Main god :
Sri Bhavaneeshwarar
Location :
Sri Bhavaneeshwarar Temple
Fernhill P.O.
Fernhill.
Ootacamund – 643004
Festivals :
Maha Shiva Ratri
karthigai Deepam
Annual Arudhra Darshan
Mahakumbabisekam 2009
Arudhra Centenary Celebrations 2012
Workship timing :
every day
Sankatahara Chathurti – 21 dec 2013
Sashti – 8 dec 2013
Karthigai – 15 dec 2013
ANNUAL ARUDHRA DARSHAN – 17
Temple :
sri Bhavaneeshwarar Temple nestling in a serene setting at the mouth of one of the tributaries of Bhavani River (Hence the name of Sri Bhavaneeshwarar) is situated at Fernhill,Ooty was founded by Late.Sri.Arumuga Mudaliar in the late 19th Century.
The Temple with the Holy “Shivalingam” as the Presiding Deity along with Goddess Sri Chamundeeshwari (Bhavani Amman) is the only full fledged Shiva Temple in the Nilgiris.
The Annual Festivals at the Temple include the Maha Shivaratri, Karthigai Deepam, and the famous Arudhra Darshan.
Late Sri Govindasamy Mudaliar’s (Hereditary Trustee 1905-1955) adoration of the Temple was so great that he started the famous Annual Arudhura Darshan Festival in the year 1910 (In the earlier days during the Annual Arudhura Festival the huge decorated palanquin with Sri Nataraja and his consort Sri Sivagamasundari along with other Deities were carried on the shoulders) and taken around the Ooty Town in a procession with the help of the Badagas initially and later with the help of the Ancient Hill Tribe “The Todas” who continue to participate in the festivities with their customary enthusiasm in large numbers even to this day. The Arudhra Festival has been conducted with Pomp & gaiety and has become an eagerly awaited festival for the entire Ooty town
History :
Sri Bhavaneeshwarar Temple nestling in a serene setting at the mouth of one of the tributaries of Bhavani River (Hence the name of Sri Bhavaneeshwarar) Situated at Fernhill Ooty. This Temple is over a century old.
The Temple with the Holy “Shivalingam” as the Presiding Deity along with Goddess Sri Chamundeeshwari (Bhavani Amman) is the only full fledged Shiva Temple in the Nilgiris.
After the demise of my father in 1993 I have been bestowed with the responsibility of Managing and Maintaining the TempleMy Grand Uncle Late Sri Arumuga Mudaliar founded Sri Bhavaneeshwarar Temple. Sometime during the late 19th century. He was Absolved into asceticism – it is learnt that this Holy Person attained ‘SAMADHI’ at Sri DhakshaMoorthy Ashramam; still existing in a place called Kandal- Ooty”.
Late.Sri.Govindaswamy Mudaliar (My Grandfather) born in 1879 had migrated from Pondycherry in search of better prospects in life. During his lifetime itself acting on premonition, Sri Arumuga Mudaliar had instructed his young nephew to perform the daily rituals and poojas and also ordered him to construct a Temple for the Holy Shivalingam, with whatever little means he had.
Sri Govindaswamy Mudaliar took this as a providential order and did all that he could to safeguard the precincts of the Deity. Notwithstanding the vagaries of life, Sri Govindaswamy Mudaliar continued to dutifully perform all the Rituals and constructed a small shed as cover for the holy Shivalingam.
His adoration of the Temple was so great that he went a step ahead and started the famous Annual Arudhura Darshan Festival in the year 1910 (In the earlier days during the Annual Arudhura Festival the huge decorated palanquin with Sri Nataraja and his consort Sri Sivagamasundari along with other Deities were carried on the shoulders) and taken around the Ooty Town in a procession with the help of the Badagas initially and later with the help of the Ancient Hill Tribe “The Todas” who continue to a participate in the festivities with their customary enthusiasm in large numbers even to this day. The Todas are so passionate about this festival, they purchase new clothes and for them it is celebration time. The kids tonsure their head and also have the ear boring ceremony in their own customary way.
With the help received from His Highness Late Sri. Sri. Krishna Raja Wadiyar the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore a Doyen of Arts, Religion and Culture the Temple was Renovated and the Holy Shivalingam was consecrated as we see it today.
Later, in the early 1950’s His Highness Sri Sri Jaya Chamarajendra Wadiyar offered help to renovate the Temple and the Temple was given a facelift. His Highness regularly visited the Temple during his visits to Ooty.
(The Royal family even till the late Sixties was sending an Archaka to the Temple to perform the poojas, later due to administrative reasons the same was withdrawn).
Sri Govindaswamy Mudaliar took Personal interest in the affairs of the temple until he breathed his last, chanting the most sacred words. “OM NAMA SHIVAYA”. After his demise on 23rd June 1955, the young Shankerlingam (My Father) took upon himself the mantle of responsibility of managing the affairs of the Temple.
Sri. G. Shankerlingam being a multifaceted Personality carved a niche for himself in various Religious and Social Activities including the Rotary International (he was designated a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Denmark)
Late. Sri G.Shankerlingam evinced keen interest in the development of the Temple and with the Help of his Philanthropists’ friends performed the first ever Maha Kumbabishekam in a grand manner during April 1975.
He also crafted designed and built a Temple Chariot replacing the old Palanquins in order to facilitate easier movement and to take the burden off the shoulder of the Todas, who were carrying the palanquins in the earlier days.
This synopsis is collated from the documents and evidence available with my Father Late G.Shankerlingam and the other members of the illustratous P.Govindaswamy Mudaliar’s family.
Sri Bhavaneeshwarar Temple is an edifice that is close to the heart of every member of the family and everybody takes pride in contributing for the upkeep of the Temple. Subsequent to the demise of Sri.G.Shankerlingam Mudaliar on the 29th of April 1993 the onerous responsibility of managing the temple was bestowed on Sri.S.Kantharaj.All the rituals Maha Shivratri,KArthigai Deepam,Annual Arudhra Festival is being carried by Sri S.Kantharaj who is currently the Hereditary Trustee of the temple
