Visiting places of worship, undoubtedly, requires the blessings of the divine. In simpler terms, it is his grace that guides us to visit him. I had long been contemplating a pilgrimage to the renowned temples in and around my hometown of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
Situated in the heart of the state, Kumbakonam is famously known as the “Temple City” of South India. This ancient town is a sanctuary for spiritual seekers, home to a plethora of ancient temples, each boasting unique architectural splendor and cultural significance. A short journey from Kumbakonam leads to Srirangam, an island town surrounded by the Kaveri River. At its core lies the magnificent Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest active Hindu temples globally. This temple is the primary among the 108 Divya Desham kshetras and is the epicenter of Srivaishnavism. Inside the temple resides the deity of Lord Vishnu, known as Lord Ranganatha Swamy, reclining on the coils of the divine serpent Adi Sesha. Exploring these spiritual centers allowed us to delve into the rich cultural and religious heritage of Tamil Nadu.
PLANNING:
As I meticulously planned our itinerary, the emphasis was on a leisurely journey, embracing the slow-paced lifestyle that is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world. This was yet another extensive trip, spanning six days and encompassing visits to over 10 places. Join me on a virtual tour as we showcase some breathtaking photographs capturing the timeless beauty of our blessed country.
THE JOURNEY:
At the beginning of the week, we embarked on our journey, seeking a well-deserved respite from our busy work routines. It’s always exhilarating to complete all our tasks at the office and pack our travel bags on a Monday evening. With great anticipation, we hopped on the Rock fort express bound for Tiruchirapalli, ready for an unforgettable adventure. Our initial stop was Srirangam, where we disembarked in the early hours of the morning and wandered through the narrow streets of this ancient city, feeling a sense of divinity. Afterward, we freshened up and had the privilege of darshan at Sri Ranganaswamy temple.
THIRUVANAIKAVAL:
TIRUCHIRAPALLI:
KUMBAKONAM:
ITINERARY:
Here’s how our itinerary looked:
DAY 1:
- Sri Ranganaswamy Temple, Srirangam
- Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval
DAY 2:
- Visit to Kollidam River, Srirangam
- 45th jeer of ahobilamutt, Srirangam
- Dasavathara Sannidhi, Srirangam
- Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Trichy
Day 3:
- Sri Ranganaswamy Temple, Srirangam
- Travel to Kumbakonam
Day 4:
- Sri Sarangapani swami Temple, Kumbakonam
- Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Kumbakonam
- Sri Someswarar Temple, Kumbakonam
- Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam
- Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
DAY 5:
- Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteswaram, Kumbakonam [A separate Blog coming up next]
Day 6:
- Shopping
- Travel to Chennai
Make sure to view this amazing aerial visuals of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple!
LINKS:
If you enjoy social media, you can see my photos by clicking on the links below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xplore_with_vijay/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xplore_with_vijay/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vijay8686
I trust that you enjoyed the virtual travel experience with me. Please share your feedback in the comments below. Feel free to share this with your family and friends. Remember to subscribe to my travelogues for early access to captivating travel content. Looking forward to seeing your comments.
Awesome!!! All photos especially Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple photographs and videos are stunning and unable to move my eyes to subsequent photos. Aerial view and Birds view are marvelous. It’s showing that you have taken with much effort. Excellent coverage. “Stunning sight of Gopurams standing in a row” – wow. Excellently showing all the temples Vijay!!! Great. Keep Going!!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Usha! I thoroughly admired the in-depth feedback!