Unveiling the Enchanting Chozha Naadu Divya Desams and Nadu Naadu

India, a land of diverse cultures, has been a hub of spirituality for centuries. The country is known for its rich religious heritage and has numerous sacred sites scattered throughout its vast expanse. Among these, the Chozha Naadu Divya Desams and Nadu Naadu hold a special place.

Chozha Naadu, also known as the Land of the Chola Dynasty, comprises several temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. These temples, known as Divya Desams, are spread across the fertile plains of Tamil Nadu and display the magnificent architectural style of the Chola dynasty.

Pilgrimage to Srivaishnava 108 Divya Desams: Volume Three : Chozha Naadu Divya Desams Part-2 and Nadu Naadu

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Exploring the Chozha Naadu Divya Desams

The Chozha Naadu Divya Desams include renowned temples such as Srirangam, Thiruvarangam, and Thiruvarangulam, to name a few. These temples are revered by devotees and attract millions of visitors each year. The intricate carvings, towering gopurams, and serene ambiance of these temples create an awe-inspiring experience.

Srirangam Temple

Srirangam Temple, located in Trichy, is one of India's largest functioning temples and is considered the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams. This temple complex sprawls over an area of 156 acres and is surrounded by seven concentric walls. The 21 gopurams (towers) at various entrances of the temple showcase the magnificent Dravidian architectural style.

Within the temple complex, devotees can witness the mesmerizing Madhya Ranga, the central form of Lord Vishnu, along with the enchanting sculptures and intricate carvings depicting various mythological tales.

Thiruvarangam and Thiruvarangulam

Thiruvarangam and Thiruvarangulam, located near Srirangam, are considered twin temples. Thiruvarangam, also known as the "Horizontal Temple," beautifully showcases the concept of 'Archa form' where the Lord is believed to reside within the idol.

Thiruvarangulam, on the other hand, is renowned for its historical significance. It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama arrived after defeating the demon king Ravana and attained Lord Vishnu's blessings before returning to Ayodhya.

Unraveling Nadu Naadu

While Chozha Naadu Divya Desams hold a special place in South India, Nadu Naadu refers to the region of Nadu Nadu, comprising the present-day districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and parts of Virudhunagar district in Tamil Nadu. The temples in this region, although lesser-known, are equally splendid and have their own unique charm.

Arulmigu Athalanallur Perumal Temple

Arulmigu Athalanallur Perumal Temple, located in Nadu Naadu, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its ancient history. The temple features exquisite carvings that depict various forms of Lord Vishnu, attracting devotees and enthusiasts interested in art and culture.

Thirukkurungudi Nambi Temple

Thirukkurungudi Nambi Temple, situated in the Tirunelveli district, is one of the holiest Vaishnavite temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple is renowned for its unique architectural style, dating back to the Pandya and Chola dynasties. The stunning sculptures and intricate carvings make this temple a visual treat for visitors.

Both Chozha Naadu Divya Desams and Nadu Naadu offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of Tamil Nadu. The temples in these regions not only inspire devotion but also showcase the remarkable architectural brilliance of ancient times.

Visiting these divine destinations provides an opportunity to immerse oneself in the spiritual aura and experience the divine presence. Whether you choose to explore the magnificent Divya Desams in Chozha Naadu or the lesser-known yet equally enchanting temples in Nadu Naadu, the journey promises to be a memorable and soul-stirring experience.

Pilgrimage to Srivaishnava 108 Divya Desams: Volume Three : Chozha Naadu Divya Desams Part-2 and Nadu Naadu

by Warith Niallah ([Print Replica] Kindle Edition)

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FREE

About the Book :
Temples have always played an important role in the lives of Hindus in the country from times immemorial. Apart from providing spiritual solace, temples have also been repositories of art and architecture and been instrumental in community bonding. For the sake of identification and ease of worship, the formless God has been given many iconic forms, in fact thousands of them. A pilgrimage to these temples to worship these icons is a way of life for most Hindus.

These iconic forms have been classified into various categories like Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti etc which are spread across the length and breadth of the country. While we have many shrines with history and antiquity behind them, there are many temples which are of recent origin. Temples have always been patronized by the kings and rulers of various regions and also by the general public.

Among the more popular iconic forms of God is Lord Vishnu or Narayana who is worshipped at innumerable Srivaishnava temples all over the country. These Srivaishnava temples include the 108 Divya Desams which are shrines worshipped and glorified by the great saints like Azhwars whose hymns have been compiled into the Divyaprabandham.

While some of these temples are well known and located in large towns, there are many which are located in remote places and not easily accessible. Interestingly, a vast majority of these shrines are located in South India with a few scattered across North and Western India. Many of these temples are small and do not have enough resources for their upkeep and maintenance. A few philanthropists and others have contributed for the renovation of many of these temples but much more is required to be done.

The reason for initiating this series is to give a first-hand account of the author’s visits to these shrines in a travelogue format with plenty of pictures so that our youngsters are drawn towards these temples. Once more pilgrims visit these places, the infrastructure there is bound to improve and with increased awareness, the contributions to these temples will also increase to take care of their maintenance.

These 108 temples are located in several clusters and accordingly, I propose to cover all these temples in this series in 7 volumes. Volume One which was released earlier covered the Divya Desam shrine of Thiru Singavel Kundram at Ahobilam in Vada Naadu. Volume Two which was the next to be released covered 21 out of the 40 Divya Desam shrines in Chozha Naadu. Volume Three which is being released now covers the remaining 19 Divya Desam shrines in Chozha Naadu and the 2 Divya Desams in Nadu Naadu. It is hoped that this pictorial journey will create an interest amongst travellers to plan to visit the 108 Divya Desam.

Chozha Naadu is a region in Tamil Nadu comprising several districts in the Kaveri river delta. It is bounded in the north by Thondai Naadu and in the south by Pandya Naadu. There are 40 Divyadesams in Chozha Naadu which can be accessed from the towns of Trichy, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi and Chidambaram.

The Nadu Naadu region is situated north of the Chozha Naadu and south of the Thondai Naadu and has 2 Divya Desams which can be accessed from the town of Cuddalore.

As we travel from one temple to the next, the pictures taken at each temple along with the accompanying text will leave you with memories that can only be equalled by taking time out to go and visit each one of them.

About the Author :

The author, Jagadeesan Krishnan, an intrepid traveller and heritage enthusiast has visited many temples over the years. His desire to visit and worship the Lord at the Srivaishnava 108 Divya Desams took shape about three years back and since then, he has been fortunate to visit over 80 of these shrines and hopefully visit the remaining shrines very soon.