Kasi Yaathirai - 10

A visit to Allahabad was an afterthought. We did not plan for this trip while making plans to visit Kasi. Frankly, I did not have an idea. But after going to Kasi, desire to visit Allahabad was growing for following reasons. Triveni Sangamam being one and Ananda Bhavan (Where Motilal & Jawahar Lal Nehru lived) being the other. Allahabad is also famous where Big B had born and family members like Ramamurthy Athimber, Saroja Athai, Uma & Bala lived... I am not too sure about Satya.

We had arranged a Maruti Omni Van and started for Allahabad at 0630 hrs. We had our breakfast on way and reached Triveni sangamam at 0945 hrs.

TRIVENI SANGAMAM: As you all know the rivers Ganga and Yamuna meet at this place. River Saraswati is considered as “Antar vahini” (coming from earth) also meet at this place.

There is also an interesting dhanam known as “Veni (பின்னல்) Dhanam” exists here. The Veni Dhanam is a donation of pinnal of about 2 inches by a married lady on the belief that the lady wants same husband for 7 janma and whatever good things she is doing that should be passed off to her off springs and generations. We took bath at 10 AM. As explained earlier in Kasi Yaathirai - 2, taking a first dip was difficult because of winter and heavy mist even though it was 10 AM. But this time we were better prepared mentally as we had already had a wonderful experience at Kedar Ghat (Kasi). We must have had bath for nearly 30 min. The differences between Kasi and Triveni Sangamam are that there are no proper Ghats at Sangam and the river at Sangam was flowing at faster pace. The area is also slushy. After having enjoyed the holy dip for the second time in a space of 3 days, we went to Sayana Anjaneyar Temple which is very near on the river bank.

SAYANA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE: This temple is located nearby triveni sangamam. This is the only temple where you will find Anjaneyar in resting/sleeping posture. It is believed that Hanuman while going to pick up Chanjeevani had rested here for a moment. We could see the face of Anjaneyar and Ram / Lakshman on either shoulder in that posture. The remaining portions were entirely covered with garlands and flowers. Since it is at the same level as that of the river, this temple will be submerged when the river is in spate. We were lucky to have darshan of Anjaneyar as we could see His face very clearly. Then we went to Vimana Mandapam..

VIMANA MANDAPAM: This is a temple having three tiers. Managed by Kanchi Mutt. In the First tier 108 Jyothir lingams, all the sakthi peedams and the roll of Kanchi Acharyas are displayed in praharams. Moola Sannadhi is of Kamakshi Amman. The First Shankaracharya was there from 509 BC to 477 BC. Paintings depicting the life of Adi Shankaracharya and portion of Ramayanam are decorating the walls of temple. In the second tier, Moola sannadhi is of Tirupati Balaji. In the third (Top) tier the sannadhi is a magnificent Yoga Sahasra Lingam. The speciality of this Lingam is that on the main Lingam there are 1008 small lingams are engraved. We were mesmerized and stood there for almost 5 minutes… What a beautiful Shivalingam!!!!

VENI MADHAVAR TEMPLE: We could not visit this temple as it was closed.

In the next blog I will take you through, the Famous Anandha Bhavan, an expansive area, where our illustrious first Prime Minister lived……..