Kadambavaneswarar Temple, Kadambathurai / Kulithalai, Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai, Thiruvatpokki, Sri Maragadachaleswarar Temple, Thiruengoimalai, Sri Tharuka Vaneswarar Temple, Thirupparaithurai, Gneelivaneswarar Temple/ Sri Neelakandeswarar Temple, Thiruppainjeeli, Sri Matrurai Varadeeswarar Temple, Thiruvasi / Thirupachilachiramam - Tiruchirappalli, District, Tamil Nadu...

 21, February 2012

On 18^th & 19^th February 2012, I had been to Chozha Naadu Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal in and around Trichy. For the past one month I was preparing for the yathra, searching the web for locating the Temples, distance, route, stay etc,. Since it is about 2 days trip, the accommodation for the night was arranged at Trichy for one night. ( Hotel Anand very near to Central Bus Stand ). Started on 17^th 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 18^th Sat, Feb 2012 and 3 temples on 19^th Sun, Feb 2012. In Next trip during march 2012, decided to cover some more temples. Returned back to Chennai on 19^th, 20.30 Hrs through RPN from Trichy Central bus stand ( Started at 13.00 Hrs ) who Charged me Rs 250.00 

18^th Feb 2012 YATHRA & ROUTE.

From Central Bus stand to  KADAMBATHURAI  (Now it is called as Kulithalai on the way to Karur 41 Km from Trichy) –THIRUVATPOKKI ( Now it is called as Iyermalai – Rathnagiri, 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  

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now this place is called as Kulithalai on the way to Karur from Trichy and  41 Km from Trichy. This temple is 119^th  Devaram Paadal petra Shiva sthalam and 2^nd sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Paadal  Petra shiva sthalam. One of the saying for worshiping Lord Shiva is "Morning Kadambar,  after noon Thiruvatpokki and Evening Thiru Engoyi nathar" for the dharshan. 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 facing 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 to Ambal sannadhi.

In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and durgai. Stucco images of  Saptaம்atrikas 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, of one is with muyalakan and 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, but there is no inscriptions found in temple walls to ascertain the age /antiquity of the temple.

HOW TO REACH

Town buses available from Chatram bus stand.

Karur, Salem route buses are available from central bus stand.

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 

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now it is called as Iyer Malai – Rathnagiri, Sivayamalai – on the way from Kulithalai to Manapparai about 10 Kilometre. This is the 118th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1^st sthalam on the south banks of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Appar and Sundarar has 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 Patham 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 end of the steep steps Sri Ganapathi welcomes us to his father’s shrine. 

At 1017^th 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 mediating in the hill, to prove that there are number of natural caves in this hill shrine. 

The shrine was constructed on the 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 try to kill himself. The Lord appeared before him and gave Rathnam. 

It is still believed that Indran used to come and worship Lord through 9 holes opposite to moolavar in the form of thunder & lightning. To prove that the garland and vastaram 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 during  10.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs

HOW TO REACH

From Kulithalai Cauvery river bridge junction, all the buses going towards south ( Manapparai )  passes through this hill shrine.

From Manapparai buses to Musuri, Kulithalai passes through this hill shrine.

CONTACT DETAILS 

The temple office may be contacted over phone 04323 245 522.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( Base Temple )

( 3 leg / Pillar mandapam in front of ponnidum parai)

( Steps to the top of the Temple -Steep 1017 steps neatly paved )

( Village view from Top )

( Saptamatrikas in a cave )

( Top temple view )

( Top temple unfinished mandapam )

( Ambal temple vimanam one level below the Shiva's shrine )

(Ponnidum parai )

117/63. SRI MARAGADACHALESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRU ENGOYI MALAI 

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now this place is called as Thiruvinganatha malai -  Sivasakthi malai – 3 km from Kulithalai Cauvery river bridge. This is the 63^rd (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 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 bee, hence the temple shrine is called as EengoiMalai. There are different postures of Dakshinamurthy stucco image can be seen on the moolavar vimana. The Lingam is shining like Maragatham made of Green stone. Thirugnanasambandar Pathigam / hymns petra 207^th temple. This is the 52^nd Sakthi Peedam of  64 Sakthi Peedams.  Nakkeerar sung the "Eengoi ezhupathu" on this temple.  As per gurukal the hill shrine has the power of attracting good forces.

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 many places they were deformed. The regular Pooja is performed in the evening. 

ARCHITECTURE

There are different postures of Dakshinamurthy stucco images can be seen on the moolavar vimanam. The moolavar is shining like Maragatham made of Green stone.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Understand that Sri Valli Deivanai  sametha 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 as Engoi Malai. There is an image to Agasthiya Munivar also.

In this hill, Lord promised to give half of his body to Ambal. This is the 52^nd Sakthi Peedam of  64 Sakthi Peedams. 

Musukuntha Chakravarthy worshiped Lord Shiva. Bogar meditated and attained siddhi of making “Navapashanam“ in this hill temple, hence there is a Bogar Shrine at the foot hills. 

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple opens during 10.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs.   It is better to confirm before going to this temple. ( Telephone numbers are given below )

HOW TO REACH

3 Km from Kulithalai cauvery river bridge

Town buses are available from Musuri cauvery river junction.

Salem Karur buses passes through  this Village.

CONTACT DETAILS

The S Muthu Rathinam gurukkal may be contacted over his mobile 9944120135. or 9443950031 or 04326 262744 for poojas. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( Base temple )

                                                                       ( Rajagopuram )

( Moolavar vimanam )

 ( Different postures of Dakshinamurthy on the moolavar vimanam )

120/3. SRI THARUKA VANESWARAR TEMPLE,  THIRUPPARAITHURAI

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

This place Thirupparaithurai is between Kulithalai and Trichy, 16 km from chatram bus stand. This is the 120th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on south side of river Cauvery and 3^rd sthalam of Chozha Nadu. Appar and Thirugnanasambandar  has 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 is facing 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 the pillars hold by lion to watch carefully.  All the Five Gopuras / Vimanas can be seen at a particular place near the Rajagopuram. 

Rishaba mandapam was built at latter state. The mandapa pillars has 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 with out giving due respect to 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, Snake against Pichadanar which came from the Yagam/homam. Lord used all. Then the Munivars  realised that the Pitchadanar is the Lord and surrendered to him. Lord Shiva gave darshan under the Paraai Tree. ( Sthala Vruksham ). Hence this place is called as Paraaithurai.

HOW TO REACH

All the town buses to Kulithalai from Chatram bus stand passes through this temple and temple is on the main road.

The outstation buses from Karur, Salem etc., are also passes through this temple.

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 viruksham - Parai maram )

 ( Rajagopuram after sun set )

19^th 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 

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now the place is called as Thiruppainjeeli. This temple is the 115^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 61^st sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. Sundarar and Appar has 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 prakaram 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 is no Navagrahas, instead there are 9 holes ( “குழி -Kuzhi” on floor stone) in front of Rishabam,  is considered as Navagrahas and people used to light lamps in the holes. 

LEGENDS

The Sashti Aptha Poorthi celebration are 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 for the marriage. In formal marriage rituals are conducted treating sthala vruksham injeeli Plantain Tree ( Kal Vazhai) as life partner.

The temple tree's fruit should not be consumed by the human beings, instead it should be offered only to Lord Shiva. If Consumed it will create 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 land line number is +91 431 223 0257

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

( Sthala viruksham )

( Rajagopuram )

( 4 Pillar mandapam )

( Un finished Rajagopuram )

Entrance arch  

116/62. SRI MATRURAI VARADEESWARAR TEMPLE,  
THIRUVASI - THIRUPACHILACHIRAMAM 

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now this place is called as thiruvasi. This temple is the 116th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 62^nd 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 is facing 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, Sabtha Mathakkal, Bairavar, Moola vinayagar  and Gajalakshmi. In the Saba Mandapam Sri Nataraja is dancing on snake instead of Muyalagan, hence called as “Sarba Nadanamurthy“. ( Muyalagan – is  a decease called stomach pain,  valippu ).

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukka mandapam. A 2 tier vesara Vimana is over the sanctum. 

LEGENDS

Sundarar is in singing posture with thalam in his hands, kept along with urchava moorhams. In this temple Sundarar got gold from Lord Shiva and complained of inferior quality, hence Iraivan is called as Martrurainathar.

HOW TO REACH 

From Trichy Town bus route Nos 60 & 40 are passing through this village. From bus stop one has to walk to the temple on the dusty road.

Thiruvasi is on the enroute  to Musiri on the north river side.

5 Km from Thiruvanaikaval.

CONTACT DETAILS 

Mobile number is +91 94436 92138.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( Rajagopuram )

122/5. SRI PANCHAVARNESWARAR TEMPLE,  MUKKEECHURAM / URAIYUR / WORAIYUR 

This Post was updated with Thevara hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this  link. 

Now the place is called as uraiyur, part of trichy. This is the 122nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and  5^th 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. Temple facing east with a mandapam at the entrance. A Three tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam mandapam and balipeedam are before the Rajagopuram. In addition to this, Rishaba mandapam with Dwajasthambam are after Rajagopuram. In sanctum Moolavar is swayambhu and very small in size. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

Ambal is standing posture in the in side mandapam facing south. It is believed that Shiva Lingam changes its colour depending on the time ie, morning, noon, evening, night etc,. The temple is little big with inner and outer prakaram.

Lot of sculptures on the Mandapa stone pillars. All are worth to see. Of which, Elephant of Chozha King was defeated by a Cock in a fight relief ( Uraiyur also called as கோழியூர் ) and 5 ladies forms a horse, etc, are excellent. The temple structure / pillars are beautifully chiseled.

HOW TO REACH 

Town buses are available from both Central Bus-stand and Chatram Bus-stand, since it is part of Trichy City.

CONTACT DETAILS 

Land line and mobile numbers are  : +91 431 276 8546 and +91  94439 19091.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 ( 5 Ladies forms a horse chiseled on the pillar back side of moolavar )

Rishaba mandapam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---