28,
September 2011
After
Completing the Darshans of Paadal Petra Sthalangal of NADU NAADU, on the 23rd and 24th of September
2011, had went to the Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Pandya Naadu. Out
of 14 Temples, I had covered 5 temples already when I was
working for M/s SPIC, Tuticorin Fertilizer Plant. (
Tirunelveli, Courtallam, Madurai Aalavai, Thiruparankundram,
Rameswaram ). Had been to Thiruchuli, but I had not gone to the temple, long
back and was not aware of it.
This
time I went to Three Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Pandya Nadu and
Thiruvasakam Paadal Petra Sthalam, Thiruperundurai ( Avudayarkoil) The
details I gathered and the photos I had taken through my mobile are enclosed.
251/7. SRI VIRUTHAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPPUNAVASAL.
(Since
I reached the temple at about 7.00 o’clock at night I could not take clear daylight
pictures, through my mobile.)
This
is the 251st Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Pambaru (
Sarba nadhi ) and the 7th Sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns
in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
( Night view of the Dakshinamoorthy sannadhi with Stucco image above )
Moolavar : Sri Viruthapureeswarar, Sri Pazhampathi Nathar,
Sri Mahalingeswarar.
Sri Mahalingeswarar.
Consort : Sri Bhiruntha Nayaki, Sri Periya Nayaki.
Some
of the important features of this temple are...
The
temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. balipedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In
koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( in yoga posture ), Vishnu, Brahma, and
Durgai. Vishnu and Anjanayer are installed instead of Lingothbavar. It
is believed to be 3000 years old and Lord Shiva is called Pazhampathi
Nathar.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The Moolavar Vimana is taller than the Rajagopuram.
It
was said that the temple at Thanjavur was constructed by seeing this temple. To
prove this the Moolavar Lingam is 9 feet high and avudayar is 33
feet in circumference & 5.5 feet high and the komugi is 3.5 feet.
LEGENDS
It
is believed that Worshiping Shiva in this temple is equal to worshiping all
14 temples of Pandya Nadu (14 Lingams are installed). The Vinayagar is
Aakanda Vinayagar ( Aakandan – Indra -worshiped the lord).
Kudaivarai
Kali (Aroopa) temple is on the northeast corner of the temple premises,
which we can see only through a mirror.
HOW
TO REACH :
Buses are available from Avudayarkoil, Aranthangi, and Thiruvadanai.
Taxi
to pick up and drop available from Avudayarkoil, ( they may charge Rs 600.00
to Rs 1000. (The road is toooooo bad).
CONTACT
DETAILS :
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Moolavar Vimanam )
Moolavar vimanam
253/9.
SRI ADHI RATHNESWARAR TEMPLE,
THIRUVADANAI
THIRUVADANAI
Now this place is
called Thiruvadanai. This is the 253rd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 9th Sthalam
in Pandya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Shiva of
this temple.
(The 9 tier Rajagopuram.)
Moolavar : Sri
Aathirathneswarar, Sri Ayagajaeswarar
Consort : Sri Snehavalli, Sri Anbayeravalli.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with a 130-foot high, nine-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In the prakaram Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Murugan, Somaskandar,
Lakshmi and Sabha mandapam.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. Moolavar Lingam is made out of Blue Rathinam.
Ambal is in a
separate sannadhi in Chathurbhuja posture facing east. The corridor is
beautifully constructed with rock pillars with many
sculptures.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, due
to the curse of Durvasa muni, Varunan’s son Vaaruni has got the Elephant body with a goat's head ( ஆடு + ஆனை = ஆடானை ).
By worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple the curse was removed and he got the
original form. Hence this place is called Thiruvadanai.
It is believed that Suryan installed and worshiped the Moolavar.
HISTORY
The temple is under
the control of Ramanathapuram Rajah’s family.
HOW TO REACH :
Buses from Karaikudi
( 20 KM ), and Devakottai ( 10 KM) to Thondi pass through this place Thiruvadanai.
Buses from Trichy, and Madurai
CONTACT DETAILS:
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Front mandapam pillars )
254/10. SWARNA KAALEESWARAR TEMPLE,
KALAYARKOIL - ( THIRUKANAPER )
KALAYARKOIL - ( THIRUKANAPER )
This place is now called Kalayarkoil. This is the 254th Thevaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 10th Sthalam in Pandiya Naadu. Thirugnanasambandar & Sundarar have sung hymns in
praise of Shiva of this temple.
( Rajagopuram's view )
Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with Two 9-Tier and 5-Tier Rajagopuras.
There are three sanctums and the Centre one is the Padal Petra Sthalam. All three sannadhis have the Balipeedam,
Nandhi, and Dwajasthambam.
Moolavar Consort
Swarna Kaaleeswarar Sri Sornavalli
Sri Somesar Sri Soundaravalli
Sri Sundaresar Sri Meenakshi
Some of the important features of this temple are...
There are three Shiva
Sannadhi with two Rajagopuram in a single premises. The sanctum sanctorum is a few feet below the ground
level.
The center Swarna Kaleeswarar is old and Paadal Petra swayambu
lingam.
It was told that Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple Rajagopuras can
be seen from the Tallest rajagopuram. There is a local kummi -கும்மி song available for this Rajagopuram. "மதுரை கோபுரம் தெரியக் கட்டிய மருதுபாண்டியன் வாராண்டி " ).
HISTORY
During the Britisher's period, Maruthu Pandiyar saved the Rajagopuram by surrendering himself and later he was killed by the Britishers.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Goddess Kali worshiped Shiva and turned to
sornam ( Gold colour ) from black.
In Sundarar’s dream, when was at Thiruchuli, Lord Shiva came in the form of Kalaimadu with Chendu in one hand and Chuzhi on the forehead and said he was in Kanaper. Since Lord Shiva came in the form of Kaalai Madu the place is called Kalayar Kovil.
HOW TO REACH:
Buses are available from Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Devakottai, and Madurai to this place.
On the train route get down at Nattarasankottai on the Chennai
to Rameswaram and Trichy to Manamadurai.
CONTACT
DETAILS :
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( A mandapam )
Moolavar vimanam
( Inner corridor )
( Someswarar sannadhi entrance arch )
(Swarnakaleeswarar sannadhi Rajagopuram - Entrance is not through this)
SRI ATHMANATHAR
TEMPLE, AVUDAIYARKOIL /THIRUPERUNTHURAI
This is one of the
Thiruvasagam, by Manickavasagar Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam.
Moolavar : Sri
Athmanatheswarar, Sri Guruswamy,
Sri Paramaswamy, Sri Athmanathar
Consort :
Sri Yogambal.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with a Mukha mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of seven tiers, which is visible
from a long distance. There is no Rishabam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram, or balipeedam. Only Avudai is in the temple, in place of Shivalinga
is called Avudayarkoil. In this temple, both Lord Shiva and Ambal have no idols, since both are in Aroopam state.
This temple is famous
for its sculpture and architecture. Kodungai of the mandapams were made in a
single stone shaped to a small thickness and joined together. (even today
the sculptors used to enter into an agreement for constructing a new temple, “Kodungaikal will not be similar to Avudaiyarkoil“). Bullet marks by the Britishers can also be seen. It is amazing to see the stone statues on the
pillars and the stone chains hanging from the roof.
The naivedyam is
boiled rice satham kept on the stone slab in front of the Avudayar. The only steam
from the Satham is the Naivedyam. The vegetables
offered in the temple are Bitter guard, and spinach/Keerai, which are not offered in any
other temples. ( To teach Veda to Anthanar children, Lord Shiva was offered Keerai, bitter guard by the Anthanars).
Sthala vruksham is
Kurantha Maram, under which the Lord taught Manickavasagar. The specialty of the
tree leaves is, they have three different smells.
HOW
TO REACH:
Frequent buses are available from Aranthangi on Aranthangi ( 14 KM ) to Mimisal.
Buses are available to
Aranthangi from Thanjavur, Madurai, Chennai, Karaikudi, Trichy etc.
CONTACT DETAILS:
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Temple entrance arch
Front mandapam with Rajagopuram view
Front mandapam kodungaikal ( roof side )
Lord Shiva's oorthava thandavam - Pillar sculpture in front mandapam
Lord Shiva as Rishabanthigar sculpture on the pillar in the front mandapam
Lord Shiva's other posture
Rajagopuram side view
One of the shrine's vimanam
( mandapam arch Stucco images )
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
