#HanumanChalisa -a devotional hymn composed by Tulsidas in praise of Hanuman in Awadhi language.

Chalis -Meaning is 40. There are 40 couplets,2 dohas in Hanuman Chalisa.

Tulasidas composed Hanuman Chalisa in 40 days in Jail.

Who jailed Tulasidas&why - See the #story #Thread 👇 Tulasidas was jailed as he refused to bow down to Mughal Ruler Akbar.

Akbar came know from his ministers about the miracle of reviving a dead man by Tulasidas.
So Akbar had summoned Tulsi Das to his court.He was asked to perform a miracle there by Akbar.

ArudraDarisanam/Thiruvathrai-an important hindu festival celebrated mostly in TamilNadu & Kerala.Shiva as Nataraja performed Ananda Thandav for Vyaghrapada&Patanjali Rishi

Do you know why Kali is made as Naivedyam/offering for Bhagwan Shiva on Thiruvathrai..see Story #Thread 👇 It is related to incidents happened in the life of a devotee of Bhagwan Shiva - Senthanar who lived in Chidambaram. He used to sell firewoods for his earnings.Using the money earned by selling firewood,he used to feed atleast one sivanadiyar once a day,before having his food.

#sculpture #story -

Chandesha-Anugraha Murti - One of the Sculpture in Brihadeshwara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram - built by Raja Rajendra Chola I

This Sculpture depicts Bhagwan Shiva along with Devi Paravathi blessing Chandeshwara - one of the 63 Nayanmars.

#Thread Chandeshwara/Chandikeshwara is regarded as custodian of Shiva Temple's wealth&most of Shiva temples in South India has separate sannathi for him.

His bhakti for Bhagwan Shiva elevated him as one of foremost among Nayanmars.
He gave importance to Shiva Pooja&protection of cows.

A story from #Thiruvilayadal puranam-one of divine leelas of Bhagwan Shiva

#threadseries #madurai

Koodal Kaandam

Story 33- it is about how Bhagwan Shiva as Sundareswarar gave Astama siddi Upadesham to Karthigai Pengal

அட்டமா சித்தி உபதேசித்த படலம் Once 6 Karthigai Pengal/women - Nitharthani, Aparakhendi, Magendi, Vardhayenthi, Amba & Tula who took care & brought up Karthikeya/
Subrahmanya from time of his birth came to Mount Kailash.

At that time Bhagwan Shiva was sitting under a tree & Devi Parvati was also there.

#sculpture #Story #Thread -

Bhagwan Shiva as Guru sitting under Kurunta tree giving Upadesham to Manikkavasagar (Vadhavooran)

Athmanatha Swamy Kovil,
Avudaiyarkoil,TN - Dedicated to Shiva - was built by Manikkavasagar who was earlier a minister of Raja Arimarthana Pandyan Also known as Thirupendhurai Kovil.Manikkavasagar(Vadhavooran) had built this temple with
money that the Raja had entrusted him for purchasing Arabian horses.Vandhavooran was a shiva bhakt & was thinking of finding a Guru to get proper Upadesham.

A story from #Thiruvilayadal puranam-one of divine leelas of Bhagwan Shiva

#threadseries #madurai

Koodal Kaandam

Story 31- is about how Bhagwan Shiva granted undepleting pouch of gold to Kulabhooshana Pandyan & about importance of vedic rituals.

உலவாக்கிழி அருளிய படலம் Kulabhooshana Pandyan ruled Madurai Kingdom & was a great Shiva Bhakt.He took care of people needs & all were happy.He was very proud about himself &started to ignore & disrespect the brahmins who performed yagnas & vedic rituals. As a result,the rainfall declined.There was water

A story from #Thiruvilayadal puranam-one of divine leelas of Bhagwan Shiva

#threadseries #Madurai

Koodal Kaandam

Story 30- is about how Bhagwan Shiva came as a cheif soilder along with Shiva ganas as soilders for his devotee Soundara Samanthan

மெய்க் காட்டிட்ட படலம் Kulabhooshana Pandyan ruled Madurai Kingdom.His army commander was Soundara Samanthan.He was a very brave man and was a devotee of Bhagwan Shiva.
He did selfless service to Sivanadiyars.There lived a hunter Sendirayan - he was chief of the hunter community.He was a terror

#ChitraPournami -Today celebrated on full-moon day with Chithirai Nakshatra in Tamil month of Chithirai(April/May)
There are many legend stories related. #Thread

Chitragupta,Yama's assistant birthday.
Indra Dev prayed to Shiva Lingam in Kadamba vanam with Golden lotus-Madurai Chitragupta is said to have born on Chitra pournami day so he is worshipped & his birthday is celebrated in South indian states.

Birth of Chitragupta - Brahma Dev gave Yama Dharma, the work of punishing or rewarding the souls of people, based on their actions in life.

Kolaru Pathigam-Thevaram hymn composed by ThiruGnana Sambandar- #Thread

In Tamil Kol means planets,Aru means cut- set of songs in Kolaru Pathigam addresses all Navagrahas& last 2 lines of every song with end a plea to Bhagwan Shiva to reduce/erase the ill effects of Navagrahas கோளறு பதிகம் - This pathigam was sung by Thirugnana Sambandar at Thirumaraikadu Kshetram -Vedaranyam,Tamilnadu

Thirugnana Sambandar & Appar(Thirunavukkarasar) travelled together to various Shiva Alayam to spread shivam & bhakti among people.They both reached Thirumaraikadu.

A #story from #Thiruvilayadal puranam-one of divine leelas of Bhagwan Shiva

#threadseries #Madurai

Story 18- it is about how Bhagwan Shiva protected Madurai when Varuna Dev sent the giant waves to destroy the city.

வருணன் விட்ட கடலை வற்றச் செய்த படலம் Abhisheka Pandyan was ruling Madurai Kingdom & he was very devoted towards Chokkanathar/ Sundareshwarar.Abhisheka Pandyan used to perform Abhishekam to Chokkanathar regularly.On the Tamil month of Chithirai (April/May) on Chithirai Nakshatra-Pournami (Full Moon) day

Kalikambal Alayam in the heart of Chennai city is known for its historic significance and festivals.

The great Maratha Raja #ShivajiMaharaj had worshiped Devi in this mandir incognito on 3 October 1677.We can see the declaration & paintings in the temple premises. A framed painting by Madras Maratha Association,shows Maratha warrior,kneeling before Devi & offering her a lotus.

Mandir dedicated to Devi Kalikambal (Kamakshi) &Kamateswarar.Initially,mandir was built close to seashore,but in 1640,it was relocated to its present site.

Krishna & Paarijaata apaharana #sculpture #story #Thread

Parijata tree was in Indraloka which was one of gifts he received from churning of Ocean to obtain Amrit.

This beautiful #sculpture depicts Indra Dev chasing Shri Krishna for stealing parijatha tree branch from Indralok 📸- sculpture on outer walls of Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu,Karnataka

Krishna has 4hands with Shankha,Chakra,Mace&Lotus holding Satyabhama tightly,mounted on Garuda. Garuda has a beautifully carved Parijata tree trunk in left hand& a weapon in his right hand, attacking Indra.

#sculpture #story

Kirata-Arjuniyam episode in Vana Parva - of #Mahabharata serves as a proof of the persistence & focus of Arjuna & the playfulness,generosity of Bhagawan Shiva.Also Shiva wished to test Arjuna,so appears as Kirata/hunter along with Devi as a huntress. 📸 1 - Sculpture in the gopuram of Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai,TN

📸 2 - A panel in Beautiful Amruteshwara Temple, Amruthapura,Karnataka

Sculptures depicts Arjuna doing tapas,Killing of boar,battle between Kirata(Shiva) &Arjun after which Arjuna obtained Pashupatastra.

Vishnu dhoots save Ajamila from being taken away by Yama dhoothas -A #story from Srimad Bhagavatham.

Ajamila was well learned virtuous&pure hearted brahmin man.Due to bad company& situations,he lead a low life,did gambling &many wrong things.He married a women of different caste

https://twitter.com/Hiranyaa_/status/1374606325506658308

He named his youngest son as Narayana.He was very close to his youngest son.At the time of Ajamila’s death,when Yama dhootas came to take him,he loudly called the name Narayana in fear because he was attached to his youngest son.Thus he remembered Bhagwan Narayan

Sri Sanjeevi Rayar Temple located in Ayyangar Kulam,near Kanchipuram,TN

#Thread

Ancient but beautiful temple dedicated to Hanuman. This temple is a legendary one. According to the Sthala Puranam of Sanjeevi Rayar temple,it is associated with an episode from Ramayana. Legend story -Hanuman was flying from Himalayas to Lanka bearing Sanjeevi hill to revive Lakshmana during battle between Rama& Ravana, a piece of the Sanjeevi Parvat fell at this place.Many believe this legendary story & even today that no one here dies of any kind of poisoning.

#sculpture #story from #Mahabharat-Battle between Bhagadatta(Son of Narakasura)& #Bhima on 12th day of Kurushetra war is beautifully depicted.

Bhagadatta participated in the war on the side of Kaurava’s.He had a huge,strong &an almost undefeatable elephant ‘Supratika’.

#Thread 📸 -Magnificent Sculpture is in Ranaganayaki Andal Temple,Belur Chennakeshava temple Complex, Karnataka
Depicts Bhima held in trunk of Supratika.As he tried to injure Supratika while going underneath it but in vain.Also Bhima is seen attacking Bhagadatta with mace.

Chandeshwara gave importance to Shiva Puja&protection of cows.

His bhakti for Bhagwan Shiva elevated him as one of foremost among 64 Nayanmars.

He is regarded as custodian of Shiva Temple's wealth& most of Shiva temples in South India has separate sannathi for him
#Thread 👇 There are series of paintings, illustrating the #story of Chandikeshwar in the premises of
Sri Sathiyagireeswarar #Temple - Seinganur,near Kumbakonam,TN

Chandikeshwara's birth name
is Vichara sarman.He was born in the village Seinganur on the banks of River Manni.

Bhagnath temple, Bhageshwar, Near Kausani,HP #Thread

Ancient temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. Do ring the brass bells while entering to offer prayers to Bhagnath,the tiger god🐅

Here Shiva took the form of a tiger There is a legend #story related to this incident #storytimesthread - Rishi Vashishtha prayed to Brahma Dev for bringing Sarayu River to this Bhoomi.On the river’s path,he found that Rishi Markandeya was doing penance &he could not be disturbed.As the river was rising, he prayed to Shiva to help him find a solution.

#DoYouKnow -The place where
Lalitha Sahasranamam -1000 names of Devi originated.

It is in Lalithambigai temple -Thirumeeyachur,Near Mayiladuthurai,TN

There is a Legend #story & it is related to this beautiful #sculpture of Kshetrapuraneswarar & Ambal Lalithambigai #Thread 👇 #Legend #story
It is believed that this is birth place of Kashyapa Maharishi’s sons, Arunan& Garudan. Arunan(charioteer of Surya)was physically handicapped.He was a Shiva devotee.Arunan wanted to visit Kailash to have Shiva Darshan,but Surya Dev denied permission.

Magnificent &Unique Pancha loha Natarajar -taller than Chidambaram Natarajar

World's Largest Nataraja -measuring abt 7 ft is in
Uma Maheswarar #Temple , Thirunallam,Konerirajapuram,TN

An interesting #story related to this beautiful natarajar &Sivagami Devi. Do read #Thread 👇 #Legend #story - Raja Varaguna Pandyan wanted to create a life-size Natarajar,so asked sculptor (Sthapathi)to do so in panchaloha metal.Despite his continuous efforts,sthapathi was unable to make a murti taller than 3 feet.Raja gave him some more time to work on Nataraja murthi

Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal #temple -Gunaseelam,Near Trichy,TN #Thread

Gunaseela Mahatmyam,a chapter of Bhavishyottara Purana describes greatness of this place.

Venkatachlapathi of Tirumala Tirupati appeared b4 Gunaseela Rishi here,so Gunaseelam is known as Ten(South)Tirupati Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is in a standing posture with 4 arms holding sankha & chakra in the upper hands.The lower right hand is in abhaya pose,blessing devotees &left hand is in kati hasta,resting on waist.