the opposite bank to Mammiyur.
It is in memory of this incident that a pilgrimage to Guruvayur is said to be complete only with a worship of "Mammiyur Siva" also. Viśvákarma, the divine architect of the demi-gods built the temple. He made it in such a way that on the day of Vishu (summer equinox) the first rays of the sun fall straight on to Vishnu's feet. The deity was installed in the solar month of Kumbha (February - March) and the ceremony was begun on the seventh asterism of Puyam and completed on the day of Anizham
Pooja Timings at Guruvayoor Temple*
"Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya"
Guruvayur temple follows an elaborate system of rites, which according to tradition, is traced to Sri Adi Sankaracharya.The temple is open at 3 am and closes after the day's poojas and rituals around 10 pm. Normally there are five poojas and three circumambulatory processions called Sreeveli, propitiating the celestial deities and carrying the Lord's Thidambu on elephant's back. During the days of Udayasthamana Poojas there will be a total of twenty one(21) poojas.
Time Pooja
03.00am to 03.20am Nirmalyam
03.20am to 03.30am Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam
03.30am to 04.15am Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram
04.15am to 04.30am Usha Nivedyam
04.30am to 06.15am Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja
07.15am to 09.00am Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja
11.30am to012.30pm Ucha pooja (The Noon Pooja)
04.30pm to 05.00pm Seeveli
06.00pm to 06.45pm Deeparadhana
07.30pm to 07.45pm Athazha pooja Nivedyam
07.45pm to 08.15pm Athazha pooja
08.45pm to 09.00pm Athazha seeveli
09.00pm to 09.15pm Thrippuka, Olavayana
09.15pm The Sreekovil will be closed.
* The timings given are approximate. It may vary if there is Udayasthamana pooja or on certain special occasions.
Board depticting non-hindus are not allowed inside the temple
The "presiding" deity in the Sri Kovil of the Guruvayur Lord Sri Krishna Temple is Vishnu. He is currently worshipped (the "puja") according to routines laid down by Adi Shankara and later written formally in the tantric way, the inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, by Cennas Narayanan Nambudiri (born in 1427). The Cennas Nambudiris are the hereditary tantris of the Guruvayur Temple. The temple (puja) routines are strictly followed. The tantri is available full-time at the Temple to ensure this. The Melsanti (Chief Priest) enters the sanctum sanctorum at 2:30 in the morning and does not drink anything up to the completion of "noon worships" at 12:30 PM.[4] The Vedic traditions being followed at this temple with absolute perfection is the hallmark of the Guruvayur temple. It is important to note here that, even though the shrine is considered to be one of the holiest spots for Vaishnavites, the temple is not a part of the famous 108 Holy Temples.
Story of the deity
Garuda statue at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
The deity of the Guruvayur Temple is unique, since it is carved out of a stone called "Patalanjana Stone", and is considered extremely sacred by the Hindus. This idol was once worshipped by god Vishnu in Vaikuntha and he handed it over to god Brahma. King Manu and his wife, Satarupa worshipped Brahma for a child and being gratified with their devotion, they received this Deity from him and advised them to start worshipping it. Being pleased with their worship, Vishnu appeared before them and blessed them with the boon that he himself will be born as their child in their four re-births in three different forms and in four different situations, with the deity.
Thus they got the good fortune to worship the same deity in all four rebirths. They gave birth to Prsnigarbha who gave to the world the practice of Brahmacarya (Celibacy). In their next birth, Sutapas and his wife were born as Kasyapa and Aditi and their son was Vamana. In the third rebirth as Dasaratha and Kausalya, Vishnu was born as their son Rama. In the fourth rebirth as Vasudeva and Devaki, Vishnu was born as their eighth child Krishna. In the long run, god Krishna himself installed this deity at Dwaraka and worshipped it knowing that it is none other than himself.
At the time of Krishna's ascension to heaven, his devotee Uddhava became sad thinking of the departure of Krishna. Krishna then gave his foremost disciple and devotee Uddhava this deity and instructed him to entrust Bṛhaspati (the master of the demi-gods) with the task of taking the deity to a suitable location. Uddhava was plunged in grief thinking of the fate that would befall the world in the Age of the Demon during his absence. Krishna pacified Uddhava and promised him that he himself would manifest in the deity and shower his blessings on the devotees who take refuge in him.
A deluge had closed in on Dwaraka, but Bṛhaspati salvaged the deity floating in the water, with the help of his prime disciple Vayu. Bṛhaspati and Vayu went around the world in search of an ideal place. At last they entered Kerala through Palakkad gap where they met Parasurama who was going to Dwaraka in search of the very deity they were bringing. Parasurama led Bṛhaspati and Vayu to a lush green spot with a beautiful lotus lake where they felt the presence of god Siva. Siva along with Parvati welcomed them and told them that this would be the ideal spot for installing the deity. Siva permitted Bṛhaspati and Vayu to perform the consecration rites and blessed them that henceforth this place would be known as "Guruvayur" (since the installation was done by guru ("master") Bṛhaspati and Vayu). Siva with Parvati then left to the opposite bank to Mammiyur.
It is in memory of this incident that a pilgrimage to Guruvayur is said to be complete only with a worship of "Mammiyur Siva" also. Viśvákarma, the divine architect of the demi-gods built the temple. He made it in such a way that on the day of Vishu (summer equinox) the first rays of the sun fall straight on to Vishnu's feet. The deity was installed in the solar month of Kumbha (February - March) and the ceremony was begun on the seventh asterism of Puyam and completed on the day of Anizham
Pooja Timings at Guruvayoor Temple*
"Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya"
Guruvayur temple follows an elaborate system of rites, which according to tradition, is traced to Sri Adi Sankaracharya.The temple is open at 3 am and closes after the day's poojas and rituals around 10 pm. Normally there are five poojas and three circumambulatory processions called Sreeveli, propitiating the celestial deities and carrying the Lord's Thidambu on elephant's back. During the days of Udayasthamana Poojas there will be a total of twenty one(21) poojas.
Time Pooja
03.00am to 03.20am Nirmalyam
03.20am to 03.30am Thailabhishekam, Vakacharthu, Sankhabhishekam
03.30am to 04.15am Malar Nivedyam, Alankaram
04.15am to 04.30am Usha Nivedyam
04.30am to 06.15am Ethirettu pooja followed by Usha pooja
07.15am to 09.00am Seeveli,Palabhishekam,Navakabhishekam, Pantheeradi Nivedyam, and Pooja
11.30am to012.30pm Ucha pooja (The Noon Pooja)
04.30pm to 05.00pm Seeveli
06.00pm to 06.45pm Deeparadhana
07.30pm to 07.45pm Athazha pooja Nivedyam
07.45pm to 08.15pm Athazha pooja
08.45pm to 09.00pm Athazha seeveli
09.00pm to 09.15pm Thrippuka, Olavayana
09.15pm The Sreekovil will be closed.
* The timings given are approximate. It may vary if there is Udayasthamana pooja or on certain special occasions.
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