21, February 2012
On 18th &
19th February 2012, I had been to Chozha Naadu Paadal Petra
Shiva Sthalangal in and around Trichy. For the past month, I was preparing
for the yatra, searching the web to locate the Temples, distance, route,
stay, etc,. Since it is about a 2-day trip, the accommodation for the night was
arranged at Trichy for one night. ( Hotel Anand very near to Central Bus Stand
). Started on 17th Feb
2012 , at 23.00 hours from Chennai, Koyambedu
Bus stand reached Trichy at about 07.00 Hrs. After a bath started my
Yathra. Had darshan of 4 temples on 18th Sat,
Feb 2012 and 3 temples on 19th Sun,
Feb 2012. In the Next trip during March 2012, decided to cover some more temples. Returned back to Chennai on the 19th, 20.30
Hrs through RPN from Trichy Central bus stand ( Started at 13.00 Hrs ) who
Charged me Rs 250.00
18th Feb
2012 YATHRA & ROUTE.
From Central Bus
stand to KADAMBATHURAI (Now it is called Kulithalai
on the way to Karur 41 Km from Trichy) –THIRUVATPOKKI ( Now
it is called Iyermalai – Ratnagiri, Sivayamalai – on the way from
Kulithalai to Manapparai about 10 Kilometre ) – THIRU ENGOI MALAI (
Now it is called as Thiruvinganatha malai - Sivasakthi Malai – 3 Km from
Kulithalai Cauvery Bridge ) – THIRUPPARAITHURAI – ( It is
between Kulithalai and Trichy, 16 Km from Chatram Bus stand ).
119/2. SRI KADAMBAVANESWARAR TEMPLE,
KULITHALAI - KADAMBATHURAI
KULITHALAI - KADAMBATHURAI
Now this place is
called Kulithalai on the way to Karur from Trichy and 41 km from
Trichy.noon Thiruvatpokki
and Evening Thiru Engoyi Nathar" for the darshan. Followed as per the
saying.
( Rajagopurtam view from inside of the temple )
Moolavar : Sri Kadambavaneswarar, Sri Kadambavana Nathar.
Consort : Sri Bala
Kujalambal, Sri Mutrillamulayal.
Sthala Vruksham :
Kadamba Tree.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The Kadambar temple
is at the center of Kulithalai and faces north with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A
mandapam is in front of Rajagopuram. The Dwajasthambam passes through the hole
made in the roof. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. There
is a separate Dwajasthambam from Ambal sannadhi.
In
koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga. Stucco images of Saptamatrikas are behind Moolavar. The Dwarapalakas Sri
Dindi and Sri Mundi are beautifully chiseled.
Sri Chandikeswarar is in
a small pillar mandapam. Separate Saneeswarar and Vinayagar are not in the usual place. There
are two Natarajar, one with muyalakan and the other without muyalakan. There
is a small separate sannadhi for Sri Bairavar in the outer prakaram.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapa and a mukha mandapam. A Vesara Vimana is on the sanctum.
HISTORY
Though the temple is
very old, there are no inscriptions found on the temple walls to ascertain the age
/antiquity of the temple.
HOW TO
REACH
Town buses are available
from the Chatram bus stand.
Karur, Salem
Kulithalai is on the
train route from Trichy to Erode.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Phone number 04323 -
225228.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Entrance mandapam )
( Wooden carvings from temple car/chariot)
( Stucco images on the front mandapam )
118/1. SRI
RATHNAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE, IYERNALAI,
AYYARMALAI - THIRUVATPOKKI
AYYARMALAI - THIRUVATPOKKI
Now it is called Iyer Malai – Ratnagiri, Sivayamalai – on the way from Kulithalai to Manapparai
about 10 Kilometre. This is the 118th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 1st sthalam
on the south banks of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Appar and Sundarar have
sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar : Sri Rathnagirieswarar, Sri
Arthanasaleswarar,
Sri Manikka Easar, Sri Mudi
Thalumbar.
Consort : Sri Surumbaar Kuzhali..
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
At foot hills
sannadhi for Vinayagar, karuppasamy and Vishwakarma Ganapathy in a big
mandapam. On the way up the
hill the Ponnidum Paarai, Where Sage Sundarar got the gold from Lord
Shiva. It is believed Shiva’s pada is at Ponnidum Paarai.
When we climb further
we can have the darshan of Saptamatrikas. Before that, there are many
small mandapams to take rest. At the end of the steep steps, Sri Ganapathi
welcomes us to his father’s shrine.
At 1017th step, we can reach the sanctum sanctorum. The steep steps are neatly and evenly paved
throughout the 1017 steps. Monkey menace is too high in this hill shrine. It is believed that
rishis are meditating on the hill, to prove that there are a number of natural
caves in this hill shrine.
The shrine was
constructed on a rocky hill. The Ambal Sannadhi is one level below the Lord
Shiva’s shrine.
The temple is facing
west. There are some more special features in the temple are Chandran and
Suriyan are along with their wives. Instead of
Lingothbavar Sri Arthanareeswarar is installed.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
We could see a lot of Tamil inscriptions dating back 10th to 12th century on the walls of Moolavar and Ambal Sannadhi.
LEGENDS
The moolavar head looks like chopped. The story goes like this. The Arya King could not fill the pot with Cauvery water, to get “Rathnam” for his crown, as per an Anthanar. The king got angry and chopped Anthanar’s ( Lord Shiva ) head. On realizing that the Anthanar is Lord Shiva, The Arya King tries to kill himself. The Lord appeared before him and gave Rathnam.
It is still believed
that Indran used to come and worship the Lord through 9 holes opposite moolavar
in the form of thunder & lightning. To prove that the garland
and vastara of moolavar can be seen burnt on the next day even these
years. The abhishekam milk
will turn to curd.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The temple timings:
Dharshan can be done from 10.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs
HOW TO REACH
From the Kulithalai
Cauvery River bridge junction, all the buses going south ( Manapparai
) pass through this hill shrine.
From Manapparai buses
to Musuri, Kulithalai passes through this hill shrine.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The temple office may
be contacted over the phone at 04323 245 522.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Base Temple )
117/63.
SRI MARAGADACHALESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRU ENGOYI MALAI
Now this place
is called Thiruvinganatha Malai - Sivasakthi Malai – 3 km
from Kulithalai Cauvery river bridge. This is the 63rd (last
) Chozha Nadu-, Thirugnanasambandar Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam on the
north side of river Cauvery. The temple is facing East. There are about 500
steep steps to reach the hill shrine. The steps are not uniform and in many places, they are deformed. The regular Pooja is performed in the evening. Very few
people used to visit this temple. There are some special attractions about this
temple.
( View of the Hill )
The Lord was
worshiped by Agasthiya Munivar in the form of a bee, hence the temple
shrine is called EengoiMalai. There are different postures of the Dakshinamurthy stucco image that can be seen on the moolavar vimana. The Lingam
is shining like Maragatham made of Greenstone. This is the Thirugnanasambandar Pathigam/hymns petra
Moolavar : Sri
Maragathasaleswarar, Sri Maragatha nathar.
Consort : Sri
Maragathavalli.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple is facing
East. There are about 500 steep steps to reach the hill shrine. The steps are
not uniform and in many places, they were deformed. The regular Pooja is
performed in the evening.
ARCHITECTURE
There are different
postures of Dakshinamurthy stucco images that can be seen on the moolavar
vimanam. The moolavar is shining like Maragatham made of Greenstone.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Understand that Sri
Valli Devasena Arumuga Peruman utsava murtis are gifted by
Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and now they are kept at the base temple for safety reasons.
LEGENDS
The Lord was worshiped by Agasthiya Munivar in the form of a bee, hence the hill is called Engoi Malai. There is an image of Agasthiya Munivar also.
On this hill, the Lord promised to give half of his body to Ambal. This is the 52nd Sakthi Peedam of 64 Sakthi Peedams.
Musukuntha Chakravarthy worshiped Lord Shiva. Bogar meditated and attained the siddhi by making “Navapashanam“ in this hill temple, hence there is a Bogar Shrine at the foothills.
THE TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The temple opens
from 10.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs.
HOW
TO REACH
3 Km from Kulithalai Cauvery River Bridge
Town buses are
available from the Musuri Cauvery River junction.
Salem Karur buses
pass through this Village.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The S Muthu Rathinam
Gurukkal may be contacted over his mobile at 9944120135. or 9443950031 or 04326
262744 for poojas.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Base temple )
( Moolavar vimanam )
( Different postures of Dakshinamurthy on the Moolavar vimanam )
120/3. SRI
THARUKA VANESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPPARAITHURAI
This place
Thirupparaithurai is between Kulithalai and Trichy, 16 km from Chatram bus stand.
This is the 120th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the south side of river
Cauvery and the 3rd Sthalam of Chozha Nadu. Appar and
Thirugnanasambandar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this
temple.
Rajagopuram before sunset )
Moolavar : Sri
Tharuka Vaneswarar, Sri Paraithurai Nathar
Consort : Sri
Hemavarnaambal, Sri Pasumponmyilambal
Sthalaviruksham :
Paraai tree
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after
the Rajagopuram. In koshtam
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, and Durgai. The
Arthanareeswarar is in the place of Lingothbavar.
ARCHITECTURE
The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, Ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A Vesara vimana is on the sanctum. In the entrance pillars of Ambal Shrine, the reliefs/ bas-reliefs of Lord's Urdhva thandavam and Kali's dance are very beautifully chiseled. Sandeswarar sannadhi dome is supported by pillars held by a lion to watch carefully. All the Five Gopuras / Vimanas can be seen at a particular place near the Rajagopuram.
Rishaba Mandapam was
built in the latter state. The mandapa pillars have the sculptures of
Manickavasagar, Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, and the Ve. Veera. Nagappa
Chettiar who had done thirupani to this temple.
LEGENDS
Lord Shiva taught the lesson to the Munivars who lived in the Paraai tree
forest without giving due respect to the Lord. The Lord came in the form of
Pitchadanar ( The statue is available along with Urchavar idols ) and the wives
of munivars followed Pichadanar. Without knowing the Lord is the
Pichadanar, Munivars sent deer, Tiger, elephant, and Snake against the Pichadanar which came from the Yagam/homam. Lord used all. Then the Munivars realized that the Pitchadanar was the Lord and surrendered to him. Lord Shiva gave darshan under the Paraai Tree. ( Sthala Vruksham ). Hence this place is
called Paraaithurai.
HOW TO REACH
All the town buses to
Kulithalai from Chatram bus stand pass through this temple and the temple is on
the main road.
The outstation buses
from Karur, Salem,
19 Km from Trichy on
Karur road.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The mobile number is +91
99408 43571
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Temple entrance arch )
( 100 pillar Mandapam, now used for the primary school )
( Moolavar vimanam )
( Sthala vruksham - Parai maram )
( Rajagopuram after sunset)
19th Feb
2012 DARSHAN & ROUTE.
Trichy Chatram
Bus-stand – Thiruppainjeeli, via Nochiyam & Manachanallur ( 7Km ), then to Thirupachilachiramam (Thiruvasi) via Nichiam by
Town bus and then back to Chatram bus stand. From Chatram bus stand to Mukkeechuram
( Uraiyur ).
115/61. SRI GNEELIVANESWARAR TEMPLE, SRI NEELAKANDESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPPAINJEELI
Now the place is
called Thiruppainjeeli. This temple is the 115th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 61st sthalam
on the north side of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. Sundarar and Appar have sung
hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
( Ambal temple vimanam )
Moolavar : Sri Neelakandeswarar,
Sri Gneelivneswarar,
Sri Kathali Vasanthar, Sri Aaranya Vidankan
Consort :
Sri Vishalakshi Ambal
Sthala Vruksham :
Injeeli Tree ( Kathali Plantain Tree )
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple is facing
east with 3 tier Rajagopuram and mottai
Gopuram. The Rajagopuram was not fully constructed. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram.
In praharam sannadhis
for Ambal, Vanathayee Amman, Kailasanathar, Saptamatrikas, Gajalakshmi, Sri
Valli Devasena Sri Arumuga Perumal, Sri Senthamaraikannan, Sri Dakshayani
Ambika Sametha Imruthayanjar, Yemathamaraja Sannadhi, and Sorudaya
Eswar. The Yama Dharmaraja Sannadhi is 9 steps below the ground
level.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. A Two-tier Nagara Vimana is on the sanctum.
There are no Navagrahas, instead, there are 9 holes ( “குழி -Kuzhi” on floor stone) in front of Rishabam, which are considered as Navagrahas, and people used to light lamps in the holes.
LEGENDS
The Sashti Aptha
Poorthi celebration is also conducted in this temple. Those who lost
positions will get back the same if they do parikara in the
Yama Dharmaraja sannadhi Since he got back his power after worshiping
Lord Shiva of this temple, which he lost at Thirukkadaiyur.
This is one of the
parihara sthalam to remove obstacles to the marriage. In formal marriage, rituals are conducted treating sthala
The temple tree's
fruit should not be consumed by human beings, instead, it should be offered
only to Lord Shiva. If Consumed it will create a lot of problems in the body.
HOW
TO REACH :
Town bus route No:
27 from Trichy, Chatram bus stand passes through this temple
7 Km from
Manachanallur.
CONTACT
DETAILS :
The landline number
is +91 431 223 0257
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Sthala vruksham )
( Rajagopuram )
( 4 Pillar mandapam )
(Unfinished Rajagopuram )
Entrance arch
116/62.
SRI MATRURAI VARADEESWARAR TEMPLE,
THIRUVASI - THIRUPACHILACHIRAMAM
THIRUVASI - THIRUPACHILACHIRAMAM
Now this place
is called thiruvasi. This temple is the 116th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and the 62nd Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri of
Chozha Nadu. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this
temple.
( Moolavar vimanam with Dhakshinamoorthy sannadhi )
Moolavar : Sri
Matrurai Nathar, Sri Sameevaneswarar ( Vanni Trees), Sri Bimmapureeswarar.
Consort : Sri
Balambigai, Sri Bala Soundary.
Sthala Vruksham :
Vanni Tree.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
The temple faces east with two 5-tier Rajagopuras. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are
immediately after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai.
Arthanareeswarar is in place of Lingothbavar. Ambal sannathi is at the
left-side entrance.
In prakaram Sannadhis
for Ambal, Selva Vinayakar, Sahasra Linga, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar, Saptamatrikas, Bairavar, Moola vinayagar and Gajalakshmi. In the Saba Mandapam, Sri Nataraja is dancing on a snake instead of Muyalagan, hence called “Sarba
Nadanamurthy“. (Muyalagan – is a disease called stomach pain, epilepsy).
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. A 2 tier vesara Vimana is over the sanctum.
LEGENDS
Sundarar is in a singing posture with thalam in his hands, kept along with utsava Murtis. In
this temple Sundarar
HOW TO REACH
From Trichy Town bus
routes Nos 60 & 40 pass through this village. From the bus stop, one has
to walk to the temple on the dusty road.
Thiruvasi is on the route to Musiri on the north riverside.
5 Km from
Thiruvanaikaval.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The mobile number is +91
94436 92138, may be contacted for further details.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( Rajagopuram )
122/5.
SRI PANCHAVARNESWARAR TEMPLE, MUKKEECHURAM / URAIYUR / WORAIYUR
Now the place is
called Uraiyur, part of Trichy. This is the 122nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalam and the 5th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery
of Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of
this temple.
Second level 3 tier Rajagopuram )
Moolavar : Sri
Panchavarneswarar
Consort : Sri
Gandhimathi
Sthala vruksham :
Vilvam.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...
This temple is
located in the Uraiyur market area and Uraiyur is part of Trichy City
Ambal is standing
posture in the inside mandapam facing south. It is believed that
Shiva Lingam changes its color depending on the time ie, morning, noon,
evening, night, etc,. The temple is a little big with inner and outer praharam.
HOW TO
REACH
Town buses are
available from both the Central Bus Stand and Chatram Bus Stand since it is part
of Trichy City.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The landline and mobile
numbers are: +91 431 276 8546 and +91 94439 19091.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
( 5 Ladies form a horse chiseled on the pillar back side of moolavar )
Rishaba mandapam
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---