28,
September 2011
After
Completing the Darshans of Paadal Petra Sthalangal of NADU NAADU, on 23rd and 24th September
2011, had been 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 did not gone to the temple, long
back and not aware of it.
This
time I had been 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 about 7.00 o’ clock night I could not take clear day light
pictures, through my mobile.)
This
is the 251st Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Pambaru (
Sarba nadhi ) and 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 is facing 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 as Pazhampathi
Nathar.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The Moolavar Vimana is taller than the Rajagopuram.
It
was told 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 circumference & 5.5 feet high and komugi is 3.5 feet.
LEGENDS
It
is believed that Worshiping Shiva in this temple is equal to worshiping of all
14 temples of Pandya nadu ( 14 Lingams are installed ). The Vinayagar is
Aakanda Vinayagar ( Aakandan – Indra -worshiped the lord).
Kudaivarai
Kali ( aroopam ) temple is on the north east corner of the temple premises,
which we can see only through a mirror.
HOW
TO REACH :
Buses
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 9th Sthalam
in Pandya nadu. ThirugnanaSambandar has sung hymns in praise of lord 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 is facing
east with a 130 feet high, nine tiers 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. Corridor is
beautifully constructed with rock pillars with many
sculptures.
LEGENDS
As per the legend, due
to curse of Durvasa muni, Varunan’s son Vaaruni has got the Elephant body with
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 as 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 ), Devakottai ( 10 KM) to Thondi passes through this place Thiruvadanai.
Buses from Trichy, 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 as Kalayarkoil. This is the 254th Thevaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 10th
sthalam in Pandiya Naadu. Thirugnanasambandar & Sundarar has sung hymns in
praise of lord Shiva of this temple.
( Rajagopuram's view )
Some of the important features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with Two 9 Tier and 5 Tier Rajagopuras.
There are Three sanctum and Centre one is the Padal petra Sthalam. All the
three sannadhis has 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 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 Britisher's period Maruthu Pandiyar saved the Rajagopuram by surrendering himself and latter 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 sendu in one hand and Chuzhi on the forehead and said he is in Kanaper. Since Lord Shiva came in the form of Kaalai madu the place is called as Kalayar Kovil.
HOW TO REACH:
Buses available from from Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Devakottai,
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 )
( Sorna keeswarar 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 is facing
east with a Mukha mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of seven tiers, which is visible
from a long distance. There is no Rishabam, Dwajasthambam / Kodimaram and balipeedam. Only Avudai is in the temple, in place of Shivalinga
is called as Avudayarkoil. In this temple both Lord Shiva and Ambal has 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 small thickness and joined together. ( even to day
the sculptors used to enter in an agreement for constructing anew 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. Only steam
from the satham is the naivedyam. The vegetables
offered in the temple are Bitter guard, spinach / Keerai, which are not offered in any
other temples. ( To teach vedam to Anthanar children, Lord Shiva was offered
keerai, bitter guard by the Anthanars).
Sthala vruksham is
Kurantha Maram, under which Lord taught Manickavasagar. The specialty of the
tree leaves is, they have three different smells.
HOW
TO REACH:
Frequent buses
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 another posture
Rajagopuram side view
One of the shrine's vimanam
( mandapam arch Stucco images )
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
