Valli Malai Sri Murugan Temple, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

14, May 2011

On May 14, 2011, I and my wife went to VALLI MALAI. Had a peaceful darshan of Lord Sri Subramania Swamy. The details of the journey is as follows.

Base Murugan Temple 

After reaching Koyambedu bus stand , got a bus ( Bus no 144 ) going to Chittoor, via Walajapet, Ranipet, Thiruvalam ( In thiruvalam there is  Shiva Temple, on the banks of the river. The Temple is one of the  Thondai Mandalam  Padal Petra sthalam. The temple was covered already, hence this time we have not gone there.) . We got down at Serkadu or the Koot road of Valli malai. From there we got an Auto and reached Valli Malai foot hill. From SerKadu Vallimalai is about 7 KM. We had a peaceful darshan at Bottom Temple and Top.

Moolavar vimanam on the rock 

The Top Murugan Temple is under the Control of Archaeological department. The temple is not a regular temple, but it is a Kudaivarai Kovil, similar to Thiruparankundram. The climbing is not  difficult. The steps are neatly paved through donations received from the Devotees, whose names are inscribed  at the front face of the steps. Since it was very hot we climbed down after finishing our breakfast at top of the temple which we carried. On return, we do not want to stand in the bus up to Chennai, So we came through Katpadi, Vellore ( Bus No 102, via Poonamallee, which bypasses Walajah & RaniPet ).

HOW TO REACH : 

Bus no 144 from Chennai Koyambedu to Chittoor, via Walajapet, Ranipet, Thiruvalam get  down at Serkadu or Vallimalai koot road. From there share autos are available upto the foot hills. From SerKadu to Vallimalai is about 7 KM.

Town bus is also available from Vellore.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be kept opened between 07.30 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs  and 14.30 Hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

The land line  04172 - 252 295 may be contacted for further details.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

Temple tank with neerazhi mandapam, at the beginning of Hill steps

Steps to Hill

Resting mandapam at the middle of the steps. In this mandapam they tried to remove a slab for renovation, under that they found the Munivars are in meditation, so they closed back ( சொல்ல கேள்வி )

Steps after the mandapam 

A Vimana was built  over the sanctum Sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum is of rock cut cave / kudavarai koil and Mukha /front mandapam was built abutting the cave 

Mandapam, Palipedam and Dwajasthambam

Base temple back side view 

Base Murugan temple  front view 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Sangameswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ சங்கமேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Bhavani and Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar / Sri Kalyana Vikirtheswarar Temple, Venjamagudalur, Erode and Karur Districts paadal Petra Temples of Kongu Nadu.

04, May 2011.

After Velliangiri Yatra, thought of visiting some Siva Temples. Fortunately I had two days leave while I was in my native place ( Near Erode ). There are seven Siva Temples in Kongu Nadu, which are Devaram paadal Petra sthalangal. Already I covered  Avinashi, Thirumurugan Poondi, Tiruchengode and Thirunana ( Bhavani ). Thought of completing all the seven temples. On 25th and 26th April 2011, covered the balance Shiva Temples Kodumudi, Karur & Venjamangudalur. Really it was a great experience. All the temples are very big and are maintained neat and clean.

261/3. SRI SANGAMESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRU NANA - BHAVANI   
( This post has been up dated with more details, Thevara Hymns, Sthala purana, Thirupukazh, History and Inscription. Please click here for the updated post )

The place is now called as Bhavani. This is the 261st Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 3rd sthalam in Kongu Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

North side Rajagopuram with Rishaba mandapam

Moolavar    : Sri Sangamuga Natheswarar, Sri Sangameswarar

Consort      : Sri Vedhambigai

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

Since the temple is located at the junction rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, Iraivan is called as Sri Sangameswarar. Rishabam is in a mandapam in front of 5 tier Rajagopuram. At the entrance sannidhis are Kottai Vinayagar, Rajaganapathy and Muthukumarasamy sannadhi.

Sri Soundara Nayaki udanurai Sri Adhikesava Perumal and Yoga Narasimhar sannidhis are at the entrance of Rajagopuram with a mandapam.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for 63var, Pancha Bhoota Lingams, Sani Bhagavan, Kasi Viswanathar, Arumugasamy, Jurageswarar, Sahasra Linga.

HISTORY 
There is a story of Ambal's  oonjal made of elephant's ivory tusk. The same was donated by the British ruler by name W Garo, after he was saved by Ambal from collapse of the rest house/ bungalow. After that he used to worship Ambal through a hole made on the compound wall.

LEGENDS

Pariharam are conducted for Naga dosham. People will gather in large numbers take bath in the junction of rivers during Aadi Perukku day.

HOW TO REACH :

Frequent buses are available from ERODE, Mettur

Town buses also available from Erode, Perundurai.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The Land line and mobile numbers are 04256 230192 and 98432 48588.

LOCATION  :CLICK HERE 

North side Rajagopuram

Moolavar Vimanam view from Sthalaviruksham Ilanthai maram

Temple complex view

Moolavar Vimanam view from Sthala vruksham another view

Sahasrara lingam Sannadhi

Rajagopuram on the south side - River side

Sun set  - Bhavani river

North side Rajagopuram after sunset

263/5. SRI KALYANA VIGIRTHEESWARAR TEMPLE, VENJAMANGUDALUR

(This post has been up dated with Thevara Hymns, Sthala purana, History and inscriptions details. Please Click the link for the up dated post )

This is the 263rd  Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 5th sthalm in Kongu Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

  Vinayagar and Subramaniyar sannadhis  are on both side of the 5 tier Rajagopuram

Moolavar    : Sri Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar, Sri Vigirthanatheswarar

Consort      : Sri Mathurabhashini, Sri Pannormozhiammai, 

                   Sri Vikirthanayaki.

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

The temple is located at the junction of a branch river of Amaravathy joins with Amaravathi river and kudakanaru. The temple is about 4 feet below the 5 tier Rajagopuram and the temple is facing west. Vinayagar and Sri Subramaniar sannidhis are on both side of Rajagopuram.

There is a Deepasthambham or Vilakkuthoon is in front of Rajagopuram. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Suryan, Chandran, Pancha lingas, Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar ( One leg on the peacock vakanam is to be noticed ). In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Navagrahas, Bairavar, Nambiyandar Nambigal, Sekkizhar and 63var & Natarajar Saba.

At the entrance of moolavar sannadhi bas-reliefs of all the seven Kongu Nattu paadal petra Shiva Sthalangal moorthams are  to be watched. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal is facing east. Urchava murtis Somaskandar, Pallakku Chokkar,  Subramaniyar are to be worshiped.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Also the place was ruled by a king named Venjaman, hence this place is called as Venjamangudalur. The temple  was washed away by the flood in the Kudakanaru river. The same was rebuilt during 1982. 

CONTACT DETAILS  

Prabhu Gurukkal +91 9600291218 or +91 4324 262010 or    +91 9943527792.

This temple is under the control of Karur Shiva temple details may be obtained from them also.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town bus to Aatru medu to Karur passes through this village.

The regular buses from Karur to Dindigul passes through this village. 

THE LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

Ambal sannadhi vimanam

Temple complex view from compound wall

Temple complex view from compound wall

Vilakku thoon ( விளக்கு தூண் ) in front of temple - Deepam will be lit on Karthikai deepam day

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arulmigu Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Karur, Karur District and Sri Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi, Erode District.

04, MAY 2011

265/7. ARULMIGU KALYANA PASUPATHEESWARAR TEMPLE, KARUR

This post has been updated with Thevara Hymns, History & Inscriptions and legend. For the updated post please click this link

This is the 265th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 7th Sthalam of Kongu Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is one of the five capital ruled by Chera Kings.

Rajagopuram with mandapam before moolavar mandapam

Moolavar    : Sri Pasupatheeswarar, Sri Pasupathy Nathar, 

                   Sri Pasupathy.

Consort      : Sri Kirupanayaki, Sri Soundarya Nayaki

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

The temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram.  Moolavar is little inclined position on a square avudayar. There is cow's leg mark on Sivalingam. 

There is  stone deepa sthambam  after entering the Rajagopuram. On the base bas-reliefs of Pugazh Chozhan with  head load on one side and Cow milking on Shiva Lingam on the other side. This sort of Deepa sthambam may be seen in many  temples of Kongu Nadu.

There is a 100 pillar mandapam in front of the sannadhi. There is a Jeeva Samadhi for Sri Karuvur thevar.  Sannadhi for Natarajar, Ganapathi, Sri Valli devasena Sri Subramaniar, Sri Lakshmi, Navagrahas, Bairavar. There are two sannadhis for Ambal.  Sri Alankara Nayagi in one sannadhi and Sri Soundarya Nayagi in another sannadhi.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since this is one of the Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, the original temple existed before 7th Century and the was re-constructed during Chozha period.

This is the birth place of Eripatha nayanar and Karuvur thevar, who has sung the Thiruvisaippa. 

LEGENDS

It was learnt that Shiva leaned to one side to hear Karuvur Thevar's Thiruvisaippa.

HOW TO REACH : 

To  Karur frequent buses are available from Coimbatore, Erode, Trichy.

CONTACT Details :

The mobile Number  +91 4324 262010 may be contacted for further details.

LOCATION : CLICK HERE

View of east side Rajagopuram

View of east side Rajagopuram 

264 /6 Sri Magudeswarar Temple,  Kodumudi / Thirupandikodumudi.

This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, Sthala purana, History and Inscriptions. For the updated post please click this Link

Now the place is called as Kodumudi. This is the 6th Devara Padal petra Shiva Sthalam of Kongu Nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Ambal, Lord Shiva and Sri Veeranarayana  Perumal sannadhi Rajagopurams

Moolavar    : Sri Magudeswarar, Kodumudi Nathar, 

                   Malaikozhuntheesar.

Consort      : Sri Madhura Bhashini, Thiripurasundari, 

                   Panmozhi Nayaki.

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

Temple is on the banks of river cauvery. It was believed that a piece of meru was fallen here, hence the place is called as Kodumudi. There is a Vishnu temple ( Sri. Veeranarayana Perumal ) inside the premises with separate dwajasthambam. Dakshinamurthy is with Jadamudi and only a Sanakatha munivar is seen. The mandapa pillars are with lot of bas-reliefs.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple has Sundara Pandiyan period inscriptions.

LEGENDS

It is a parihara sthalam for Naga dosham. 

Bharadwaja, Agasthiyar worshiped lord Shiva of this temple.  

CONTACT DETAILS :

The land line  +91 4204 222375 may be contacted for further details .

HOW TO REACH : 

The Kodumudi is on the way to Karur from Erode about 1/2 hour journey.

The Kodumudi is on the railway route from Erode to Trichy.

LOCATION :   CLICK HERE 

A bas-relief of Vinayagar  on the mandapam Pillar 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Velliangiri Andavar Temple / வெள்ளியங்கிரி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் / “THEN KAILAYAM” - Velliangiri Hills, Poondi in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. Yatra - 2011, My Experience

18th April 2011

On 9^th morning been to Velliangiri hills to have darshan of Sri Lord Velliangiri Andavar. At about 09.00 hrs morning started to climb from the foot hills.  started alone. Yes, alone  with a  strong desire to make this trip alone. Except tired and thirst I  never faced any problem. Reached to the top by 14.00 Hrs and had a good darshan. Taken rest for an hour and climbed down.

The aim of making in the day time is to see the nature’s beauty or the gods gift to the mankind. Reached back by 19.00 Hrs to the base temple. It was a wonderful experience. Here are some photographs taken from my  Sony ericssion X10 mini mobile with a 5 MP camera.

The followings are some tips  for the people who takes adventure with 

• Less luggage and more comfort.
• Carry at least 2 liters of good drinking water.
• Carry some sweets
• Do not carry any plastic items / carry bags
• Carry some food, though some shops on the route where only junk foods will be available.
• Carry a bamboo stick ( available at the base at cost)
• Some amount of practice with bare foot is required.

All the best to the devotees who wishes to make this yathra

Velliangiri yatra  2012      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri yatra  2013      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri yatra  2015      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri yatra  2016      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri yatra  2017      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra  2018      : CLICK HERE
Velliangiri Yatra  2019      : CLICK HERE

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

( Irregular steps )

Bamboo  forest in 2nd hill

(Vazhukku parai - 234 Steps are cut on the rock )

( This is the way we crossed)

( This is the way we crossed)

( A green mountain view )

( The view of Velliangiri from fourth hill )

( This is the way we crossed)

( Lord Shiva's shrine in the top cave and moolavar is swayambhu )

( A rock points the sky adjacent to cave )

( A green mountain view )

( A green mountain view )

Sudhai Rishabam in Isha Yoga centre

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA: ---