Let me share my experience of drive from Chennai to Thirukkovilur and Aadhi Rangam.
I was told by my colleague that he visited on of the oldest temples and had darshan of one of the biggest Ranganathar near Thirukkovilur. I was initially surprized because I had been to Thirukkovilur couple of times and never heard of this Ranganathar temple.
Then on a Sunday I started the drive towards Thirukkovilur. Chennai --> Tambaram --> Chengalpet --> Thindivanam --> Villupuram (inside the villupuram town) --> Thirukkovilur --> Manalurpettai --> Aadhi Thiruvarangam.
Reached the temple at around 10am. The temple is right opposite to the ponni river bed. A slightly dilapidated temple, but a big one. Less crowded even on sunday. Beautifully carved bigggg Ranganthar with His two consorts. The priest mentioned that this is the biggest [evidently] Ranganathar in Tamil Nadu. Lord rested here after his Matsya Avatharam. And so there is no specific promotional ads and/or directions mentioned for this temple on its way. The temple is not closed in the afternoons. Its open from 0830hrs till 1900hrs or even more.
Thereafter reached Thirukkovilur just at the time it was about to be closed. Had a great darshan there too.
Some points to remember:
1. If you are planning for long drive on a leisurely holiday and want to have divine darshan, then these two places are ideal.
2. Most importantly, visit Thirukkovilur first as it is closed at around 1200noon and then you can drive to Adi Thiruvarangam. As I mentioned before, Adi Thiruvarangam is open through out the day.
3. You have to ask for Thiruarangam, if you need to seek directions from the local people.
4. Thiruvarangam is around 17km from Thirukkovilur. You have to drive few kilometers on Thirukkovilur - Thiruvannamalai road and take a left, which indicates 'Manalurpettai salai'.
5. The priest in Thiruvarangam had asked the people visiting the temple to carry more flowers to offer to the Lord.
6. Total kilometers to cover onward and return to home will be at 400+ [From Chrompet in Chennai]
7. Total time required would be around 8 hours.
Thanks
Ananth M
I was told by my colleague that he visited on of the oldest temples and had darshan of one of the biggest Ranganathar near Thirukkovilur. I was initially surprized because I had been to Thirukkovilur couple of times and never heard of this Ranganathar temple.
Then on a Sunday I started the drive towards Thirukkovilur. Chennai --> Tambaram --> Chengalpet --> Thindivanam --> Villupuram (inside the villupuram town) --> Thirukkovilur --> Manalurpettai --> Aadhi Thiruvarangam.
Reached the temple at around 10am. The temple is right opposite to the ponni river bed. A slightly dilapidated temple, but a big one. Less crowded even on sunday. Beautifully carved bigggg Ranganthar with His two consorts. The priest mentioned that this is the biggest [evidently] Ranganathar in Tamil Nadu. Lord rested here after his Matsya Avatharam. And so there is no specific promotional ads and/or directions mentioned for this temple on its way. The temple is not closed in the afternoons. Its open from 0830hrs till 1900hrs or even more.
Thereafter reached Thirukkovilur just at the time it was about to be closed. Had a great darshan there too.
Some points to remember:
1. If you are planning for long drive on a leisurely holiday and want to have divine darshan, then these two places are ideal.
2. Most importantly, visit Thirukkovilur first as it is closed at around 1200noon and then you can drive to Adi Thiruvarangam. As I mentioned before, Adi Thiruvarangam is open through out the day.
3. You have to ask for Thiruarangam, if you need to seek directions from the local people.
4. Thiruvarangam is around 17km from Thirukkovilur. You have to drive few kilometers on Thirukkovilur - Thiruvannamalai road and take a left, which indicates 'Manalurpettai salai'.
5. The priest in Thiruvarangam had asked the people visiting the temple to carry more flowers to offer to the Lord.
6. Total kilometers to cover onward and return to home will be at 400+ [From Chrompet in Chennai]
7. Total time required would be around 8 hours.
Thanks
Ananth M
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