Travel – Page 17 – A B B Y N S T A . C O M

McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet - Neumünster, Germany

McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet – Neumünster

June 10, 2018 No Comments

McArthur Glenn has several Designer Outlets around in Europe, 2 of them in Germany – one in Neumünster and another one in Berlin. I have once been to the Neumünster Designer Outlet in 2016, and went to the one in Berlin in 2017. Few weeks back I went to Neumünster again to shop. In the McArthur Glenn Designer Outlets you find brands like Adidas, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Golfino and home brands like Le Creuset and Zwilling and much more, and can save up to 70% – so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Dubai, UAE

Travelling with the Emirates

May 4, 2018 4 Comments

I’ve always loved travelling with the Emirates. Earlier I went with Emirates while travelling to Singapore and India, and I tell you it’s my favourite airlines to travel with, because I feel very comfortable and the service is so good. In addition, of course, when you are going to Dubai, you go with Emirates as well, right 😉 Why do any kind of compromises and choose something else? 😉

Here are some pictures from my on borading to Dubai.

Dubai, UAE

Novotel, Al Barsha – Dubai

May 1, 2018 No Comments

I’m very happy with the Accor Hotels, and if you have read my earlier posts, you can see that I stayed at Novotel during my visit to Berlin. Also in Dubai we went for the same, and booked a room for 2 at Novotel Al Barsha. There are both the Novotel Suits and the Novotel Hotel in Al Barsha, and we stayed at the hotel. The residents in Dubai also know the hotel Novotel in Al Barsha as the Novotel Tower – fyi.

Tamil Nadu, India

Valluvar Kottam, Chennai

April 13, 2018 No Comments

Valluvar Kottam, a chariot-like momument, dedicated to the ancient tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, is to find in Nungambakkam, Chennai.

It was constructed by M. Karunanidhi, and by architect V. Ganapati Sthapati, who is also the architect behind the Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari.

Panchabhootha Sthalas, Tamil Nadu, India

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

April 12, 2018 No Comments

The Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, was the 3rd of the 5 Panchabootha Sthalas, that we visited. We went there by night, right after visiting Thanjavur, so I was not able to take any pictures of the temple.

Going to a very big and famous temple by night was indeed very very beautiful. This was actually one of the most beautiful, precious and unforgettable moments, and I can’t explain how divine it was. As we went there about 7 pm, and therefore could watch the Irandaam Kaala pooja, which is the 5th pooja during the day. Experiencing this pooja, that inclued the Chidambara Rahasya Pooja and Maha Aarathi, indeed so beautiful to watch both the pooja and the great idol of lord Nataraja.

Of the 5 elements, this temple is dedicated to the Sky, and to lord Nataraja, the lord of dance. The deity of Nataraja, in the presence of performing Aanandha Thaandavam, is to be seen in the Pon Ambalam (the Shrine of the Golden Hall). The name Chidambaram, which is the name of both the town and the temple, means “atmosphere of wisdom”. The was built in the 10th century CE, while Chidambaram was th capital of te Chola Dynasty.

If you ask me, I would say that Chidambaram is a must visit. Go there, day or night, to explore the divinity and the beautiful architecture. You’ll feel so blessed!

The legend goes back to the incident, where Shiva in the form of a beggar, accompanied by Mohini – actually lord Vishnu in a beautiful female form – to a mythical Pine forest. Mohini triggers lustful interests in the sages, while Shiva performs thandavam to trigger the lust in the wives of the sages. The people then realized how superficial their austerity is. Later, 2 sages – Patanjali and Vyaghrapada – wanted to see the dance of lord Shiva in the Thillai (today Chidambaram). They set up a Shiva Lingam, pray and meditate. Shiva, impressed by this, appears in front of them in Chidambaram and perform thaandavam.

I really, really hope to go back to Chidambaram in future, to explore both daytime and night poojas, and to explore the atmosphere around the temple. The moments in the temple was one of the most unforgettable experiences. Next time, I’ll come back with loads of pictures too 😉

~ AJ

Panchabhootha Sthalas, Tamil Nadu, India

Jambukeswarar Temple, Thirvanaikaval

April 12, 2018 No Comments

Uchi Pillaiyar Temple in Trichy, was the first temple to visit during the roadtrip in Tamil Nadu. Hereafter, we went to Jambukeshwarar temple, that is located on the Srirangam Island, but in the area called Thiruvanaikaval. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures of the temple..

The temple of Thiruvanaikaval is the 1st among the 5 Panchabootha Sthalas, that are dedicated to lord Shiva though this was the 2nd of 5 temples, we went to. This temple is dedicated to the element water. It is also one among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthala Temples, and is mentioned by all 4 important nayanmargal/Samaya Kuravargal in their works. The temple was built by the tamil king Kochenganan (Senganaan), who was a king in the early Chola dynasties, and lived in the 6th/7th century CE. Later it was expanded by the Hoysala king, Someswara.