Sri Mithantheeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ மிதந்தீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில், Eguvarpalayam/ ஈகுவார்பாளையம், Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Mithantheeswarar Temple at Eguvarpalayam in Tiruvallur District was part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temple, Shiva Temple, Vishnu Temple, and ASI Excavation site in Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu and Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh.  

Moolavar  : Sri Mithantheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Mithantheeswari, Parvati

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a temple tank on the right side. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati are on the top of the ardha mandapam entrance. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Nagars are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Mithantheeswarar is on a square avudaiyar. No koshta murtis are found in the koshtams.

Ambal is not in a separate sannidhi but installed in the ardha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with brick on a laterite stone base. The temple consists of a Gajaprishta-style sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a base and pada bandha adhistam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with madhalai and kapotam. There is no superstructure - vimanam above the bhumi desam.

Laterite stone base

Exposed bricks of the wall

valapi with madhalai

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the original temple belongs to the Pallava period, constructed in Gajaprishta style. But there is no proof available to prove its antiquity. The present structure may be 300 - 400 years old.

LEGENDS

The Mithantheeswarar means that Shiva floated on water/air and reached the spot. Hence called Mithantheeswarar.

Devotees worship Shiva and Ambal to remove marriage obstacles and child boon. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. 

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in the midst of fields, a little away from human habitation. The village Equvarpalayam is about 9 km from Gummidipoondi, 30 km from Periyapalayam, and 72 km from Tiruvallur.

The nearest Railway Station is Gummidipoondi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Chettikaradu Mayavan Temple/ செட்டிகரடு மாயவன் கோவில்/ Sri Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Chettikaradu, Settipalayam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Sri Karivaradaraja Perumal Temple at Chettikaradu is on the way from Erode to Gobichettipalayam, after Chittode. The temple is on a small Karadu (a tiny hill).  

Moolavar: Sri Kari Varadaraja Perumal/ Mayavan

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a Vilakku thoon. Garudan with folded hands is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Kari Varadharaja Perumal is in a standing posture with abhaya and kadi hastam.

Sri Kari Varadaraja Perumal

Garudan

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is on a small hill called Kardu, with 75 steps to climb up. The temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete, and an elevated level. The temple is very small and consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala / ardha mandapam, and an open metacolour sheet mandapam. A stucco image of Maha Vishnu in a sitting posture is on the top of the ardha mandapam. An ekatala nagara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Maha Vishnu’s various postures are on the greeva koshtam. The sigaram is of Nagara style with maha nasis in 4 directions.

An old brick structure is on the south side of the temple.

Old brick structure

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the temple has existed for more than 200 to 300 years. The brick structure on the south side may be the original structure. The present structure may be 100 years old.

The tiles were fixed on the walls by P Subramani of Palakattur and Murukesh of Mandhakkattoor in recent years.

LEGENDS

According to the legend, King Indradyumna was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. Once, while deeply engrossed in prayer, he failed to notice the revered sage Durvasa visiting his court. Durvasa thought that the King didn’t show respect and got angry. The angered sage cursed the king to be reborn as an elephant in his next life. However, realizing the king's innate innocence and devotion, the sage blessed him to retain his memory and devotion to Vishnu even in his animal form.

In a later struggle at a water body, a celestial deity, being transformed into a crocodile, caught the elephant (Kari) by its foot. Pushed to exhaustion, the elephant offered a single lotus flower to Lord Vishnu in absolute surrender. Rushing to his aid, Lord Vishnu vanquished the crocodile with his discus (Sudarshana Chakra) and liberated both the elephant and the cursed gandharva.

Because the Lord granted salvation (moksha) specifically to an elephant (Kari), He came to be revered as Kari Varadaraja Perumal—the king (Raja) who bestows boons (Varada) and saves the elephant.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

No regular poojas are conducted. Once in a while, devotees used to light the camphor at the base, and very few devotees venture to the top.

A grand function with annadhanam will be celebrated on the 4^th Saturday of Puratasi, from morning to night.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple sliding gate is kept open for darshan.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 500 meters from the Erode to Gobichettipalayam road, on the north side.

The temple is 5 km from Kavandapadi, 16 km from Chittode, 19 km from Gobichettipalayam, and 26 km from Erode.

The nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Hero Stones / Veerakallu/ வீரக்கல்/ Memorial Stones at Thudaiyur, Allur, Thiruppaigngneeli, Thiruvasi and Thiruvanai Koil of Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to these Hero Stones was a part of, was a part of “திருச்சி மரபு நடை -Tiruchirappalli Heritage Walk”, from 18^th to 19^th July 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”. This is a consolidated post of Hero Stones seen at various places during the above Heritage Walk.

226.01

PLACE             : Thudaiyur

LOCATION       : Sri Kalingai Amman Temple

TITLE              : Memorial Stones/ Hero stones / Pattan kal   

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS         :

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/3v1cpV4K59i2U2sV6)

This hero, Memorial, and Pattan Kal are erected on the east side of Sri Kalingayi Amman Temple, which is on the back side of the Thudaiyur Shiva Temple. In this, there are two sets of Male and female and single-person Hero / Memorial stones. All males are shown with a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left hand. The Heroes are with Nayaka period tufts and big mustaches. These memorial stones are locally called Pattan Kal, i.e., erected in memory of a Hero who lost his life in a war.   

226.02

PLACE             : Allur

LOCATION       : Mandabathayi- Thoongan Temple

TITLE              : Hero Stones    

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS          :

(https://maps.app.goo.gl/wZXxQyFeHbXFraXt9)

Pattan Kal - Allur Thoongan Swami Temple (Near Shiva Temple)

These Hero stones are at Thoongan Swami Temple near the Allur Nakkan Koil alias Sri Pasupatheeswarar Shiva Temple. There, a flat stone is installed and identified as “Pattan Kal”. Pattan means a person who died due to some heroic action or died in war. The speciality of this Pattan Kal of flat stone without an image of the Hero.   

226.03

PLACE             : Thiruppaigngneeli, Manachanallur. 

LOCATION       : Sri Gneeliwaneshwarar Temple

TITLE              : Arikandam Hero Stone    

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS          :

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kws7XNiqX1mHJUhf9

This Hero stone is along with the loose sculptures: Amman, Deity image, Rishabam, etc, is kept under a Neem tree in front of the unfinished Rajagopuram. The Hero is shown cutting his head with a sword, holding both hands. The Hero is shown with a Nayaka-style tuft and elongated earlobes.

226.04

PLACE             : Thiruvellarai

LOCATION       : Sri Swastikawell

TITLE              : Hero Stone/ Memorial Stone    

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS          :

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zREBQ2GfVFSum3pPA

These Hero stones are single, along with Lady statues. All males are shown with a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left hand, found in an abandoned, dilapidated temple on the east side of the swastika well at Thiruvellarai. The heroes have big mustaches. The Heroes and their wives are shown with Nayaka-style big tufts.

226.05

PLACE             : Thiruvanaikoil

LOCATION       : Sri JambukeswararTemple

TITLE              : Arikanda Hero Stone    

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS          :

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cEDKWSZ65qy83M2p9

This Arikanda  Hero Stone is on the right side of the Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanai Koil, Rajagopuram. The Hero is cutting his head with his right hand, holding the tuft with his left hand. The Hero is shown with a Nayaka-style big tuft and big moustache. He wears ornaments around the neck and elongated earlobes. The Hero wears a half-dress below his waist, and a kattar is tied to his hip.  

226.06

PLACE             : Woraiyur / Uraiyur

LOCATION       : Sri PanchavarneswararTemple

TITLE              : Arikanda Hero Stone    

PERIOD           : 17th to 19th century

DETAILS          :

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NbQstHzAKtkHARQv8

This Arikanda  Hero Stone is in front of the Uraiyur Sri Panchavarneswarar Temple, Rajagopuram. This arikanda Hero Stone is visible above the neck. The details of the hero below the neck are not known. The Hero is cutting his head with his right hand, holding the tuft with his left hand. The Hero is shown with a Nayaka-style big tuft and big mustache.

226.07

PLACE             : Thiruvasi

LOCATION       : Sri Matrurai Varadeeswarar Temple

TITLE              : Navakanda Hero Stone    

PERIOD           : 16th to 17th century

DETAILS          :

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xiv4ZnafabqhoUcJ8

The Navakanda Hero Stone is installed in the inner praharam along with deity images. The hero is shown cutting his head with a sword in his right hand and holding the tuft in his left hand. The hero is keeping his left knee on the ground, and his right knee is up, similar to Garudasanam.  He wears a half-dress from his hips up to the bottom. He is shown with a big mustache.  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Vekkaliyamman Temple / அருள்மிகு வெக்காளியம்மன் திருக்கோவில், Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappali District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Vekkaliyamman Temple at Woraiyur, in Tiruchirappalli District, was a part of “திருச்சி மரபு நடை -Tiruchirappalli Heritage Walk”, from 18^th to 19^th July 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

Moolavar: Sri Vekkaliyamman.

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces north with a three-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Lion vahana are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Vekkaliyamman is in a sitting posture on a simha throne. Amman holds a bowl and Trishul in the lower hands, and Damaru and pasam are in the upper hands. Amman keeps her right leg on the demon.

In the praharam, Utsavar Vekkaliyamman, Vallabha Ganapati, Sri Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Mayura Murugan, Kathavarayan, Periyannan with a Tiger on the back, and Madurai Veeran, Pongu Saniswarar, and Navagrahas.  

PC: website

 Vekkaliyamman 

PC: website

 Utsavar

PC: website

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and a common maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is open to the sky, and Amman is under a vetiver pandal. The bhitti was constructed about 4 feet high. The outside wall is paved with gold-plated metal sheets. The ardha mandapa was built with stone. The stucco image of the Vekkali Amman is on the top of the ardha mandapam. There is also an entrance on the south side of the temple with a mandapam. Stucco images of Amman, Murugan, and Vinayagar are on the top of the entrance mandapam.   

Back side of the sanctum sanctorum without wall and vimanam

PC: website

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the temple has existed in this place since the 10th-century Chozha period. The present structure was built during the 20^th century.

The Golden chariot was made in 2010, and the temple is under the control of the HR and CE Department.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Vekkaliyamman is a Grama devathai and a Guarding deity of the Village, protecting from evil spirits.

Devotees pray to Vekkaliyamman for Marriage, Child boon, to remove obstacles in all walks of life, etc.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular 5 kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Tuesdays and Fridays, on all days in Adi month, along with the annual festival, Panguni Poochorithal, Navaratri, Car/ Chariot festival, etc.  

Golden Chariot

PC: website

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open throughout the day from 06.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +914312761869 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Uraiyur, about 1 km from Sri Panchavarneswarar Temple, one of the Padal Petra Shiva Temples, 4 km from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 4.6 km from Trichy Railway Station, and 5.8 km from Srirangam.

The nearest Railway Station is Trichy Junction. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---