Thiruvamathoor, Sri Abirameswarar Temple. Vizhupuram Dt.

Thiruvamathoor: Sri Abirameswarar Temple.



This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The place Amathoore is also known as Vanni Vanam which is about 6kms from Vizhupuram.








The temple tower is of five tiers. There are two prakarams in the temple.









As we enter into the temple we see Dwajasthambam and Bali peetam.








Here we see a big Nandi known as Maha Nandi.








Hear we see padala Nandi also.




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abirameswarar is facing east and his consort known as Muthambikai facing west, in separate temple.



Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai and Vanni Vruksham seen inbetween the sanctum of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.




Teertham is a well, known as Thanda Teertham, and pushkarani known as Aambalam.




Sthala Purana says long back cows were without horns. They were attacked by wild animals so the cows worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Lord was pleased and blessed them with horns. Hence the place was known as AAmathoore and Lord Siva in this place known as Abirameswarar.










Other deities seen in the temple are Maal Thuyar Teertha Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar, Natarajar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichaadanar, Sahasra Lingam, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chatta Nadhar, Arunachaleswarar, and Saptha madhar, Chandeeswarar, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalwar and 63 Nayanmars.









Sri Rama worshiped Lord Siva in this place with Thanda Teetham to get rid of Brahmahathi dosha by killing Ravana. Lord Murugan worshiped Lord Siva and Parvathy here before he left for war against Soorapaduman. Parvathy bestowed Lord Murugan with her Sakthi Vel here in this place.




Brungi Muni worshiped Lord Siva and neglected Goddess Parvathy. Parvathy did not like his attitude, so he was cursed by Parvathy to become Vanni Vruksham. Later he worshiped both Lord Siva and Parvathy and was blessed by them.










To south west corner of temple premises we Sathya mandapam known as Vatta palagai.





Stone inscriptions of first Rajaraja Cholan, Rajendra Cholan, Veera Rajendran and first Kulothunga Cholan are seen.





Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Abirameswarar of this temple. Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Thiruvarutpa by Vadalore Ramalinga Swamigal and Thiruvamathur Kalpagam by Irattai Pulavar are rendered to Lord Siva of this temple.

Teerthana Giri, Kozhundeeswarar Temple, Cuddlore.

Teerthana Giri:    Arulmigu Siva Kozhundeeswarar.

This temple is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalams. The temple is about 18 kms from Cuddlore on the bank of River Pennai.

Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.

Dwajasthambam is seen in front of the temple.

Pushkarani here in the temple is known as Jambuva Thadagam. A sage was cursed to become a Bear which bathed in this tank and got blessed. Hence the name for pushkarani is Jambuva Thadagam.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree. Lord was given food under the tree. We see a Siva Lingam under the tree.

As we go around the prakaram we see Nardhana Vinayakar and other sculptures to either side.

Four Boodha Ganas are seen worshipping Vinayakar.

Sculptures related to Sthala puranam.  

 

Lord Dakshina Moorthy is seen sitting on a peetam with his legs folded. Four of his disciples are seen sitting near him. Muyalagan is missing.  Lingothbavar is seen at the back of Lord Siva sanctum, Goddess Durgai is seen to the other side of the wall.

Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sivakozhundu Eswarar and his consort known as Oppila Nayaki Amman in seperate sanctum. She is also known as Karuthadang kanni and Neeladhambikai. Sun rays fall on Lord Siva on 20,21 and 22 of Panguni Month.(march- April)

Lord Nataraja is seen in separate sanctum with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. This is something rare form. Here Lord Vishnu is seen with his counch and Lord Brahma with Mridhangam. Lord Siva is performing Ananda Thandavam to which Lord Vishnu is singing with is counch and Lord Brahma is playing Mridhangam. Darshan of Lord here is considered beneficial for who aspire for excellance in Music and Dance.

Here crop known as Thinai was cultivated in those days and it was used as Nevaidham for Lord Siva. Hence the place was known as Thiru Thinai. Now the crop is not grown and the practice is discontinued.

Lord Chandikeswara is seen with his consort in this temple.

Sthala Purana says a farmer couple who lived in this village had the habit of taking food only after feeding a Siva Devotee. One day farmer couple did not find any Devotee since Lord Siva tested their faith. At last they went to their field to feed workers who were also missing there. They waited for their return. An old man came there and they requested him to have food. Old man replied he will not accept food as free. He wanted do some work and accept food as wage. Couple asked him to plough the field and accept food. In the meantime they went home to fetch food for old man. When they returned they saw the crop was grown and ready for harvest.

They served the food for the old man under the Kondrai tree and asked him how he was able to do so fast. Old man after eating disappeared. Lord appeared and and told them he came here in disguise as old man. They worshipped and asked him to stay back in the place to bless them. Lord Siva stayed back as Swayambu Lingam in this place as Sivakozhundeeswarar.

 The plough which was used is seen in the temple now also.

Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Thiru Vadhigai, Thiru Veeratteswarar Temple. Cuddlore.

Thiru Vadhigai :   Thiru Veeratteswarar Temple.

This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The temple is also one of Atta Veeratta Sthalam.

The temple is about 23 kms from Vizhupuram in Banruti on the bank of River Kedila.

The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of seven tiers. There are three prakaram in the temple.

Mandapam and Dwajasthambam seen at the back

 

Sculpture to pillar in the mandapam.

We see Nandi in mandapam

Unique factor is Vimaanam of main inner sanctum is so huge; the shadow does not fall down on the ground. We see beautiful sculptures painted colorfully on the sanctum Vimanam.

Rear side of the Vimanam

There is beautiful sculpture to either side of the walls.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai.

Teertham is Chakkra, Soola and Garuda teertham.

 Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Veratteswarar and his consort known as Tripura Sundari Amman in separate sanctum facing east. Upper portion of Lingam has sixteen sides.

As we go around the inner prakaram we see sanctums of

Vinayakar sanctum, Tripuranthakar,

Dakshina Moorthy, Natarajar, Chandeesar, Sooryan, Bairavar, Naalvar,

Pancha Boodha Lingam,

Naanmuka Lingam, Thirumal, Arumugan, 63 Nayanmars, Navagraham, Tilakavathy, Thiru Navukkarasar, and 

Sekezhyar sanctum.

Samharam of Three asurars namely Vidhyunmali, Tharukashan and Kamalakshan by Veeratteswarar took place here. Brave action of Lord is known as Tripura Samharam.

Thiru Navukarasar was relived out of his ailment. Sundara Moorthy Nayanar was blessed by Lord and he acquired Thiruvadi Deeksha in this place. Tilakavadhyaar spent her time in doing service to lord.

Gopuram view, from inner premises of the temple.

Thir Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundarar, sang Hymn on Lord Siva of this place.

Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.

Thirumaani kuzhi Temple: Thiru Vaamaneeswarar, Cuddlore

Thirumaani kuzhi Temple: Thiru Vaamaneeswarar.

The place is about ten kms from Cuddlore on the bank of River Kedila. This temple is one of  the        Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalams.

The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers and there are three prakarams.

As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam

Nandi Devar is seen in small mandapam

Teertham is River Kedila and Swetha teertham.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vaamaneeswarar and his consort known as Ambujakshi Amman in separate sanctum facing east.

Something unique in the temple is we see Beema Rudrar screen in front of Lord Vamaneeswarar. Beema Rudrar is always guarding Lord Siva here. First pooja is performed for Beema Rudrar. The screen is lifted and the pooja for Lord Vaamaneeswarar is performed.

As we go around the inner prakaram we see Selva Ganapathy, Udhavi Ganapathy, Arumugan, Nalwar, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Madhar, Pancha Moorthys, Gaja Lakshmi, Bairavar, Navagraha, Vishnu Lingam, Soorya and Chandran.

Thiru Annamalaiyar seen at the back of main sanctum

Sri Durgai sculpture seen to side wall of main sanctum

We see beautiful sculptures on the walls related to Sthala puranam

Sthala Purana says Lord Vishnu descended down as small Brahamin boy named as Vaamana. He went to King Maavli and asked for three feet of land by his foot. King agreed to give land forVaamana.

Immediately Vaamana took to his original form and measured earth and space for two feet by his foot. King Maavali bowed his head down for Vaamana to rest his feet on his head for the third one. Vaamana did so and it was the end of King Maavali’s life.

As a parihara for the death of King Maavali, Lord Vaamana worshipped Siva lingam here .Hence the place is known as Maani kuzhi and Lord Siva as Vaamaneeswarar.

Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Vaamaneeswarar. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.

Thiru Kadikkulam / Karpaga nadhar Temple, Thiruthurai poondy.

Thiru Kadikulam / Karpaganadhar kulam.



This place Kadikkulam is about 2 kms East from Edumbavanam, which is about 12 kms from Thiruthurai poondy.



The main gopuram of the temple is of three storeys and single prakaram. This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Karpaga nadhar facing east and his consort known a Sowndara Nayaki ammai. Lingam is of octagon shape.







In This temple Vinayakar is known as Karpaga Vinayakar. Teertham is Karpaga Teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Jack Fruit tree.



Sthala Purana says the temple was built by an Asura known as Karthikarjunan, who worshiped Lord Siva and was blessed by him. Karpaga Vinayakar worshiped Lord Siva and got the mango fruit from him. Sri Rama worshiped Karpaga Vinayakar in this temple, earlier when he was planning to construct the bridge at Vedaranyam to Sri Lanka.


A Brahmin came to this place with ashes in his hand to perform rituals for his father. To his surprise the ashes turned out to be Kondrai flower.


Stone inscriptions are seen in the temple. Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.