Thiru Narayur, Thiru Sounderyeswarar temple. Kattumannar koil taluk, Cuddlore District.

Thiru Narayur:  Thiru Sounderyeswarar temple.

This temple is one of the Devara Sthalam in Nadu Nadu temples. The temple is about 6 kms to NE from Kattumannar koil.

The main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Soundaryesar and his consort known as Thirupura Sundari Amman.

Sthala Vruksham is Punnai.

Teertham of the temple is known as Karunya Teertham.

As we go around we see a separate sanctum for Polla Pillayaar. It is a Swayambu Moorthy.

Murugan, Thirumoola Nadhar, Navagraham, Natarajar, Bairavar, Nalvar, Sekizhar sanctums are there. 

We see painting of Polla Pillayaar when we go around the prakaram

Durvasa muni was performing penance here to get darshan of Lord Siva. His penance was disturbed by a Gandhrava. Durvasa Muni cursed him to become a Crane (Naarai) for his act and refused to forgive him. Gandarva prayed to Lord Siva, to suggest way to get relief. Lord Siva asked

to perform abishekam to Him, daily with Ganga water to get out of the curse.

Being a bird it took Ganga water from Varnasi and performed abishekam to Lord Siva here. It got salvation and hence the place is known as Narayur 

Sthala Purana:

Nambi Andar Nambi as a young boy used to watch his father performing pooja to Pollaa Pillayaar and finally offering nivedana (neyvedyam). Once it happened so, the boy had to perform the pooja in absence of his father. When he offered nivedhanam, Pillyaar did not eat. He was worried why Pillayaar is not eating the offering. He started weeping and punishing himself by dashing his head.

Pillayaar was touched with the sincere Bakthi of the child and consumed the offering.

When everyone was talking about this King Rajaraja Cholan came to know about the miracle and he refused to believe. King came with nivedhana and asked Nambi to offer it to Pillayaar. Now the pillayaar was keeping silent. Nambi was worried and sang the Iratai Mani Malai hymns which moved Pillayaar and he consumed the offering in presence of the gathering.

It was Nambi Andar Nambi who gathered Thevaram sung by Moovar which was damaged by pests. Idol of Nambi and King Rajaraja cholan is seen in the temple.

There is a Small sanctum for Nambi Andar Nambi who is seen holding kalasam in his hand.

Thiru Navukkuarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.

Melai Thirumanajchery, Nagapattinam.

Melai Thirumanajcheri / Edirkolpadi temple:



The temple is about 6kms from Kuthalam. The place Kuthalam is on the way to Mailaduthurai from Kumbakonam.



This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. Sundarar sang Hymns on Iravadeeswarar of this temple.







The temple Raja Gopuram is of five tiers.



Main Deity here, in this temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Iravadeeswarar and his concert Known as Sugandha Kunthalambikai.








As we enter in side we see Dwajsthambam and Lord Ganeshais seen at the bottom.









Sthala vruksham of the temple is Utthala Maram. Purana says this vruksham is seen only in this place.









As we enter in there is a small sanctum for Lord Ganesha, and we see Balipeetam behind.













Next we seeNandi Devarin small sanctum.




Within the temple we see Subramanyar, Gaja Lakshmi, Kala Bairavar and Saneeswarar sanctums. As we go around we see Bala Ganapathy, Natrajar, Dakshina Moorthy, Ligothbavar, Brahma, Raghu, Durgai, and Ganga Visarjanar as Kostha moortams.









This is Gopuram view of main sanctum from one side.










Meenakshi Sundareswar, marriage ceremony sculptures seen to one side of the Gopuram.









To one side Guru Dakshina Moorthy, sculpture is seen on top of the gopuram.









Dakshina Moorthy sanctumseen as we go around the main sanctum.









There is a small sanctum for Saraswathy Devi.




We see Ambal Sugandha Kunthalambikai in separate sanctum. She is seen in sitting posture, known as Sukhaasana posture. Ambal deity is small in size in this temple.




Sthala purana says Iravadham worshiped Lord Siva here hence he is known as Iravadewarar. Durvasa muni, once gifted a lotus garland to Indra, which was given to him byLord Siva. Indra took the garland and placed it on his elephant Iravadham,which did not know the value of the garland, and threw it down and stamped. Muni was unable to control his anger and he cursed Indra and Iravath. Indra realised his mistake and asked him to excuse and to let him know the way to get rid of his curse.




Iravath came down to earth and worshiped Lord Siva in many temples. When it came to this place and worshiped, Iravath got rid of its curse and was blessed. Indra also worshiped Lord Siva of this place and he was blessed.




Sthala purana also says Baratha Muni who belong to Thirumananjchery, was the one who performedLord Siva and Parvathy marriage at Vaelvikudi. After the ceremony was finished he invited new couple Lord Siva and Parvathy to visit his place. Lord Siva agreed to do so. When Lord Siva and Prvathy came to this place Thirumanajcheri, Baratha muni went forward to welcome newly married couple Lord Siva and Parvathy.




So the place is known as Edirkolpadi which means going forward to welcome. Now the place is known as Melakoil.




By worshiping Lord Siva here marriages are settled. One who has lost their wealth and jobs also worship Lord Siva,and they are blessed by him like Indra who worshiped and got back his wealth and post.

Thiruvarore Araneri and Paravayul Maa ndali Temple. Thiruvarore.

1. Thiruvarore Araneri / Asalesam .
   
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Devara sthalam of Lord Siva.
   
   
   
   This place Thiruvarore Araneri is within the main temple of Thirvarore Thiru Moolattanam.
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Araneriappar facing west, and his consort known as Vandar Kuzhali ammai.
   
   
   
   Importance of this place is Naminadhiadigal Nayanar lit the lamp with water. This information is mentioned in the Thevaram (Hymns) sung by Thirunavukarasar.
   
   
   
   Stone inscriptions say The Araneri temple was built by Chembian madevi with the help of stones.
   
   
   
   Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Paravayul Maandali
   
   
   
   This temple is opposite to Thiruvarore temple chariot halted at East Street. (Keezha Veedi)
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Thuvai Nadhar and his consort known as Panjin melladi Ammai.
   
   
   
   
   Sthala purana says “Durvasa Muni” worshiped Lord Siva of this place hence the name “Dhurvasa Nayinaar.” “Sundarar” got back his eye sight, by having a dip in the pushkarani and worshiping Lord Siva.
   
   
   
   Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.