Sri Koteeswarar Swamigal Adhistanam, Marudhadu, Tiruvannamalai District/ Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Koteeswarar Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi/ Adistanam at Marudhu was part of “Durga/ Kotravai, Shiva and Maha Vishnu Temples around Vavdavasi” on 12th September 2026. I sincerely thank Mrs. Uma Jairam and Ramkumar Chandrasekaran for taking me to these places.

Moolavar: Sri Koteeswara Swamigal

Some of the special features of this temple are….

The adhistanam faces east with an entrance arch on the west side. A Shiva Lingam is installed on the Jeeva Samadhi. A Rishabam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum.

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ARCHITECTURE

The Jeeva Samadhi Adhistanam was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The Adhistanam consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and a maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with Pattikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, lotus petals mandi, and palakai. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. An ekatala vesara vimanam is over the bhumi desam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.

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HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

With the blessings of HH Sri Sri Maha Periyava, HH Sri Sri Jayendra Periyava and HH Sri Sri Vijayendra Periyava, the Sri Koteeswara Swamigal Adhishtanam at Marudhhadu village near Vandavasi, renovation work was started and Kumbhabhishegam was scheduled on Sunday, 20th March 2022 (Panguni 6th). The reconstruction of the Jeeva Samadhi was carried out by the “Sri Mahalakshmi Charitable Trust”.

About 500 years before, the Siddhar Sri Koteeswara Swamigal lived, performed Tapas, blessed devotees, and attained Jeevan Mukthi in this Marudhadu Village, near Vandavasi and about 2 kms from Vazhur, birthplace of Seshadri Swamigal.  H H Sri Sheshadri Swamigal used to frequently visit this Adhishtanam and spend most of his time performing penance when he was in Vazhur.

Once, when Seshadri Swamigal was in meditation, a snake climbed up his body to his neck. Devotees who were there were scared. After some time, it went down on its own without harming anyone. They then realized it was none other than Sri Koteeswara Swamigal who came to bless HH Seshadri Swamigal.  

HH Sri Maha Periyava knew about the powers of this Swamigal and camped in this village for a week and visited the adhistanam along with Sri Chandramouleeswarar. HH Shri Jeyendra Periyava had also visited this Adhishtanam.

Many devotees have experienced miracles happening in this place. The devotees expressed that whatever they wish for happens at this Athishtanam. One such recent instance was when, on a Maha Shivaratri day, all the devotees witnessed a snake visiting the Athishtanam. The snake went around the Shiva Lingam installed on the Jeeva Samadhi and left after the poojas. Devotees believed that Sri Koteeswara Swamigal came in the form of a snake to bless them. 

 

The adhistanam was in dilapidated condition without proper maintenance. One of the descendants of Sri Koteeswara Swamiji's Poorvasrama relatives, the children of the much-respected Late Dr. Sethuraman's sons Bhaskar, Venkatraman and Suresh of Marudadu and Sri Sreedhar of Anatha Pretha Kainkarya Trust approached Srimathi. Mahalakshmi Subramanium. She swiftly agreed to do it through Shri Lalith Seva Trust, since she knew  the fame of this Siddhar, Shri Koteeswara Swamigal.

The restoration of this Jeevasamadhi was taken under the expert supervision of Sri Kanchi Mutt's Asthana Sthapathi Sri Nandakumar.

SHRI LALITH SEVA TRUST

Srimathi. Mahalakshmi Subramaniam, Chennai - 9840053289, vcsmani@yahoo.com

S. Sreedhar, Chennai - 9840744400, sreedhar.apkt@gmail.com

K. Jayaraman, Chennai - 9445122350, Jayaraman_k2000@yahoo.com

Though the work started on 24-Aug-2020, it got delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now the work has restarted in full swing.

Bhoomi Poojai Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZehbRKhKtoXh4wbdA

More Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jtqZsTQdyXyREddH9

Reference

Sage of Kanchi Website

LEGENDS

 

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, and Siddhar’s Guru poojas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since an oru kala pooja is conducted, the Jeeva Samadhi temple will be kept open in the morning hours.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the east side of the Cheyur – Vandawasi – Polur Road, 7.5 km from Vandawasi, 21 km from Melmaruvathur, and 87 km from Tambaram.

The nearest Railway Station is Melmaruvathur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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

The visit to this Periyavapuram, at Nelvoypalayam, was part of the “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-sized 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 and 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 on the 1^st level. Ashta Lakshmis and Nalvars are on 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 an 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 has 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 the 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 to settle 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 the 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 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 anthill – 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 anthill, 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 is there. 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 anthill. The Jeeva Samadhi is open to the sky without any formal structure. The mud plaster will come off 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 Sastha. The Yogi attained Jeeva Samadhi at this place. The details of the Yogi are not known. Later, an anthill was formed above the Jeeva Samadhi. The locals called the anthill Yogeeswarar and worshipped it. Later, a brick wall was constructed around the anthill. 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 an eye-opening ceremony will be conducted.

Special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam day. Juice is extracted from the jackfruit and 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. He 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 became an expert in both Tamil and English. He also learned his forefathers’ art of treating venomous creatures’ bites and saved many people. After hearing about his knowledge, the British Government made him Munshi of Siruthonda Nallur. He quit the job when he was forced to lie in 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, 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 included 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 were 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 bank of the Tamirabarani River at Eral.

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---