Shiva Tandava Stotram

Such is the beauty of Sanatana Dharma that one of the chief villains of its itihasas, Ravana and his scholarly work are accorded a special status in its treasure trove of spiritual riches.  

The Shiva Tandava Stotram is one such exquisite composition by Ravana, and speaks of the Great Dance of Dissolution of Lord Shiva, the Tandava.  

It describes how Lord Shiva moves during the dance, and ends with the assurance that whoever recites this stotra will be blessed by Lord Shiva.  The famed temple figurine that represents the cosmic dance is Nataraja, one of the many manifestations of Lord Shiva.

In the video, I have broken down the lyrics to facilitate proper pronunciation, just as we did while learning to recite the shloka.

https://youtu.be/hZY0FE9kpOg

Meaning/significance/resources/references:

• https://i.stack.imgur.com/4lM8T.jpg
• https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7360/8989944738_9b76aa46e0_b.jpg
• https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/02/10/15/meditation-303260_640.png
• https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/shiva_tandava_stotram.php
• https://vedicfeed.com/shiva-tandava-stotram-lyrics-sanskrit-and-english/
• Background music: Tratak, Jesse Gallagher

Kalabhairavashtakam

Lord Shiva, the meditative Lord of Kailasa also manifests Himself as Kala Bhairava, the dark, intense, fearsome God of Death/Time whose vehicle is the shvana – dog.  After all, Lord Shiva is the destroyer god among the Holy Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva.  Kala Bhairaveshwara also happens to be our Kuladevata.

In the video, I have broken down the lyrics to facilitate proper pronunciation, just as we did while learning to recite the shloka.

https://youtu.be/RCVzg1Tch6w

As he did so often, that Hero of Hinduism, Adi Shankaracharya wrote this ashtakam, extolling the worldly and spiritual virtues of the Guardian Deity of Kashi, Kala Bhairava. 

Reciting this shloka is said to ward off delusion, depression and anger, and take one close to the Supreme State of Bliss. 

Meaning/significance/resources/references:

• Bhaktisudha, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, 24^th Edition, 2012
• https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/kalabhairava_ashtakam.php
• https://www.artofliving.org/mahashivratri/kaal-bhairav-ashtkam
• https://www.astroved.com/articles/history-of-kala-bhairava
• Background music: Tratak, Jesse Gallagher

Lingashtakam

Lingashtakam is an octet of hymns in the praise of Lord Shiva. 

The ashtakam is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, said to be an avatar of Lord Shiva. 

It addresses the linga aspect of Lord Shiva, that is, the physical representation of the column of Light of Creation.

Released on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri 2021, the ashtakam is known to bestow peace, fulfilment and salvation to one who chants it regularly.  

It is particularly beneficial to chant this ashtakam on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri, which occurs on the 13th night/14th day of the Phalguna month of the Hindu calendar.

One can chant the ashtakam everyday before dawn or dusk, while physically/mentally focusing on the Shivalinga. 

Watch the video of Lingashtakam here:

https://youtu.be/bSSrVHiQaU0

Here is a transliteration (into English, Hindi & Kannada) and the translation of Lingashtakam:

Atah Lingashtakam

अतः लिंगाष्टकम 

ಅತಃ ಲಿಂಗಾಷ್ಟಕಂ

This is the eight-stanza-hymn of Shivalinga

Brahmamurari surarchita Lingam nirmala bhasita shobhita Lingam

Janmaja dukhavinashaka Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

ब्रह्ममुरारि सुरार्चित लिंगम निर्मल भासित शोभित लिंगम

जन्मज दुःखविनाशक लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಮುರಾರಿ ಸುರಾರ್ಚಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ನಿರ್ಮಲಭಾಸಿತ ಶೋಭಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ 

ಜನ್ಮಜ ದುಃಖವಿನಾಶಕ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

Worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and Devas; the pure, resplendent, adorned Linga

That which removes the sorrows of birth/life; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Devamuni pravararchita Lingam kamadaham karunakara Lingam

Ravanadarpa vinashana Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

देवमुनि प्रवरार्चित लिंगम कामदहम करुणाकर लिंगम

रावणदर्प विनाशन लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ದೇವಮುನಿ ಪ್ರವರಾರ್ಚಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಕಾಮದಹಮ್ ಕರುಣಾಕರ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ರಾವಣದರ್ಪ ವಿನಾಶನ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

Worshipped by Devas and Rishis; that which burns desires, that which is compassionate

That which destroys Ravana's pride; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Sarva sugandhi sulepita Lingam buddhi vivardhana karana Lingam

Siddhasurasura vandita Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

सर्व सुगन्धि सुलेपित लिंगम बुद्धि विवर्धन कारण लिंगम्

सिद्धसुरासुर वन्दित लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम 

ಸರ್ವ ಸುಗಂಧಿ ಸುಲೇಪಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಬುದ್ಧಿ ವಿವರ್ಧನ ಕಾರಣ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ಸಿದ್ಧಸುರಾಸುರ ವಂದಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is anointed with fragrant paste; that which grants wisdom

Worshipped by Siddhas, Devas and Asuras; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Kanaka mahamani bhushita Lingam phanipati veshtita shobhita Lingam

Dakshasuyagna vinashana Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

कनक महामणि भूषित लिंगम फणिपति वेष्टित​ शोभित लिंगम

दक्षसुयज्ञ विनाशन लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ಕನಕ ಮಹಾಮಣಿ ಭೂಷಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಫಣಿಪತಿ ವೇಷ್ಟಿತ ಶೋಭಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ದಕ್ಷಸುಯಜ್ಞ ವಿನಾಶನ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is decorated with gold and gems; that which is adorned with the best of serpents

That which destroyed Daksha's grand yagna; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Kunkuma chandana lepita Lingam pankajahara sushobhita Lingam

Sanchitapapa vinashana Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

कुंकुम चन्दन लेपित लिंगम पंकजहार सुशोभित लिंगम

सन्चितपाप विनाशन लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ಕುಂಕುಮ ಚಂದನ ಲೇಪಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಪಂಕಜಹಾರ ಸುಶೋಭಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ಸಂಚಿತಪಾಪ ವಿನಾಶನ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is anointed with saffron and sandal; that which is decorated with lotus garlands

That which destroys accumulated sins; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Devaganarchita sevita Lingam bhavairbhaktibhireva cha Lingam

Dinakara koti prabhakara Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

देवगणार्चित सेवित लिंगम भावैर्भक्तिभिरेवच लिंगम 

दिनकर कोटि प्रभाकर लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ದೇವಗಣಾರ್ಚಿತ ಸೇವಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಭಾವೈರ್ಭಕ್ತಿಭಿರೇವಚ ಲಿಂಗಂ 

ದಿನಕರ ಕೋಟಿ ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is worshipped by Devas and Ganas; that which grants emotion of bhakti

That with the splendour of crore suns; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Ashtadalopari veshtita Lingam sarvasamudbhava karana Lingam

Ashtadaridra vinashana Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

अष्टदलोपरि वेष्टित लिंगम सर्वसमुद्भव कारण लिंगम 

अष्टदरिद्र विनाशन लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम

ಅಷ್ಟದಲೋಪರಿ ವೇಷ್ಟಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಸರ್ವಸಮುದ್ಭವ​ ಕಾರಣ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ಅಷ್ಟದರಿದ್ರ ವಿನಾಶನ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is surrounded by flowers of eight petals; that which is the cause of all creation

That which destroys the eight types of poverty; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Suraguru suravara pujita Lingam suravana pushpa sadarchita Lingam

Paratparam parmatmaka Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

Tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam tat pranamami Sadashiva Lingam

सुरगुरु सुरवर पूजित लिंगम सुरवन पुष्प सदार्चित लिंगम 

परात्परम परमात्मक लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम 

तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम तत प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिंगम 

ಸುರಗುರು ಸುರವರ ಪೂಜಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ ಸುರವನ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಸದಾರ್ಚಿತ ಲಿಂಗಂ 

ಪರಾತ್ಪರಂ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮಕ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ ತತ್ ಪ್ರಣಮಾಮಿ ಸದಾಶಿವ ಲಿಂಗಂ

That which is worshipped by Brihaspati and the best of Gods; that which is worshipped by Flowers from Celestial Gardens

That which is supreme to all; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

I bow to that eternal Shivalinga; I bow to that eternal Shivalinga

Lingashtakamidam punyam yah pathet Shivasannidhou

Shivalopkamavapnoti Shivena saha modate

लिंगष्टकमिदम पुण्यम यः पठेत शिव सन्निधौ

शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते 

ಲಿಂಗಾಷ್ಟಕಮಿದಂ ಪುಣ್ಯಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇತ್ ಶಿವಸನ್ನಿಧೌ

ಶಿವಲೋಕಮವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಶಿವೇನ ಸಹ ಮೋದತೇ

One who recites the eight-stanza-hymn of Shivalinga in the proximity of Lord Shiva

Attains the Abode of Lord Shiva and enjoy His Bliss forever

Or/या/ಅಥವ

 

Lingashtakamidam punyam pavitram papanashanam

Gnyanasiddhikaram shuddham sakshanmokshaika sadhanam

लिंगाष्टकमिदम पुण्यम पवित्रम पापनाशनम 

ज्ञानसिद्धिकरम शुद्धम साक्षान्मोक्षैक साधनम

ಲಿಂಗಾಷ್ಟಕಮಿದಂ ಪುಣ್ಯಂ ಪವಿತ್ರಂ ಪಾಪನಾಶನಂ

ಜ್ಞಾನಸಿದ್ಧಿಕರಂ ಶುದ್ಧಂ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾನ್ಮೋಕ್ಷೈಕ ಸಾಧನಂ

This eight-stanza-hymn of Shivalinga is virtuous, pure and destroyer of sins

This grants wisdom and purity, and is a means of attaining Salvation 

Iti Shrimat Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharyasya

Shri Govinda Bhagavatpujyapada shishyasya

Shri Machchankara Bhagavatah krutou

Lingashtakam sampurnam

इति श्रीमत प्रमहंस परिव्राजकाचार्यस्य​

श्री गोविन्द भगवत्पूज्यपाद शिष्यस्य 

श्री मच्छंकर भगवतः कृतौ

लिंगाष्टकम संपूर्णम 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀಮತ್ ಪರಮಹಂಸ ಪರಿವ್ರಾಜಕಾಚಾರ್ಯಸ್ಯ 

ಶ್ರೀ ಗೋವಿಂದ ಭಗವತ್ಪೂಜ್ಯಪಾದ ಶಿಷ್ಯಸ್ಯ 

ಶ್ರೀ ಮಚ್ಛಂಕರ ಭಗವತಃ ಕೃತೌ

ಲಿಂಗಾಷ್ಟಕಂ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣಂ

Thus ends Chief among Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharyas

Shri Govinda Bhagavadpada's disciple

Shri Adi Shankaracharya's composition

The eight-stanza-hymn of Shivalinga

References/resources:

Background music: Spirit of Fire, Jesse Gallagher

Pictures:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Lingam.svg/1200px-Lingam.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Trishool_A4.svg/41px-Trishool_A4.svg.png
https://i.stack.imgur.com/zyIeq.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/Tripundra.PNG

Meaning of ashtakam:
https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/lingashtakam.php
https://www.artofliving.org/mahashivratri/shiva-ashtakam
https://www.sringeri.info/titles
http://www.anaadifoundation.org/blog/featured/the-ardent-discipleship-of-shri-adi-shankara-bhagavatpada/

Significance of ashtakam:
https://amritayoga.com/yoga-talks/lingashtakam/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20Shivaratri%20in,the%20Great%20Night%20of%20Shiva%22.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/rituals-puja/maha-shivaratri-2020-date-time-significance/articleshow/74186599.cms

Shivashadakshara Stotram

The Shivashadakshara Stotram eulogizes Lord Shiva, one of the Holy Trinity of Sanatana Dharma.  It is taken from the Rudrayamala, a pre-tantric text that elaborates upon the Kundalini Yoga.  

The beauty of the stotra lies in the fact that first syllable of each shloka collectively spells out the mantra, Om Nama Shivaya, meaning 'I bow to Lord Shiva'.  This is also why the stotra is called shadakshara, meaning six-syllabled, implying the six syllables that spell out the mantra (indicated in red in the video).  

For the meaning of each of these syllables, read the earlier post on Om Nama Shivaya.  Read and watch Lingashtakam, the octet of praise of Lord Shiva. 

Watch the video of Shivashadakshara Stotram here:

https://youtu.be/6I0genD5eWY

The transliteration into three languages (English, Hindi & Kannada) and the translation (into English) of this stotra is as follows:

Atah Shivashadakshara Stotram

अतः शिवशडक्षर स्तोत्रम

ಅತಃ ಶಿವಶಡಕ್ಷರ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ

This is Shiva's six-syllabled stotra 

Omkaram bindu samyuktam nityam dhyayanti yoginaha

Kamadam mokshadam chaiva omkaraya namo namaha

ओमकारम बिन्दुसम्युक्तम नित्यम ध्यायन्ति योगिनः

कामदम मोक्ष्दम चैव ओमकाराय नमो नमः

ಓಂಕಾರಂ ಬಿಂದುಸಂಯುಕ್ತಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಧ್ಯಾಯಂತಿ ಯೋಗಿನಃ

ಕಾಮದಂ ಮೋಕ್ಷದಂ ಚೖವ ಓಂಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Omkara with the dot, meditated upon by the yogis

Bestower of wishes and moksha, salutations to Omkara Shiva 

Namanti rushayo deva namantyapsaraso ganaha

Nara namanti devesham nakaraya namo namaha

नमंति ऋषयो देवा नमंत्यप्सरसो गणाः

नरा नमंति देवेशम नकाराय नमो नमः

ನಮಂತಿ ಋಷಯೋ ದೆವಾ ನಮಂತ್ಯಪ್ಸರಸೋ ಗಣಾಃ

ನರಾ ನಮಂತಿ ದೆವೇಶಂ ನಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ 

To Whom the rishis, devas, and apsaras bow reverentially

Lord of devas to Whom humans bow reverentially, salutations to nakara Shiva 

Mahadevam mahatmanam mahadhyanaparayanam

Mahapapaharam devam makaraya namo namaha

महादेवम महात्मानम महाध्यानपरायणम 

महापापहरम देवम मकाराय नमो नमः

ಮಹಾದೇವಂ ಮಹಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಮಹಾಧ್ಯಾನಪರಾಯಣಂ

ಮಹಾಪಾಪಹರಂ ದೇವಂ ಮಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

The great God and Soul, the Supreme Meditator

The great Destroyer of sins, salutations to makara Shiva 

Shivam shantam jagannatham lokanugrahakarakam

Shivamekapadam nityam shikaraya namo namaha

शिवम शांतम जगन्नाथम लोकानुग्रहकारकम

शिवमेकपदम नित्यम शिकाराय नमो नमः

ಶಿವಂ ಶಾಂತಂ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥಂ ಲೋಕಾನುಗ್ರಹಕಾರಕಂ

ಶಿವಮೇಕಪದಂ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಶಿಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ

Shiva is peaceful Lord of universe, He is the bestower of welfare of world

Shiva the word is eternal, salutations to shikara Shiva

Vahanam vrushabho yasya vasuki kanthabhushanam

Vame shaktidharam devam vakaraya namo namaha

वाहनम वृषभो यस्य वासुकी कंठभूषणम 

वामे शक्तिधरम देवम वकाराय नमो नमः

ವಾಹನಂ ವೃಷಭೋ ಯಸ್ಯ ವಾಸುಕೀ ಕಂಠಭೂಷಣಂ

ವಾಮೇ ಶಕ್ತಿಧರಂ ದೇವಂ ವಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

He who rides the bull, He who wears the serpent as garland

He who has Goddess Shakthi on his left, salutations to vakara Shiva

Yatra yatra sthito devah sarvavyapi maheshwaraha

Yo guruh sarvadevanam yakaraya namo namaha

यत्र यत्र स्थितो देवः सर्वव्यापी महेश्वरः

यो गुरुः सर्वदेवानाम यकाराय नमो नमः

ಯತ್ರ ಯತ್ರ ಸ್ಥಿತೋ ದೆವಃ ಸರ್ವವ್ಯಾಪೀ ಮಹೇಶ್ವರಃ

ಯೋ ಗುರುಃ ಸರ್ವದೇವಾನಾಂ ಯಕಾರಾಯ ನಮೋ ನಮಃ

Where the devas reside, the Great God pervades all

He is the Guru of all devas, salutations to yakara Shiva

Shadaksharamidam stotram yah pathet Shivasannidhau

Shivalokamavapnoti Shivena saha modate

शडक्षरमिदम स्तोत्रम यः पठेत शिवसन्निधौ

शिवलोकमवाप्नोति शिवेन सह मोदते 

ಶಡಕ್ಷರಮಿದಂ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇತ್ ಶಿವಸನ್ನಿಧೌ

ಶಿವಲೋಕಮವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಶಿವೇನ ಸಹ ಮೋದತೆ

Whoever chants this six-syllabled stotra, in the proximity of Shiva

Such a person will attain the Abode of Shiva, and be happy with Shiva

Iti Shri Rudrayamale Umamaheshwarasamvade Shivashadakshara Stotram sampurnam

इति श्री रुद्रयामले उमामहेश्वरसंवादे शिवशडक्षर स्तोत्रम सम्पूर्णम 

ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರುದ್ರಯಾಮಲೆ ಉಮಾಮಹೇಶ್ವರಸಂವಾದೆ ಶಿವಶಡಕ್ಷರ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ್ಂ

Thus ends Shri Rudrayamala's Parvathi-Shiva's conversation of 

Shiva's six-syllabled stotra

Resources:
Music: Maestro Tlakaelel, Jesse Gallagher
Pictures:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Kailash_north.JPG/1200px-Kailash_north.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Breathtaking_scenery_on_way_to_Amarnath_Cave.JPG
References:
Meaning:
http://www.hindupedia.com/en/Shiva_Shadakshara_Stotram
https://greenmesg.org/stotras/shiva/shiva_shadakshara_stotram.php
https://stotram.co.in/shiva-shadakshara-stotram/
http://www.stutimandal.com/poemgen.php?id=54
https://shaivam.org/scripture/Marathi/395/shiva-shadakshara-stotram
Significance: http://www.shivashakti.com/rudrayam.htm

Visit to Kalady

When we visited Kerala by flight, I made it a point to stop en route to Munnar at Kalady, which is just a few kilometres away from Kochi airport.  

For those of you who don't know, Kalady is the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, the saint-philosopher of the eighth century.  He lived only for 32 years, and during that time, wrote several treatises and commentaries on major philosophical works, several hymns, founded matths across India, debated several scholars in esoteric and philosophical matters, and was instrumental in the revival of Vedic philosophical traditions across Bharatvarsha.  

His life history is full of touching anecdotes, magical interludes, and encounters with divine personages and gods.  His encounter with Veda Vyasa resulted in the increase in his life span from only 16 years that was set by Lord Shiva himself at his birth, to 32 years.  He went on to encounter Shiva Himself at Kashi in the garb of a Chandala who had come to test him on his spiritual knowledge.  

Finally he was faced with the goddess of knowledge Herself, Saraswathi who questioned him before he could attain the Sarvagnapeetha - throne of knowledge.  In the end he disappeared when he set out on foot towards the Himalayas in Kedarnath region, perhaps back to his heavenly abode in Kailash, as he was said to be the avatar of Lord Shiva.

Thus the life which began in the South in an obscure little town, ended in the lofty regions of the Himalayas, leaving in its wake extraordinary tales, achievements, and body of work.  Shankara was the founder of the Advaita philosophy, which is one of the three philosophical pillars of Sanatana Dharma (the other two being Dwaita propounded by Madhwacharya and Vishishtadvaita propounded by Ramanujacharya).  Among the many philosophical works, the hymns, Bhaja Govindam and Kanakadhara Stotra remain the most popular even today.  

With such a background, how could one resist stopping at Kalady?  We arrived in the afternoon and immediately went to the Kanchi Kamakoti Matth area, where we were greeted by the conspicuous Keerthi Sthambha Mantapam - a tall tower-like structure with a spiral staircase inside that runs all the way to the top.  Inside one can seen murals and idols depicting the important events from Shankara's illustrious life. 

The friendly man at the ticket counter even called up the main temple a little bit away to find out if it was still open for us.  I only realised the significance of this gesture a little bit later when we reached the temple, which is run by the Sringeri Sharada Peetha Matth.  From the interactions with priests I had there, I gathered that there was a bit of difference between the traditions and beliefs of the two Matths, which is a bit unfortunate as they were both dedicated to the cause of the same saint.  

We arrived at the main temple complex, which houses the Sharadamba temple, the samadhi of Aryamba - Shankara's Mother, Shankara's temple and a Krishna temple.  As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by this sign:

There is a path at the back of the temple which leads to the Poorna (Periyar) river.  It was here that Shankara was held by a crocodile who would not let him go until Shankara's Mother acquiesced to his request of becoming a sanyasi.  It was exciting to see this board that marked the spot where this momentous event took place.

Poorna river, it is said, also bent its usual course when the child Shankara requested it to, as his Mother was finding it difficult to reach the river for her daily ablutions.  It reached the edge of Shankara's feet when it changed course, giving Kalady its name (kal = feet, ady = edge).  A mural depicting this episode is painted on the outer wall of the Krishna temple  

The priests inside the temple were very friendly and spoke in Kannada, having arrived some time ago from the Sringeri Matth in Karnataka.  It was an awe inducing moment when we stood facing the samadhi stone of Aryamba.  An aged and severely bent sage walked in as we went about the temple, and somehow managed to pray and prostrate at each shrine before he slowly made his way towards the stone steps that make up the ghat leading to Poorna river.  We were inspired by his dedication and bhakti.  

Full credit goes to the temple management for maintaining a clean ghat near the Poorna river, a feat that is unmatched at other pilgrimage sites where the neighbouring holy rivers are usually highly polluted and dirty.  The atmosphere of the entire place was so serene and relaxing, that we realised with some consternation that it was time to leave as the temple was being closed for the afternoon.  

Great personage, great story, and a great place.  Truly blessed to have set foot in Kalady.

For a short video slideshow of the trip, please visit: https://youtu.be/thcdsyNMPWs