Sri Thirumuruganatheeswarar Temple, Thirumuruganpoondi, Arulmigu Avinashilingeswarar Temple, Avinashi, Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode - Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal of Kongu Nadu.

 18, October 2013

THIRUMURUGAN POONDI and AVINASHI are on the list for this week’s temple visit on 16-10-2013, after my official visit to OOTY. TIRUCHENGODE ARTHANAREESWARAR Temple was added after visiting my tiny village. The entire plan of my stay on 15^th Oct 2013 and the order of the temple visit was changed when I received a call from my brother, who is temporarily staying at Palladium. Also, the change was favorable to my temple's visit. Reached THIRUMURUGANPOONDI temple around 08.00 Hrs. Since I had collected the details of this temple in advance, I was able to see the Sundarar’s idol with sorrow ( The gifts were stolen by Lord Shiva's bhuta Ganas in the form of Veduvar ) and happiness ( After getting back the gifts by the grace of Lord Shiva ) in his face due to the gifts given by Cheraman Peruman one of the 63 var, the Chera King and Sundarar’s friend. The details of the temple are as follows.

260/2 – THIRUMURUGANPOONDI

( This post has been updated with more details like Thevara songs, Sthalapurana, History, and Inscriptions. Please click this link to the updated post. )

This is the 260^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 2^nd Shiva Sthalam in KONGU NADU.  Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Murganatheswarar, Sri Muruganatha swamy

Consort    : Sri Aalingapooshanasthambigai,

  ( Muyangupoon Mulayammai ), Sri Aavudai Nayagi,

  Sri Mangalambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are :

There is no Rajagopuram and the Moolavar and Ambal are facing west. There is a Deepasthambham at the entrance of the temple ( Might have been used daily in the olden days – now used to be lit on Karthigai Deepam day ). Rishabam, Balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam are in front of 16 pillar mandapam. In Koshtam Durgai and Lingothbavar. Dwarapalakas Dindi and mundi are beautiful.

 Lamp pillar- Garudathoon or Villakkuthoon  in front of Thirumurugan Poondi Shiva temple 

In the outer praharam Saneeswarar, Navagrahas, Bhairavar, Pon Maraithu Vaitha Idam, Pancha Lingangas, Suryan, Chandikeswarar, Dakshinamurthy (in a separate sannidhi and not in koshtam), Bhavaneeswarar, 63var.

Ambal is in a separate Temple adjacent to the Moolavar shrine. At the entrance to Moolavar sannidhi, on the right, there are Three idols of Shiva in Veduvan (Hunter) facing west, Sundarar after losing his gifts given by Cheraman Peruman King with sorrow on his face, and Sundarar after getting back his gifts with a smile in his face are very beautiful.

Armuganathar Sannadhi is famous here and is facing south. The temple is famous for removing Brahmahathi dosha, Lunatic, Billi Soonyam/Black Magic. Agasthiyar, Markandeyar, Durvasa worshiped lord Shiva of this temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

 Inscriptions / Kalvettukkal around Sanctum Sanctorum  walls

CONTACT DETAILS.

Vijay Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile 9944442657 for details and pooja.

HOW TO REACH

The place Thirumuruganpoondi is on the way to Avinashi ( a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam ) from Tiruppur, about 3 KM before Avinashi.

A lot of Town buses are available from Tiruppur and Avinashi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

 Moolavar vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannadhi

 Stucco Rishabam on Subramaniyar theertha well

 Moolavar vimanam 

 Lingothbavar 

 Lord Shiva in Veduvar Kolam and on the right Sundarar with a smile on his face 

 Theetha well where nagars are installed around the wall 

 Moolavar vimanam of  Madhavaneswarar Temple 

SRI MATHAVANESWARAR TEMPLE.

There is also another Shiva temple about 150 meters away from this temple called Mathavaneswarar Temple or Kethu Temple where there is a separate sannidhi for Kethu. It was believed that a Veduva ( Hunter ) King called Malatharan had built this temple whose relief is at the entrance opposite Moolavar. There is a special feature in this temple ie instead of Rajagopuram there is a stucco Nandhi facing the Moolavar vimanam. ( Similar to a temple near Perur, Coimbatore, Shiva temple, and temples in Karnataka ).

Stucco Rishabam facing Moolavar vimanam at Madhavaneswarar temple  

 Vel and Peacock were stopped/parked in this place 

From the temple to the main road there are lot  of workshops which are busy in making the idols for the temples. In fact the Thirumurugan Poondi’s main job is making such idols. In those days we used to hear the sound of hammering on the chisel. But nowadays  due to technological improvement  we could  hear only the drilling and grinding machines sound.

An artisan is on the job 

259 / 1. ARULMIGU AVINASHI LINGESHWARAR TEMPLE / 

SRI AVINASIAPPAR TEMPLE, AVINASHI ( THIRUPPUKOLIYUR ).

( The Post has been updated with more details like Sthalapurana, Thevara Hymns, History and Inscriptions. Please click this link for the updated post )

Now this place is called as AVINASHI. This is the 259^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam  and 1^st Shiva Sthalam in KONGU NADU. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 Stone Lamp pillar - Garudathoon or Villakkuthoon  in front of the temple 

Moolavar  : Sri Avinashi Lingeshwarar,  Sri Avinasieeswarar,

  Sri Avinashinathar, Sri Perungkediliappar.

Consort    : Sri Karunambigai, Sri Perungkarunai Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

It is first to worship Vazhikatti Vinayagar and Pathirimarathamman and then  Moolavar, At the entrance there is a stone pillar Deepasthambham. We can see the relief of a crocodile with a child and Sundarar facing Moolavar at the base of the stone pillar   As per Sthala Purana– a miracle done by Sundarar after he sang the hymns on Lord Shiva). The Rajagopuram is of 7 tiers facing east. Dwajasthambam, Nandi and Balipeedam are in a mandapam on the outer prakaram after Rajagopuram.  In koshtam Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Shiva Durga. Dwarapalakas are a little large in size.

In the inner praharam 63var, Sahasra Linga, Niruthu Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas, Gaja Lakshmi, Senthil Andavar,  Chandikeswarar, and Kaala Bhairava (This is a rare and unique feature of this temple that Bairavar is in the inner praharam).

There are beautiful statues chiseled on the pillars. In the outer paraharam sannidhi for Chandran, Siva Suriyan, Subramaniyar, Karunambigai facing east ( Ambal in a separate temple ), Niruthi Vinayagar, Paathiri Tree ( Sthal Viruksham, Murugan sannidhi ( without Valli Devasena ), Saba mandapam, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar in a separate sannidhi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

  Tamil Inscriptions 

LEGENDS

The Croc gave back the child which swallowed many years before to Sundarar's hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple.

  

 Sthala Puranam 

 A child in the mouth of crocodile

 Stucco image of Ambal is doing pooja to Lord Shiva 

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is 04296 273 507

HOW TO REACH:

The place Avinashi is on the main road Coimbatore to Erode.  Express and ordinary buses stop at the old Bus stand. The temple is about 200 meters from the old Bus stand.

It is a junction for Erode, Coimbatore, Mettupalayam, Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam and Tiruppur ( The textile city ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Moolavar vimanam 

 Ambal temple vimanam 

 Temple complex view 

 Lingothbavar 

 A beautiful relief on the pillar of Dwajasthambam balipeedam and Rishabam mandapam 

 Sundarar's relief on the stone lamp pillar 

Pathirimaratthamman in sitting posture 

After Arulmigu Avinashi Lingeshwarar’s dharshan reached my tiny village Pappavalasu  to see my mother and get her blessings, who is now around 90 plus. She still prepares food for herself and her routine works too. After spending  about 3 hours with her, left for THIRUCHENGODU, an another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Kongu Nadu via Erode. This time skipped the relative’s house visit in and around Erode. When I reached the base of the temple the time was 17.30 Hrs. Started climbing up the hill alone  and I could notice only 4 to 5 peoples climbing down, not much of crowd in the temple also. When I reached the top I was almost exhausted.  After dharshan in the general line took a special dharshan ticket to have a closer look of moolavar. During my earlier visit I could not see in detail. This time I had spend enough time to see the temple’s architecture, pillar carvings and the various sannadhis in the outer prakaram. The temple was maintained very neat and granite flooring was done throughout the temple. Since I went in the evening I could not feel the heat, otherwise it might be too hot.  Even though I missed the pradhosam, I was fortunate to see the golden chariot Thiruveethi Uzha.  After dharshan of Sri Ardhanareeswarar, returned to base through temple’s bus, since nobody was climbing down through steps.

262 /4. SRI ARDHANAREESWARAR TEMPLE,

TIRUCHENGODE ( KODIMAADACHENGUNDRUR )

( This post was updated with Thevara hymns, Sthalapurana, Legends, History, and Inscriptions. Please click this link for the updated post )

Now this place is called Thiruchengodu. This is the 262^nd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam  and 4^th Shiva Sthalam in KONGU NADU. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is a Hill temple where Sri Murugan is given equal importance.

 The 5 tier Rajagopuram with the mandapam in front 

Moolavar : Sri Arthanareeswrar

Conort    : Sri  Bagam Priyal

Murugan : Chengottu Velavar.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

There are about 1200 steps to reach the top of the hill shrine. Steps are neatly constructed. In some places rock was cut to form steps. There are about 9 mandapams to take a rest and proceed to the top of the hill constructed through various castes. At one place a there is a relief of snake  about 20 feet length  cut on the rock and devotees used to do prayer with kungkumam.

The Rajagopuram is  of 5 tiers which can be viewed from distance. Moolavar faces west, whereas Chengottu Velavar faces east with separate Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Peacock vahanam. The mandapam pillars are beautifully chiseled with lots and lots  of relief.  Entrance to the Moolavar Sannidhi is from east. Balipeedam, Rishabam, and Dwajasthambam are visible through Salaram/ Jala opposite Moolavar.

Main sanctum sanctorum Dwarapalakas  are female on the left and male on the right. Since moolavar is of Arthanareeswarar there is no separate Ambal Sannadhi. Moolavar is of swayambhu. Gurukkal has shown the Shiva’s thandam on the right, Jadamudi, Shiva is  on the right &  Ambal on the right and  swamy & ambal Paathams ( Legs  - silambu on one leg and Kazhal on one leg ).

In the inner prakaram  sannadhi for Dakshinamurthy, Kedara Gowri Amman, Naari Ganapathi, Golden (Thanga)  Chariot Urchavar, Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chengottuvelavar ( Vellai pashanam , syumbu moorthi, ), Kumaresar, Navagrahas, Desikar, Mukkootu Vinayagar, Nageswarar, Adikesava Perumal,  Nalleesar,  Pancha Lingangal, Mallikarjun, Sangameswarar,  Selva Vinayagar, Sabtha Mathakkal, 63var, Vishnu Durgai, Kubera Lakshmi, Nairuthi Vinayagar, Manonmani, Natarajar saba, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi, Aathi sheshan, Kaala Bhairavar.  ( All the sannadhis are not in a sequence – scattered in the outer praharam ).

LEGEND

Prasatham of Devatheertham is distributed to the devotees which comes from the patham of moolavar.

There is a Golden Chariot which goes to prakara uzha during important functions and pradosham days.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Temple office at base telephone number is 04288 – 255925 and the Hill temple phone number is 9364229181.

HOW TO REACH:

Frequent buses are available from Salem, Namakkal, Erode (18 KM).

Temple bus is available from old and New Bus stand. The donation is Rs 10 to up and Rs 10 for down. Can be utilized by those who cannot climb through steps.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Sengunthar mandapam 

 Kalathi mandapam 

 Steps

 Kaarkatha Vellalar mandapam 

 Nagar relief on the mountain rock 

 A beautifully carved pillar in the Morur Chinna vakaiyara Singa mandapam 

 Morur Chinna vakaiyara Singa mandapam 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar relief on the rock under a mandapam 

 Relief of (maybe ) King and queen  relief on the side of steps 

 Steps are chiseled on the mountain rock itself

 Devar Adiyar's mandapam 

 Ilaippatri ( இளைப்பாற்றி மண்டபம் ) mandapam 

 The 5 tier Rajagopuram 

 A beautifully chiseled pillar behind Chengottuvelavar sannadhi 

The beautifully carved pillars with reliefs & Dwajasthambam - a night view 

 The Golden Chariot thiruveethi uzha 

The Golden Chariot

Even though I had been to these temples earlier, this time I could see and learn more details of these ancient temples. If I get chance once again, I would like to visit these temples to know more and more.

--- OM  SHIVAYA  NAMA ---