Sholingur

We had an opportunity to make a trip to Sholingur divyadesam last week.

Access to this place is very simple. It is just 27 K.m. away from Arakkonam on the Bangalore-Madras Train Route.Located about 90kms west of Madras (and about 25kms from Arakkonam and 40kms from Tiruttani). If we travel from Chennai, we have to first travel to Arakkonam. From their, by traveling about 25 Kms , we can reach this Sholingur. Lots of bus facilities are available from Arakkonam.

Sholingur Narasimha Temple, also known as Tirukkadikai Temple, is situated at the top of a hill in Sholingur. This sacred shrine is a complex of three temples, one at ground level, one on a 500 ft high hill, and another on a smaller hill.

The ground temple houses the festival image of Bhaktavatsala Perumal and Adikeshava Perumal.There are two temples of significance here- the Yoga Narasimha temple at Periya Malai (the big hill) and the Yoga Chathurbhuja Anjaneyar temple at Chinna Malai (the small hill).

We started around 4.30 a.m. and we reached Arakkonam by 6.00 am,From there we took bus to Sholingur .we reached 7.00.a.m .It was a pleasant morning,and the journey was wonderful.

From the Sholingur bus stand its a walkable distance to Local temple(The ground temple).We had nice darshan there.After darshan we planned to go to Periya malai(the big hill) first.so we took one an auto to go to Malai Adi Vaaram (Bottom of the Mountain) .This temple stands on a 500 ft high hill called the Katikachalam Hill and its 1305 steps lead to the temple. Amritavalli Taayaar is enshrined in a separate sanctum.we started around 8.00 a.m (steps 1305).

The entire steps are covered by a shade of sheets, so its just the ascent and the monkeys.
We did not take any material for worship as the monkeys snatch it away.I have seen monkeys in different temples, but the monkeys here are different, they snatch flower garlands, thulasi garlands and water bottles. But in Other temples the monkeys are interested only in fruits and coconuts.
The first five hundred steps were very tired , there was a buttermilk vendor at this point(for refreshment).but we didn't take that buttermilk.Without any intervals we reached the top of the temple(we took just 25 min to reach the top of the temple).evey Sunday is an important day to visit this temple.we also visited on sunday only .we took 10rs ticket for quick darshan (to avoid rush).
Periya Malai or Kadikaachalam. approximately 500 feet high.(1305 steps)

Moolavar : Yoga Narasimhar (Akkaarak kani)Iruntha sayanam, Veetru iruntha thiruk kolam. ie Perumal is sitting in the lotus posture (ie.deeply meditating posture). East facing.

The name Kadigachalam came as the Lord gave darsan to the Saptharishi to a kadigai time and gave mukthi.Sage Vishwamitra, who undertook penance here, was blessed with ‘Brahmma Rishi’ by Lord Narasimha, within 24 minutes (One Kadigai/ One ‘Naazhigai’)He also gave darsan to Prahalatha by changing his figure of Terror and in the yoga stage.Hence, it is believed that one who stays here for 24 minutes will attain Moksham.There theertham is very important.we had really nice darshan and we stood there for 15 min.

There is a small window opposite to Lord Narasimha Shrine at Big Hill, through which the Lord give darsan to Yoga Anjeneya at Small Hill. After Darshan We had prasadam, which was puliogre and kesari at Rs 5/- it was a nice simple lunch.

On the way down the monkey snatched flower from one lady hair .So Be careful with those monkeys .anyway it was very pleasent to walk.
After coming down, a 10 minute drive took us(by auto) to the Siriya Thirumalai (AnjaneyaSwamy temple). This is situated on another hill at a height of 200 ft, one has to climb 400steps.

Siriya Thirumalai :200 to 250 feet high.
Deity : Yoga Aancchneyar has Changu, Chakkram in his hands, has four hands.

The pathway is not shaded and stretches of the path were little bit hot.we reached top within 15 min.Rush is not that much so we took normal darshan only.

The main deity in the temple of the smaller hill is Yoga Anjaneyar, with four arms, bearing a Shankh and a Chakra. The Anjaneyar temple with two towers.At the end of the Rama Avataaram, Anjaneya wanted to join Raama in his abode at Vaikuntam.

However, Rama had other thoughts and asked Anjaneya to go to Sholingur to protect the Rishis from Asuras. Rama provided Anjaney with Conch and Chakra.Devoted as ever and always following Raama’s words, Anjaneya is said to have come here and demolished the asuras. Lord Narasimha appeared before Anjaneya and asked him to remain here, as Yoga Anjaneya, with the assurance that he would take Anjaneya into Vaikuntam during Kali Yugam.Abiding by the Lord’s wishes, Anjaneya is said to have remained here atop the small hill and is seen here with four hands( Chathurbhuja Anjaneyar) in a Yoga posture with Conch, Chakra, Japa Maalai and the fourth hand with a Japa Sankai( counting the Japam).

Lord Anjeneya who is in the yoga stage helped Indrathymna Maharaja in killing the Arakkan Nikumban and saved his country. It was held on Sunday and hence evey Sunday is an important one for Siriya Thiruvadi. People take a bath in the Chakkra Theertham of the small hill and worship the Lord.

In Karthigai sundays people pray Lord after taking bath in the Chakkra Theertham and by lying down on its steps. People belive that Lord come and fulfill the wishes of the devotees in their dreams.

We had Darshan of lord Pallikonda Ranganathar and Kodandaramar in that Siriya Thirumalai .Finally we were getting very tired because we didn't take rest in anywhere .

After getting down we took some rest and we started to go to Thiruthani.