Arakanda Nallore, Athulya Nadeswarar Temple, Vizhupuram.

Arakanda Nallore: Athulya Nadeswarar Temple.



This place Arakanda Nallore is about 2 kms from Thiru koiloore and 35 kms from Vizhupuram. This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara sthalam. Previously the place was known as Arayani Nallore. The temple is on a hillock near the confluence of Gowthami River and River Penna.












The temple Raja gopuram is of seven tiers.




Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam and teertham is River Penna.








Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Athulya Nadhar / Oppila Maneeswarar facing west under Rudraksha mandapam. His consort known as Soundra Kanakambikai / Azhagiya Ponnamai in standing posture is seen in different sanctum. Goddess is holding Alli Flower in her left hand and Lotus flower in her right hand. The temple is considered to be Gyana Yoga Sakthi Peetam.



Nandi is seen facing slightly towards right side with his ears turned towards the main sanctum, as if, he is ready to hear, what Lord Siva says. Here he is known as Sevimadukkum Nandi Devar.
Adikara Nandi is seen slightly moved towards Left side. When Sambandhar came to this place the doors of temple, were shut by the followers of other religion and worship was totally stopped. Sambandhar sang Hymns about Lord Siva here, and the doors opened immediately and then onwards rituals were started again. Both Nandi and Adikara Nandi seen slightly moved to either sides with their face turned towards left and right side respectively, for Sambandhar to have a clear darshan of Lord Sri Athulya Nadhar.



Other deities seen in the temple are Swayambu Valampuri Vinayakar, Mutthu Kumarar seen with six hands, Vishnu seen with Pryoga Chakkram in his hand with Lakshmi Devi, Kati hastha Durgai, Jeshta Devi, Asithanga Bairavar, Chandeekeswarar, Saptha madhar, Saneeswarar and Navagraham. Saneeswarar in the navagraham sanctum is seen with his right leg placed on his vahanam crow. Biravar is seen without his vahan dog.







Sambandar sanctum







There is a sanctum for Ramana Maharishi in the temple.



Eesanar, Durvasar and Viswamitra Rishi wanted to learn thoroughly about Eswara sakthi. So they approached Hygragreevar who is supposed to be god for Gyanam. Lord Hyagreevar joined with them and approached Lord Murugan for Upadesam. When they went to Lord Murugan he took them to His mother Goddess Parvathy.



Mother Goddess blessed them and asked them to visit Krishnaranyam on Earth where confluence of Penna and Gowthami River happens. To the north bank of this place there is a Hillock with power of Gyana Sakthi. Goddess asked them to meditate in this place about Lord Sivato get good result. Lord Siva was impressed with their penance and appeared before them. Lord gave Upadesam about Veda Agama Nadham. Lord Siva’s Upadesam to them about the Nadham was so clear and precise; they addressed him as Sri Athi Tulya Nadha Eswarar, which over a period changed into Sri Athula Nadeswarar.








There is a sanctum for Annamalayarhere. Sambandharafter worshippingLord Siva here wanted to visit Thiruvanna malai and worship Annamalayaar. But it did not happen so, he thought of Annamalayaar and installed a Siva Lingam and worshipped Him. This sanctum is seen in-between Sri Athulya Nadhar Sanctum and Goddess Soundra Kanakambikai.











As we go around the temple, we see Foot prints of Sambandhar placed on a peetam in a place from where he worshipped Annamaliyaar and sang Hymns on Him.




Sthala Purana says Lord Vishnu worshiped Lord Siva in this pace to get rid of his dosha for destroying Mahabali. Goddess Lakshmi also came in search of Lord Vishnu to this place. Lord Siva appeared before them here.



Once a muni, by name Neelakantar visited Siva kshetrams, to get rid of his curse. On his way to Thiru Annamlai he took bath in River Penna and sat on the hillock. From place he was able to see Thiru Annamalai, so he decided to worship Lord Siva from this place. He started meditating in this place. Lord Siva was pleased with his worship, and appeared before him with his consort Parvathy, and blessed him to get rid of his curse. Neelakanta Muni prayed Lord Siva, to stay back in the place and bless mankind. Lord Siva is in Swyambu Lingam form known as Araiani Nadahar in this place.







Here we see five caves where Pancha Pandava stayed for sometime during their Agnayatha vasam Period




(Swayambu Lingam)[Gyana sakthi][Eeswara Sakthi][ValampuriVinayakar][AdikaraNandi][Ramana Maharishi]

Thirukazhi paalai, Paalvanna Nadhar Temple, Cuddlore District.

Thiru kazhi paalai:    Paalvanna Nadhar Temple.
 

This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam.  The temple is about 5 kms to SE, from Seergazhi and it is near by Sivapuri temple.



Earlier, the temple was in a place called Kaaraimedu on the northern bank of River Kollidam. The temple was known as Kazhi palai. Due to floods, in rainy season the temple was heavily ravaged. So a temple was constructed in present place, and all idols were shifted to the new premises.







There is a Raja Gopuram of three tiers facing east, there is a Nandi seen outside, in front of Raja Gopuram.







Near the main entrance of the inner sanctum we see Adigara Nandi with his consort 

Pradosha Nandi is seen in front of the main sanctum in a mandapam.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Paallvanna Nadhar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman. There is a split in the top of Lingam. At the back we see wedding posture of Lord Siva and Parvathy.

As we go around the prakaram, we see sanctums of Lord Vinayaka, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Agora moorthy, Kiradha Moorthy, Lord Brahma, Chatura Durga, Navagraha, Bhuvaneswari and  Nayanamars.

 

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Sthala Vruksham is Vilwa and teertham is Kollidam.



Sthala Purana says Kapila Muni during his pilgrimage passed visited this place dense with Vilwa tree. The sand in this place was white due to cow’s pouring out milk voluntarily in this place. So the sand is white in colour. Kapila Muni made a Siva Lingam out of this mud and worshipped Lord.
While King was passing through this place horse hoof hit Siva Lingam and it got split on the top. Kapila Muni wanted to make another Lingam for his pooja. Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy appeared before him and asked him to install the same Shiva Lingam since the milk poured in that place was by Kamadenu.



Unique feature of the temple is Bairavar is wearing 27 skulls as sacred thread and serpent as belt with Lion’s teeth. The temple is also known as Bairavar Temple. It is believed the idol of Bairavar in Kasi Keshtram and the Bairvar of this temple was made by same sculpture.


This is one of the places where Lord Shiva gave darshan to Agasthya muni. Valmiki worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Lord Natarajar here seems to tie his jadamudi up as turf.  Sivakami Amman is seen with her friends Vijaya and Saraswathy.


Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundarar and Thiru Navvukkuarasar sang Hymns praising Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. 

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.

Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiru kazhukundram, kancheepuram District.

Thiru kazhukundram: Vedapureeswarar Temple.



The temple is about 16kms SE of Chengalpet, in Kancheepuram District. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.








The temple Raja Gopuram is of nine tiers.





































There is a 16 pillar mandapam seen with beautiful sculpture to the pillars.








The main shrine Vedagireeswarar is on top of a hill, which is regarded as Veda itself. There are about 500 steps to reach the top.








We see an arch and steps leading to the temple on hill top












Main deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedagireeswarar and his consort Chokkamman.



Tazhakoil :



The temple has Raja gopuram to all four sides and three prakaram inside.





















Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam, known as Bakthavatchaleswarar, and his consort known as Thirupursundri Amman in different sanctum.




Goddess Tripurasundari is Swayambu deity, so abishekam is performed during selected 3 days in a year. Rest of the day’s abishekam is performed for Padam only.








Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundarar, Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Manikkavachakar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.



Importance of this place is Vedas represent themselves as a mountain. There are about 12 pushkarani around the mountain.



Plantain tree is Sthala Vruksham and Sanku Teertham is important.








View of the sanctums from hill top.








While climbing down we see the tree.









Importance: Markandeya Maharishi, when he came to this place, he wanted to perform abishekam and worship Lord Siva. He was worried because he did not have any vessel to get water for the abishekam. At that time a Valampuri Sanku appeared in Pushkarani and moved towards Markandeya Maharishi. He took the Sanku and with that, he performed abishekam for Lord Siva. The teertham was known as Markandeya Teertham. From that time, every 12th year a Valampuri Sanku appears in that Teertham. It is also known as Sanku Teertham. Valampuri Sanku forms only in Sea. They say bubbles form in the pushkarani before the Sanku appears and OMKARA sound is heard, and the Sanku apperars and floats in the pushkarani. This is taking place till now. Main Preist takes the new Sanku for abishekam, and the old one, is preserved in the temple.



Sthala purana says Indra worships Lord Siva in this place. Once in every 12 years he worships Lord Siva in the form of thunder. There is a hole in the Sanctum Vimanam through which the thunder enters and worship. No damage is caused due to the thunder that hits



Sundarar worshiped Lord Siva and sang Hymns. Lord Siva rewarded him Gold.
Koti Rudrar worshiped Vedagireeswar in this place.
Once in 12 years when the planet Jupitar (Guru) enters in Kanya Lagnam, Laksha Deepa festival is performed known as Pushpakara Mela.




Two sages named Pusha and vrudha penenced in this place to acquire eternity. They were blessed by Lord Siva. He told them they have to wait for getting eternity. Sages refused and they were cursed to become Eagle. The sages took birth as Eagle and were known as Sambu and Adi. They made a pushkarani known a Pakshi teertham. There is a stone near the pushkarani on which the prasadam was offered. The eagles used to worship, Lord Siva and used to have the prasadam as their food during 12 noon.



For past few years the eagles are not seen. So the place came to be known as Thiru Kazhukundram.




Agasthiyar, Indran, Rudrar koti, Sapthamadhar, Chandran, Sanakadi Muni, Nandi devar, Brahma, Markandeyar, Vasishtar, Viswamithrar and Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here and were blessed.