Periyavapuram/ பெரியவாபுரம், Sri Naga Bala Thiripura Sundari Temple, Periyavapuram Nelvoypalayam, Chengalpatttu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Periyavapuram, at Nelvoypalayam, was part of “Shiva Temples and Kotravai/ Durgai Temples Visit” in Chengalpattu District on 3^rd May 2026. Thanks to Mr Subramanian Viswanathan, a retired official from MAPS, DAE and Mr Subramanian of DAE, Kalpakkam, for taking me to these temples.

Periyapuram: Maha Periyava Manimandapam, Vedavyasar Gurupeedam and Sri Naga Bala Thiripura Sundari /Bala Nagathamman Temple

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Maha Periyava manimandapam. Dwarapalakis, Bala Ganapathy, and Bala Murugan are on either side of the ardha mandapam. Maha Periyava and Bala Thiripura Sundari are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, a stucco image of Ambal is in a sitting posture, similar to Samayapuram. A head-size Ambal in stone is in the sanctum sanctorum. Sri Chakram and Meru are in front of the stone Ambal. (All the vigrahas have travelled about 1.5 lakhs km, in a span of 6.5 years).

In Periyava Manimandapam, Bala Thiripura Sundari is in a sitting posture like a Queen with Abhaya Varada hastam. Below her are the images of Adi Sankarar and Maha Periyava. A Maha Periyava’s stone idol is also in the Manimandapam with a metal idol of Rishabam. Abhishekam aradhana is performed only to a stone idol. Kalpathi Saiddhar’s Jeeva samadhi with pada is in front of the Manimandapam.

In the Mukha Mandapam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (brought from Mumbai, which couldn’t be installed in Mumbai), Ayyappan, and Ramanujar with Raghavendra.

In the praharam, a 50-year-old Kasi Vishwanathar, Komata adhistanam with Komata with her calf statue. (Maha Periyava’s image and Kamakshi are on both sides of the Komata. Vallaba Ganapathi, Siddhi Ganapathy, and Nagars with Ambal are also on the platform. Garudan, Anjaneyar, Kuberan in the Kubera direction, Rahu and Ketu, 18 am padi Karuppa Swamy, and Ko sala.

In Vedavyasar Gurupeedam, measuring 10 ft. x 10 ft. (originally planned for Ambal sannidhi). Raghavendra and Shirdi Saibaba’s images are at the entrance of Guru Peedam. Inside the Guru Peedam, the moolavar is Saibaba.  The vimanam is in the form of Maha Meru. 11 Gurumars’ images are in the 1^st level. Ashta Lakshmis and Nalvars are in the 2^nd level. Thayar & Thirumal avatras are in the 3^rd level. Dasavar is on the 4^th level. Bala Thiripura Sundari is at the top. Kirubananda Variyar, Ramanar, and Vallalar are also on the Meru vimanam.  27 Nakshatras, 12 Rasis, 9 Grahas/ planets, Mummoortis, Garudan, Anjaneyar and Bairavar are on golden plates in the form of a “pa” shape. Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal (who hailed from North India), Ayodhi Ramar, Pancha Mukha Anjaneyar, and Karai Siddhar are also around the sanctum sanctorum.  

Sri – La - Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal

ARCHITECTURE OF BALA NAGATHAMMAN TEMPLE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and a pada abndha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with pattikai, and the pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam, with nasikudus. The vimanam over the prastaram is with two talas, greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Ambal’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY

The Periyavapuram spreads over 10 grounds of land, a part of Nelvoy Palayam village in Chengalpattu. This was founded by Mr Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan, who worked with CBI and retired in June 2020, an ardent devotee of Maha Periyava. The Periyavapuram consists of Sri Kalpathi Siddhar Madam, Jeeva Samadhi: Pithrus sthalam, Sri Maha Periyava Manimandapam, and Sri Vedavyasar Guru’s peedam.

Mr Radhakrishnan bought a 10-acre plot of land and laid the foundation stone in 2018, starting the construction of a temple with Maha Periyava Mani Mandapam. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 04^th May, 2023.

In 2021, towards the end of the Tamil month Aadi, Kodi Thatha informed his divine wish of settling at the temple, constructed by Mr Radhakrishnan, specifically on August 22, 2021 (Avani Avittam), along with Shirdi Sai Baba in the upcoming temple at Periyavapuram.

Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar was brought from Mumbai, where it couldn’t be installed. 

Jeeva Samadhis of Muthappan & Thiruvappan Jeeva Samadhi. The Kerala Kannur district is also in this place. The Vigrahas are worshipped with abhishekam and aradhana.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Abhishekam and aradhana are performed to Maha Periyava, the stone vigraha kept in the Mani Mandapam, especially on Anusham nakshatra day. During worship at the sanctum sanctorum, a lot of rituals are carried out for the devotees, like placing peacock feathers, Periya Sat Manapalaka, Periya paduka, Black Karungali with Balathiripurasundari & snake hood and white Karungali thandas. It is believed that the devotees will be relieved from the bad karma of their ancestors.

  

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are done on Anusham nakshatra day, and pradosham is also conducted.

Special poojas are done for childless couples for a child boon to “Alilai Krishnan”. In continuation, the Rishabam in front of Periyava will be turned to the opposite direction when a phone call is received before taking labour ward. It is said that most of the cases will be natural delivery, and the Rishabam will be turned back after delivery of the child.

The Ayyappa devotees perform poojas before going to Sabari Mala.

Upanayanam and marriages are also conducted in front of Maha Periyava Manimandapam.

PERIYAVAPURAM TIMINGS

Periyapuram will be kept open for darshan from 07.00 hrs to 22.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Thanamkodi Radhakrishnan may be contacted on his mobile numbers +919444959379 and +9176289379 for further details.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Periyavapuram-100091630583152/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@periyavapuram

HOW TO REACH

Periyavapuram is 8 km from Koovathur, on ECR Road after Kalpakkam, 13 km from Cheyyur, 19.5 km from Kalpakkam, 24 km from Madurantakam, and 32 km from Madurantakam.

The nearest Railway Station is Madurantakam.

LOCATION OF THE PERIYAPURAM: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Sri Nainar Yogeeswaramudaiyar Temple /அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ நயினார் யோகீஸ்வரமுடையார் கோவில்/ A Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Putheri, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari / Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Nainar Yogeeswaramudaiyar Temple/ A Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi Temple at Putheri near Nagercoil was a part of the “Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk”, organized by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department and the தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" from 16^th to 18^th May 2025. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Velu Pillai and Mrs. Radha Balan Ruth for organizing this Heritage Walk.

This is a unique temple, where the whole structure itself is worshipped as Nayinar Yogeeswaramudaiyar. This place, Putheri, obtained its name from an ant hill – in Tamil, Putru- புற்று, from around a Yogi. The same has been corrupted as Putheri. 

Moolavar: Sri Yogeeswarar

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

An arch is on the roadside with a stucco image of Yogeeswarar in the form of an ant hill, Murugan, Vinayagar, a Yogi, and a Boothathan. This Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi faces east without any idol. Poolavudaiya Kandan Sastha (In the form of balipeedam) is on the Southwest corner of the temple and Bhoothathan Sannidhi. The brick structure is believed to be the Jeeva Samadhi of the Yogeeswarar. A step with a handrail is installed to climb to the top. Two bell towers are on both sides of the entrance. A stucco image of the Yogi’s sitting posture is on the top of the entrance gate of the temple.

ARCHITECTURE

This Yogeeswarar Jeeva Samadhi is in the form of a brick structure about 22 feet high around the ant hill. The Jeeva Samadhi is open to the sky without any formal structure. The mud plaster will come out due to the rain, and the same will be plastered before the annual celebration. 

Buddhists claim that the statue is a Buddha with a bowl in his hand

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The full history of this Yeeswaramaudayar temple is not known. As per the experts, the brick structure was built in recent years.

Buddhists claim that this is a remnant of a stupa, which belongs to the 11th century CE. The place Buddheri has been corrupted to the present name of Putheri. Click here to read the article. 

The bell tower has the inscription of installing the same.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Sastha, in the form of balipeedam, was under the Poolathi tree, worshipped by the locals. A Yogi came to the place and stayed there worshipping the Sastha. The Yogi attained Jeeva Samadhi at this place. The details of the Yogi are not known. Later, an ant hill was formed above the Jeeva Samadhi. The locals called the ant hill Yogeeswarar and worshipped it. Later, a brick wall was constructed around the ant hill. The brick structure will be plastered with mud during the celebration. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The Friday that comes after the Panguni Uthiram will be celebrated as a festival. On that day, red earth mud will be plastered around the brick wall, and eyes eye-opening ceremony will be conducted.

Special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam day. Juice is extracted from the jackfruit, Mango, and raw rice is offered to this Yogeeswarar as naivedyam. 

The mud is offered as a Prasad. For the child boon, the devotees consume the Prasad with water.   

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. As per the locals, the temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 8.30 hrs and from 18.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The Yogeeswarar temple at Putheri, a part of Nagercoil, is about 100 meters from the 194 State Highway - Nagercoil to Kulasekaram.

The temple is about 7 km from Nagercoil and 23 km from Kanyakumari.

The nearest Railway Station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Eral Arulmigu Chairman Arunachala Swamy Temple/ அருள்மிகு சேர்மன் திருக்கோவில் சாலை, Eral/ஏரல், Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.

 

The visit to the Eral Chairman Arunachala Swamy Temple at Eral was part of the “Temples and Heritage Sites of Thoothukudi District Visit” on February 15, 2025. This Samadhi temple is on the northern banks of the Thamiraparani River.

Moolavar: Chairman Arunachala Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The complex has two entrance arches from the roadside. A Shiva Lingam is installed on the Jeeva Samadhi. A standing posture of a metal image of Sri Chairman Arunachala Swamy is on the back side of the Shiva Lingam.

Vinayagar and Nagar are in the praharam, under a mandapam. 

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ARCHITECTURE

The Jeeva Samadhi temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The vimanam is constructed in the Kerala style with a sloping roof and images of snakes at the four corners.     

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Sri Kumarasamy of Melaputhukudi village near Thiruchendur. From the palm leaves given by a Munivar to treat snake, scorpion, and puran (a venomous centipede) bites. Sri Ramaswamy is the descendant of Sri Kumaraswamy. He and his wife, Sivanainthammal of Umarikadu, went to many temples for a child boon. They met a Sadhu at Arunchunai Katha Ayyanar Temple, and he advised Sri Kumara Swamy and his wife to worship Ainthu Veettu Swamy of Chettiyapathu. And also said that the child should be named Arunachalam.

Aruchaclam was born on 2^nd November 1880 CE and learned Tamil from palm leaves at Moolakarai. He had his High School education at his uncle’s house. He has become an expert in both Tamil and English. He also learned his forefather’s art of treating the venomous creature’s bites and saved many people. After hearing his knowledge, the British Government made him Munship of Siruthonda Nallur. He quit the job when he was forced to lie for a case.

In the meantime, his parents tried to arrange a marriage. He said that nothing would stick to a baked pot and asked them to wait till he attained the age of 28. Again, he was made the Chairman of Eral Panchayat by Bishop Weston, of District Collector. During his tenure, he converted the Eral Village into an example of the District by improving the hygiene of the Village by appointing workers, digging canals to drain the wastewater, planting many trees, installing street lighting, etc.

8 days before his death, Shiva came into his dream and asked him to join him. After signing important documents at the office, which include the additional facilities for the welfare workers. On 27th April 1908, he called his brother Karutha Pandy and said that the time had come to depart from this material world. Went inside the room, lay down on the bed, and started meditation. His soul departed and attained the lotus feet of Shri Shiva at the age of 28 years. He was laid to rest on the banks of the Holy River Tamirabarani, under a banyan tree. Along with him, the materials, books, and jewels. Even after attaining Samadhi, Sri Arunachalam performed many miracles, and many devotees were relieved from prolonged illness and venomous creature bites.

The burglars tried to steal the precious jewels after digging. All of a sudden, a lot of snakes chased them away, and the same thing appeared in the dreams of the villagers. Realizing the spiritual power of Chairman Sri Arunachalam, his father constructed a temple on the Jeeva Samadhi. Also, he installed a Shiva Lingam made out of river sand on the Jeeva Samadhi. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pournami, Amavasya days, Tamil New Year Day, Guru Pooja, Adi festival with Kodiyetram, Thai month festival with Kodiyetram, etc. Annadhanam will also be served on Amavasya days. During festival days, lakhs of devotees gather at this place to get the blessings of Chairman Sri Arunachala Swamigal.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 15.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Jeeva Samadhi temple may be contacted through the mobile number +918903721536 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Jeeva Samadhi temple is on the north banks of the Tamitrabarani River at Eral.

The Eral is about a km from the Eral village, 7.2 km from Mukkani (on the Thoothukudi - Thiruchendur Road), 9.3 km from North Authoor, 30 km from Thoothukudi, and 20 km from Thiruchendur.

The nearest Railway Station is Thiruchendur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Gurulinga Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi/ ஸ்ரீ குருலிங்க சுவாமிகள் ஜீவசமாதி கோயில், Karaneeswarar Koil St, Suriyammapet, Saidapet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Gurulinga Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi temple was a part of the Visit to Siddhar Peedams, Raghumayi Sametha Sri Pandurangan Temple at Saidapet, and Sri Anjaneyar Temple at Alwarpet on 27^th October 2024.

Mahan Gurulinga Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi

Some of the salient features of this Jeeva Samadhi are….

The Jeeva Samadhi faces east and is about 6 feet high from the road. Stucco elephants are on both sides of the steps. A Balipeedam, Rishabam, and a Shiva Lingam are on the Jeeva Samadhi. The Stone idol of Gurulinga Swamigal is on the back wall. The Iampon idols Utsavar Gurulinga Swamigal and Vallalar are in the Sanctum. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati are on the top of the back wall.  

The sanctum sanctorum was built with a circumambulation path around the Jeeva Samadhi. The vimana over the Jeeva Samadhi is eka tala nagara vimanam. The stucco image of Swamigal is on the top of the Mandapam.

LIFE HISTORY OF SRI-LA-SRI GURULINGA SWAMIGAL

It is believed that Gulinga Swamigal was the spiritual Guru for Thanjavur Srimath Narayana Tirtha Swamigal, Muthuswamy Deekshithar, and their Gurus Chidambaranatha Thambiran Swamigal, Ramakrishna Paramahamsar, Vivekananda, Pothaluri Vir Brahmagaru Swamigal, and Kakinada Swamigal. He was called different names in different births. Some of them are Thirai Linga Swamigal, Kuzhanthaiyanantha Swamigal, Gurulinga Thevar, and Ganapathy Swamygal. Even after attaining Jeeva Samadhi, he is believed to be in a cave at Thiruvannamalai top with his disciple. To reach him, we have to travel in the form of athma roopa, not with the physical body. He had done many miracles during his journey in this world.

It is believed that Sri Gurulinga Swamigal was Durvasa Maharishi, the son of Ganga, Veda Viyasa, during his earlier birth. After serving many years at Sri Karaneeswarar Temple, he attained Jeeva Samadhi on 13^th December 1887. Many years after Swamigal attained Jeeva Samadhi, the place was identified, and the present new temple was constructed. The Kumbhabhishegam was performed on 31st January 1999. The Swamigal attained Jeeva Samadhi and is celebrated every year on the 4^th Monday of Karthigai Month (2nd Week of December).

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மகான் ஸ்ரீ குருலிங்க சுவாமிகள் காசியில் பல காலம் ஜீவித்திருந்த சித்த புருஷர். அவர் எப்போதும் நீர்விகல்ப சமாதியில் ஆழ்ந்திருப்பவர். அவரின் வழி தோன்றுதலாக பல மகான்கள் உருவாகியிருக்கின்றனர். காசியில் ஜீவித்திருக்கும் ஜீவ நதியான கங்கை நதி பாரத தேசத்தின் பல பகுதிகளிலும் பாய்ந்தோடுவதை போல காசியில் ஜீவித்திருந்த மகான் குருலிங்க சுவாமிகள் பல பிற்கால மகான்களுக்கும் ஆன்மீக குருவாகவும் கலங்கரை விளக்கமாகவும் திகழ்த்திருந்தார்.

அவர்களில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கவர்கள் தஞ்சாவூர் ஸ்ரீமத் நாராயண தீர்த்த சுவாமிகள், முத்துசாமி தீக்ஷிதர் மற்றும் அவரின் குருவாக திகழ்ந்த சிதம்ப நாத தம்பிரான் சுவாமிகள், ராமக்ருஷ்ண பிரமஹம்ஸர், விவேகானந்தர், போதலூரி வீர பிரம்மங்காரு சுவாமிகள், காக்கிநாடா சுவாமிகள் போன்றவர்கள் ஆவர். மகான் ஸ்ரீ குருலிங்க சுவாமிகளும் பல பெயர்களில் உலவி வந்துள்ளார். அவற்றில் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கவை திரைலிங்க சுவாமிகள், குழந்தையானந்த சுவாமிகள், குருலிங்க தேவர், கணபதி சுவாமிகள் மற்றும் குழந்தை சுவாமிகள்.

இப்போதும் அவர் ஜீவ சமாதியில் திருக்காரணியில் ஆழ்ந்திருந்தாலும், மற்றும் ஒரு தேகத்துடன் நம்மிடையே உலவி கொண்டு தான் இருக்கின்றார். இதன் உண்மை தத்துவம் பிற்கால சந்ததியினருக்கு தெள்ளற புரியும், மிக உயர்ந்த ஆன்மீக நிலையில் ஆழ்ந்திருந்தாலும் இதனையும் ஜீரணித்து விட்டு சாதாரண இல்லற வாழ்வில் ஒன்றுமே தெரியாமல் போல வாழ்வது மிக உயர்ந்த ஒரு நிலையாகும். இவரை போன்று வெகு சிலரே மீண்டும் மீண்டும் மனித பிறவி எடுத்து மீண்டும் மீண்டும் புது மாணவன் போல தல சாதனையில் ஈடுபட்டு தன்னை உணர்வதுவும், இதனால் மகான் எடுக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு பிறவியிலும் அவரை சுற்றி வாழும் பவருக்கும் ஆன்மீக தாகத்தை ஏற்படுத்தி அவர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் உய்ய வழி வகுப்பதுவும் அவுரின் மிக சிறந்த திருவிளையாடல்கள் ஆகும்.

இந்த பாரத தேசம் முழுவதும் அவரின் கால் படாத இடமே இல்லை. மகான் குருலிங்க சுவாமிகள் அவரின் பிரதான சிஷ்யருடன் திருவண்ணாமலை மலை சிகரத்தில் மனிதர்கள் போக முடியாத ஒரு குகையில் சிவ நிஷ்டையில் கொலுவீற்றிருக்கின்றார்; இந்த ஜீவ ஆலயத்திற்க்கு செல்வதற்கு நாம் உடலை விடுத்து பரகாய பிரவேசம் செய்தால் தான் அங்கு போக முடியும்.

இந்த தூல உலகத்தில் நாம் காணும் அனைத்தும் மாயையோ நமச்சிவாயனை நாம் கண்டு உணர்ந்தால் தான் இதன் பரிபூரண உண்மை நமக்கு முழுமையாக  விளங்கும்!

பின் குறிப்பு

மகான் தனது முந்தய பிறவியில் துர்வாச மகரிஷியாகவும், கங்கை மைந்தனாகவும், வேத வியாசராகவும் வாழ்ந்திருக்கின்றார். மகான் பல ஆயிரம் வருடங்களாக இந்தியாவில் பல நாமங்களுடன் வாழ்ந்து கொண்டு வருகின்றார். அவரின் முழுமையான சரிதத்தை அவரை தவிர வேறு யாராலும் அதனை எழுத்தில் கொண்டு வர முடியாது. மகானின் ஜீவ சரிதத்தில் வரும் பல விஷயங்கள் பலருக்கு ஆச்சர்யமாகவும் விந்தையாகவும் சிலருக்கு சில ஆட்சேபனைகளும் இருக்கலாம். அவ்வாறு ஆட்சேபனை இருப்பவர்கள் சரிதத்தை புரட்டாமல் தங்களின் பிறவி உண்மையை உணர்ந்து அதன் பின் இந்த ஆராய்ச்சியில் ஈடுபடவும். அப்போது தான் அவர்களின் ஆட்சேபனைகள் அனைத்தும் மாயமாக மறைந்து போகும்.

எழுதப்பட்ட அனைத்தும் மகானின் திருவுளத்தில் உதிர்ந்த முத்துக்கள் ஆகும்.

ஓம் சாந்தி! ஓம் சாந்தி! ஓம் சாந்தி 

HOW TO REACH
Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi Temple is about 20 meters from Saidapet Railway Station and 200 meters from Sri Karaneeswarar Temple.

The nearest Railway Station is Saidapet.

LOCATION OF THE JEEVA SAMADHI:     CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---