According another beliefs it is said that after the death of Devi Sati, Lord Shiva led an austere life. But Devi Sati took birth was again born as Parvati as the daughter of Himavan. Knowing about her previous life as Devi Sati, Parvati began severe tapas to please and unite with Shiva again at Amarnath Gufa due to the reason known as the holiest Shakti Peetha. By the holiness of this cave all human dosha of Devi Parvati vanishes & She gets Her pure form as Mahamaya.
The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft), about 141 km (88 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The Central Reserve Police Force, Indian Army and Indian Paramilitary Forces maintain a strong presence in the region due to security concerns.
10:02:00

ॐ हिंगुले परमहिंगुले अमृतरूपिणि तनुशक्तिमनः शिवे श्री हिंगुलाय नमः 

 

Hingul Shakti Peeth is located in Pakistan. It is said that the Brahm (forehead) fell at this place and as Sati’s forehead had Sindur (Hingol) the area is known as Hingol.
ब्रह्मरंध्रम् हिंगुलायाम् भैरवो भीमलोचन: |कोट्टरी सा महामाया त्रिगुणा या दिगम्बरी ||
(Mahaamaya -Queen of Illusions, who represents the supreme virtue by controlling over all three virtues, has Bhimalochana as her Bhairava, and derides the worldly trappings by dancing naked, resides in this cave of Hingula that enshrines her sacred head.”)
Maa Hinglaj is considered as the Goddess of Fate. It is held in great respect by both Hindus and Muslims. Muslims call her Bibi Nani or simply Nani and hence the shaktipeeth is also known as Nani ka mandir and nani ka haj which means “Grandmother’s Shrine”.
About Hingul Shakti Peeth
Hingul Shakti Peeth is situated on ‘Kanraj’ Mountain in the middle of Hingol National Park in Baluchistan district of Pakistan.
River Hingol flows nearby and the temple built at the edge of a small natural cave. There is a little pond (with very small fishes) near the Shrine where devotees take bath before darshan.
Originally the “temple” was on open cave and it is still the same way but in recent times, some devotees have built a tile floor, a door, and a bell. The entrance to the cave is around 50 feet in height.
The shrine is called ‘Mahal’. According to the folklore it was constructed by demigods called ‘Yakshas’. The walls and roof of the cave are encrusted with colourful stones.
At the end of the cave is the sanctum which houses the holy relic decorated by red clothes and vermilion.
The two large red stone represents Shaligrams and the Trident are for Mataji and Bhairvanath)
13:44:00
The Shakti Peetha (Sanskrit: शक्ति पीठ, Śakti Pīṭha, seat of Shakti[1]) is a place of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti or Sati, the female principal of Hinduism and the main deity of the Shakta sect. They are sprinkled throughout the Indian subcontinent

Lord Brahma performed a yajna (Vedic ritual of fire sacrifice) to please Shakti and Shiva. Goddess Shakti emerged, separating from Shiva and helped Brahma in the creation of the universe. Brahma decided to give Shakti back to Shiva. Therefore, his son Daksha performed several yagnas to obtain Shakti as his daughter in the form of Sati. It was then decided that Sati was brought into this world with the motive of getting married to Shiva.
However, due to Lord Shiva's curse to Brahma that his fifth head was cut off due to his lie in front of Shiva, Daksha started hating Lord Shiva and decided not to let Lord Shiva and Sati get married. However, Sati got attracted to Shiva and finally one day Shiva and Sati got married. This marriage only increased Daksha's hatred towards Lord Shiva.
Daksha performed a yagna with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva near munimandala present Muramalla andhra pradesh. Daksha invited all the deities to the yajna except Lord Shiva and Sati. The fact that she was not invited did not deter Sati from attending the yagna. She expressed her desire to attend the yagna to Shiva, who tried his best to dissuade her from going. Shiva eventually relented and Sati went to the yagna. Sati, being an uninvited guest, was not given any respect at the yagna. Furthermore, Daksha insulted Shiva. Sati was unable to bear her father's insults toward her husband, so she immolated herself.
Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva in Virabhadra avatar destroyed Daksha's yagna, cut off Daksha's head, and later replaced it with that of a male goat as he restored him to life.Virabhadra didn't stop fighting he kept raging with anger .gods prayed lord vishnu.he came there and started fighting him. Still immersed in grief, Shiva picked up the remains of Sati's body, and performed the Tandava, the celestial dance of destruction, across all creation. The other Gods requested Vishnu to intervene to stop this destruction, towards which Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra, which cut through the Sati's corpse. The various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed sites which are known as Shakti Peethas today.[3]
At all the Shakti Peethas, the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by her consort, Lord Bhairava (a manifestation of Lord Shiva). Shakti is an aspect of the Supreme Being Adi parashakti, the mother of the trimurti, the holy trinity in Hindu religion & scriptures
13:34:00

11:39:00

Dasha Mahavidya Stotram 

 

Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati, a descendant of Brahma. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. The vain Daksha performed a great yagna (with the sole aim of insulting Shiva), to which he invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son-in-law, Lord Shiva.
Sati learned about her father’s yajna from Narad Muni. She asked Shiva’s permission to attend the yajna, saying that a daughter did not need an invitation from her father. Shiva said that Daksha was trying to insult him, and so even if Sati attended the yajna, the fruit of the sacrifice would not be auspicious. Therefore he bade Sati not to attend the yajna.
Sati became furious – She thought that Shiva was treating her like an ignorant lady and not as the mother of Universe. So to show Shiva who she really was, she assumed a different form – the one of the Divine Mother. The oceans raged, the mountains shook, and the atmosphere was filled with the wonder of her form.
Shiva began to shake and tried to flee. But inn every direction that he tried to flee, the Divine mother stopped him. The Divine Mother had multiplied herself into ten different forms, guarding each of the ten directions, and try as Shiva might, he could not escape from her, as she had blocked every escape route.
These ten forms of Divine Mother are known as the Das Mahavidyas. Each form has her own name, story, quality, and mantras.
The Das Mahavidyas are Wisdom Goddesses. Das means ten, maha means great, and vidya means wisdom. The Das Mahavidyas are considered forms of Divine Mother Kali, who is the first of the then Mahavidyas. Each Wisdom Goddess has her own name, story, quality, and mantras.
Maha Kali with ten faces
~~OM~~
Each form of the Divine Mother Kali is a Mahavidya. The Das Mahavidyas are:
Read the story of the origin of the Das Mahavidyas. To learn the Bija Mantras and Gayatris of the Das Mahavidyas please see the Das Mahavidya Presentation.
Kali
Kali, Remover of DarknessFirst of all Sati took the form of Kali. Her form was fearful, her hair untied and loose, her body the color of a dark cloud. She had deep set eyes and eyebrows shaped like curved swords. She stood on a corpse, wore a garland of skulls, and earrings made from the bones of corpses. She had four hands – on one hand she had the head of a skull, and the other a curved sword with blood dripping on it. She had mudras on her other two hands – one giving freedom from fear and the other giving blessings. She roared and the ten directions were filled with that ferocious sound. The exploits of this Goddess Kali are outlined in the Chandi Path. She is the Goddess that killed Chanda and Munda and also drank the blood of Raktabija. She is known as Kaushiki, She who came from within, and is the Slayer of Shumbha and Nishumbha. Kali is the first of the Das Mahavidyas. She is beyond time. She takes away the darkness and fills us with the light of Wisdom, which is why She is the embodiment of Jnana Shakti. She resides in the cremation grounds, where all creation dissolves. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Bagala
BagalaBagala is the second Mahavidya. Listen to her story. Once the creation was in turmoil and being destroyed in many places (Shree Maa adds, “like the present scenario in the world”). Brahma became worried about His creation and wondered what the outcome of this turmoil would be. He then meditated to bring peace to the universe. Not succeeding, He then performed severe tapasya to obtain the blessings of Tripurambika – the Mother of the Three Worlds. Pleased with His austerities, She appeared before Him as Mother Bagala in a yellow form and gave him a boon. Bagala grants all kinds of perfection to devotees who pray to Her. Here is another story of Her origin. Once an asura named Ruru, the son of Durgam, performed severe penance to win the favor of Brahma. Since Ruru was already very powerful, the Gods became very apprehensive of what might happen if he obtained a boon from Brahma. So they did aradhana (propitiation) to yellow water (Shree Maa says here, that yellow intuitively means peace). Pleased with their tapasya, the Divine Mother appeared as Bagala. Bagala is the Goddess who stops all motion at the appropriate time, silences the mouths and words of all evil beings, and controls their tongues. May that Goddess bless us with stillness when it is appropriate! To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Cinnamasta
Chinnamasta, Das MahavidyaThe third Mahavidya is Cinnamasta. Listen to the story of Her origin from the Pancharatna Grantha. Once Parvati went with Her friends Dakini and Varnini to take a bath in the Mandakini River. Parvati was feeling very happy and a lot of love was welling up inside Her. Her complexion darkened and the feeling of love completely took over. Her friends on the other hand were hungry and asked Parvati to give them some food. Parvati requested them to wait and said that She would feed them after a while, and began walking. After a short while, Her friends once again appealed to Her, telling Her that She was the Mother of the Universe and they Her children, and asked to be fed quickly. Parvati replied that they should wait until they got home. Her friends could not wait any longer and demanded that their hunger be satisfied immediately. The compassionate Parvati laughed and with her finger nail cut Her own head. Immediately the blood spurted in three directions. Her two friends drank the blood from two of the directions and the Goddess herself drank the blood from the third direction. Since she cut Her own head, she is known as Cinnamasta. Cinnamasta shines like a lightning bolt from the Sun. She demonstrates the rare courage needed to make the highest conceivable sacrifice. May we imbue that very same courage from that daring Goddess! To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Bhuvanesvari
Bhuvaneswari, the Ruler of the UniverseBhuvanesvari is the fourth Mahavidya. Bhuvan means the Universe, and Iswari means the Ruler, and therefore She is the Ruler of the Universe. She is also known as Rajarajeswari and protects the Universe. Here is the story of her manifestation from the “Pranatoshini Grantha”. Brahma had the desire to create the Universe, and he did intense tapasya to invite the energy of Creation, Kriya Shakti. Parameswari, pleased with his tapasya responded to his invitation and came as Bhu devi or Bhuvanesvari. She is red in color, seated on a lotus flower. Her body is resplendent and shining with jewels. She holds a noose (paasham) and a curved sword (ankusham) in two of her hands and the other two assume the mudras of blessing and freedom from fear. She resides in Shiva’s heart. Bhuvanesvari is the Supreme Empress of Manifested Existence, the exposer of consciousness. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Matangi
Matangi, Supreme Goddess of All DesireThe fifth Mahavidya is Matangi. Here is the story of her origin. One day Maheshwari went to Shiva to obtain permission to go to Her father’s house. Shiva wanted to go with Her, but would not go without being invited. Parvati laughed and said the He should go with her. Shiva replied that He would not go with Her, but would come to escort Her back. In Her absence, Shiva began to long for Her and decided to visit Her in the disguise of an ornament vendor. When She selected the ornaments and asked for the price, Shiva told Her that if She fulfilled his desire, He would give Her the ornaments. Parvati was astounded that somebody would dare suggest such a thing to Her. Then She realized that the vendor was none other than Her Lord Shiva. She told Shiva that She would fulfill His desire, but not just then and sent Him away. Later that evening, She went with a friend to where Mahadev was praying. She took the form of a beautiful outcaste girl, a chandali, and approached him thinking that He would not recognize her. Seeing Her, Shiva called out, “Hey beautiful lady (Shubhangi), who are You and why have You come here?” Parvati said, “I am a chandali, I am here to do tapasya to become a Goddess, so please do not disturb me.” Then Shiva said, “I am Shiva, I give the fruit of tapasya. If you marry me, I will make you like Parvati, without a doubt.” Parvati understood that Shiva had seen through Her disguise and bowed to Him. She said, “Hey Devadi-deva, nobody can hide anything from You,” and was very happy with this interlude. Shiva said, “Devi, you took this form because you wanted to pray to me, and so I give you the name Matangi. Matangi is the measurement of all the limbs of creation and Supreme Goddess of all desires. Shree Maa says that anyone prays to Matangi will attain perfection. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Sorasi
Sodasi, the Manifestation of the Sixteen Lettered MantraThe sixth Mahavidya is Sorasi. This is the story of Her manifestation. When Parvati left Her form as Kali and assumed the form of Gauri, Shiva addressed Her as Kali again and again. Parvati was insulted and left that place. Shiva went into His own heart and began to remember the Goddess. But without seeing the Goddess in person, He became dismayed and wondered where She had gone. At that time Narad Muni came to where Shiva was meditating. Shiva narrated this occurrence to Narad and told him that Kali had left Him. Narad was very happy to hear of the differences between Shiva and Kali. In his meditation Narad saw that Parvati was sitting in meditation on Sumeru Mountain in an inaccessible place. In order to increase the separation between Shiva and Parvati, Narad went to where Parvati was meditating and said that Shiva was entering into a relationship with another woman. It will be proper for you to stop Him. When the Goddess heard this from Narad’s mouth, She became filled with anger. In this great anger, the Goddess assumed the form of the most beautiful young lady of sixteen years, Sorasi, and presented Herself before Shiva. Seeing Her own shadow reflected upon Shiva’s chest, and thinking it to be another woman, She became even more angry, and said, “When we were married, You gave Your heart to me for my residence. How can you now give Your heart to another woman?” When Shiva heard Kali’s words, He replied, “Look closely at my heart. The woman you see in my heart is your reflection.” When the Goddess looked closely and meditated carefully, with great satisfaction She asked, “The woman that I just saw in your heart, by what name shall She be known?” Hearing Kali’s question, Shiva replied, “This new form of Yours is one of the Mahavidyas, and Her name will be Sorasi, She who manifests the sixteen. In this form you will manifest excellence!” Sorasi unites the sixteen syllables of Siva and Sakti, the Supreme Goddess of all Desires. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Dhumavati
Dhumavati, The Remover of FrustrationThe seventh Mahavidya is Dhumavati. Here is the story of Her origin. One day Mahadev was sitting in Kailash and Parvati was on his lap. She told Shiva that She was very hungry and requested Him to get Her some food. Shiva asked Her to wait awhile and so saying went back into meditation. Parvati once again asked Shiva, “Hey Father of the Universe, please give me some food, I cannot wait any longer”. When Shiva asked Her to wait a second time, Parvati was so hungry that She became aggressive. The third time this happened, Parvati could bear no more and she ate Shiva to appease Her hunger. Immediately smoke started to come from within Her body. Shiva, who was inside her body, had opened His third eye and He said to Parvati, “Without me, there is no Purusha in the universe, only Prakriti, as only You exist.” For this reason, this is the widow form of the Goddess known as Dhumavati. Dhuma means smoke, and She is depicted without any ornaments and in widow apparel. Dhumavati demonstrates renunciation and removes all frustration and agitation, and is free from disrepute. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Tripurasundari
Tripurasundari, The Beauty of All the ThreesThe eighth Mahavidya is Tripurasundari, also known as Kamala. A form of Mahalakshmi, She symbolizes wealth. Her body is golden in color and She is seated on a gold lotus. Here is the story of Her origin. One day Indra, the ruler of the heavens, saw Rambha and was lost watching her beauty. At that time, the fierce Rishi Durvasa appeared and gave a garland to Indra. But Indra, still mesmerized by Rambha, did not realize what he was doing and gave the garland to his elephant Airavat. Durvasa was angry with the disrespect shown to him and immediately cursed Indra thus, “You are the King of the Gods, but yet you are playing with women. You will lose Lakshmi. She will leave your kingdom.” Goddess Lakshmi, true to the curse, left the heavenly regions. All the Gods were saddened, and led by Indra went to Vishnu to get His counsel. Vishnu suggested that Lakshmi would appear if they churned the ocean of milk. Both devas and asuras arrived at the ocean of milk (Ksheera samudra). They used Mount Mandara as the central axle and the serpent Anant Nag as a rope to move the mountain. Lord Vishnu took the form a large tortoise to support the Mountain. The asuras and the devas each took the opposite ends of the snake and churned the ocean. As they churned, a lot of beautiful beings and objects manifested including Ucchaisrava (the divine horse), Dhanvantari (the God of Medicine), the Sudharshana Chakra, the Parijata flower. And then came Lakshmi. When they saw Laksmi, the Gods offered Her an asan with the greatest respect. They did an abhishek to Her, offered Her a lotus garland and entreated Her to stay with them, to which She agreed. She became known as Tripurasundari. Tri means three, Pura means city, and Sundar means beautiful. Tripurasundari is the beautiful one of three cities, or all the threes. She manifests the perfection of compassion in all Nature. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Tara
Tara, the Illuminator of all AttitudesWhen Lord Shiva bade Sati not to attend Her Father’s yajna, Sati became furious and assumed the fearful form of Kali causing Shiva to flee in another direction. Sati then assumed the form of the ninth Mahavidya, Tara. Tara is blue, Her tongue is fearfully sticking out, and Her face is terrifying. Her hair is tangled like snakes sticking straight up and She is dressed in a tiger’s skin. On Her head are five half moons. She has three eyes, four arms, a large protruding belly, and stands on a corpse. She has four arms in which She holds a lotus, a sword, a drinking bowl, and a bell. Tara is the illuminator, She illuminates all our attitudes. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
Bhairavi
Bhairavi, Who Frees us from All Fear The tenth form of Mahavidya is Bhairavi. She has many names including Tripura Bhairavi, Sampath Praja Bhairavi, Kaulesh Bhairavi, Siddhida Bhairavi, Bhay Vidwamsi Bhairavi, Chaitanya Bhairavi, Kameshwari Bhairavi, Nitya Bhairavi and Rudra Bhairavi. Her body is the color of the rising sun. She wears a pearl necklace around her neck, has red breasts and has four hands in which She holds a japa mala, pustak, and displays the mudras of blessing and freedom from fear. She has three eyes that are red in color and wears a moon on Her forehead. Bhairavi is the form of Kali that killed Chanda and Munda. She is free from all fear and frees us from all fear. To learn Her Bija Mantra and Gayatri please see the Das Mahavidyas Presentation.
10:50:00

THE KUNDALINI - SERPENTS AND DRAGONS

 The Kundalini refers to the dormant power or energy present in every human being, and lying like a coiled serpent in the etheric body at the base of the spine. This coiled serpent has been biding its time for ages, waiting for the day when the soul would begin to take charge of its rightful domain—the personality, or the combination of the physical, astral and mental bodies.

This ‘spiritual’ force, while still asleep, is the static form of creative energy which serves to vitalise the whole body. When awakened and beginning to ‘uncoil’, this electric, fiery force proves to be of a spiral nature, and hence the symbolic description of ‘serpent power’.
As the Kundalini force is aroused, it will steadily increase the vibratory action of the etheric centres and consequently also that of the physical, astral and mental bodies through which the vital body finds expression. This animating activity will have a dual effect, firstly by eliminating all that is coarse and unsuitable from the lower vehicles, and secondly by absorbing into its sphere of influence those lofty qualities which will serve to raise the energy content of the vital body of the evolving individual.
One of the objects of activating the spiral fire and its progress up the spine to the head, is to awaken the pineal gland, which again results in the opening of the third eye and the consequent revelation of the subtler planes of spiritual life. By sustaining meditation, by study, disciplined living and selfless service to humanity, the entire system will step by step be aroused, bringing the lower man under the influence of the soul; this will ensure a simultaneous and parallel awakening of the etheric force centres and the dormant forces at the base of the spine. When this process is carried forward with care and under suitable direction, the awakening will take its course gradually and normally, and without incurring any danger. 
 Should attempts be made, however, to accelerate the natural unfoldment unduly by various exercises or other artificial means, then the aspirant is letting himself in for trouble. Breathing exercises should, for instance, never be undertaken without expert guidance, and then only after years of spiritual application, devotion and service. Concentration upon the etheric centres with the object of activating them, should also be avoided, as this will only lead to over-stimulation and the opening of doors on to the astral plane-once opened these doors are difficult to close again. Students are also specifically and strongly warned against following intensive meditation programs lasting for hours, or against practices which aim at arousing any particular centre or the Kundalini fire. The average student is already stimulated to such an extent by present day life activities, that excessive meditation to such an extent by present day life activities, that excessive meditation, breathing exercises, a fanatical diet, curtailment of sleep, and undue interest and emphasis upon psychic experiences, will be included to upset his mental balance and may cause irreparable damage. The raising of the Kundalini force, if brought about ignorantly and prematurely, may lead to serious nervous trouble, inflammation of the tissues, spinal disease, and brain trouble, but if allowed to proceed progressively and naturally through disciplined living, it will finally serve to open the gates to higher realms.  
11:25:00
Pancha bhoota Stalas are Five temples of Lord Shiva. Pancha indicates five, Bhoota means elements and Stala means place They represent the five elements of nature. The physical body of the throbbing life is also composed of these five elements. All these temples are located in South India with four of these temples at Tamil Nadu and one at Andra Pradesh.Shiva in the temple have five different names based on the elements they represent
  • Earth - (Land)- Kancheepuram - Prithvi Lingam
  • Water- Jambukeswaram - Appu Lingam
  • Fire - Arunachalam - Tiruvannamalai - Agni Lingam
  • Air - Srikalahasthi - Vayu Lingam
  • Ether- (Sky)- Chidambaram  - Akasa Lingam  

Ekambareswarar Temple ( Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu)

This is one of oldest functioning temples in India. Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam. Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi river.In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva.

Jambukeswarar Temple ( Thiruvanaikaval, Tamil Nadu)

Thiruvanaikaval or Jumbukeswara is the temple representing Water. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream and in spite of pumping water out, it is always filled with water. As Akilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple, even today at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female and does Pooja to Jambukeswara.
 
One of the Legends: Once Parvati mocked Shiva’s penance for betterment of the world. Shiva wanted to condemn her act and directed her to go to the earth from Kailayam (Shiva's abode) to do penance. Parvathi in the form of Akilandeswari as per Shiva's wish found Jambu forest (Thiruvanaikoil) to conduct her penance. She made a lingam out of water of river Cauvery (also called as river Ponni) under the Venn Naaval tree (the Venn Naaval tree on top of the saint Jambu) and commenced her worship. The lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water Lingam). 

Siva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her Siva Gnana. Akilandeswari took Upadesa (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing west. The temples idols are installed opposite to each other - Such temples are known as Upadesa Sthalams. As the Devi was like a student and Jambukeswara like a Guru (teacher) in this temple, there is no Thiru Kalyanam (marriage) conducted in this temple for Shiva and Parvathi, unlike the other Shiva temples. 

Arunachaleshwarar Temple (Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu)

Annamalaiyar Temple is located at the foothills of the Annamalai Hil in the town of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu.Shiva is worshiped as Annamalaiyar or Arunachaleswarar represented as Agni lingam, with his consort, Unnamulaiyamman (Apitakuchambaal - Parvati).

The temple complex spans 10 hectares and is one of the largest temples in India.It houses 4 gopurams (gateway towers) with the tallest being the eastern tower with 11 storeys and a height of 66 metres (217 ft), making it one of the tallest gopurams in India.  
                           
                                        magnificient view of Arunachala Temple from Annamali hill
 Legend has it that Shiva's consort Parvati once closed the eyes of Shiva playfully in the flower garden of Kailasha (the abode of Shiva). The whole universe was darkened for a moment and the earth was darkened for years, translating to a moment of time at Kailasha. Parvati performed penance with other worshippers and Shiva appeared as a flame of fire at the top of the Annamalai hill to remove the darkness. He merged his half to Parvati's in the form of Ardhanarishvara - the half-female, half-male form of Shiva. The Annamalai hill (meaning red mountain) lying behind the Annamalaiyar temple is always associated with the temple.The hill is considered sacred and considered to be a lingam (representation of Shiva) in itself.

The Karthigai Deepam festival celebrated during the full moon day in November–December during which a huge beacon lit on the top of the hill. It can be seen from miles around and believed to be Shiva's lingam of fire joining the limitless skies. Once the beacon is lit, piligrim perform Girivalam - circling the hill by foot and visit then worship the deity in the temple. The event is witnessed by 3 million pilgrims.

How to reach: The place is around 200km from Chennai and well connected by road and train. Regular buses ply from Chennai CMBT Bus stand, the journey takes around 5 to 6 hours.

Srikalahasti Temple (Andhra Pradesh)

Sri Kalahasti temple is situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kalahasteeswara with his concert Parvati as Gnana Prasunambika Devi.

Legend: According to Hindu mythology, the elephant or Hasti used to clean the Shiva deity by watering the idol with the help of river-water carried in his trunks and pray for him by placing Vilva leaves. The spider or Sri tried to protect the deity from external damage by weaving his web and to provide shelter for the Shiva lingam. The snake or Kala used to place its precious gem on the linga to adorn the lord. In this way, they all worshipped the Vayu linga separately without knowing what the other was doing.

One day, the spider had built a very big and thick web around the deity to protect it from dust and weather while the snake places its gem. The elephant not knowing this and assuming that this form of puja by Sri and Kala is a desecration by the seeming miscreants, pours water on it and cleans it up. This causes a war between the three. The snake punishes the elephant by entering its trunk and in the process kills itself while the elephant runs amok and hits its trunk and head against the shiva linga. During this struggle, the spider is squashed against the linga by the elephant's trunk and the elephant dies due to the snake's poison. Lord Shiva then appeared and gave moksha to all three of them for their selfless devotion. The spider takes rebirth as a great king while the elephant and the snake reaches heaven for satisfying all its karma.

This king continues his good work from his previous birth and builds a variety of temples that seeks to protect the underlying deity with tons of stones. It is interesting to note that all his temples, keep the deity beyond the access of an elephant. In this temple, access to the deity is through a narrow passage in the side of the building that prevents an elephant from extending its trunk over the lord from any side.

                                   Rahu - Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja:

Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Temple is reputed as the Rahu Kethu Kshetra, If the People who have Rahu Kethu Doshas and Sarpa Doshas, the un married and No children and those who are facing various problems for long period and perform the most effective Rahu - Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja in this Temple all the Doshas get removed and desired results occur. Thousands of Devotees from the country and abroad perform this puja and fulfill their vows again and again after receiving good results. 

Thillai Nataraja Temple (Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu)
The deity that presides here is Lord Shiva in form of Nataraj - Lord of Dance. We can see Shiva as in pose of Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava ("Dance of Delight") in the golden hall of the shrine. The consort deity here is Sivakami Amman (form of Amman - mother goddess and female energy).The sculptures of Chidambaram inspired the postures of Bharatha Natyam
  Legend:The story of Chidambaram begins with Shiva strolling into the Thillai Vanam (vanam meaning forest and thillai trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha, a species of mangrove trees - which currently grows in the Pichavaram wetlands near Chidambaram). In the Thillai forests resided a group of sages or 'rishis' who believed in the supremacy of magic and that God can be controlled by rituals and mantras or magical words.

Shiva strolled in the forest with resplendent beauty and brilliance, assuming the form of Bhikshatana, a simple mendicant seeking alms. He was followed by his consort, Vishnu as Mohini. The sages and their wives were enchanted by the brilliance and the beauty of the handsome mendicant and his consort. On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the rishis got enraged and invoke scores of serpents by performing magical rituals. Shiva lifted the serpents and donned them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. Further enraged, the sages invokek a fierce tiger, whose skins and dons were used by Shiva as a shawl around his waist.

The rishis gathered all their spiritual strength and invoked a powerful demon Muyalakan - a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. Shiva wore a gentle smile, stepped on the demon's back, immobilized him and performed the Ánanda Tandava (the dance of eternal bliss) and disclosed his true form. The sages surrender, realizing that Shiva is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals.
                        
                                                                     Thousand pillar Temple - Chidambaram

This gold-roofed stage is the sanctum of the Chidambaram temple and houses the Lord in three forms:
  • the "form" - the anthropomorphic form as an appearance of Nataraja, called the Sakala-thirumeni.
  • the "semi-form" – the semi-anthropomorphic form as the Crystal linga of Chandramaulishvara, the Sakala-nishkala-thirumeni.
  • the "formless" – as the space in Chidambara-rahasyam, an empty space within the sanctum sanctorum, the Nishkala-thirumeni.

The Chidambara Rahasiyam:
During the daily rituals, the Chief priest, parts the curtain, indicating the withdrawal of ignorance and reveals the space, and the Lord’s presence.The Chidambara Rahasya, is hence representative of that time when one, in total surrender, allows God to intervene and remove our ignorance, even as we get to 'see and experience' His presence and hence - bliss.
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