Tuesday 12 July 2011

Sri Abirameswarar Temple at Thiruvamathur, Sri Panamgatteswarar Temple at Panayapuram and Sri Panchanatheeswarar / Vadugunathar Temple at Thiruvandarkoil- Paadal Petra Sthalangal Darshan in and around Nadu Nadu, near Villupuram.

 12, July 2011.
In Continuation to my Paadal Petra sthalangal darshan,  I had been to  the following three Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal  (in Nadu Naadu) near Villupuram on 09-07-2011.

53/21. SRI ABIRAMESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVAMATHUR


Now this place is called as Thiruvamathur. It is  the 21st  Moovar Paadal Petra sthalam  of Nadu Naadu.

Iraivan: Sri Abirameswarar, Sri Azhakia nathar
Iraivi   : Sri Multhambigai, Sri Azhakia Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are ....
The temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. This is one of the temple where the Ambal temple is facing west, separately built opposite to Shiva temple.  There are two Nandhis. One is big and is made of sudhai / Stucco and the other one is stone located in a Pit. Purpose of Nandhi in a pit is to pray Shiva to get rain, by immersing Nandhi in water.

Vattaparai Amman Sannathi is famous here, which is south west corner of the Ambal temple. To find out the truth of a guilty person, the person will have to do sathyam  in front of the Amman. It is believed that Ambal will give punishment to the guilty. Now only Shiva lingam is installed in place of Ambal.

HOW TO REACH : 
Town buses are available from Main bus stand. Route nos 22,8C, 32, 6E and 18. Buses going to Mel Gudalur  and Elu Sempon  is going via this temple.
Mini bus also available from the old bus stand.
To catch bus, better to wait at Hospital Stop signal, Villupuram ( Chennai buses also pass through this stop )

CONTACT DETAILS:
Telephone and mobile numbers are +91 4146 223379 and +91 98430 66252

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Moolavar Rajagopuram with kodimaram and Ambal temple on the other side of the road Rajagopuram is also visible
A big Sudhai nandhi  and a small ( Stone ) kal nandhi below the ground level under the mandapam

View of Shiva Temple Rajagopuram  with Ambal temple gopuram view from Ambal temple

52/20. SRI PANANGATEESWARAR TEMPLE, PANAYAPURAM 
( PURAVAR PANANGATTUR ) 


This temple is 20th  Paadal Petra  Shiva  sthalam of  Nadu Naadu. Saint Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple,   Now this place is called  as Panayapuram.

Iraivan : Sri Panangateeswarar
Iraivi   :: Sri Sathyambigai, Sri Puravammai.

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a 4 tier Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram. It is one of the five Shiva temples, in which Palm Tree as sthala vruksham. There are separate sannadhis for Ambal and Sri Murugan, both are are facing East. 

This temple was under threat of shifting to give way for road expansion and the road alignment was changed after public protest.
This temple was built by Chola King  Kulothungan -I.

HOW TO REACH :
From Chennai to Villupuram get down at Mundiambakkam. The buses  going to Pondicherry  via Mundiambakkam  is going through  Panayapuram.
From Chennai to Neyveli, Panruti, Thanjavur, 2 KM after Vikravandi get down at Panayapuram.
Auto/ Share autos are available from Mundiambakkam Sugar Factory opposite side. 3 KM from Mundiambakkam.

CONTACT DETAILS 
Mobile number is +91 9942056781

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

( Moolavar vimanam  with Vinayagar sannadhi
Siva Lingam under the Palm tree the sthala viruksham
( Ambal sannadhi vimanam )
Ambal sannadhi entrance
Front view of the temple with Dwajasthambam
Arumuganar with Lakshmi
Rajagopuram 4 tier 


48/16. PANCHANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE/ VADUGURNATHAR TEMPLE, VADUKUR - THIRUVANDARKOIL


It is a 16th  Temple in Nadu Nadu Saint Thirugnanasambandar Paadal Petra sthalam. Now the place is called as Thiruvandarkoil.  

Iraivan        : Sri Vadugeeswarar, Sri Vatugunathar, Sri Vatugurnathar
Iraivi           : Sri Thirupurasundari, Sri Vadukirkanni

Some of the important features of this temple are ....
The temple is facing east with a Balipeedam and Rishabam. The temple do not have the Dwajasthambam and Rajagopuram. A base of a mandapam is on the right side of the Nandhi & Palipedam. The Koshtams has the Chozha period statues. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar and Valli Devasena Subramaniar.

This temple was  built by Chozha Kings, similar to Thanjavur Rajarajecharam /  Peria Temple but not to the size. The temple complex is under the control of archaeological department.ASI. 

Legend: It was believed that Vadugu Bhairavar worshiped Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin caused by killing  demon / Asuran Mundakan.

CONTACT DETAILS
Sundara Moorthy Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number  +91 9698886111, for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 
All the buses from Villupuram to Puducherry pass through Thiruvandarkoil. The temple on the road side opposite to Food Corporation Go-down.
After visiting Panayapuram Panagateeswarar, Via Koliyanur koot road, we can reach this temple, through bus to Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Stone velaipadu moolavar vimanam
Vinayagar sannadhi
Moolavar vimanam
Aalingana moorthy installed at a latter stage in one of the nitch of the koshtam
Palipeedam with nandhi there is no Dwajasthambam (kodimaram)
Temple entrance with nandhi mandapam 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Saturday 18 June 2011

Sabarimala Yatra, Kerala.

18, June 2011.
Self and one of my friend went to SABARIMALA  and had very good darshan of Lord Sri AYYAPPAN on 15th of June 2011, shrine opens for the monthly pooja. . The river pampa is running with full of water and we had a good bath. The water current is also so  high. Since it is the  rainy season  there was  intermittent  showers  throughout our journey. The path was completely paved with granite steps and without steps.( Only slope ). It was a very good journey and nice experience  to climb the hills during heavy rain with holding the IRUMUDI on the top of the head. The rain water flowed like a stream in the concrete slope paths and steps. The crowd was much less and we had a good dharshan without waiting more time in the Q. The following are the photos taken through my mobile X10 mini.


 ( Pathinettampadi )
 ( Self at pathinettampadi )
 ( Myself with my friend Mr G. Shunmugasamy )
 ( Main shrine ) 
 ( Main shrine )
 ( Mancha madha sannadhi )
 ( Steps in the slope to the sabarimalai)
 ( Steps in the slope to the sabarimalai)
 ( Green forest while climbing down ) 
( The water is flowing to the brim level in Pamba river )
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA :---

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Arulmigu Swarnambigai Sametha, Sugavaneswarar Temple, Salem, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

01, June 2011 
This is one of the five  Shiva temples built along the river Manimuthar. These five temple's main shiva lingas are of  swayambhu. There is a belief that worshiping  the 5 temples in a single day will remove all the sins. This temple was built by the Chozha king Koparakesari, which is more than 1000 years old. But there is no sign of Chozhas / Cheras period architecture. There are about 15 inscriptions available in the temple. The sthala Puranam claims that temple is a padal petra Vaipu sthalam by Sundarar Nayanar, but that particular song is not known.
 
Entrance Rajagopuram on the east side 

LEGENDS
The Sthala puranam was told by Nandi Devar to Sanatha munivar, which has 672 songs. Once, Brahma was sitting on the lotus among the Devars, Munis,  Asuras and 4 Vedas in the form of  cows/pasus. Every body appreciated the unique creation power of Brahma. After hearing all these happenings the Muni SUGAR, ( The voice of the muni is similar to that of Parrot’s voice ) who is a Lord Shiva devotee, went and told everything to Devi Saraswathi. This muni was born to Muni Vyasar and Thilothamai, who has a Parrot face. When Brahma known this he cursed the Muni Sugar to become a Parrot ( King of Parrot) and the curse will disappear at Salem after worshiping Lord Shiva.

While Muni Sugar worshiping Lord Shiva  in the form of parrot, a hunter Vachirakanthan  killed sugar along with other parrots, who tried to save Lord Shiva statue. The weapon also hits Shiva statue and blood was oozing from the lingam. On seeing this the hunter  also killed himself. Lord Shiva appeared and blessed the parrots and the hunter. Muni Sugar also got the original appearance.  To show this there is Urchavar and moolavar of Muni Sugar with Parrot face is installed in the temple. Some of the photographs taken through my X10 Mini mobile are uploaded below.

Suga munivar whose nose is like parrot nose 

HOW TO REACH
:
The temple is heart of Salem City.
Frequent buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu 
The temple is very near to old Town bus stand  
CONTACT DETAILS :
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLECLICK HERE

Bas-reliefs of Subramaniyar with Valli Devasena
Bas-relief of Shiva with Murugan
Stucco Rishabaroodar
Subramaniyar sannadhi
Temple complex view with Subramaniyar sannadhi
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA :---

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Pillayarpatti Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillayarpatti, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

 24, May 2011

Karpaga Vinayagar Temple is one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamil Nadu and situated at Pillayarpatti, which is between Pudukkottai and Karaikudi. 

The town of Pillayarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the Tamil name for Ganesha, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva, Lingothbavar and others as well as several other shrines. Steeped in the tradition of Agamic texts the temple bears testimony to the vibrant temple culture of the Tamil people, passed down through centuries.

View of front mandapam with east side Rajagopuram in front of Shiva's sannadhi    

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help establish the age of the temple. The Sthalapuranam published by the temple classifies the growth of this temple into three distinct stages.

The first stage goes back in time by about 1600 years. During this period, the innermost rock cut shrines housing Karpaka Vinayakar and Tiruveesar came into being. The uniqueness of the image of Ganesha is one factor testifying this date; the characters used in the temple inscriptions also help establish this date. The pillars within the shrine are of pre-Pallava origin.

The Pallavas were prolific builders of rock cut temples (Mahabalipuram, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Mandagapattu, Seeyamangalam, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Narthamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Thirukokarnam, Thirumeyyam, Peraiyur, Malayadipatti, Thirukolakudi, Kundrakudi etc.). A number of these can be traced to Mahendravarman I (615 - 630 CE ) and Narasimhavarman I (630 - 668 CE ). However, the inscriptions at Pillayarpatti date further back to the 4th century CE. Also, given the location of the temple in the Pandya kingdom it would only be logical to associate Pandya patronage to this temple, especially in the light of Pandya patronage at the Kazhugumalai temple not too far from here. There are several inscriptions within this temple that date back to the period between 1091 CE and 1238 CE, making it apparent that the Pillayarpatti Nagarattar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century AD during the second growth phase of this temple, when Vimanams and Rajagopuras were built.

The third phase of growth is much more recent and it involved the repair, rebuilding and refurbishment of the entire temple complex, including the renovation of the temple tank. The tank and the two Raja Gopuras provide an attractive approach to the temple, in this rather remote town of Pillayarpatti.

DEITIES
Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar is the presiding deity here, and he is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas-relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. Scholars says that Lord Vinayaka is the Lord of wisdom, which is confirmed by the head of elephant in the shape of sacred mantra "OM". When we draw a line from the broken left tusk, starting upward, then turning left to wards right ear and after passing through the bend of the left tusk up to the tip of trunk, Tamil alphabet "O" appears. The Lingam in the hand indicates the alphabet "M". Together they form "OM". This is confirmed by the lord here "Valampuri Pillayar". As Vinayagar satisfies the wishes of his devotees like Karpagam tree, he is also known "Karpaga Vinayagar".

Here Lord Vinayaka appears with 2 hands unlike in other places where he is seen with 4 hands. Also he is seen seated without Pasa Angusa, with his legs folded and stomach not touching the Asanam in the form of "Ardha Padmasana".

The word Vinayaga means "Incomparable Leader" Devotees worshiping Valampuri Vinayagar seated facing towards north, will be blessed with all wealth. Chanting of sacred mantras by the student learning Vedas and agamas in the Vedagama School create a divine atmosphere.

( Entrance of east side Rajagopuram )

SHIVA TEMPLE INSIDE THE PREMISES OF PILLAYARPATTI.
The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree (In Sanskrit Arjuna Viruksha, The Botanical name is Termanalia Arjuna) worship is followed in this temple which indicates that this temple in an ancient temple. The sculptor of Pasupatheeswarar, "A cow worshiping Lord Siva by offering his milk" is the special feature of this temple. Also kubera the Lord of wealth had worshiped at this temple.

To illustrate the information that one where controls his five senses will be able to understand God, a sculpture of five headed snake wearing a Lingam on its neck is found here. The five head of the snake indicate the five senses while the Lingam indicates God. Also adding to the spirituality Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durgai are found together at the same sport.

Unlike other places the three Lingams Thiruveesar, Marudheesar and Senchadeswarar and the three Goddess Sivagami Amman, Vadamalar Mangaiamman and Soundara Nayagi Amman all appear together at the same place and bless the devotees.

It is believed that by worshiping Kathyayini amman at this temple women get relived from sevvai dosham which prevent them from getting married. "Saptamatrikas" whom importance due to changing time are provided with a separate sannadhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple.

HOW TO REACH :
Frequent buses are available from Karaikudi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Temple complex view with temple tank
Ambal Sannadhi vimanam 
Rajagopuram in front of Vinayagar sannadhi 

A small sannadhi on a rock 

Daughter sitting in front of a mandapam near Vinayagar sannadhi Rajagopuram 
 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirappalli / Trichy District, Tamil Nadu.

 24th, May 2011.
114/60 -  SRI JAMBUKESWARAR TEMPLE - THIRUVANAIKAVAL 


This is the 114th Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 6th shiva sthalam  on the banks of River Kaveri in Chozha Nadu, Vadakarai. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Mandapam before 3rd level Rajagopuram -on the top stucco images of sthalapuranam

Moolavar   : Sri Jambukeswarar, Sri Appu Lingeswarar,
                 Sri Vennavalesar,  Sri Jambunathar,
                 Sri Aanaikka Annal, Sri Neerthiral Nathar.
Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the important features of this temple are....
This is one of the pancha bootha sthalangal and called Appu sthalam ( Water ). To signifies water is coming from the base of the lingam even during summer. Moolavar is facing west. The Iraivan was worshiped by Brahma, Spider, Elephant, Ashtavasukkal, Ambal, Parasarar, Ko Chenkat Chozhan. There is a 9 way salaram in front of moolavar and we cannot enter straightly to karuvarai like any other temples, instead we have to enter through side way. 

Ambal is in a separate temple facing Iraivan ie east direction. Since Ambal worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple, archakar used to do the uchi kala pooja wearing sari. Sri Sakkathodukal  given by Sri Adhi sankarar is still is being used for Ambal.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE :
Thiruvanaikoil is a beautiful small urban village at Tiruchirappalli district ('Trichy', 'Thiruchirappalli', 'Tiruchinopoly', 'Tiruchi') in Tamil Nadu of Southern India. Thiruvanaikoil is also familiarly known as Thiruvanaikoil, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruvanaikaval, Thiruanaikaa. Thiruvanaikoil is around 3 Kms away from the heart of Trichy city and adjacent to Srirangam another small historic town and one of the holy places in India. Thiruvanaikoil and Srirangam are in the banks of river Cauvery. Literally these two places form an island, surrounded by river Cauvery and river Coleroon. 

This ancient temple dedicated to Shiva (Jambukeswara) and Parvati (Akhilandeswari) is one of the foremost Saivite shrines in Tamil Nadu. This large temple celebrates Shiva as Jambukeswara, an embodiment of the element water and is often referred to as Appustalam and is hence one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams, the other four being Tiruvannamalai (fire), Chidambaram (Space), Kanchipuram (Earth) and Kalahasti (Air) respectively. The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and has five concentric walls and seven gopuras. It is built around a Shiva lingam partly submerged in water that comes from a spring in the sanctum sanctorum. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.

According to the legend there was once a forest of jambu trees in the place of modern Tiruvanaikka. Nearby was a tank called Chandratheertha which was filled by water from the river Kaveri. Lord Shiva appeared as a Lingam under one of the trees. The lingam came to be called the Jambulingam.

Due to a curse, the two  Shiva ganas Pushpadanta and Malyava, were born in the forest as a white elephant and as a spider. The elephant worshiped the Lingam with flowers and with water brought in its trunk. The spider too worshiped the Lingam, spinning out a web over the Lingam to prevent leaves of the tree from falling on it. The spider's web appeared to be unclean for the elephant and it destroyed the web. This lead to big clash between the two and ultimately resulted in their death. Lord Shiva granted Moksha (salvation) to both. The spider was born in a royal Chola family as the great king Ko Chenkannan, a Chozha King who built about 70 temples (Madakovil) including the temple of Jambukeswarar at Tiruvanaikka. Because the king remembered about his earlier birth, he built the temples in a such way that no elephant can enter the sanctum sanctorum and come near the Sivalingam. The temple at Thiruvanaikaval is a big one covering an area of about 18 acres with high walls and gopurams on all the 4 sides. The temple has 5 prakarams. The main sanctum sanctorum (the 5th prakaram) can be reached by entering a series of Gopurams (Towers). The shrine for female deity Akilandeswari is situated in the 4th prakaram.

HOW TO REACH:
Frequent Buses are  available from various parts of  Tamil Nadu.
Frequent Town buses are available from Main guard gate, Malaikottai Thayumanavar temple tank and 8 Km from main bus stand, 

CONTACT DETAILS :
Land line Number  +91 431 2230257.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( A Rajagopuram at the back side )
A small mandapam on the parakaram
Third level Rajagopuram
Mallappa gopuram
( Neerazhi mandapam  near the first Rajagopuram )
First 7 tier Rajagopuram on the west side 
----- OM SHIVAYA NAMA -----

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, Rock Fort, Tiruchirappalli / Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

24, May 2011.
Tiruchirappalli was earlier known as Thirisirapuram, because a Rakshasa called Thirisiran worshipped Lord Shiva here. Legend has it that since there are three peaks on the Rock Fort hill, occupied by three Gods, Shiva, Parvathi & Vinayagar (Uchi Pillayar), the place was named Thiri-sikarapuram and later called Tirisirapuram. This place was also known as Sirappalli, Rishabachalam & Dakshina Kailasam during ancient days. The Rock Fort hill is believed to be formed hundreds of thousands of years back, according to archeological sources.

According to mythology, once there was a great tussle between Adhiseshan and the wind God Vayu, about who was more powerful. Adhiseshan encircled the Mahameru hill (Himalaya) and challenged Vaayu to take the Himalayas off his powerful grip. Vaayu tried very much to free them, but to no avail, and eventually accepted his defeat. It is said that during the fight, there had been a lot of natural calamities like floods and cyclones. And three pieces of the mountain broke off and landed in different places. Out of the three pieces that broke off is the Rock fort at Trichy. The other two are at Trincomalee (Ceylon) and Srikalahasti (Andhra Pradesh). also ply from both Central & Chatram bus stands of Trichy. One can alight at Main Guard Gate or Teppakulam to reach the temple.

123/ 6. THAYUMANASWAMY TEMPLE,  ROCKFORT, TRICHY 


This is the 123rd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the banks of river Kaveri, a Chozha Nattu thenkarai shiva sthalam. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple

Iraivan : Sri Mathrubootheswarar, Sri Thayumaneswarar, 
             Sri Thayumanavar.
Iraivi    : Sri Mattuvar Kuzhali, Sri Sukunthakundhalambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are ...
Manikka Vinayagar sannathi at the base of the hill temple. The main shrine is 258 steps from the base. Uchi Pillayar is on the top of the hill. Sannadhi for 63var, Kambthadi Vinayagar, Arumugar, 63var Urchava murtis,  Sevvanthi Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, Moolavar is of big in size and  facing west.  While climbing up we can see a Pallava period rock cut cave on the left side.

LEGEND & History of the temple.
Arulmigu Thayumanavar Swamy temple (also known as 'Chevvandhinadhar') is situated on the Rock Fort en-route to the Uchi Pillayar. Temple on the hill top, at the heart of the present day city of Trichy. According to legend, there was a woman living on the other side of river Cauvery, who visited this temple everyday. She had been visiting the temple for many years, which she continued to do even during her pregnancy. One day after she finished the Darshan, she found that the river was flooded and impassable. As she waited for the river's flow to subside, she developed a severe labour pain. Since she was in labour, people around stopped her from going back home. But the woman was desperate to go back home to her mother, who was the only person she trusted enough to help her get through the labour pains.

Lord Shiva came to her, disguised as her mother, and helped her deliver the child safely and then disappeared. Later when her actual mother came asking for her, the woman realized that it was Lord Shiva who came to her rescue in disguise. As Lord Shiva himself served her devotee as her mother, here the main deity is called as "Thayumanavar" (God, who is also the "Mother") This incident is also celebrated as a special event called "Chettipen Maruthuvam" on the fifth day of the Chithirai Festival at the temple. The name of the Ambaal is "Mattuvarkuzhali".

After climbing around 200 steps from foot hill of the "Malaikottai", one can reach the Thayumanavar temple. The temple is said to have been built during the 3rd century by Pallavas. This temple was occupied by Jain Saints and later was destroyed by Mahendravarman, who then constructed a Shiva Temple in its place. Pregnant women and their husbands pray to Lord Thayumanavar for a safe delivery and offer plantains to the God after delivering healthy baby. One can see people carrying "Vazhaithar" all the way up to the temple, and after offering to Thayumanavar, they distribute it among other devotees in the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS
Landline numbers are  +91 431 2704621 and  +91 431 2710484 

HOW TO REACH :
Trichy is well connected by ample trains and buses from Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. 
Buses also ply from both Central & Chatram bus stands of Trichy. One can alight at Main Guard Gate or Teppakulam to reach the temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Rock cut caves under the temple
Rajagopuram and moolavar vimanam is above the roof
Ambal sannathi vimanam is partially visible
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---