Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Thiru Aalavai Temple / Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Sri Parangirinathar Temple / Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram, Sri Edaganathar Temple, Thiruvedagam, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu.

 21st April, 2015 
While I was browsing the South Indian Railways official website for seat availability, found that there were no seats available from Friday to Sunday to distant places. So planned this month’s tour well in advance and booked the Trains after registering on the Web site.  During April 2015 all the Saturdays and Sundays,  I was away from home either on official visits or Personal visits to temples. In this month’s temples visits to Madurai on 18th April 2015  and Velliangiri on 2nd May 2015 are planned. ( Last year I could not do the same due to a leg injury. This time hope Velliangiri Andavar will help me to do this Yathra).



On the 18th and 19th of April 2015, I had the darshan of Madurai Aalavai (Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple), ThiruparanKundram and Thiruvedagam. All three temples are Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal. In addition to this, I had the darshan of Sri Kasi Viswanathar on the Thiruparankundram Hilltop, Koodal Alagar, Sri Kallalagar Sundararaja Perumal and Lord Muruga of Pazhamudircholai. I also traveled to the 13th-century rock-cut cave temple of the Pandya Period on the back side of Thiruparankundram temple.


18th April 2015.
Reached Madurai through Nagercoil express on 18th morning 07.00 Hrs. After taking a bath had the darshan of Sri Aalavai Peruman with Sri Meenakshi Amman. Since the camera was not allowed to be taken inside the temple, I took some of the pictures with my Samsung Mobile camera. Noted important details for this post and left for Thiruparankundram. From the Periyar Bus stand, I could get a bus up to the temple. Had the darshan of Lord Shiva and Thiruparankundram Murugan.

My next plan was to go to Thiruvedagam. From the website I had seen the Rock Cut temple is at the back of the hill, so I had been there also on a walk. (Autos was reluctant to come there  and a minibus was also not available at that time) ( Details are written in a separate post - For Details CLICK HERE ). After the visit to Rock Cut temple, I saw a signboard of Sri Kailasanathar Temple at the top of the hill with neatly paved steps to climb. Seeing the height skipped and returned to the front side ( North ) of the hill by Minibus, which dropped me near the railway gate.

When I walked towards Thiruparankundram Murugan’s temple from the Railway gate happened to see once again the direction & sign board of Sri Kasi Viswanathar temple. ( Kasi Viswanathar Temple can be reached from the North and South sides). Details of the temple’s visit are written in a separate post.  After Darshan of Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Macha Muni proceeded to Thiruvedagam through Periyar Bus Stand. Thiruvedagam is on the way to Chozhavandhan. This time the temple was kept open  ( This is the second visit to this temple ) and had the darshan of Sri Edaga Nathar.  There is a separate temple/shrine for Thirugnanasambandar. After darshan returned to Madurai.

On landing at the Periyar Bus stand, Sri Koodal Alagar called me to the temple by showing his glittering vimanam.  Since the temple is very near to the Periyar Bus stand reach the temple on a walk. The first time I had seen a temple of magnificent construction it is unique in nature. For Details CLICK HERE. Being a Saturday lot of devotees came for the darshan. After darshan returned to Lodge.

19th April 2015.
Today I have to leave for Chennai through Madras Link Express from Guruvayur around 11.15 Hrs.  So planned to visit Alagar Koil and Pazhamudircholai. Through town bus no 44 from Periyar bus stand reached Alagar Koil. Considering the time to take for trekking to Pazhamudircholai, utilized the van service of Devasthanam. The crowd was not much. Had the peaceful darshan of Lord Murugan returned to the Base of the hill for Sri Kallalagar darshan. After darshan reached Madurai Railway station to catch the Train. Around 21.00 Hrs reached home safely with the blessings of Lord Shiva, Murugan, and his uncle Sri Vishnu. For Details CLICK HERE

245/ 1. THIRU AALAVAI TEMPLE ( MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE ), MADURAI.


This pace is now called Madurai. This is the 245th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1st Sthalam in Pandiya Nadu on the banks of river Vaigai. Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, and Manickavasagar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

          Temple complex view from inside with Potramarai kulam

Moolavar    : Sri Somasundarar, Sri Chokkalinganathar, Sri Chokkesar, 
                    Sri Aalavai Annal, Sri Chokkanathar.
Consort      : Sri Meenakshi, Sri Angayarkanni

Some of the important features of this temple are…
When we enter through East Rajagopuram in front of Amman sannadhi, the mandapa is called as Ashta Sakthi mandapam. Meenakshi Sundareswarar kalyanam in sudhai sirpam,  eight sakthi Murtis on eight pillars. Thiruvilayadal  puranam themes are in this.

The next is Nayakkar mandapam. The lights are very beautiful. Thiruvasi is glittering through the lights.

Next is the Potramarai Kulam. Indran plucked a golden Lotus flower in this pond. Thirukkural was proven as one of the sangha nool from this Pond. On the north bank of the pond Eight sanga Pulavars moortham on the pillars. On the south bank wall, Thirukkural is inscribed and the walls. 

Unchal mandapam with mirrors is on the west side of  Potramarai ( Golden Lotus ) Pond.   On Fridays, Lord Shiva and Ambal Ponnoosal are performed.

Next one is the Kilikootu mandapam. Sculptures to be watched. Sirpams of Pandavas, Vaali, Sugriva, Draupadi, Purusha Mirugam  are in this mandapam.  On the ceiling Gods, different postures, and Meenakshi kalyanam are painted.

In the praharam of Ambal Sannadhi Stucco images of Thirumalai Nayak with his two wives, Koodal Kumaraswamy with Valli Devasena, Vinayagar. There is a six-pillar peedam and it was believed that Kumaraguruparar Swamay’s Sri Meenakshi Pillai Tamil was introduced on this peedam.

In the maha Mandapam, sannadhi for Airavata Vinayagar and Murugan Peruman. On the outer side wall top Meenakshi Amman’s history reliefs.

In the sanctum, Ambal is in a standing posture with a parrot in her hand. On Fridays, alangaram is done with Golden kavasam with Vira crown.

After crossing Kilikoottu Mandapam and Gopuram – Mukkuruni Vinayagar is on the way to Swamy sannadhi. Vinayagar is a little big 8 feet high. There is a painting of circulating Lingam on the ceiling. The lingam avudai circulates when you circulate.

Kambathadi mandapam is in front of Swamy sannidhi.  Golden Flag, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are at the center. Beautiful sculptures on the 8 Pillars. Some of them are Sankaranarayanar, Somaskandar, Arthanareeswarar, Thirumal’s 10 avatar sirpangal, and the Meenakshi Sundareswarar marriage is worth seeing. Near the Kambathadi Mandapam Sri Agni Veerabhadra,  Agora Veerabhadra, Oorthuva Thandavar, Kali’s sila roopams on the pillars.

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum. Next is the 6 pillar peedam, ( in which the Thiruvilayadal Puranam was introduced ).

In the outer prakaram of Swamy  Sannadhi, Kambathadi Mandapam, Naalvar, Paramasivam, Lingas, Sanga Pulavar’s sannadhi , Kalatheeswarar, Kalyana Sundareswarar, Dhyana mandapam, Kariya Manicka Perumal mandapam, Navagrahas.

In the inner praharam Suryan with his concerts, Sekkizhar, 63var, Sankara Lingam, Ekadasa lingam, Shoda lingam, Saraswathy, Saptamatrikas, Meenakshi, Soma Sundarar, Subramaniyar, Panchamuga Lingam, Muthuskandar, Jwara Linga, Pichadanar, Kasi Viswanathar, Vishalakshi, Ellam Valla Siddhar, ( separate Sannadhi), Akshara Lingam, Mahalakshmi, Rathna Saba, Bairavar, Pancha Bootha Lingas, Chandran with his consort.

In Koshtam Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Durgai.

After darshan of Silver Ambala Natarajar ( Danced after changing his leg ie left foot on the ground )  we had to enter Sri Somasundara Peruman sannadhi.   The vimanam of the sanctum is supported by eight elephants in eight directions, 32 Lions, and 64 Bootha ganas. Moolavar  is Shiva Lingam.

There is a 1000 Pillar mandapam, Chakra which denotes the Tamil 60 years,  Kuravan Kurathi, Nirutha Ganapathy, Saraswathy, Arjunan, Rathi, Mohini, Manmadhan, Kalipurudan are worth seeing.

Mangayarkarasi mandapam is near to 1000 Pillar mandapam In this Koon Pandiyan,  Mangayarkarasiyar, Thirugnanasambandar, Kulachirayar and a Shiva Lingam.

Servaikara mandapam built by Maruthu Pandiyar  and kalyana mandapam are next to that.

The 22 Musical Pillar is on the north side of Rajagopuram.

On the opposite side of east Rajagopuram there are Vasantha mandapam ( Pudhu mandapam ), Built by Thirumalai Nayak. In this image of Thadathakai Pirati, Meenakshi kalyanam, Thirumalai Nayak, Stone elephant ate sugar cane, Ravana lifting the Kailash. On the opposite Rajagopuram is in an incomplete state.

LEGENDS
This is one of 5 Pancha sabai ie Silver sabai. For Varaguna Pandian Iraivan has danced changing his leg. Sri Meenakshi as Thadathakai ruled this place.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple opens for darshan between the Morning of 5:00 am to 12:30 pm and the Evening from 4:00 pm to 10:00pm.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Temple Telephone Numbers: 0452-2344360 (office) and 0452-2341777(fax)
e-mail ID: info@maduarimeenakshi.org
Temple Official Website: www.maduraimeenakshi.org

HOW TO REACH :
Madurai is on the railway route and all the trains to Rameswaram, Nagercoil, and Kanyakumari pass through Madurai.
Bus Facilities are available from all the district headquarters.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

  South side Rajagopuram 
The east side of Rajagopuram 
East side Rajagopuram Preparing for the Chithirai thiruvizha
 North side Rajagopuram 
  Southside Rajagopuram view from inside with Potramarai kulam
  Oonjal Mandapam with mirrors.
Oonjal Mandapam ceiling mural painting.
 Oonjal Mandapam ceiling mural painting.
Oonjal Mandapam ceiling mural painting.
 Mural Painting on the North wall of Potramarai Kulam 
 Mural Painting on the North wall of Potramarai Kulam 
 Mural Painting on the North wall of Potramarai Kulam 
Oonjal Mandapam ceiling mural painting.
 Statues on the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam Pillars
 Statues on the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam Pillars 
Statues on the Ashta Shakthi mandapam Pillars ( Dwarapalakas- the shop peoples )
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapa Pillars. – Sri Kala samhara Moorthy 
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapam Pillars. – Sri Chandrasekar 
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapam – Sri Nandhi Mandapam  
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapam Pillars. – Sri Somaskandar glittering  in the sodium vapor lamp  
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapa Pillars. – Sri Rishaparoodar 
 View of Prakaram ( looks like mini Rameswaram temple praharam )
Musical Pillars
 Natarajar in the 1000 Pillar mandapam museum

1. Sri Sundareswarar Sannadhi, 2. Sri Meenakshi Amman sannadhi, 3. Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, 4. Nayakar Mandapam, 5. Chithirai Gopuram, 6. Potramarai Kulam, 7. Oonjal mandapam, 8. Kambathadi Mandapam, 9. 1000 Pillar Mandapam, 10. Kalyana Mandapam

247/3. SRI PARANGIRINATHAR TEMPLE, ( ARULMIGU SUBRAMANIYA SWAMY TEMPLE )
THIRUPARANKUNDRAM


This is the 217th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 3rd Sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 Front mandapam 

Moolavar    : Sri Parangirinathar
Consort      : Sri Avudai Nayaki

Some of the important features of this temple are...
Even though this is a Shiva Temple, this is Lord Murugan’s first abode of the six abodes ( Arupadai Veedu ). Murugan married Deivayanai in this place.  Abhishekam to Gana Vel is special here. Nakkeeran, Parasaran’s son, Sibi King, and Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

At the entrance ( first Level ) mandapam Karuppana Swamy Sannidhi and on the pillars reliefs of Natana Ganapathy, Parvathy, Shiva, and Parvathy with Perumal ( in Kalyana Kolam ), Rani mangammal, Mahavishnu, Viyakrabathar, Patanjali Muni, Vishnu Durgai, Natarajar, Sivakami, Kala Bairavar, Maha kali, Vetri Vinayagar, Vasantha mandapam is on the way to Temple Tank.

In the 2nd level mandapam Vallabha Ganapathi, Vahana mandapam, Subramaniyar, Deivanai, Golden Chariot mandapam, on the ceiling 12 Rasis. On Pillar Relief of Thadathagai Pirattiyar, Valli Deivanai Murugar, Aalavai Annal & Dwarapalakas.

In the 3rd level mandapam 4 Pillar mandapam, Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, Rishabam / Idabam & on both side Peacock and moonjuru, Andaparanar, Anikai Vinayagar, Parasarar Maharishi, Ugra moorthy, Sivachariyar, ( Meikandar, Arul Nandhi, Umapathy, Marai Ganasambadar) and Urchavar Sannadhi.

In the 4th Level mandapam Panchabhuta Lingas, Saneeswarar, Senthil Andavar, Garudalwar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Jwradevar, 63var, Arumugar Urchava mandapam,Nayakars relief, ( On the pillars).

In the 5th level Urchavars, Natarajar, Veera Surar, Veerakesari, Veeramarthandar, Veerabahu, Veerabhadra, Dakshinamurthy, Chandran, and Suriyan with their concerts. Kovarthanambigai in a separate sannadhi.

In 6th level is the sanctum. In Arumugam’s sannadhi, moolavar is in marriage posture with Deivanai along with Narathar.

A Vishnu Sannadhi in line with the other two, Suryan and Chandran.

Sri Parangirinathar sannidhi is of Kudaivarai temple – Rock cut temple facing east. On the back of Moolavar is the Kalyana Sundareswarar bas-relief.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was built during the 8th century by Pandyas as a rock-cut – temple ie Kudaivarai Kovil. Later during Nayaks ( 1559 to 1736 AD), gopurams were constructed. The front mandapam with 48 sculptured pillars was installed during the Pandya and Nayak Period.

There are 11 inscriptions found in this temple. One of the epigraphs gives the details about Muthu Karuppan Kumaran Chetty who fought with Europeans and died after he fell down from Rajagopuram. For which land was gifted to his family.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open between 05.00 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
The telephone number is 0452 2484359.

HOW TO REACH :
It is one of the Railway routes.
Town Buses are available from the bus stand. Since few buses are going near the temple, we can reach the temple through the Thirumangalam buses. Get down at the Railway gate which is a walkable distance to the temple.
Buses are available from the state capitals of Tamil Nadu up to Madurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

Rajagopuram
Gold plated Dwajasthambam and Nandhi, Peacock and Moonchuru 
Vasantha mandapam
Thirukulam 
Chariot 

248/4. SRI EDAGANATHAR TEMPLE, THIRUVEDAGAM


This is the 248th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 4th Sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Rajagopuram.- 5 tiers  

Moolavar    : Sri Edakanathar
Consort      : Sri Elavarkuzhali, Sukuntha Kunthalambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are…
Brahma, Thirumal, Garudan, Vyasar, Parasarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

The temple faces east with 5-tier Rajagopuram separately for  Lord Shiva and Ambal.

In Kambathadi mandapam, Balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam ( Is not in line at an elevated level to match the sanctum level of 9 steps). 

Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the shrine. Moolavar Edakanathar is of Shiva Lingam in a Sanctum sanctorum with beautiful architecture. The Dwarapalakas are big and beautiful and installed in front of the wall.

In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Durgai.

In Prakaram 63var, Urchavars ( Edaka Nathar, Elavar Kuzhali Amman, Vinayagar, Arumuga Swamy, Somaskandar, Thirugnanasambandar ), Rettai Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Nagalakshmi, Durgai, Sakthi Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar,  Pancha Lingas, Saptamatrikas, Navagrahas, Vallabha Ganapathi, Sastha, Chandran & Suryan with their consorts, Karthikai, Bairavar,  Natarajar Saba ( Natarajar in stone and Cheppu ).

Ambal is in a separate Temple and the bell in front was brought from Malaysia ( is not now ). Thirugnanasambandar’s relief with out thalam on the mandapa pillar. In Koshtam Sakthis, icha, Kiriya etc.

In prakaram Vinayagar and Palliyarai. Nandhi is at an elevated level to match Ambal sanctum of 7 steps.

LEGENDS
Samanar ( Jains ) challenged Sambandhar to 'anal vadham' (hot dispute)  at Thirunallar where he wrote pachai pathigam. The Samanar ( Jains ) were defeated by Sambandhar in the anall vaadham, they got down to punal vadham near this temple. The Samanars wrote 'Athi Naathi' on a palmyra leaf and floated it down the river Vaigai, while Sambandar wrote in Tamil:

'வாழ்க அந்தணர் வானவர் ஆனினம்...வீழ்க தண்புனல் வேந்தனும் ஓங்குக....ஆழ்க தீயதெல்லாம் அரன் நாமமே.....சூழ்க வையக முந்துயர் தீர்கவே'  

and floated it down the Vaigai. The palm leaf that Sambandhar floated reached the bank on the other side where there lies an idol of Lord Ganesha who is known as "vaathu venra Vinayagar".

Sambandar was feeling happy and called the place 'Edu Senranai Tharum Edagam' which came to be known as Thiruvedagam. The palmyra leaf that the Samanars left was swept away by the river and reached 'Thirupasethi'( thiru + pa + serthal) later to be known as thirupachetty.

There is a shrine of Thirugnanasambandar on the main road facing east/ Temple.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is kept open between 06.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
Mobile No : 99432 61487
E-Mail:edaganaathaswami@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH :
Thiruvedagam is on the way to Chozhavanthan from Madurai.
Town bus numbers are 68A, 54R, and 29A from Periyar Bus stand, 93 A from Mattuthavani, 28 A & 93 from Anna Bus stand,

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

The temple arch on the Main Road 
Shrine mottai gopuram
Ambal Temple Rajagopuram  
Dwajasthambam Palipedam Nandhi 
Ambal Temple second level Rajagopuram  
Durgai Silamoortham in the praharam ( not in the kostam )
Thirugnanasambandar Sannadhi on the main road 
Thirugnanasambandar 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

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