Adhi Rathneswarar Temple / Aadaanainathar Temple / திருவாடானை ஆதிரத்னேசுவரர் கோயில், Thiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 253^rd  Thevaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9^th  Sthalam of Pandiya Nadu. This place was called as Aadaanai during 7th Century and now called as Thiruvadanai. This place was called in 12 different names and some of them are Parijatha Vanam, Vannivanam, Vilvavanam, Adhirathneswaram, Markandeya puram, Gomuktheesam and Vijayecharam.

As per Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Rameswaram, Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Thiriconamalee and Thiruketheecharam, without going there. Then he came to this Thiruvadanai temple.

    அப்பதியைத் தொழுது வடதிசை மேல்செல்வார்

        அங்கை அனல்தரித்த பிரான் அமரும் கோயில்

    புக்குஇறைஞ்சிப் பலபதியும் தொழுது போற்றிப்

        புணரிபொருது அலைகரைவாய் ஒழியப் போந்தே

    செப்புஅரிய புகழ்த் திருவாடானை சேர்ந்து

        செந்தமிழ் மாலைகள் சாத்திச் சிவனார் மன்னும்

    ஒப்புஅரிய புனவாயில் போற்றி செய்து

        வணங்கினார் உலகு உய்ய ஞானம் உண்டார்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.

    மாதோர் கூறுகந்து ஏறதுஏறிய

    ஆதி யானுறை ஆடானை

    போதி னாற்புனைந்து ஏத்துவார்தமை

    வாதி யாவினை மாயுமே.

......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                -“பூமீது

    நீடானைகுழு நிலமன்னர் வாழ்த் துதிரு

    வாடானைமேவு கருணாகரமே

......... திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Aadhi Rathneswarar, Sri Ajagajeswarar

Consort    : Sri Snehavalli, Sri Ambayeravalli.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is spread over 10 acres, facing east with a 9 tier, 130 feet high, Rajagopuram. Balipeedam Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram Vinayagar, 5 feet tall Murugan with his consorts ( Peacock is facing south ), Somaskandar, 63 var, Suryan Varuna Lingam, Viswanathar, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar, Bhairavar, Chandran with his consorts Karthikai & Rohini, Saneeswarar, Maha Vishnu as Varadharajar with his consorts Bhoodevi & Sridevi, Maha Lakshmi, Saptamatrikas and Sabha mandapam.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi in chaturbhuja posture facing east. Corridor is beautifully constructed  with many sculptures of various deities on the pillars. 

The 15^th Century Saint Arunagirinathar also sung hymns in praise of Muruga of this temple.

    மானாக துத்திமுடி மீதே நிருத்தமிடு

            மாயோனு மட்டொழுகு                                மலர்மீதே

            வாழ்வா யிருக்குமொரு வேதாவு மெட்டிசையும்

        வானேரு மட்டகுல                                          கிரியாவும்

            ஆனா வரக்கருடன் வானார் பிழைக்கவரு

            மாலால முற்றவமு                                      தயில்வோன்முன்

        ஆசார பத்தியுடன் ஞானாக மத்தையரு

            ளாடானை நித்தமுறை                                   பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. Moolavar Lingam is made out of Blue Stone, Rathinam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple existed before 7^th Century and latter renovated by the Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Aadaanai Nayanar.

There are 4 inscriptions recorded in this temple and they belongs to Pandya king Thirubhuvana chakravarthy Konerimai Kondan’s 17^th year reign, Maravarman Sundara Pandya’s 16^th year reign, Saka 1557 ie 1635 CE inscription of Vijayanagara and another without  year and King’s name. The inscriptions are recorded in ARE of 1914 nos 433 – 436 of Ramnad district  ). The inscriptions  mainly speaks about the Land gifted to the temple for pooja.

Now the temple is under the control of Ramanathapuram Rajah’s family.

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

As per the sthala purana, a drop of Amrita fell down from Devaloka and formed as this place. This place is being called as Mukthipuram since Lord Shiva gives Mukthi to those worshiped, Adhirathneswaram, since Suryan worshiped and Aadaanai since Vaaruni got rid of Cure.

Kamadhenu, Vasishtar, Manu, Markaneyar, Agasthiyar, Arjunanan ( Learnt the use of Pasupata astra, which Lord Shiva gave to him in this temple ) and Arunagirinathar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. A Sukra parihara sthalam.

As per the legend, due to curse of Durvasa muni, Varunan’s son Vaaruni has got the Elephant body with goat's head ( ஆடு  + ஆனை = ஆடானை ). He got rid of the curse and turned to original form. Hence this place is called as Thiruaadanai and now called as Thiruvadanai.

As advised by Brahma, Surya ( Sun ) came to this place created a Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of blue Rathnam / Sapphire and done abhishekam.  It was told that Shiva Linga will appear in blue colour during Uchi kala Milk Abhishekam.  It is observed that Masi Month Sun Rays falls on Moolavar and Ambal. 

  

Sthala Purana

Sthala purana

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on, Pournami, New moon days, Pradosham, Maha shivaratri, 10 days Vaikasi Visakam Vasantha utsavam ( May – June ), 15 days Aadi pooram festival ( July – August ), Navaratri ( September – Oct ), Karthikai in Nov – December and Vinayaka Chaturthi ( August – September )

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line number +91 4561 254 533 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Buses from Trichy, Madurai, Karaikudi  and Devakottai   to Thondi passes through this place Thiruvadanai. 

The temple is 10 KM from Devakottai, 20 KM from Karaikudi, 97 KM from Madurai, 131 KM from Trichy and 456 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Devakottai. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Desika Narayana Perumal Temple / வேலங்குடி விஷ்ணு கோவில் ( வட்டெழுத்து கல்வெட்டு ), Velangudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Desika Narayana Perumal temple at Velangudi near Karaikudi was a part of Shiva & Vishnu Temples of Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts Visit on 23^rd & 24^th September 2023. This maha Vishnu temple is an ancient temple and the Shiva temple was constructed in front of this temple.  

Moolavar  : Sri Desika Narayana Perumal

Consort    : Sri Bhumi Neela

Some of the salient features of this Temple are...

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. A Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudan are in-front of sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi are on the top of the entrance. Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan are on both side entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. No images are in the kostas.

In praharam Thayar, Chakkarathalwar, Dhanvantari, Andal and Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum and Ardha mandapam and open mandapam. The original temple may be reconstructed on a raised level in 20^th century. The Temple from base to prastaram was constructed with stone. The nasikudus are with deities associated with Vaishnavism. The Super structure ie the Vimanam and the mandapam around the sanctum sanctorum was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This is an ancient temple, may belongs to early Pandya’s period ie. 8^th to 9^th century. Vattezhuthu inscriptions are recorded from this temple and the inscription is not found in this temple.

The Temple was re-constructed by Devakottai Se. Pisa. Shanmuganathan Chettiar and maha samprokshanam was conducted on 18^th June 1937.

The Chakkarathalwar Sannidhi, Dhanvantari sannidhi, Rajagopuram, the spacious Maha mandapam was constructed by Devakottai Se. Pisa. Sa. Pichappa Valliammai and Jeernodharana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 18^th January 2013.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Purattasi Saturdays, Margazhi all days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between -87.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This Sri Desika Narayana Perumal Temple at Velangudi is about 9 KM from Iinutreeswarar Temple at Mathur, 10 KM from Iluppaikudi Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, 10 KM from Ariyakudi Arulmigu Tiruvengadamuadaiyan Temple, 7  KM from Karaikudi Bus stand.

Nearest railway station is Karaikudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Anjaneyar sannidhi

Temple Tank

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple at Thirupanangadu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 11, February 2014.

A continuation to the previous post.....

After dharshan returned back to Cheyyar bus stand and crowd was swelling. People were fighting  to get a seat and some reserve seats  before the bus enters in to the bus stand. Since the bus to Kanchipuram from  Cheyyar  is limited waited for an hour, watching the peoples behavior.  After Vembakkam the bus dropped me a diversion road to Thiruppanangadu.  The temple is about 1.5 KM off main road with tamarind trees on both sides.

On the way I also visited the theerta tank. Iron grills are erected to guard the same. It is believed that Lord Shiva created this water source for Sundarar after he gave kattamuthu. It is only a hearsay.  But this is not mentioned in Periyapuranam written by Shekkizhar. When I reached the temple Urchavar arrived after thiruveethi uzha.

09 – SRI THALAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPPANANGADU / VANPARTHAN PANANGATTUR. 

This post has been updated with Thevara Hymns, History & Inscriptions, Sthalapurana and Legends. For the updated post Please Click this Link.

Now this place is called as Thiruppanangadu. This is the 9^th Devaram paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondainadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 

Rajagopuram with Dwajajasthambam on both sides and the entrance arch

Moolavar    : Sri Thalapureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Amithavalli

Agasthiyar worshiped.

Moolavar    : Sri Kirubanathesswarar

Consort      : Sri KirupaNayaki.

Pulathiyar worshiped.

Some of the important features of this temple are…

There are two Shiva sanctum sanctorum  with separate Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam ( in an elevated position ). The Rishabam's horn in front of Kirubanatheeswarar sannadhi is very small. There is an entrance arch and there is no Rajagopuram. But there is a 2^nd level 3 tier Rajagopuram after Rishaba mandapam. There is no sannadhis in the outer prakaram.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Ambal Amirthavalli, Ambal Kiruba Nayaki, Palliayarai in between, Devakottai Periya Ekappachettiyar’s statue ( who had done a lot of thirupani to this temple ), 63var, Naalvar, Vinayagar, Meenakshi samedha Chokkalingar, Sthala Vrukshama stone sculpture, Mahalingam, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena samedha Subramaniyar on peacock vahana ( face of the peacock is on the right instead of left ), Navagrahas with their vahanas, Chandikeswarar by the side of Sri Kirupanatheswarar, Natarajar Saba, Bairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.

In koshtam of Sri Thalapureeswarar sannadhi, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( like a separate sannadhi ), Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In koshtam of Sri Kirubanatheeswarar, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu and Brahma.( No Durgai ).

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sri Thalapureeswarar sannadhi.

Dwarapalakis are painted in front of both Ambal sannadhis.

Relief of  Vali and Sugriva fight, Nagalingam, Egapadamurthy, Garudalwar, Vishnu, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Anjaneyar, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar, Sthala vruksham ( at the entrance of Kirubanatheeswarar sannadhi ) are chiseled on the pillars looks cute.

Both Shiva sannadhis vimanam are of gajabirushtam type. Kottai Muneeswaran temple is in front of Shiva Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs. to 12.15 hrs. and 16.30 Hrs. to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS.

Sivachariyar Devaraja sharma may be contacted  through his mobile 9843568742 for details and pooja. 

HOW TO REACH:

From Kanchipuram to Cheyyar bus via Vembakkam passes through this place.

Chetpet – Peramanallur – Cheyyar – Kanchipuram via Vembakkam passes through this place.

Kanchipuram to Kalavai bus Passes through this place.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Theertha kulam on the way to Temple. It was said that the theertham was did not dried up even during the peak of  summer 

 A sign board to the temple 

Temple Complex view from out side 

Temple complex view from out side 

Rajagopuram with Dwajasthambam

Rishabam  in front of Thalapureeswarar

Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar - Peacock's face is on the right side 

Sri Chokkanathar, Sri Meenakshi and the sthala Viruksham

Dakshinamurthy in Sri Thalapureeswarar temple  koshtam.

Naga Lingam - a relief

Vaali & Sugriva are  fighting - A relief

A relief of Vishnu

Agasthiyar ? or Pulathiyar ?

Hanuman - a relief

Hanuman - relief

Devakottai Ekappa Chettiyar who had done thirupani to this temple

Lord Shiva as Neelakandewarar and Ambal - thiruveethi uzha  during this Masi Maham festival - A rare occasion to see.

Ambal

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Maragathambal Samedha Sri Hridayaleeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீஇருதயலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், திருநின்றவூர் / Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

Utilizing the opportunity of participating the Uzhavaram by Chennai sevas had the darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar and Eri Katha Ramar at Thiruninravur. This Shiva temple is few meters away from 58^th Divyadesam, Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple at Thiruninravur. This post was separated from the combined post and updated with Legends, History and Architecture. Please click the link to see the old post with Erikatha Ramar temple. 

West side entrance

Moolavar    : Sri Hridayaleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Maragathambal

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with entrance arches on the east and west side. On the east side entrance Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam. Sri Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance  to the inner prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabirushtam  style with Pallava Architecture. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai. Moolavar is little large on a square avudayar and Poosalar one of the 63 nayanmar is in the sanctum facing south.

In the inner Prakaram sannadhi for Suryan Navagrahas, Pallava King Rajasimhan, Ninravur Polla Pillayar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Naagars, Mahaganapathy, Urchava moorthangal, Valli Devasena Subramaniar with Naagars, Chandikeswarar, Palliyarai, Natarajar saba, Bhairavar and Chandran.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Nava kanniyar, Mandapam and office Room. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhisthanam with three patta kumudam on a upanam. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajaprishta shape from upanam to sigaram. The temple was constructed with stone from upanam to prastaram. A two tier brick Vimanam is on the prastaram.

  

Gajaprishta Vimanam

Gajaprishta Vimanam

Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam

Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple is about 1300 years old and some inscriptions are available on the sanctum wall. It is believed that this temple was constructed during Pallava period.  9 – 10^th Century inscriptions are found on the sanctum sanctorum wall.

The 20^th century inscription records that in 1905 CE Devakottai Sita Achi had done thirupani to this temple.

LEGENDS

The temple was constructed by Pallava king  Rajasimhan for Poosalar. The story goes like this… Poosalar who applied vibhuti all over his body wants to construct a Shiva Temple sitting under Iluppai tree.  Even though Poosalar couldn’t  physically construct the temple, constructed the Shiva Temple in his heart with a concentrated mind.  This was rightly written by Sekkizhar Peruman in “Periya Puranam” as..

அடி முதல் உபானம் ஆதி

    ஆகிய படிகள் எல்லாம்

வடிவறு தொழில்கள் முற்ற

    மனதினால் வகுத்துமான

முடிவுறு சிகரம் தானும்

    முன்னிய முழத்திற் கொண்டு

நெடிது நாள் கூடக் கோவில்

    திறம்படி நினைவால் செய்தார்

Poosalar completed the temple in the heart and fixed a date for consecration / Kumbhabhishekam.  In the mean time the Pallava king Rajasimhan also constructed a temple for Shiva as “Sri Kailasanathar Temple” at Kanchipuram. Sekkizhar records the construction of the Kachi KaRRali ( Kailasanathar temple ) with mudram, madam etc, as KaRRali / stone temple and spending large amount of money / perumchelvam.

"காடவர் கோமான் கச்சிக்

    கற்றளி எடுத்து முற்ற

மாடெல்லாம் சிவனுக்காகப்

    பெருஞ்செல்வம் வகுத்தல் செய்வான்

நாடமாலறியா தாரைத்

    தாபிக்கும் அன்னாள் முன்னாள்

ஏடலார் கொன்றை வேய்ந்தார்

    இரவிடை கனவில் எய்தி"

After completion of the temple the Pallava king fixed a date after consulting the vedic pundits and astrologers. Since the date of consecration coincides with Poosalar’s temple date, Shiva asked the king to postpone the date in his dream and said the he is going to attend the consecration of Temple constructed by his devotee Poosalar. The Pallava King Rajasimhan wants to see the temple and came to Thiruninravur and able to find Poosalar under the Iluppai tree with a great difficulty. Poosalar  showed his chest where he built the temple. The king appreciated Poosalar’s bhakthi and constructed a temple as per Poosalar’s wish. Sekkizhar  finishes Poosalar Nayanar’s Puranam with this poem as..

"நீண்ட சேஞ்சடையனார்க்கு

    நினைப்பினால் கோயிலாக்கிப்

பூண்ட அன்பிடையறாத

    பூசலார் பொற்றான் போற்றி"

The Pallava King Rajasimhan

Since Poosalar constructed in his heart ( mind ), it is believed that heart related ailments  will get cured by worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple dharmakartha is Sri Jagan Somasundaram of Devakottai, a Nattukottai Nagarathar and the manager is Mr D Balakrishnan whose mobile number is 9444164108.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam.

Town buses are available from Railway station’s south side, 54A to Poonamallee and M54 to T Nagar.

Share autos are  also available from Thiruninravur railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

East Side entrance

Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam

View of the temple from west side entrance

View of the temple from west side

Sapta matrikas with Veerabhadra and Vinayagar

A round stone, what for it is used?- Used for Grinding of lime mortar during renovation

After darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar, went to Sri Eri Katha Ramar temple. When I reached, the temple was not opened. Went around the temple. Development work of paving the floor around the sanctum was in progress. Labourers are busy in unloading the granite slabs for the pavement. After 15 minutes the Bhatter arrived and opened the temple for the dharshan. Wow it was a wonderful darshan of Lord Sri Ramar and waiting has been rewarded. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---