Ravi K

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Navrathri Day 3 – Maa Chandraghanta

On the auspicious third day of Navratri, we seek the divine blessings of Maa Chandraghanta, the powerful and benevolent third form of Goddess Durga.

Adorned with a crescent moon shaped like a bell upon her forehead and riding her majestic tiger, Maa Chandraghanta embodies courage, divine strength, and inner peace. Her radiant presence reminds us that true strength lies in facing every challenge with faith, fearlessness, and a calm heart.

May Maa Chandraghanta remove our fears, fill our lives with positivity, bless our families with happiness and harmony, and guide us on the path of righteousness.

Jai Maa Chandraghanta!

Pic credit - to the respective owners

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

A divine and auspicious sight as the sacred Pradosha Pooja Deeparadhanai is performed for Periya Nandhi at the holy abode of Lord Annamalaiyar temple, Thiruvannamalai.

May Lord Annamalaiyar remove all obstacles, bless every devotee with happiness and good health, and fill every heart with His divine light.

Pic credit- to the respective owners

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

50.30 tonnes of waste, including 20 tonnes of plastic, generated at Kedarnath in just 5 months.

But “Carry Me Back” is turning devotion into responsibility. Nearly 5,000 pilgrims have already carried 12+ tonnes of plastic back down to Gaurikund.

What an idea, Sir Ji!

#Kedarnath
#CarryMeBack

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[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

#Soorasamharam is celebrated on Oct 27th, 2025 (sixth day of Kandasashti Vratham)

Thousands of devotees gather at Murugan temples to witness the majestic Soorasamharam, a divine spectacle that fills the atmosphere with devotion and spirituality.

Catch the live broadcast on Tamil channels today! You can easily find plenty of live streaming options by searching "Kanda Shashti live" on Google. Don't miss it!

Pic courtesy: to respective owners

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

I had the lovely opportunity to visit this beautiful and vibrant temple at Padavedu a few weeks back. It was truly a memorable experience!

This is one of the powerful Shakti worship places in Tamil Nadu.

Here, she is worshipped as the mother of Parashurama, the fierce incarnation of Vishnu.

What sets this shrine apart?

The deity is not a full idol, but a swayambhu head of the goddess.

A place where the head of the mother is eternal.

Adi Shankaracharya is associated with this temple.

Check out the next thread to know about this powerful temple.

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A must-visit temple for those born under Mirugaseersham Nakshatram, the Adi Narayana Perumal Temple in Enkan, near Thiruvarur, stands out for one rare sight – Lord Vishnu seated on Garuda.

Here, devotees get daily Garuda seva darshan, symbolizing the Lord rushing to protect His bhaktas. This shrine is especially sacred for those born under Mirugaseersham Nakshatra, who visit on their star days for thirumanjanam and parihara pujas, seeking peace and blessings.

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A must visit temple for those born under Rohini Nakshatram🙏

Ever heard of a temple where Krishna sits towering at 25 feet high?

It’s the Thirupadagam – Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram.

This is one of the 108 Divya Desams sung by Alvars.

The aura inside is said to hold deep connection with Rohini Nakshatram.

The central shrine of the temple has a large image of the presiding deity Pandava Thoothar, which has a height of 25 ft (7.6 m).

The deity is seen seated in Arda Padmasana posture with his right leg bent to the basement. The right palm depicts the Abhaya Mudra for protection and the left arm depicts Varada Mudra for giving boon.

At this sacred site, Lord Krishna is believed to be pressing His feet with Vishwapada yoga powers 🙏. Devotees perform Adipradakshina or Anga Pradakshina, which is said to energize the 72,000 veins in the body, helping them overcome life's challenges and attain spiritual growth.

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[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

In the sacred town of Kanchipuram lies a divine seat of Shakti where the navel of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. This holy ground is one of the most powerful Shakti Peethams. This Shakti Peetham is also known as Nabisthana or Ottiyana peetam.

The temple is also believed to be the center of the earth.

It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century Indian Vedic scholar, established the Sri Chakra in this shrine.

What makes it even more intriguing is its ancient connection with the mango tree of Ekambareswarar Temple, where Goddess Parvati performed penance to unite with Lord Shiva. 🌸 1/3

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

In the Nakshatram series, we're going to see the temple for people who were born in Bharani Nakshatram to visit.

The Lingam faces west instead of the traditional east.

A slope-like structure around the Shivalinga is filled with water to reduce the Agni (heat) feature of the Lord, which is a unique aspect of this temple.

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Here, Lord Murugan is worshipped as Śrī Balasubramanyar. The festival idol shows Him as Valli Manalar (in wedding posture with Valli), a unique form called Valli Kalyāna Sundarar. Devotees believe worshipping here removes obstacles to marriage, blesses family harmony, and even helps those wishing to buy or build a house. Saint Arunagirinathar visited this temple and sang Thiruppugazh hymns here, adding to its divine glory.

It is believed that people visiting continuously for 6 weeks get their wishes fulfilled.

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Pic/video credit: to the respective owners

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This happened at Siruvapuri Murugan temple, near Chennai. It is said that Lava and Kusa, the sons of Rama, once lived here. When Rama passed through, the young boys, not knowing He was their father, fought a battle with Him. Because children (siruvar)waged war (por), the place was called Siruvar Por Puri.

Centuries later, a woman named Murugammai lived in this village. She was a deep devotee of Lord Murugan, constantly chanting His name. Her husband disliked this and warned her many times, but she never stopped her worship. Out of anger, he cruelly cut off her arms. In unbearable pain, Murugammai still prayed only to Lord Murugan. Moved by her pure devotion, Murugan appeared and miraculously restored her arms without leaving even a scar. From then, this place became known for His powerful blessings.

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Imagine a place where Lava and Kusha once stood boldly against Lord Rama, and where Murugan is seen in a rare form as Valli Manalar, tenderly holding Valli's hand.

A unique feature of this temple is the Maragatha Mayil (Peacock), the Vahanam of Lord Murugan, made of Maragatham (green stone).

Arunagirinathar is seen just near the sanctum facing Lord Murugan in this temple.

Keep reading to know about this temple 👇 1/3

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

🏛️ Built during: Pallava era. Inscriptions are from from the 3rd regnal year of Nandivarman (8th century CE).

📖 Praised in texts: Kanchi Puranam (18th century) by Sivagnana Munivar.

Main deity: Lord Shiva as Thavalagiriswarar / Venguneswarar.

🌳 Sthala Vriksham: Kanni Vilvam

📍 Location: About 5 km from Vandavasi, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

🔥 Festivals: Karthigai Deepam is the major celebration, visible up to 10 km around.

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Pic/video credit - to the respective owners

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

All this pride leads to Sri Thavalagiriswarar Temple, Vengundram, Vandavasi.

Vyasa's Devotion:
Sage Vyasa, struck by the beauty of the white hill, installed a Shiva Lingam here and dug a pond for worship, today known as Vyasa Theertham. The Lingam was thus named Venguneswarar / Thavalagireeswarar, with "Venmai" or "Thavalam" meaning "white."

Murugan's Penance:
After slaying Tarakasura, Murugan created a spring with his Vel and worshipped Shiva, who blessed him with the Jyoti Darshan. That pond is called Kumara Theertham.

Ganga Devi's Radiance:
Overburdened with sins washed into her waters, Ganga sought relief here. Lord Shiva Himself advised her to worship Him at Thavalagiri to regain her beauty. Shiva restored her purity at this temple.

Indra Theertham:
Indra and the Devas worshipped Lord Shiva on this hill, giving rise to yet another holy pond in his name.
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This is the temple where Lord Murugan was blessed with the Jyoti Darshan of Lord Shiva.

This is the temple where Ganga Devi Herself shed the sins washed into her waters. After performing her devotion here, she was restored to her pristine form.

Many sacred theerthams like Vyasa Theertham , Kumara Theertham, and Indra Theertham are found here.

Follow this thread to know more about this temple.. 1/3

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Great talent from the legendary violinist Kunnakudi Vaidhyanathan sir family 🤩

It’s divine to hear her playing ‘Muthai tharu pathi’ famous Murugan song 🙏

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Boro Maa of Naihati is one of the biggest idols of goddess Kali in West Bengal.

Every year, lakhs of people flock to the temple during Kali Puja to witness the Boro Maa’s Puja.

This 21 feet idol is being made with 12 quintals of straw, 100 bamboo, 50 kg of rope and 2 trucks of clay.

The actual idol structure is only 21 feet tall, but it will become 25-feet tall after the ornaments are put on.

A beautiful video taken during the Pooja and procession

#TempleTales

Video credit: Potherpanchali page

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

Feeling blessed in Suguturu Gangamma Jatara, #Punganuru, Andhra Pradesh.. Thank you @abi_tweeting and @bigfundu for inviting me to this intense Jatara🙏

[Temples of the World @KalaForTemples]

#TempleTales #IncredibleIndia

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Thanks for this wonderful movie Kantaara! Goosebumps to experience the divinity in theatre screen.. Hats off @shetty_rishab sir and the #Kantaara team🙏