In the last week I have been posting some questions on Fb & Twitter on the subject of Divya Desams, a topic in which I am very interested. I have been amazed at the quick responses and corrections I have been getting. It has only increased my desire to know more. I am sharing the first 14 questions here. Answers will be put up tomorrow.
- Which is the only temple where the two utsava ubhaya nacchiyars are not mirror images but identical replicas of each other (flower in same and not opposite hands)?
- Which temple has small (6 inches) but exquisite figurines of the deities of all other Divya Desams in themanDapam facing the Perumal? Clue: think ThAyAr
- The one shrine where Perumal stands, sits, reclines and walks?
- It is said that nobody has ever looked behind this huge deity. Legend has it that the sea has a connection to the sanctum over there. Where?
- This sanctum to the beauteous being has an exquisite black granite carving at the entrance of Jakkulu Nayak and his wife prostrating. Where?
- The two sthalams with the same purANam of Jatayu moksha are?
- One of Muthuswami Dikshitar’s disciples was from here. Name the kshetram
- Let’s have a question on ThAyAr for a change – She has a verse in Her praise by VaLLalAr Ramalinga Swamigal. Where?
- As Yathothkari He got up, left, and returned at the behest of Thirumazhisai Azhwar. Where is He just in the process of getting up at the request of the same Azhwar?
- Fronting this magnificent reclining deity is this equally magnificent pavilion called Gopala Vilasam replete with wood carvings. Where?
- This 3-tiered temple in each of which the Lord is enshrined, is rich with carvings from the Vijayanagar/Nayak era. One solitary piece is of a monkey leaping down. The vimana is regularly visited by simians too. Where?
- The Dasa Koota venerates Nada Brahma at Pandharpur, Anna Brahma at Udupi and Venkateswara at Tirumala as?
- Aeons ago you stood at …….
You sat at ……..
And lay down at ………..
Then I was not born
Once born I realised
That you stood, sat,
And lay down in my heart
– Thirumazhisai Azhwar
Fill in the blanks
- Which 14th century Sanskrit hymn links the following in a journey to Lanka?
Tirumala
Athigiri
Thiruvellarai
Sesha Peetham (Srirangam)
Thirumalirumcholai
Answers are here
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