Ranjus . pilgrimage . blogspot . com

From Thondanur we travelled to Melkote. Ramanuja stayed here for 12years during his exile from Srirangam and consecrated the temple laying down detailed processes for poojas Selva Pillai Sampath Kumaran’s Vaira Mudi Utsavam in Panguni is a must see at this temple. ThiruNarayanapuram is referred to as ‘Dakshina Badri’ Located about 35kms North East of Srirangapatna on the banks of the Cauvery in the Pandavapura Taluk-Mandya District of Karnataka at the foot of the Yadava Giri is one of the most sacred and historical Vaishnavite temples – the Thiru Narayana Perumal Koil in ThiruNarayanapuram (now Melkote), one that dates back to the Kretha Yugam. Brahma’s sons Sanatkumaras brought their father’s pooja idol ‘Lord Narayana’ and installed it at Melkote. An interesting feature at the Thiru Narayanan temple is that there is a separate sannidhi for the Utsava deity, ‘Selva Pillai’ (Sampath Kumaran) not seen anywhere else. Only one day in the year, both Moolavar and Utsavar deities are seen tog...

Srirangapatna Ranganathaswami Temple at Karnataka . Srirangapatna known to be the historical capital of warrior kings Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, is a town of Mandya district, a highly sought after destination in Karnataka for it’s magnificent temples and monumental forts. Located 16 kilometers from the beautiful city Mysore, this place is recognized for its rich cultural heritage. History has it that the forts hold stories of famous battles and also portrays Tipu Sultan’s history as a ruler. Tipu built palaces and forts so as to hold proof of him as a legend and powerful, undefeatable war hero. Not many realize that Srirangapatna is actually an island surrounded by river Cauvery from all sides. This egg-shaped island is named after Sri Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple. Srirangapatna Ranganathaswami temple built in 894 AD is an abode to Sri Maha Vishnu, lord here is in a reclining position, resting over the coils of Adi Seshu (A seven head serpe...

From Srirangapatna we travelled to Thondanur. It’s in Mandya district sugarcane and paddy field all over with chill breeze . The temple is in a calm serene atmosphere . This temple being one of the abhimana sthalams was built by Lord Indra . At the end of the Dwapara Yuga, in the Sura Sura war, Indra was afflicted with Brahma Hathi Dosham. To liberate himself from this, he undertook penance and invoked the blessings for Lord Vishnu. He was directed to install 5 Narayana Idols in this region to liberate himself from his dosham. Thondanur is the first and the oldest of the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams. The kshetrams are : Nambi Narayana at Tondanur Keerthi Narayana at Thalakad Chennakeshava(Vijaya Narayana) at belur Sowmya Narayana at nagamangala Veera Narayana at gadag . Belief is that one will attain Vaikunta Moksham if he visited the Pancha Narayana Kshetram. Opposite to Nambi Narayana Perumal temple is Gopalakrishna temple , at a small hillock near by is Sri Ramanujar and Lord Yoga Nara...