Sri Arasaleeswarar Temple, Thiru Arasili, Sri Mahakaleshwarar Temple, Irumbai, Sri Chandra mouleeswarar Temple, Thiruvakkarai, Murugan Temple at Mailam, Sri Aatcheeswarar Temple, Acharapakkam, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

    05, September 2013

This weekend Temple’s visit on 08-09-2013,  thought of covering the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal near Tindivanam. This is the second visit to these temples. So prepared the details once again for the three temples Thiru Arasili, Irumbai Mahalam, and Thiruvakkarai. Landed Tindivanam Bus stop and got a direct bus to Ozhinthiyapattu (Thiru Arasili ).

31. SRI ARASALEESWARAR TEMPLE,  THIRU ARASILI 

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, and legends. For details of the updated post please click this Link )

Now this place is called Ozhinthiyapattu. This is the 31^st Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

East entrance mandapam with Rajagopuram 

Moolavar    : Sri Arasilinathar, Sri Aswatheswarar, Sri Arasaleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Azhakiyanayagi

Some of the special features of this temple are …..

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam with Rishabam are facing Moolavar in the front mandapam through a Jala / salaram / window.  Moolavar is very short and avudayar is also at the lower level. In koshtam Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Vishnu Durga, and Vaishnavi.

In the outer prakaram Naalvar Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Kala bairavar and Suryan. There are a lot of stucco images and paintings around the entrance and praharam walls.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The adhistanam is a very simple pada bandha adhistanam with three patta Kumudam.The prastaram consists of Valapi, Kapotal and Viyyalavari. An ekathala Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum santorum. We entered the artha mandapam through a south-side entrance. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south with Simha Vahanam.

Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannidhi

HISTORY:

There are many old Tamil inscriptions around the Sanctum Sanctorum walls. These Tamil inscriptions belong to  Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha period. As per the inscriptions, this place was called “Oymanattu Thiruarasili” and “Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Oymanattu Vijaya Rajendra Chozhavalanattu Peruvembur Nattu Thiruarasili”.

Old Tamil Inscriptions 

LEGENDS

The temple was built by the kings of Chalukyas. Chalukyas, Vamadeva Munivar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Chalukyas worshiped Lord Shiva on a Pradosham day, hence Pradosham is famous here.

There is a Thirugnanasambandar madam built by "Srimathi Jayalakshmi” on the left side of the temple and the seventh day’s festival is sponsored through the interest from a deposit made by her.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is 04147 - 235 472.

HOW TO REACH : 

From Tindivanam to Pondicherry bus route gets down at "Ozhunthiyapattu“ Junction from there the temple is about 2 KM ( Bus route via Kiliyanur – the last Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam – and Thailapuram)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Entrance to the main shrine 

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannadhi

Durgai Amman sannadhi with Moolavar vimanam

Vishnu Durga in Koshtam

Ambal Sri Periyanayagi

Ambal Simha vahana

32 – SRI MAHAKALESHWAR TEMPLE, IRUMBAI (THIRU IRUMBAI MAAHALAM )

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, and Legends. For details of the updated post please click this Link )

Now this place is called Irumbai. This is the 32^nd and last of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. There are 3 Maahalam where Shiva gave darshan, of these this is the center of the three ( North – Ujjain, south Ambar Mahalam and this is at the center  ). Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

South side entrance arch

Moolavar    : Sri Mahakaleshwar, Sri Mahalanathar

Consort      : Sri Madhu Sundara Nayagi, Sri Kuyil Mozhi Ammai

Some of the important features of this temple are …….

There are two arches on the east and south sides. Paintings are also done all around Vinayagar and Subramaniyar Sannadhi. Moolavar is of three pieces bounded by a brass / pithalai plate.  ( The story behind this is given below. When we enter through the south arch, in the outer praharam wall murals of Sthala Puranam and Paintings  ). Ambal is in front of the south entrance in a standing posture ). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durgai.

We have to enter through a south side entrance to the inside mandapam. All around the walls are covered with petal sheets with engravings. Siddhar Kaduveli Siddhar’s relief is engraved in the mandapam and right side of the karuvarai entrance.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vayu Lingam, Hanuman, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bhairava, Navagrahas ( With vahanam and their concerts ).

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple is open From 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs on all days and there is no specific phone number to contact.

More details may be obtained from the temple’s website http://irumbaimaakaleswarar.com

HOW TO REACH :

There is a place called Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road on the bus route Tindivanam to  Pondy, from there Irumbai is 3 KM after crossing the National Highways (Bypass road ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannadhi

Vinayagar sannidhi with Sri Subramaniar sannadhi

Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam with Rishabam mandapam 

The Sthala Puranam of this temple connected with the Moolavar crack/pieces goes like this ......

Once Kaduveli Siddhar was in penance under a peepal tree. He used to stretch his hand to get the leaf falling from the tree for food. That was his food during the penance. Due to the penance, the heat generated was not allowed to rain in the area.  People suffered from hunger.

When King Kulothungan came to know about this,  he announced that whoever made awake Siddhar from his penance would get the reward. So a Thasi by the name of Valli gave food when the Siddhar stretched his hand for leaf. The Siddhar is to get conscious after eating the normal food.

After that, while he was watching the dance of  Valli,  her angelet ( Kolusu / salangai ) was untied by itself and the Siddhar tied the same.

 

By seeing this the people talked low of Siddhar. He got angry and sang a song. By this, the moolavar was exploded into three pieces.

The song is as follows 

"வெல்லும் பொழுது விடுவேன் வெகுளியை 

செல்லும் பொழுது செலுத்துவேன் சிந்தையை 

அல்லும் பகலும் உன்னையே தொழுவேன் 

கல்லும் பிளந்து கழுவெளியாமே "

The people realized the power of Kaduveli Siddhar and begged to forgive them. Again Siddhar sang another song and the two pieces joined together

His song to join the pieces is as follows 

"எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த எந்தனை 

எட்டும் இரண்டும் அறிந்த உந்தனை 

எட்டும் இரண்டும் ஒன்றதாகுமே "

Kaduveli Siddhar was blessed by Lord Shiva and the Siddhar entered into the Jyothi of Iraivan.

King and Kaduveli Siddhar

Raining

Paintings of Shiva at the south side entrance. 

Kaduveli Siddhar had done his penance under this tree

Navagraha Sannidhi : Suryan – Usha Brat Isha,  Chandran – Keerthika, Angarakan – Sakthi Devi, Budhan – Gana Devi, Guru – Dhara Devi,   Sukran - Sirungini Devi, Shani – Jyeshta Devi, Raghu – Singi Devi and Kethu – Chithra leka .

On return, a devotee asked me to come along with him to Panchavati Hanuman Temple and also he promised to drop back at Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road. Hearing my plan of going to Thiruvakkarai he dropped me at the Koot road to get a bus to Perambakkam where I can get share autos to Thiruvakkarai. Reached Thiruvakkarai around 12.00 Hrs thinking that the temple might be closed, if  I delayed. After reaching, I learned that the temple would be kept open throughout the day.  I had my lunch at the temple’s annadhanam ( Lord Shiva gave me food once again ).

30 – SRI CHANDRAMOULEESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVAKKARAI

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For details of this updated post please click this Link. 

This is the 30^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. People quickly know if you call it Thiruvakkarai Vakrakali Amman Temple.

Vakkarakali Amman Sannadhi Vimanam with Rajagopuram on the back

Moolavar    : Sri Chandramouleeswarar, Sri Chandrasekreswarar

Consort      : Sri Amrutheshwari, Sri Vadivambigai

Some of the important details are ………

The rajagopuram is of 7 tiers. When we enter through Rajagopuram Vakrakali Amman is in front with Vakkara Lingam Sannadhi ( worshiped by Vakkarasuran ). The half of the Rishabam is only visible outside. After the Vakrakali Amman temple on the right Vasantha mandapam. Once it was in a dilapidated condition and now looks beautiful after reconstruction and renovation. 

On the left Balipeedam with Rishabam mandapam in front of 2^nd level Rajagopuram ( Kili Gopuram ). Rishabam is a little large in size. On the left of the second level Rajagopuram Dwara Ganapathi and Murugan on the right.

Moolavar is not of regular type and has three faces. Front side Shiva and Brahma & Vishnu faces are both sides. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, ( Thayar on the opposite side ), Brahma, Durgai. Brahma is in the niche and others are in the ground level since they are big in size. In the artha mandapam Chandran, Suryan, Vinayagar, Dwarapalakas ( second level ), Arumuga and Veerabhadra. 

In the outer praharam Ambal temple is on the right and on the left images of Saptamatrikas, Kundalini  Muni’s jeeva Samadhi / sannadhi )with a Shiva Lingam on the top. ( In koshtam  Dakshinamurthy, Thirumal), Sannadhi  Varadharaja Perumal ( Facing west ) and Garudalwar and Hanuman are opposite ), Navagrahas ( Shani’s vahana is facing south ), and Murugan sannadhi.

We can reach inner praharam after crossing the big-sized Dwarabalakars with Simha vahana. In the inner praharam Sannadhi for  Naalvar ( Here also there is no greedam for Sundarar ), Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vathapi Ganapathy, Pichadanar, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Bhairavar, Arthanareeswarar, Durgai, Kundalini Munivar, Nageswarar, Kalabairavar, Chandikeswarar, Agasthya Lingam, and Natarajar Saba ( Kept locked  - Nataraja dance is vakkara dance with leg above hip ). In the front mandapam sannidhi for Vinayagar, 16 faces  Dhara Shiva Lingam, Veerabhadra with 8 hands.

Old Tamil inscriptions are found around the Sanctum Sanctorum walls.

LEGEND:

The  Kundalini muni’s generation Vakkarasuran ruled that area and was killed by Kali after worshiping Sri Chandrasekar ( Lord Shiva ). 

HOW TO REACH:

Town buses are available from the Tindivanam bus stand.

There is a place called Perumbakkam on the Pondy to Tindivanam bus route via Mailam ( a Famous Murugan Temple ). From there Thiruvakkarai is about 6 KM. Share autos are available.

TEMPLE TIMINGS.

The temple is kept open from 07.00 Hrs to night 20.30 Hrs throughout the day with out lunch break.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Land Line number is:0413 - 268 8949

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

An arch erected at Perampakkam about 6 KM from Thiruvakkarai 

View of the Rajagopuram from the entrance of the street

Vakra Lingam  Rishabam half submerged

Vasantha mandapam built like a chariot - horse pulling the chariot

Simha pillars - see the carvings of open mouth with teeth  and hair

Vasantha mandapam - reconstructed after dilapidated condition 

A big size Rishabam in front of 2nd level

Second level 3 tier Rajagopuram 

Entrance arch after second level Rajagopuram 

Kundalini Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi - But it is not so, it is a Shiva Temple 

Moolavar Vimanam 

Lakshmi Ganapathy on the north side compound wall

Old Tamil Inscriptions 

After darshan at Thiruvakkarai returned to Perampakkam through a shared auto. From there a Private bus reached Mailam.

MAILAM MURUGAN TEMPLE .

The temple is on a small hill with neatly paved stone steps. It has a concrete route for the vehicles to climb. The rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Even though it was a Sunday afternoon there was not much of a crowd. Since this is the marriage season I could see a lot of newly wedded couples seeking blessings of Lord Murugan. The temple used to be kept open without lunch breaks. 

Entrance arch - at end of steps 

the 5-tier Rajagopuram on the east side

Vasantha mandapam

Moolavar vimanam

Mandapam while climbing down - Stucco image of Palani Andavar 

After Mailam Murugan’s blessings reached Tindivanam through a Town bus. Got down at the beginning of the bridge and reached the Chennai bus stop under the bridge. Boarded a bus to Acharapakkam after seeing the name written behind the bus. Otherwise, I would have chosen to reach Chennai.  I did not collect details of the Acharapakkam temple before starting this weekend's visit. The temple is about 2 KM off the main road. This is my second visit to this temple.

29 – AATCHEESWARAR TEMPLE ( AKSHEESWARASWAMY  TEMPLE ) ACHIRUPAKKAM ( ACHARAPAKKAM ) 

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, and legends. For the details of the updated post please click This Link. 

Now this place is called Acharapakkam. This is the 29^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Rishabam Mandapam with Dwajasthambam

Moolavar  : Sri Aatcheeswarar, Sri Aatchikondanathar,

                 Sri Paarkapureeswarar,  Sri Sthiravarapureswarar,

                 Sri Mullaikkanamudayar.

Consort    : Sri Ilangiliammai, Sri Sundaranayagi,

                  Sri Balasukambigai,  Sri Athisundarambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are as follows…..

The Achirutha Vinayagar sannadhi is on East Mada Street just before the main temple. The story behind the temple is when Lord Shiva went to destroy the three puram ( Tharagan, Kamalatchan, Vidhvan mali who ruled at Thiruvadhigai near Panruti ) ie Devas as Ratha, Suryan, and Chandran as wheels, The four Vedas as Horses, Meru as bow, Vasuki as string, Thirumal as arrow and Brahma as Sarathy, without given any the part to Sri Vinayagar.  So Vinayagar has played his role as usual by breaking the axle. Realizing this Lord Shiva blessed Vinayagar and proceeded to Thiruvadhigai and destroyed three puram.

The main temple faces east with the 5-tier Rajagopuram. There are two Shiva sannadhi. The Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are facing Aatcheeswarar ( Emai Aatcheeswarar ). But the main entrance is towards Umai Aatcheeswarar sannadhi. There is an interesting story behind this. The Pandya king who found out about the Lord Shiva’s image after following the udumbu side Kontrai tree asked the minister to build a Shiva temple. So the Minister built the temple in his name as Emai Aatcheesar. The king got angry with the minister, so the minister built another sannadhi and told the King that one was Umai Aatcheesar.

On the right side of dwajasthambam, Ambal  Ilangilammai is in a separate Sannadhi. On the left Saptamatrikas,  Nagars, Kondraiadi Eeswarar, and Navagraha  Sannadhi.

In the inner praharam on an elevated level from left are Polla Pillayar with Sidhdhi & Pudhi,  Naalvar, 63var in stone, Alamelu Mangai Thayar, Srinivasa Perumal, Umai Aatcheesar ( Shiva and Parvati Thirumana Kolam in sitting posture behind moolavar) with his concert Uma Parvati, Palani Andavar, Sri Lakshmi, Durgai, Sarasvathy, Arumugar with Valli Devasena,  63var in Cheppu idol, Urchava images, Natarajar Saba, Arunagiri Nathar in northeast corner, Bhairavar with Brahma kapala mala,  and Suryan.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and  Durgai.  A lot of old Tamil inscriptions are found around the karuvarai wall.

Moolavar Emai Aatcheesar is short on  short Avudayar.  As per the history, the artha mandapam from where we used to pray was well and was closed with stone slabs. 

The Temple chariot construction is in progress.

The temple outside and inside was not kept neatly. A lot of vegetation has grown in the outer praharam and inner praharam behind Umai Aatcheeswaear sannadhi.

HOW TO REACH:

Achrapakkam is on the National highway from Chennai to Villupuram before Tindivanam. The temple is about 1.5 KM off the main road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

Achirutha Vinayagar Sannadhi

The 5 tier Rajagopuram 

Entrance to the main shrine

Emai Aatcheesar Vimanam (A lot of vegetation has grown )

Umai Aatcheesar sannadhi vimanam 

Kondrai adi Eeswar -Shiva under Kondrai tree

Old Tamil inscriptions

Wooden carvings for chariot

Yazhi - Wooden carvings for chariot

Wooden carvings for chariot

Wooden carvings for chariot ( Please note the hair curls ) 

In this weekend's temple visit, I was able to cover 4 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal and a Murugan temple. After darshan, Aatcheesar walked back once again to the Acharapakkam National Highway bus stop to catch a bus to Chennai. Reached home around 20.30 Hours, through Perungalathur – Tambaram by bus and from Tambaram to Guindy by Train, since I had my return ticket to Guindy. From Guindy by Motor cycle which I had left in SPIC Office, where I worked earlier. 

--- OM SIVAYA NAMA---