Thiru Vetkalam, Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple. Chidambaram taluk.

Thiru Vetkalam:  Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple.

The temple is about 3kms east of Chidambaram. Now the place is known as Annamalai Nagar.

This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu Temples.

The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of three tiers facing east.

  

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pasupatheeswarar and his consort known as

Sri Sargunambaal / Nalla Nayaki. There is a mark on Siva Lingam.

Teertham of this temple is Krupa Kataaksha Teertham.

Sthala Vruksham of the Temple is Bamboo.



We see pillars with sculpture related to Sthala puranam of this temple in front of Goddess sanctum.

Arjuna is hiding his weapons.

 

As we go around the prakaram we see Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Lakshmi, Meenakshi, Chokka Nadhar, Nalvar, Navagraham, Natarajar, Sooryan and Chandran.

Nardhana Vinayakar and Anugraha Dakshina Moorthy are seen as koshta Deivam. Here Muyalagan near Dakshina Moorthy is facing towards left side which is different from usual posture.

Lord Indra.

Sthala purana says Arjuna wanted to acquire Pasupathasthram to win the battle against Kauravas. Arjuna got all Asthras (weapons) from his father Indra. Krishna told Arjuna, Pasupathasthram can be acquired from Lord Siva only with permission from Indra...  

Arjuna penancing is seen with his one leg, to be blessed by Lord Siva with Pasupathasthram.

Arjuna penanced in this place which was full of Bamboo. Duruyodhana sent Mookasura in the form of pig to spoil the penance of Arjuna. Lord Siva wanted to test Arjuna so He disguised himself as hunter.

Lord Siva with Parvathy appeared as hunter and killed the pig. Four Vedas followed Him as Dogs. Arjuna also aimed at the pig. Before granting Pasupathastharam, Lord Siva wanted to test the ability of Arjuna.

Lord Siva as a hunter is seen fighting with Arjuna.

The hunter (Lord Siva) and Arjuna claimed themselves for the death of pig. From discussion it went to fight and Arjuna's bow broke. Arjuna in anger hit hunter (Lord Siva). The blow was felt by all the living being on earth. Parvathy got angry by Arjuna's act. Lord Siva told Parvathy her anger is not good and it would affect the whole universe. He asked her to cool down move to side.

Lord Siva lifted Arjuna with his leg and threw him Krupa Kataksham. Once Lord Siva’s Leg touched Arjuna, he was blessed.

Lord Siva and Parvathy appeared in front of him. Lord Siva gave Pasupathasthram to Arjuna.

Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Thiru Navukkuarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva. Arunagirinadhar Sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan 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.

Thiru Vaigal temple. Thiru Mailaduthurai.

1. Thiru Vaigal:
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthlam.
   
   
   
   The place is about 4 kms NW of Koneriraja puram, 4 kms south of Mailaduthurai is, Thiru Neelakudi and from there, travel 5 kms towards SE, we reach Thiru Vaigal temple. It is a small village, we missed the other temple there. Being small places we hardly find the temples open.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul Migu Vaigal Nadheswarar and his consort known as Kombiyal Kodai.
   
   
   
   Sthala Vruksham is Sanbagam. Teertham is known as Sanbaga teertham.
   
   
   
   Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Varadaraja perumal, Gaja lakshmi, Bairavar and Sooryan in different sanctums.
   
   
   
   Purana says Thirumal worshipped Lord Siva of this place and married Thirumagal, (Lakshmi). Brahma, Indran, Agastiyar, and Elephant worshipped Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   

[Neelakudi][Varadraja Perumal]

Thiru Virkudi temple. Nanilam.

1. Thiru Virkudi:
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam and One of Atta veeratta sthalam.
   
   
   The place is about 10 Kms SE of Nanilam, on the banks of Vettaru.
   The temple has Raja gopuram of five storeys and two prakaram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul migu Veerattaneswarar and his consort, known as Elavar Kuzhali ammai.
   
   
   
   There are two pushkarani known as Sanku teertham and Chakkra teertham. Tulasi plant is sthala vruksham, seen in front as we enter inside the temple.
   
   
   
   Importance: Jalanda Suran was killed by Lord Siva, in this place hence it is known as Veeratta sthalam. We see Lord siva as Samhara murthy in Maha mandapam with chakkram as yantram in his hand.
   
   
   
   Purana: Brinda is wife of Jalandaran. After the death of Jalandasuran, Lord Vishnu went to his place, like Jalandaran and stayed with Brinda who was not aware of Jalandaran’s death. When she knew the truth she cursed Lord Vishnu. To get out of his curse, Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Siva, of this place and he was blessed. Brinda changed herself as Tulasi plant in this place.
   
   
   
   
   Sambandhar, Navukkarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   

[Sambndhar][Gyana Sambandhar] [Tulasi][Lord Vishnu]

Thiru Kurugavoore, Seergazhi.

1. Thiru Kurugavoore:
   
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalams.
   
   
   
   The temple is about 6 kms distance east of Seergazhi town, on the banks of River Uppanaru. The temple is known as Velladai. The temple has a Raja Gopuram, with single prakaram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Velladainadhar and his consort Kaaviyang kanni. Teertham is known as “Paalkinaru” (well). They say during halfmoon day of Thai month (Jan / Feb), the water in the well transforms like milk.
   
   
   
   
   Purana says Sundara moorthy Nayanar and his disciple visited the temple. Lord Siva provided with water and meals to them.
   
   
   
   Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple
   
   
   
   According to stone inscriptions the deity here is known as “Thiru velladai Mahadevar” / “Thiru kurugavoore Velladai Andar”.
   
   

[Sundarar][Swayambu Lingam]