A Day of Brahma!!

Hindu Cosmology : Manvanthara, Kalpa, Yuga, Vatsara!

Vedic and Puranic texts describe units of Kala measurements, from Paramaṇu (about 17 microseconds) to Maha-Manvantara (311.04 trillion years). According to these texts and other reputable sources, the creation and destruction of the universe is a cyclic process, which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts with the birth and expansion (lifetime) of the Universe equaling 311.04 trillion years, followed by its complete annihilation (which also prevails for the same duration). This is currently 51st year of Brahma, and this is the "year" when the solar system was created according to Hindu astrology, and is the first maha yuga for humanity. The unit given as 311.04 trillion years may be calculated as 3.1104 trillion or 31.104 trillion years depending on which source and which interpretation of said source is used for reckoning. Calculated by multiplying other time units, some texts accept some intermittent units where some do not figure these into the solution. However, the value of 33104 is constant and the only real conflict is the exponential value. None the less, the total age of the universe using the first figure given gives a summary age of existence of 1.24596 quadrillion years plus the number of years that have elapsed since the start of the current Brahma year.

 

LUNAR METRICS

• A Tithi or lunar day is defined as the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the Sun to increase by 12°. Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in duration from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours.
• A Paksha or lunar fortnight consists of 15 tithes.
• A Maasa or lunar month (approximately 29.5 days) is divided into 2 Pakshas: the one between new moon and full moon (waxing) is called gaura or (bright) or Sukla Paksha; the one between full moon and new moon (waning) Krishna (dark) paksha
• A Rutu (or season) is 2 Maasa
• A Vatsara (Samvatsara, Varsha; Year) is two Aayanaas (Uttaraayana, day of Devas; Dakshinaayana, night of Devas)

Reckoning of time among other entities:

Among the Pitars (Pitru Devatas; Pure souls)

• 1 human fortnight (15 days) = 1/2-day (light) or night of the Pitars.
• 1 human month (30 days) = 1 day (light) and night of the Pitars.
• 30 days of the Pitars = 1 month of the Pitars = (30 × 30 = 900 human days).
• 12 months of the Pitars = 1 year of the Pitars = (12 months of Pitars × 900 human days = 10800 human days).
• The lifespan of the Pitars is 100 years of the Pitars (= 36,000 Pitar days = 1,080,000, human days = 3000 human years)
• 1 day of the Devas = 1 human year
• 1 month of the Devas = 30 days of the Devas (30 human years)
• 1 year of the Devas (1 divine year) = 12 months of the Devas (360 years of humans)

Among the Devas

The life span of any Hindu deva spans nearly (or more than) 4.5 million years. Statistically, we can also look it as:

• 12000 Deva Years = Life Span of Devas = 1 Mahā-Yuga.
• Time measurement section of the Vishnu Puraana Book I Chapter III explains the above as follows:
• 2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = 1 human year or 1 day of the devas
• 4,000 + 400 + 400 = 4,800 divine years (= 1,728,000 human years) = 1 Satya Yuga
• 3,000 + 300 + 300 = 3,600 divine years (= 1,296,000 human years) = 1 Tretā Yuga
• 2,000 + 200 + 200 = 2,400 divine years (= 864,000 human years) = 1 Dvāpara Yuga
• 1,000 + 100 + 100 = 1,200 divine years (= 432,000 human years) = 1 Kali Yuga
• 12,000 divine year = 4 Yugas (= 4,320,000 human years) = 1 Mahā-Yuga (also is equaled to 12000 Daiva (divine) Yuga)

[2*12,000 = 24,000 divine year = 12000 revolutions of sun around its dual]

 

For Brahma

• 1000 Mahā-Yugas = 1 Kalpa = 1 day (day only) of Brahma
• (2 Kalpas constitute a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion human years)
• 30 days of Brahma = 1 month of Brahma (259.2 billion human years)
• 12 months of Brahma = 1 year of Brahma (3.1104 trillion human years)
• 50 years of Brahma = 1 Paraardha
• 2 paraardhas = 100 years of Brahma = 1 Para = 1 Mahā-Kalpa (the lifespan of Brahma) (311.04 trillion human years)

One day of Brahma is divided into 1000 parts called Charanas. Four Yugas are derived from charanas
The charanas are divided as follows:
4 charanas (1,728,000 solar years) >> Satya Yuga

3 charanas (1,296,000 solar years) >> Treta Yuga

2 charanas (864,000 solar years) >> Dvapara Yuga

1 charanas (432,000 solar years) >> Kali Yuga
 

The cycle repeats itself, so altogether there are 1,000 cycles of Maha-Yuga in one day of Brahma. One cycle of the above four Yugas is one Mahā-Yuga (4.32 million solar years) as is confirmed by the Geeta Shloka 8.17 (statement) "sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmano viduh rātrim yuga-sahasrāntām te 'ho-rātra-vido janāh", meaning, a day of brahma is of 1000 Maha-Yuga. Thus a day of Brahma, Kalpa, is of duration: 4.32 billion solar years. Two Kalpas constitute a day and night (Adhi Sandhi) of Brahma.

A Manvantara consists of 71 Maha-Yuga (306,720,000 solar years). Each Manvantara is ruled by a Manu. After each Manvantara follows one Sandhi Kaala of the same duration as a Krita Yuga (1,728,000 = 4 Charanas). (It is said that during a Sandhi Kaala, the entire earth is submerged in water.) A Kalpa consists of a period of 4.32 Billion solar years followed by 14 Manvataras and Sandhi Kaalas.

A day of Brahma equals (14 times 71 Maha-Yuga) + (15 × 4 Charaṇas)= 994 Maha-Yuga + (15 * 4800)= 994 Maha-Yuga + (72,000 years)[deva years] / 6 = 12,000[deva years] viz. one maha yuga.= 994 Maha-Yuga + 6 Maha-Yuga= 1,000 Maha-Yuga

KALPA

 

Kalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning an aeon, or a relatively long period of time (by human calculation) in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. The concept is first mentioned in the Mahabharata.Generally speaking, a kalpa is the period of time between the creation and recreation of a world or universe. The definition of a kalpa equaling 4.32 billion years is found in the Puranas - specifically Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana.

In Hinduism (cf. Hindu Time Cycles), it is equal to 4.32 billion years, a "day of Brahma" or one thousand mahayugas, measuring the duration of the world. Each kalpa is divided into 14 manvantara periods, each lasting 71 yuga cycles (306,720,000 years). Preceding the first and following each manvatara period is a juncture (sandhya) the length of a Satya-yuga (1,728,000) years. Two kalpas constitute a day and night of Brahma. A "month of Brahma" is supposed to contain thirty such days (including nights), or 259.2 billion years. According to the Mahabharata, 12 months of Brahma (=360 days) constitute his year, and 100 such years the life cycle of the universe. Fifty years of Brahma are supposed to have elapsed, and we are now in the shveta varaha kalpa of the fifty-first; at the end of a kalpa the world is annihilated.

Kalpa and other periods of time

The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahma, and one day of Brahma consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas, or ages: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion, there being practically no ignorance and vice, and the yuga lasts 1,728,000 years. In the Treta-yuga vice is introduced, and this yuga lasts 1,296,000 years. In the Dvaapara-yuga there is an even greater decline in virtue and religion, vice increasing, and this yuga lasts 864,000 years. And finally in Kali-yuga (the yuga we have now been experiencing over the past 5,000 years) there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years. In Kali-yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avataara, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again. These four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise one day of Brahma, and the same number comprise one night. Brahma lives one hundred of such "years" and then dies. These "hundred years" total 311 trillion 40 billion (311,040,000,000,000) earth years. By these calculations the life of Brahma seems fantastic and interminable, but from the viewpoint of eternity it is as brief as a lightning flash. In the Causal Ocean there are innumerable Brahma's rising and disappearing like bubbles in the Atlantic. Brahma and his creation are all part of the material universe, and therefore they are in constant flux. (Bhagavad-geeta As It Is 8.17)

Names of the Kalpas

The previous kalpa was the vyuhakalpa (Glorious aeon), the present kalpa is called the bhadrakalpa (Auspicious aeon), and the next kalpa will be the naksatrakalpa (Constellation aeon).

The Matsya Purana (290.3-12) lists the names of 30 kalpas, as follows:

1.Shveta, 2.Neelalohita, 3.Vaamadeva, 4.Rathantara, 5.Raurava, 6.Deva,
7.Vrihat, 8.Kandarpa, 9.Sadya, 10.Eeshaana, 11.Tamah, 12.Saarasvata,
13.Udaana, 14.Gaaruda, 15.Kaurma, 16.Naarasimha, 17.Samaana, 18.Aagneya,
19.Soma, 20.Maanava, 21.Tatpumaan, 22.Vaikunta, 23.Lakshmi, 24.Saavitri,
25.Aghora 26.Varaaha, 27.Vairaja, 28.Gauri, 29.Maaheshvara and 30.Pitru

 

The Vayu Purana in chapter 21 gives yet another list of 28 kalpas. It also lists five more kalpas in its 22nd chapter.

AGE of BRAHMA

One Brahma’s age is of 100 years (divya varsha / god years).
Calcualtion of a divya varsha / god year

• One day of Brahma = 1000 (one thousand) Chaturyuga (four yugas) and same is the duration of the night.
• One Chaturyug has four Yugas.
• 1. Satya yuga, which is 1728000 years
• 2. Treta Yuga, which is of 1296000 years
• 3. Dwapara Yuga, which is 864000 years
• 4. Kaliyuga, which is of 432000 years.

{Note: - In one day of Brahma, the term of rule of 14 Indras end. The term of rule of one Indra is 72 chaturyuga. Therefore, in reality, one day of Brahma is of 72 × 14 = 1008 chaturyuga, and same is the duration of the night, but it is taken as one thousand chaturyuga only.}
 

 

Month = 30 × 2000 = 60000 (sixty thousand) chaturyuga
Year = 12 × 60000 = of 720000 (seven lakh twenty thousand) chaturyuga

• Brahma’s age >> 720000 × 100 = 72000000 (seven crore twenty lakh) chaturyuga
• Vishnu’s age is seven times that of Brahma >> 72000000 × 7 = 504000000 (fifty crore forty lakh) chaturyuga
• Shiva’s age is seven times that of Vishnu >> 504000000 × 7 = 3528000000 (three thousand 52 crore 80 lakh) chaturyuga

Age of ParaBrahma or Aadi Paraa Shakti (Eternal Energy, Aadi Prakriti)
When one Brahma dies it is one yuga of ParaBrahma. Such one thousand yugas make one day of ParaBrahma and same is the duration of a night. And then 100 years is the age of ParaBrahma.

The bottom line is that despite having such huge ages, they are still in birth and death.

60 YEAR CALENDAR

 

Shashtyabdi Vatsara is the calendar year for the Telugu, Tamil, Tulu, Marathi and Kannada speaking people of India. Each Yuga (Era) has a cycle of 60 years. Each year of Ugadi year has a specific name in Panchangam (Astronomical calendar) based on astrological influences and the name of the year would represent the character of that year. The calendar includes 60 year names. Every 60 years one name cycle completes and the names repeat in the next cycle. For example, the Telugu name for 1954 is "Jaya", repeated in 2014. Ugadi is the Telugu new year festival that comes in the spring season (usually March or April). Same is celebrated as Gudipadwa for Marathi speaking people, Yugadi for Kannada, Vishu for Malayalis and Tamils.

The sixty year names are as follows:

Prabhava, Vibhava, Shukla, Pramodootha, Prajotpatthi, Angeerasa, Srimukha, Bhaava, Yuva, Dhaatha, Eashwara, Bhahudhaanya, Pramaadhi, Vikrama, Vrusha, Chitrabhanu, Swarbhanu, Taarana, Paardhiva, Vyaya, Sarvajith, Sarvadhari, Virodhi, Vikruthi, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Manmatha, Durmukhi, Heyvilambi, Vilambi, Vikari, Sharvari, Plava, Shubhakrutha, Shobhakrutha, Krodhi, Vishvavasu, Paraabhava, Plavanga, Keelaka, Sowmya, Saadharana, Virodhikrutha, Paridhavi, Pramadeecha, Aananda, Raakshasa, Nala, Pingala, Kaalayukthi, Siddartha, Roudhri, Durmathi, Dundhubhi, Rudhirodgaari, Raktaakshi, Krodhana and Akshaya.

 

Legend behind the 60 years and its names:

According to Brahmaanda Puraana, Once upon a time Narada was doing tapasya in Himalayas. Indra sent Vasanta along with Manmatha, Rati to disturb him. Whereas Narada was in deep meditation and all the efforts they made to disturb him were become waste. Upon completing his tapasya, Narada came to know what was happened. He started feeling pride as he has won over Kaama (the desire, love and affection) like Lord Shiva who has burnt Kaama, the god of love Manmatha into ashes. Narada rushed towards kailasa and expressed his joy to Shiva that he also won over Kaama. Lord Shiva smiled and replied to him that not to tell anybody about it, especially to Lord Vishnu. Narada who is ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu felt sad because of Lord Shiva's words and he left Kailasa. Though Lord Shiva warned him not to tell Lord Vishnu that he has won over Kaama, Narada decided to tell. He left to Vaikunta and boasted about his tapasya and expressed to Lord Vishnu that He also like Lord Shiva who won over Kaama, the desire. 

Lord Vishnu knows that nobody in this universe including him are exceptional if it comes to Maaya and Kaama. Even Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati in love and affection after burning Kaama into ashes. Lord Vishnu wanted to realize Narada. So, Lord told him to visit Sarayu River and take a holy dip as he has completed a great tapasya. Narada did not noticed wicked smile of Lord Vishnu while telling the same and he moved to have holy dip in Sarayu River.

Surprise!! The moment he took a dip in Sarayu river, he become into a beautiful maiden and he lost all his previous thoughts because of Lord Vishnu's maaya. At the same time, A king approaches to that spot and both has seen each other and they fell into love. King and Lady Narada marries and moved to their kingdom. With him, Lady Narada lived happily and enjoyed family life with all bodily desires and love. In turn, they had 60 sons. One day, suddenly a great tsunami occurred and their kingdom vanished into waters. Everybody died except Lady Narada. He started crying and weeping for his King, Children and kingdom. Surprisingly He was able to listen Lord Vishnu's voice calling him. Lady Narada rushes to the spot from where the voice has been coming. There stood Lord Vishnu, Narada in Lady form fell into the feet of Lord and asked for his king and children. Lord pacified him and asked him to take a dip into the waters of Sarayu. Surprisingly, Narada got his own male form and realiazed all this is Maaya and no one is exceptional when it comes to Kaama and Maaya. The 60 sons who were born to Narada when he was into a female form are the 60 years of a Yuga.

Significance:

In ancient days Yogis (saints) interact directly with god , according to that, they have given information related to our Indian Kalachakra(time-cycle) by considering Lord Shiva(Destroyer of bad), Lord Vishnu(Manager of good and bad), Lord Bharmha(Creator of things) and Goddess Shakthi (Energy) life's span.

Below is the Indian Kalachakra (time-cycle):
60 years = Shashti Poorthi (For Reference : Shashti Poorthi)
4,32,000 years = Kali yuga (Age of vice) (For Reference : Kali Yuga)
8,64,000 years = Dwapar yuga (For Reference : Dvapara Yuga)
12,96,000 years = Treta Yuga (For Reference : Treta Yuga)
17,28,000 years = Sat Yuga or Krta Yuga or Krita Yuga (For Reference : Satya Yuga)
Total 43,20,000 years = 1 Maha yuga (Total 4 yugas. For Reference : Yuga)
71 Maha yugas = 1 Manvantara or Manuvantara or Manvanter
14 Manvantara = 1 Kalpa (For Reference : Kalpa (aeon))
2 Kalpas = Lord Brahma 1 Day
2000 Kalpas = Lord Brahma's life span = Lord Vishnu 1 Day
100 Brahma's life = Lord Vishnu 1 Kalpa
200 Kalpas of Lord Vishnu = Lord Shiva 1 Day
200 Kalpas of Lord Shiva = 1 Eye blink of  Goddess Shakti (Eternal Energy; Paraa Prakriti, Aadi Paraa Shakti).

The Current Date

 

Currently, 50 years of Brahma have elapsed. The last Kalpa at the end of 50th year is called Padma Kalpa. We are currently in the first 'day' of the 51st year. This Brahma's day, Kalpa, is named as Shveta-Varaha Kalpa. Within this Day, six Manvantaras have already elapsed and this is the seventh Manvantara, named as – Vaivasvatha Manvantara (or Sraddhadeva Manvantara). Within the Vaivasvatha Manvantara, 27 Mahayugas (4 Yugas together is a Mahayuga), and the Krita, Treta and Dwapara Yugas of the 28th Mahayuga have elapsed. This Kaliyuga is in the 28th Mahayuga. This Kaliyuga began in the year 3102 BCE in the proleptic Julian Calendar. Since 50 years of Brahma have already elapsed, this is the second Parardha, also called as Dvithiya Parardha.

The time elapsed since the current Brahma has taken over the task of creation can be calculated as
432000 × 10 × 1000 × 2 = 8.64 billion years (2 Kalpa (day and night))
8.64 × 109 × 30 × 12 = 3.1104 Trillion Years (1 year of Brahma)

3.1104 × 1012 × 50 = 155.52 trillion years (50 years of Brahma)

(6 × 71 × 4320000) + 7 × 1.728 × 10^6 = 1852416000 years elapsed in first six Manvataras, and Sandhi Kalas in the current Kalpa
27 × 4320000 = 116640000 years elapsed in first 27 Mahayugas of the current Manvantara
1.728 × 10^6 + 1.296 × 10^6 + 864000 = 3888000 years elapsed in current Mahayuga
3102 + 2017 = 5119 years elapsed in current Kaliyuga.

So, the total time elapsed since current Brahma is
155520000000000 + 1852416000 + 116640000 + 3888000 + 5119 = 155,521,972,949,119 years (one hundred fifty-five trillion, five hundred twenty-one billion, nine hundred seventy-two million, nine hundred forty-nine thousand, one hundred nineteen years) as of 2018 AD.

The current Kali Yuga began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar (Extended Julian calendar backwards to dates preceding AD 4 when the quadrennial leap year stabilized, proposed by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar). As per the information above about Yuga periods, only 5,119 years are passed out of 432,000 years of current Kali Yuga, and hence another 426,881 years are left to complete this 28th Kali Yuga of Vaivaswatha Manvantara.

 

Sri Kaalikaambal Kamadeeswarar Temple - by which the city has named as Chenna Patnam - Chennai.

Sri Kaalikaambal Kamadeeswarar Temple - Chennai

The Kaalikaambaal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shri Kaalikaambaal (Kaamaakshi) and Lord Kamadeeswarar, located in Parry's corner (Old: George Town) locality of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is located in Thambu Chetty Street, a prominent financial street running parallel to Rajaji Salai.

Dedicated to Goddess Kalikambal, a form of Goddess Parvati, and Shiva as Lord Kamadeeswarar, Kalikambal Temple is yet another living memoir of the city's ancient history. Built in 1678, Kalikambal temple is a historic temple that has been ornately carved. While its origin and history are a matter of speculation, it is popularly believed that initially a fiercer form of Goddess Kamakshi was worshiped at the temple. Later, it was replaced with a calmer form, Shanta Swaroopa.

Legend:

Chennai city was once called Chennamman Kuppam in the name of Goddess Chennaman and later changed as Chenna pattinam. The Goddess Kali of the earlier Chennamman Kuppam is today’s Sri Kalikambal. The temple was originally located closer to the sea shore and was relocated to the current site at 1640 AD. It was then built in 1678 during the British regime as per the records found. The temple has the sanctity of the two Pancha bootha Sthalams – Kanchipuram and Thiruvannamalai as it has Kaamaakshi of Kaanchipuram worshipped as Kaali and Arunaachaleswara along with goddess also present here.

At the foot of the Goddess is present the Arthameru installed by Sankaracharya. Sri Kamadeswarar is present in a separate shrine. Many Sages Vyasa, Parasara, Agasthya, Angeerasa, Pulasthya and Celestial Gods Indra, Kubera, Varuna and Viswakarma worshipped Sri Kalikambal. It is said that Kubera got all his wealth only after worshipping Sri Kalikambal here.

The great Tamil poet, Subramanya Bharathiar, when he was working for Swadesha Mithran, used to visit this temple often. He song the famous “Yadumaki Ninrai Kali” song on this deity. The Great Shivaji, the Maratha warrior and the founder of the Hindwi-Swarajya in the 17th century, had worshiped the Goddess in this temple incognito on 3 October 1667.

Importance:

A sculpture of Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar sitting cross-legged, with some palm leaves in his hand is present on Kalikambal's Temple Gopuram.

It also has a rare painting and a sculpture showing Goddess Kali blessing Chatrapati Shivaji.

 

 

Historical records indicate that Shivaji’s army came down south up to Kancheepuram, then under the sway of the Nawab of Arcot, who owed allegiance to the British. Legend has it that he visited the temple after he heard that the presiding deity was Kali, his favourite goddess. A long line of Maratha kings, who were descendants of Shivaji, later controlled the Thanjavur region for nearly two centuries.

The main shirne enshrines Kaalikaambal as Soumya roopa Kaamaakshi. The idol is strikingly beautiful and at the foot Meru os situated. Near the entrance of the main shrine, the utsava idols of Kalikambal in ugra form along with Saraswati nad Lakshmi are located in a separate shrine, which is full of mirrors. Adjacent to the main shrine, there is a shrine for Arunachaleswara Shiva with Goddess Unnamulai (Aapitha Kuchaambika). ANother shrine is there for Sri Kaamadeeswarar.
Valli Devasena sameta Sri Subrahmanya, Siddhi Buddhi sameta Sri Vinaayaka, Badhra Kaali sameta Veera Bhadra, Viswakarma shrines are there in Praakaara of Kaalikaambal Temple. There is a big idol of Sri Pratyangiraa Devi which has been installed recently. Devotees pay their respects by lighting lamps and offer flowers to get rid off family problems and graha shanti.

 

Tapas Kaamaakshi Sannidhi - Mangadu

Tapas Kaamaakshi - Aadi Kaamakshi - Ardha Meru Sri Chakra Sannidhi - Mangadu

We all know about Kaanchipuram where the divine couple Lord Shiva as Sri Ekaambareswara and Goddess Parvati as Sri Kaamaakshi resides. It has Kaama koti Peetam established by Aadi Shankara and is being treated as 2nd Shakti peeta out of 18 Shakti peetas in India. But there is another place associated with Kaamakshi at Kaanchipuram prior to her arrival at this place.

Mangadu with in the city limits of Chennai is the place where Goddess Parvati did penance to please Shiva and eventually she get married to him at Kaanchipuram and become Kaamaakshi Ekaambareswara. This is the holy place where Mother Kamakshi performed severe penance standing on one leg amidst fire before Her wedding with Lord Ekambareswarar in Kancheepuram. Sri Chakra occupies all importance in the temple. Abishek is offered to the panchaloka – an alloy of five metals – idol of Mother Kamakshi and archana to Sri Chakra.

Legend:

In a playful mood, Mother Parvathi once covered the eyes of Lord Shiva that resulted in the total standstill of the activities of the world.  She was advised by Lord to perform penance on earth to get rid of sin and promised her with his Darshan and marry Her at an appropriate time.. She did her penance in this place – Mangadu, Mother undertook penance following rigid rules standing amidst fire.  She heard a blessing voice to proceed to Kancheepuram to continue the penance.  As Mother’s penance started at Mangadu, this is revered as Adhi Kamakshi Sthala.

While presiding deity adores the sanctum sanctorum in our temples, Artha Meru Sri Chakra occupies the presiding status in this temple.  The procession deity is behind this Chakra.  All abishek and alankaras are offered to the procession deity Ambika. Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram without dousing the Panchagni fire.  This made Mangadu and the surrounding places too hot and dry. Adi Sankaraacharya made the Sri Arthameru Sri Chakra with eight herbals and installed it here restoring the fertility of the place again, according to history. The term Mangadu means "Mango Forests or Mango Grooves" and as the term implies this must have been a thickly wooded Mango groove in times of yore.

Greatness Of Temple:

The Artha Meru Chakra in the temple was installed by Acharya Sankara having 43 Trikonas-triangles.  This is made of eight herbals called Astagandham.  Hence no abishek is offered the Chakra.  The pujas for the chakra is performed with sandal and other cosmetic powders and archana with kumkum.  On the Vijayadasami day,  last day of Navarathri, this Chakra is covered with gold, while on other days, it is with a silver cover.

Sri Chakra occupies great importance in the temple.  This Artha Meru Sri Chakra is revered as Raja (Royal status) Yantra.  The base is of Koorma (tortoise) design. There are three steps above the base. It is further built with 16 Lotus petals and 8 petals of Lotus still above.  The Sri Chakra is drawn on this peeta-seat.  No Sri Chakra is as big as the one in Mangadu.  It is dressed with a 9 yard sari.
The penance undertaken by Mother Kamakshi is of a highest order which none could imagine.  She made five Agni Kundas – fire pits.  She stood near the central pit keeping Her left toe touching the fire, placed the right leg on the left thigh.  She kept Her left hand near Her naval part, held the right hand with a japa mala above Her head.  Her beautiful eyes were closed to have the hands of Lord.  She undertook this peanace in this holy Mangadu.  This scene is beautifully sculptured in the temple.
Devotees have four Ambikas for darshan in the temple. 1) As Sri Chakra, 2) Adhi Kamakshi made of Panchaloka metals, 3) Kamakshi doing penance amidst the five Agni Kundas and 4) the small Lamp burning near Adi Kamakshi revered as Ambika Herself.  The darshan of all Ambikas can be had simultaneously from the mandap.  Ambika in the sanctum sanctorum is holding a parrot in the right hand and the crescent moon on the head.

It is noteworthy that the tradition of felicitating a person for his/her winning an exam with distinction or any tough competition with the success of standing on a single leg began from the penance posture of Mother Kamakshi.  The condition of penance was not made easy or relaxed even for the consort of Lord. Mangadu has an added importance.  When Emperor Mahabali offered three feet of land to Lord Vamana the dwarf, knowing the design of the Lord, planet Venus-Shukra intervened to stop Mahabali from the offering.  He blocked the Jal Patra the water bowl.  Lord Vamana used a darba grass to remove the block and thus made Venus blind in one eye.  To get back his eyes, Shukra-Venus also performed penance on Lord Shiva in this place when Kamakshi also was on a penance.  Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra the devotee first and granted his eye back.  Priority was to a devotee.
      
When Lord Shiva came to this place to acknowledge the penance of Mother, Lord Vishnu too came here with gifts to His sister the bride.  When Lord Shiva and Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram, Lord Vishnu too was to accompany them.  But Maharshi Markandeya begged Perumal to stay in the place.  Obliging the Rishi, Perumal stayed here as Vaikunta Perumal with His discus and a ring in a finger showing his coming with gifts for His Sister.    He is praised as Seer Perumal – Gift Perumal.

A Homa-Nava Kalasa Homa with nine brass pots-Kalasas is conducted in the temple on full moon days.  Nine forms of Shakti are personified in these Kalasas.  Pushpanjali is offered to Sri Chakra. Niraimani Darshan is another event celebrated in the temple on the Purattasi full moon day in September-October.  Artha Mandap, Thapas Mandap and the front Mandap are decorated with sweets, fruits, vegetables and grains showing all prosperity.  Devotees believe that this Niraimani Darshan would bring all prosperity to the family.
 
Three Mothers in the temple bless and please the devotees in their daily procession in a golden car in evenings daily.  Braahmi, one of the Saptha Mathas is the driver (Saarathi) of the car.  Nava Kannikas the nine virgins are around the car-rath.  There is also a Kuthuvilakku (Akhand Jyoti) perennially burning in the Mahamandap.  Left of this is the shrine of Mother Tapas Kamakshi.

Prayers:

A six week worship is in practice in the temple.  Devotees choose any day in a week to begin the worship with lime fruit and continue the same for six weeks on the same day of the week to realize their wish.  Unmarried girls pray to Mother with a yellow thread in the belief that they too will get a suitable match as Mother performed penance here and got wedded to Lord in Kancheepuram.  This prayer applies to men also.

Those seeking child boon pray to Mother with a cradle so that they would have to arrange a cradle in their houses too for the child blessed by Mother Kamakshi.  Many are experiencing the fruits of the six week worship.  People also pray for promotions in job and for relief from diseases.

Other Temples:

The region was a forest of Mango trees once, hence named Mangadu.  Maa in Tamil means Mango.  A little away from Mangadu is the temple of Lord Velleeswarar.  Velli is the name of planet Venus-Shukra.  This temple is of Shukra importance.  Mother Kamakshi is the important deity in Mangadu and Kancheepuram.  Similarly, Velleeswarar is the main deity in this temple.  Only the feet of Mother are installed here. Lord Ganapathi is holding paddy stalks and mango in His hands.  These are offered as nivedhana to Lord Vinayaka in the faith that farm yields would be in plenty.  Another Vinayaka in the Goshta appears with an umbrella and a mango.

After completion of the visit to the Kamakshi Temple, people proceed to the Vaikunta Perumal Shrine or the Shrine of Lord Vishnu which is about 500 meters away. Here Lord Vishnu can be seen in a seated posture along with his 2 consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi holding a ring in his palm that he has brought for the marriage of his sister Kaamaakshi. This is a small temple with separate shrines for Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Andal and Lord Hanuman.

 

Aadyanta Prabhu - Unique temple of Half Ganesh and Half Hanumaan

Aadyanta Prabhu - Madhya Kailash in Chennai.

When I came to know to the lyrics of one of the famous Tyagaraja Kruti - SRI GANA NAATHAM BHAJAAMYAHAM, I wondered Why Sri Tyagaraja swami mentioned Ganesh as "AANJANEYAAVATHAARAM". Since Anajaneya is born out of Rudraamsha and Ganesha is the son of Rudra, I thought Sri Tyagaraja swamy might thought in this way. But when actually I came to know about a temple which holds a deity which is half Ganesha and half hanumaan.

 

శ్రీ త్యాగరాజ స్వామి వారి కృతి :

శ్రీ గణ నాథం భజామ్యహం
శ్రీకరం చింతితార్థ ఫలదం

శ్రీ గురు గుహాగ్రజం అగ్ర పూజ్యం
శ్రీ కంఠాత్మజం శ్రిత సామ్రాజ్యం (శ్రీ)

రంజిత నాటక రంగ తోషణం
శింజిత వర మణి-మయ భూషణం
ఆంజనేయావతారం సుభాషణం
కుంజర ముఖం త్యాగరాజ పోషణం (శ్రీ)

Madhya Kailash also known as Nadukkayilai in Tamil, is a Hindu temple in South Chennai, located at the junction between Sardar Patel Road, Adyar and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. It is located opposite the Central Leather Research Institute and is close to the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai.

The "Moolavar" or main deity, Venkata Ananda Vinayakar, is surrounded by shrines to Lord Siva, Surya, Devi and Vishnu. In response to the wishes of the people, there are also "Sannidhis" to Anjaneya, Swarna Bhairavar, though these fall outside Ganapatyam practices.

On Vinayaka Chaturthi day, the rays of the sun fall on the presiding deity, striking an auspicious note. Since Vinayaka is the form of the first sound "Om", eight bells have been installed. They represent the seven notes Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Da, Ni, with the eighth bell signifying the Sa that follows. In the "Mandapam" before the sanctum sanctorum is a shrine to Vinayaka’s brother Muruga.

The temple has become famous for its unique idol of "Adhyantha Prabhu", which is part Ganapathy and part Anjaneya. The right side is Ganesh and the left Hanuman. The idol was crafted after a vision of such a form was seen by one of the temple officials. In Maharashtra style, one can light the camphor to this deity himself, giving a great sense of satisfaction. Lord Vinayaka himself takes on the onus of propitiating the ancestors. Every afternoon, the priest has a bath and in his wet clothes begins the rites. He takes the Darba grass, earlier placed at the Anandavinayaka idol’s feet and goes to the shrine of Lord Vishnu. From there he takes the white rice offered to the Lord and comes to the Siva shrine. There the rice transforms into the "Pindam". The rice "Pindam" is taken from the Surya shrine and offered to the crows on a platform. All people can avail this service.

Aadyantha Prabhu means The Lord who has neither origin nor end. As per scriptures, Hanumaan is Chiranjeevi and being a son of Shiva and parvati, Ganesha was twice born. This Unique temple holds the deity of Half Ganesha and Half Hanumaan who are said be the forms of Rudra.

The very conception of the fusion of Vinayaka  and Anjaneya forms in one icon has a great significance . It is fortified by the truth that our worship should begin with Ganesha and end up  with Anjaneya. The unique sight of the  amalgamation of two potent and highly worshipful  deities, invariably sends such thrills in the spines of the viewers  that they raise their hands in veneration unknown to themselves.  Needless to emphasize, that prayers offered to this archamurti fetches double benefits, like two flowers obtained at a single pick.

May Lord Aadyanta Prabhu bless all of us!!