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



During 18th and 19th April 2015, I had the darshan of Madurai Aalavai ( Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple ), ThiruparanKundram and Thiruvedagam. All the three temples are Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal. In addition to this I had the darshan of Sri Kasi Viswanathar on the Thiruparankundram Hill top, Koodal Alagar, Sri Kallalagar Sundararaja Perumal and Lord Muruga of Pazhamudircholai. I also Travelled to the 13th century Rock Cut cave temple  of 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 bath had the darshan of Sri Aalavai Peruman with Sri Meenakshi Amman. Since the camera was not allowed to take inside the temple, I had taken some of the pictures through my Samsung Mobile camera. Noted important details for this post and left for Thiruparankundram.  From 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 web site I had seen the Rock cut temple is at the back of the hill, so I had been there also by walk. ( Autos reluctant to came there  and mini bus was also not available at that time) ( Details are written in a separate post - For Details CLICK HERE ).   After the visit  of Rock cut temple I had seen a sign board 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 through Mini bus, which dropped me  near the railway gate.

When I walked towards Thiruparankundram Murugan’s temple from Railway gate  happened to see once again the direction & sign board  of Sri Kasi Viswanathar temple. ( Kasi Viswanathar Temple can be reached  from North and South side ). Details of the temple’s visit is written in a separate post.  After Darshan of Sri Kasi Viswanathar and MachaMuni  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 separate temple / shrine for Thirugnanasambandar. After darshan returned to Madurai.

On landing 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 reached the temple by walk.  First time I had seen the temple of magnificent construction  and it is unique in nature. For Details CLICK HERE . Being a Saturday lot of devotees came for the dharshan. After darshan returned to Lodge.

19th April 2015.
To day I have to leave for Chennai through Madras Link Express from Guruvayur  around 11.15 Hrs.  So planned for  visiting 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 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 as 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 has 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 shakthi  mandapam. Meenakshi Sundareswarar kalyanam in sudhai sirpam,  eight sakthi moorthangal on eight pillars. Thiruvilayadal  puranam themes are in this.

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

Next is the Potramarai Kulam. Indran plucked golden Lotus flower in this pond. Thirukkural was proved as one of the sanga nool from this Pond. On the north bank of the pond Eight sanga Pulavars moortham on the pillars. On the south bank wall thirukkural are 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 is 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 prakaram 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 sanctum Ambal in 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 little big of 8 feet high. There is 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 centre. Beautiful sculptures on the 8 Pillars. Some of them are Sankaranarayanar, Somaskandar, Arthanareeswarar, Thirumal’s 10 avatar sirpangal and the Meenakshi Sundareswarar marriage are worth to see. 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 prakaram Suryan with his concerts, Sekkizhar, 63var, Sankara Lingam, Ekadasa lingam, Shoda lingam, Saraswathy, Sabtha mathakkal, 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 have to enter Sri Somasundara Peruman sannadhi.   The vimanam of the sanctum is supported by eight elephants on eight direction, 32 Lions, 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 to see.

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 Rajagopuram.

On the opposite side of east Rajagopuram there are Vasantha mandapam ( Pudhu mandapam ), Built by Thirumalai Nayak. In this sirpams of Thadathakai Pirati, Meenakshi kalyanam, Thirumalai Nayak, Stone elephant ate sugar cane, Ravana lifting the Kailash. On the opposite Rajagopuram is in 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 Morning 5:00am to 12:30 pm and Evening 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, Kanyakumari passes through Madurai.
Bus Facility is available from all the district head quarters.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

  South side Rajagopuram 
The east side Rajagopuram 
East side Rajagopuram Preparing for the chithirai thiruvizha
 North side Rajagopuram 
  South side 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 vapour lamp  
 Statues on the Kambathadi Mandapa Pillars. – Sri Rishaparoodar 
 View of Prakaram ( looks like mini Rameswaram temple prakaram )
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 3rd Sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar has 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 the Lord Murugan’s first abode of the  six abodes ( Arupadai Veedu ). Murugan married Deivayanai in this place.  Abhishekam to Gana vel is a 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 8th century by Pandyas as rock cut – temple ie Kudaivarai Kovil. Later during Nayaks ( 1559 to 1736 AD) gopurams were constructed. The front mandapam with 48 sculptured pillars were installed during Pandya and Nayak Period.

There are 11 inscriptions found in this temple. One of the epigraph gives the detail about Muthu Karuppan Kumaran Chetty who fought with  European  and died after he fall 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 route.
Town Buses are available from bus stand. Since few buses are going near the temple, we can reach the temple through the Thirumangalam buses. Get down at  Railway gate and it is walk-able distance to the temple.
Buses are available from 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 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 is facing 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 in and 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 called the place as 'Edu Senranai Tharum Edagam' which came to be known as Thiruvedagam. The palmyra leaf which 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 buses  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 prakaram ( not in the koshtam )
Thirugnanasambandar Sannadhi on the main road 
Thirugnanasambandar 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

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