Sanniddhis:
Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Temple located on the hillock of Skandagiri in Padmarao Nagar, Secunderabad truly represents the Shanmathasthaapana i.e. Ganapathyam, Saivam, Koumaram, Saaktham, Vaishnavam and Soumaram, as advocated by the Advaita proponent, Jagadguru sage Sri Aadi Sankara, with the following Sannidhis.
1. Sri Sundara Vinayagar Sannidhi:
His Holiness Sri Sri Paramacharya Mahaswamigal Pujya Sri Chandrasekahrendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam performed the Shankusthapanam for Sri Vinayaga Sannidhi on 18 May 1968.
While consecrating this Sannidhi on 26 August 1968, Mahaswamigal after observing the Divine grace and charm of Sri Vinayagar aptly named the moorthy as Sri Sundara Vinayagar.
Important Festivals:
Sri Vinayaka Chaturthi falling on the fourth day of waxing moon in the month Aavani (Sravana according to Telugu calendar) of every year.
Atjitha Homams followed by Abhshekams are performed usually on all Sundays. Routine Abhishekams and archanas are performed daily.
Sankata Hara chaturthi: Homam and Abhishekam performed in the evening on fourth day of waning moon every month.
Chatur Lakhsha Maha Ganapathy Homams are performed periodically on the specific request of devotees on sponsorship of the whole event.
2. Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Sannidhi:
Sri Valli Devasena sameda Sri Subrahmanyaswamy is the Presiding Deity of the temple.
Mahakumbhabhishekam for Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Sannidhi was performed on 22 January 1970, Thai Poosam day considered very auspicious in the worship of Sri Subrahmanyaswamy.
Important Annual Festivals:
1) Vaikasi Visakham – celebrated on Vishaka nakshatram in the month of Vaikasi (Vaishakham).
2) Brahmotsavam – performed during Vaikasi ( Vaishakam ) every year for a period of 9 days.
3) Aadi Krithikai – celebrated on Krithika nakshatram in the month of Aadi ( Aashadam )
4) Thai Poosam – celebrated on Poosam (Pushyami) nakshatram in the month Thai (Pushyam).
5) Maha Skanda Shasti – celebrated for six days commencing from the next day of Deepavali and concluding on the sixth day (sashti). Sri Devasena Kalyana Mahotsavam is performed the following day in a grand manner.
6) Subbaraya Sashti – celebrated on the sixth day of waxing moon in the month of Margasira.
7) Panguni Uttiram – celebrated on Uthiram nakshatram in the month of Panguni ( Palguni) followed by Sri Valli Kalyanam in the evening.
8) Poojas are performed in a grand manner on all shasti days (both Sukla shasti & Bhagula Shasti).
Homams are performed usually on all Tuesdays while Abhishekams performed daily.
Akshara Lakhsha Homams are performed on the specific request of devotees on sponsorship.
3. Sri Ekambareswarar & Sri Kamakshi Amman Sannidhi:
His Holiness Pujya Sri Pushpagiri Swamigal performed the Kumbhabhishekam of Sri Ekambareswarar & Sri Kamakshi Amman sannidhi on 7th May 1973.
Important Festivals:
1) Maha Sivarathri – celebrated in the month of Maasi ( Magam) in a grand manner with six kala Abhishekam and poojas.
2) Aadi Pooram – the birth star of Sri Kamakshi Amman – celebrated on Pooram nakshatram in the month of Aaadi ( Aashadam).
3) Navarathri Festivals.
4) Mahanyasa poorvaka Ekadasa rudra Abhishekams are performed on all first Mondays of the month. Mruthunjaya homams followed by Abhshekam are performed usually on all Mondays other than the first Monday of the month.
5) Pradhasham Poojas: Homam and Abhishekam performed in the evening on all pradhosham days.
Maha Rudra Homams are performed throughout the month of Karthika every year.
4. Sri Jaya Durga Sannidhi:
Kumbhabhishekam for Sri Jaya Durga Sannidhi was performed on 12th April 1978.
Important Festivals:
1) Vasantha Navarathri – celebrated in the month of Chitra for a period of nine days in a grand manner with Homams, Abhishekam and poojas on all days. Chandi Homams are also performed during the Vasantha Navarathri festival.
2) Sri Navarathri Festivals: This is one of the major festivals celebrated with gaiety and great religious fervor. Cultural programme are organized daily in the evenings.
3) Vijaya Dasami – Dassera Festival.
Homams followed by Abhishekams for Sri Jaya Durga are performed on all Fridays.
Arjitha seva Abhishekams are performed on all Tuesdays and Fridays. Routine Abhishekams and archanas are performed daily.
Chandi Homams are performed exclusively at the request of an individual devotee on prior booking on Fridays preceded by Sri Chandi parayanam on the previous day.
Special mention is to be made at this juncture about the Raahu Kala Poojas performed particularly on Tuesdays when devotees from far and wide converge at this temple to offer prayers to Mother Goddess Sri Jaya Durga. Deepa poojas are also performed during Raahu Kalam on other days also.
5. Sri Varadaraja Swamy Sannidhi:
Kumbhabhishekam for Sri Varadaraja swamy with Sridevi & Sri Bhoodevii was performed on 12th April 1978.
Important Festivals:
1) Sri Rama Navami
2) Gokula Ashtami
3) Vaikunta Ekadasi
4) Dhanur Maasa Poojas
Sri Sudarshana Homam and Sri Dhanvantri Homam followed by Abhishekams are usually performed on Wednesdays. Routine Abhishekams and archanas are performed daily.
6. Sri Dakshinamoorthy:
According to Hindu mythology, Dakshinamoorthy is a manifestation of Lord Siva, regarded as the ultimate Guru – the embodiment of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance. This aspect of Shiva His personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. He is a teacher of yoga, music, wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras. He is worshipped as the God of wisdom. He taught the four sons of Brahma in silence, sitting under a Banyan tree with His left leg crossed over right knee in Virasana, His lower right hand poised in Chinmudra indicating perfection. On his upper right, he holds the drum indicating that He is in harmony with Time and Creation, because it is vibration which manifests as Form. His upper left hand holds a flame, the fire of Knowledge which destroys ignorance.
Dakshinamurti literally means ‘one who is facing south. Dhakshina in Sanskrit means `on the right side’. a-murthy’ means Formlessness’. “Dakshinamurthy” in Sanskrit, means the “Shapelessness situated on the right side”.
Sri Dakshinamoorthy, installed as koshta vigraham on the outer periphery of Sri Ekambareswarar Sannidhi draws a large number of devotees particularly on Thursdays.
Special Homams, Abhishekam to Sri Dakshinamoorthy, through Arjitha sevas are performed on Thursdays.
Special Poojas during Transition of Planet Brihaspathi (Guru Peyarchi) for overall well being, getting right direction in life and avoid delay in settlement of marriages. Special Poojas also performed as suggested by Astrologers.
7. Sri Lakshmi & Sri Saraswathi:
Sri Lakshmi & Sri Saraswathi are installed in front of Sri Jaya Durga Sannidhi. Routine Abhshekams and archanas are performed daily.
8. Sri Sivakamasundari Sameda Sri Nataraja sannidhi:
Arudra Dharshanam, i.e. Aarudra Nakshatam in the month of Maargazi (Margasira) is the most important festival which is celebrated in a grand manner with religious fervor.
The Maha Abhishekam of Lord Nataraja at Chidambaram is performed only on six days in a year viz. ` Aarudra Nakshatram day in the month of Maargazhi (Dec.-Jan.), Shukla paksha – Chaturdasi in the month of Maasi (Feb.- Mar.), Thiruvonam Nakshatram in the month of Chithirai ( April-May), Uthira Nakshatram – Aani Thirumanjanam – in the month of Aani (June – July), Shukla paksha Chaturdasi in the months of Aavani (Aug.- Sep.) and Purattasi (Sep.-Oct.). Of these ‘Arudra Darshanam’ and ‘Aani Thirumanjanam’ have special significance.
9. Sri Shanmugar Sannidhi:
Sri Shanmukha : Legend states that the sparks which flashed forth from the third eye of Siva rushed through space, which Vaayu and Agni carried and dropped into the river Ganga. Ganga, being unable to contain the Divine energy, shoved it on to her banks, upon a shrub of reeds known as Sara. There is thus a combination of the ether, air, fire, water and earth principles in the depositing of the Tejas or energy of Siva in the world. The cumulative force which combined the forms of the five elements impregnated with the divine power of Siva (Divya-Tejas) manifested itself as a six fold Divinity with six faces (Shanmukha), including both the unmanifest and manifest elements in a single being. This is the child of Siva, of mysterious birth, mysterious bringing up, under mysterious circumstances, for a mysterious purpose which the gods alone knew. The third eye represents the principle of intelligence and Skanda, thus, as a revelation through the third eye of Siva, is said to stand for an incarnation of Divine Knowledge. His six heads represent the six siddhis bestowed upon yogis over the course of their spiritual development. This corresponds to His role as bestower of Siddhis.
10. Sri Navagraha Sannidhi:
Navagraha sannidhi of this temple is unique. It is based on knowledge of astrology. The roof of this sannidhi is dome shaped representing the sky, with 12 zodiacs and 27 constellations. Worship of Navagrahas with Rasis and Nakshatras just above them is considered most powerful.
Abhishekam and Archanas performed daily to all navagrahas.
Navagraha shanthi Homams performed on Saturdays followed by Abhishekam and archanas.
Special Parihara poojas to specific planets to ward of their malefic effects performed upon request.
Special Parihara poojas to planet Saturn on Saturdays and on Shani Trayodasi and on day of Saturn Transition.
Special parihara poojas to planets Rahu & Ketu performed upon request Poojas to ward of Kala Sarpa Dosha also performed at request.
11. Sri Bhairavar:
Sri Bhairavar is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation. He is one of the most important deities in Nepal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttarkhand, who originated in Hindu mythology and is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike.
Special Parihara poojas are performed to Sri Bhairavar on Ashtami days to ward of malefic effects of planets namely Raahu and Saturn and also to protect oneself from all types of negative currents and mental tormentation and haunts.
12. Sri Agasthiyar, Sri Idumbhar, Navaveeras, Sri Appar,
Sri Thirugyanasambhandhar, Sri Sundarar &
Sri Manickavachakar:
Sage Agasthiyar: Sage Agasthiyar a great exponent of Tamil Language and the author of Tamil grammar, considered as Father of Tamil literature, is one of the Saptharishis who is revered vedic sage and a siddhar. He is considered as Guru of siddhars. He was handed over the siddha medicines from Sri Subrahmanyaswamy and considered the father of traditional Indian medicines.
According to a story in the Shri Rama-Charitra-Manasa, at one time, Mount Vindhyachal was continually growing in size. Sage Agasthiyar was travelling to South India, via the Mount Vindhyachal. On his way, when the Vindhyas saw Sage Agasthiyar he bowed with respect and reverence, upon which Sage Agastyar, asked if he would stay bowed and subdued with respect until the sage returned. The Vindhyas were truly benevolent and promised to not grow until the seer’s return from the South. After passing through the mountain, sage Agasthiyar never again crossed over to the North side of mount Vindhyas.
Mahabharatha mentions that Sage Agasthiyar gave Drona, the greatest of weapons, Brahmastra (used by both Arjuna and Ashwatthama at the end of the war).
Sri Idumbhar : As ordained by Lord Shiva, Sage Agasthyar wanted to take two hills – Sivagiri and Sakthigiri – to his abode in the South and commissioned his disciple who was an ardent devotee of Lord Subrahmanya, to carry them from Mount Kailash range.
Idumban bore the two hills slung across his shoulders in the form of Kavadi , one on each side. When he reached Palani and felt fatigued, he placed the Kavadi down to take rest. When he resumed his journey, he found that he could not lift the Kavadi of both hills, as Lord Subrahmanya, had made it impossible for him to carry it. Upon the hilltop Idumban spotted a little boy wearing only kowpeenam and demanded that he vacate at once so that Idumban could proceed with his task. The boy at his abode in Palani, refused and in the fierce battle that followed Idumban was slain but was later restored to life by Lord Subrahmanya.
Idumban on realizing that the boy as none other than his Ishta Devata Sri Subrahmanyaswamy, prostrated and prayed to Him that whosoever carried on his shoulders the Kavadi signifying the two hills should be blessed by Lord Subrahmanya and he (i.e Idumban) should be given the privilege of standing at the entrance to the hill. Hence we have Idumban shrine half- way up the hill where every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple.
Sage Arunagirinathar: Sage Arunagirinathar is one of the privileged saints who received upadesham directly from Sri Subrahmanyaswamy, the other saint being Sage Agasthiyar.
Sage Arunagirinathar, named after the sacred Thiruvannamalai mountains, as Arunagiri, is revered as one of the foremost among the acharyas (spiritual teachers) of the Kaumaras. He lived at Thiruvannamalai — the Agni Kshetra — one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, which is sacred and famous for many other reasons as well He rose as high as the mountains and composed many songs giving expression to his devotion and knowledge and the first song he rendered before Lord Muruga, “Muthai Tharu”, began with the name of his mother.
Tiruppugazh, composed by saint poet Arunagirinathar, is unique because it brings before us the image of Lord Muruga in full splendour and glory and bestows us the abounding grace of Muruga. Among many saints who guided humanity to the path of perfection, Sage Arunagirinathar occupies a unique position. His songs not only spark the flame of devotion in the minds of people but also the light of knowledge in the intellect. He showed the way to the life of virtue and righteousness. He showed the way to the Lotus Feet of Muruga.
Sage Arunagirinathar also composed Kandar Anubhuti, Kandar Alamgaram and Kandar Anthadi, three most wonderful creations in praise of Sri Muruga.
Navaveeras:
Navaveeras Sri Veerabahu Thevar, Sri Veera Kesari, Sri Veera Soora, Sri Veera Mahendra, Sri Veera Maheswara, Sri Veera Purandhara, Sri Veera Marthanda, Sri Veeranthaka and Sri Veeradheera are the nine commanders of the divisions of the army of Sri Subrahmanyaswamy. Every precious stone – Ratna – is compared with woman. 9 women, Manickavalli, Muthuvalli, Pushparagavalli, Komedhagavalli, Vaiduryavalli, Vairavalli, Maragathavalli, Pavalavalli and Neelavalli delivered nine male children – Nava Veeras.
Naalvars : The three foremost naayanmars Thirugynasambhandhar, Appar and Sundarar along with Manickavachakar are collectively called Naalvar ( Group of Four)
1) Sri Thirugyana Sambandar: According to the ancient texts, Sambandar was born to Saivite Brahmins, Sivapada Hrudiyar and his wife Bhagavathiar who lived in Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu. When Sambandar was three years old his parents took him to the Shiva temple where Shiva and his consort Parvathi appeared before the child. His father saw drops of milk on the child’s mouth and asked who had fed him, whereupon the boy pointed to the sky and responded with the song Todudaya Seviyan, the first verse of the Tevaram.
The gifted child was named “Gnana Sambandan” that is Sambandan endowed with divine knowledge and with respect he is called Thirugnanasambandar. He composed many songs called Thevarams about the Lord’s glory and also help the people get Lord Shiva’s grace. He was a genius saint and a poet. His devotional hymns are said to be over 10000 but we have lost many of them over time and about four hundred survive.
At his investiture with the sacred thread, at the age of seven, he is said to have expounded the Vedas with great clarity.
He is one of the most prominent of the sixty-three Nayanars. Sambandar’s hymns to Shiva were later collected to form the first three volumes of the Tirumarai, the religious canon of Tamil Saiva Siddhantam. He was a contemporary of Sage Appar.
Sambandar attained liberation in “Visaka Nakshtara” in the Tamil month of “Visakam” at an early age of sixteen only.
2) Sage Appar : Thirunavukarasar also known as Appar was born at Thiruvamur near Panruti in Tamil Nadu. He was born to the most humble family of farmers who were devote Saivites. Thirunavukarasar’s birth name was Maruneekiyar (meaning – remover of Illusion). The name Appar was given to him later by none other than another great saint Thirugyana Sambandhar.
On his voyage of paying obeisance to Lord Shiva, he traveled towards Thiruvannamalai to rejoice in the worship of Lord Shiva. After praying at Thiruvannamalai went to other Saivite shrines of Siva in and around the Pallava Kingdom. Then he moved on to salute the Golden haired Lord’s abode Sri Kalahasti which is where Lord Shiva showed the greatness of hunter devotee Kannappa Nayanar.
After having darshan of Lord Shiva at Sri Kalahasti, Appar yearned to see the utmost beautiful and holy most abode of our Lord Kailasam (Mount Kailash), he continued his journey towards north. Appar proceeded to the Himalayan forests. Not worrying about all those rough terrain, mountainous terrain and the dense forests and the wildest and scary animals which were living inside that thick jungle, he proceeded his journey towards Mount Kailash singing and chanting the name of Lord Shiva. Waking day and night not worrying about any of the above he had two things on his mind. First being his determination to see Lord Shiva and Parvathi at Mount Kailasam and devotion towards Lord.
Walking day and night through that tough and rough terrain his feet were worn out and severely injured because of his continuous walking, but his devotion to worship the Lord with His Consort on the mount was not an inch faded. When his legs were no more able to walk, he started crawling using his hand and knees but after some distance even his hand and knees became so bad that he started using his chest to move forward. His chest bones broke after distance and the flesh and wounds started bleeding he was not able to move an inch anymore even at this situation he not giving up his determination started to roll towards the mount Kailash.
At this point of time, Lord himself came in front of Appar in the form of a sage and asked Appar why he was toiling like that when he could happily have His darshan at Varanasi itself like any other place. Further he told that to worship Lord at Mount Kailash no human form can reach only Devas and angels and other Gods can reach Mount Kailash to have darshan but not him and asked Appar to return back.
But Sri Appar peruman was much more firm than the rock of Mount Kailash and he said he would not return without seeing Lord at Kailasam. Having heard all those beautiful hymns of Appar, Lord who was there in the form of sage disappeared in the horizon and raised the voice, “Oh! great king of words!. Raise! Have a dip in the pond in front of you and see us in the form we are at Kailasam raising from the pond in `Thiruvaiyaru ’.
Appar listening to this “Asariri” took a dip in the pond in front of him somewhere in the foothills of Himalayas and when he got out of the pond all his wounds were gone and to the surprise of the entire world, by the grace that cannot be measured by any one, he reappeared in one of the ponds in the town of Thiruvaiyaru.
What he saw was the most momentous and unforgettable darshan of Shiva and Parvathi in his own words. Appar’s happiness was unfathomable and immeasurable. He saw everything in Thiruvaiyaru which was reflecting the principle of Shiva and Shakthi. The whole temple appeared as Mount Kailash and he was able to see the praise of Vishnu, Brahma, Indra and other Devas and Ganas who were paying obeisance to Lord Almighty. Hence, Thiruvaiyaru is also called as Dakshina Kailasam.
3) Sage Sundarar: Sundarar is unique among the Nayanars in that both of his parents are also recognized as Nayanars. His original name was Nambi aroorar. Attracted by the beauty of the child, the ruler of the local kingdom, adopted him and brought up as his own son. Sundarar was a contemporary of great Pallava emperor Rajasimha who was also a nayanmar saint and also author of many devotional hymn works in Tamil. A temple inscription in Tiruvarur says that sundarar’s father Sadayan also a nayanmar saint belonged to the gotram or lineage of sage Bharadwaja and his mother isaignani also a nayanmar saint belonged to the gotram or lineage of sage Gautama.
Legend that while Sundarar was being married, the service was interrupted by an old ascetic who asked for Sundarar as his servant, making a name sake claim that Sundarar’s “grandfather pledged him” according to an ancient palm leaf manuscript in his possession. Sundarar and those assembled at the wedding were outraged and called the old man a madman (piththaan: Tamil). But a court of Vedic scholars concluded that the palm leaf was legally valid. Sundarar resigned himself to servitude in the old man’s household and, following him to Thiruvennainallur village, was led to the Thiruvarutturai Shiva temple.
The old man was said to be Shiva (Lord Thiagaraja) himself, who told him: ” That the document shown was only a name sake reason and he wanted Sundarar to be reminded of his actual form as alalasundarar a servitor in lord’s kailasam, who had to be born in earth due to moments of worldly thoughts that overcame him. You will henceforth be known as Vanthondan, the argumentative devotee. Did you not call me a mad man just a short while ago? Begin your hymn addressing me ‘O mad man!’
Sundarar is also famous for declaring in many hymns that one reality of lord sivan is apprehended by selfless, dispassionate and attachment free service to him. He also declares that all beings are created equal by lord.
On Swathi Nakshatram in Tamil month of Aadi (Aashadam) Sage Sundarar was taken up to heaven by a white elephant.
4) Saint Manickavachagar: The saint whose words are as precious as manikam, said to have been born in Vadhavoor, Madurai Dist, in Tamil Nadu, on the banks of river Vaigai.
Legend states that King Varaguna of Pandyan dynasty had selected Manikkavasagar as a part of his legion after realizing his talents and seeing his military acumen. He guided the governance the righteous path to prosperity of the land and the people. He had once entrusted him with a large amount of money to purchase horses for his cavalry. On his way he met an ascetic devotee of Siva, who in fact was Siva himself. Manikkavasakar received enlightenment, realized that material things are transitory and built the temple of Siva in Tirupperunturai with the money. King Varaguna also was preached with knowledge of reality and blessed with mukthi after Lord Siva made him realize his small worldly mistake. Varaguana maharaja immediately gave up his throne and attained mukthi at feet of Lord Siva.
Manikkavasakar’s work has several parts. The Tiruvembavai , a collection of twenty hymns in which he has imagined himself as a woman following the Paavai Nonbu and praising Shiva. The twenty songs of Tiruvembavai and ten songs of Tiruppalliezhuchi on the Tirupperunturai Lord are sung all over Tamil Nadu in the holy month of Maarghazi. He wrote a book of Shaiva hyms known as Tiruvaachakam and was one of the main authors of Saivaite Thirumarai, the key religious text of Shaiva Siddhanta.
Thiruvachakam- sacred utterances- is a collection of devotional poetry, composed by Sri Manickavasagar, but written by the Lord Himself having manifested in human form. These deeply heart-stirring devotional songs are still vibrant and they are being sung and heard by millions of Tamils all over the globe.
Skandagiri Subramanya Swamy Temple Address:
Skandagiri,
Kamakotinagar,
Padmarao Nagar,
Secunderabad 500061.