THIRUVANNAMALAI, VELLORE, SRIPURAM - VISIT

Friday, 21st Feb.2020

Visit to Temple at Thiruvannamalai, Vellore, Sripuram (TamilNadu)

It was a casual trip to some temples as Nalini's sisters Vijaya and her family, Sujatha, Brother Satisha and family as Supriya (Vijaya's daughter), living and working in Phoneix, USA had come on a visit.

Temple visit was on the agenda, a 13-seater TempoTraveller was booked and the journey started in the morning at 4 am. First was to Thiruvannamalai, (Arunachalam) distance of 220 km

There were 11 adults, 1 boy and the driver.

(Me and Nalini) , (Vijaya, RamachandraBhat, Supriya, Santosh), (Sathisha, Mala, Aditya). (Karanth and his wife) and Sujatha.

1. Sri Arunachaleshwara Temple, Thiruvannamalai.

First was breakfast at 8 am at AnandaBhavan, KrishnaGiri on the way from there we proceeded to Thiruvannamalai, and visit to Sri Aruchaleshwara. We had spend about an hour in the queue for darshana of the deity.

It was time for lunch, had it at a local hotel, went round Arunachala Hills in the vehicle and proceeded to Vellore, a distance of 80 km. Reached there at 5 pm.

2. Sri Jalagandeshwarar Temple, Vellore.

 spent about an hour in the huge temple complex. Again the main deity is Ishwara, called Fort Jalakandeshawarar. The temple complex is in a fort, surrounded by water to protect the it built during the Vijayanagara Empire in 1550, during the rule of King Sadashiva Mahadevaraya (1540 - 1572)

The temple is classic example of architecture of Vijayanagara empire, exquisite carvings on its gopurum (Tower), richly carved stone pillars, large wooden gates and stunning monoliths and scriptures.

After the Muslim invasion, the temple was mutilated and vacant for 400 years. In 1981, government took the initiative to restore the temple complex to its original glory.

3. Sri Laxmi Narayani Golden Temple, Sripuram.

The Golden Temple complex at Sripuram is spiritual park, situated at the foot of small range of green hills , Thirumalakodi. It is located in 100 acre land and is constructed by Narayani Peedam.The temple is headed by the spiritual leader (Self made Godman) Shri Shakthi Amma (Amma Narayani) It is believed that more than 1500 kg of gold is used in the construction of the temple. It is said that it is twice the tonnage of gold used in the Amritsar Golden Temple.

Mobile are cameras are prohibited in the temple complex, hence no photos were taken. Wheelchair facility is available for Rs 50.00 including the escort, and special entry darshan is Rs.100.

We left from Sripuram at 9 pm and reached home at 2 am, next morning after having tiffin on the way.

That was a good trip with fun, songs, laughter during the bus journey. It was 652 km round trip.

posted Sunday, 23rd Feb. 2020