We happen to read a book written by sri. J.c.Murali about old temples of south india.We were inspired and planned to visit thesae temples. Our thanks to him for diverting our attention towards the age old temples.
Every temple as its own importance and many a places it is in Swayambu linga form. 275 Siva temples are known as Devara sthalam were Navakkuarsar, Manikkavachakar, Appar and Sundarar (who are known as saiva kuravas) ardent devotees of Siva sang hymns on siva.
There are 108 vishnu temples which are important known as Divya desams. Our first such tour was to Kanchi, south india and places around. We planned to visit important Vishnu temples also which are nearby. The temples dates back to 8 and 9th century. It was a 6 day tour.
Kanchi: During pallava times it was their capital. The place is well known for temples and silk sarees. We started our tour from chennai . We were able to cover 90% only, due to temple timinges.
Bus facility is available to all the places except few. Some places are too small villages, were nothing is available for tourists. We made our trip by taxi so that we can cover many places. We were 5 in number and our cost worked out to Rs2500 per head including room and food.
- Thiruvanmayoor:
One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
The temple is to south coast of chennai city about 8kms.
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Marundeeswarar and hs consort known as Tripura Sundari. Sthala vruksham: Vanni. Teertham: Papanasini teertham.
Valmiki muni worshipped Siva and hence the name Vanmeeka nadhar. Kamadenu worshipped and he was known as Palvanna nadhar.
Agyasthya muni worshipped and Lord Siva preached about Oushadha, (muligi) their importance, nature, and cure. So he is called as Oushadeeswarar. Devas worshipped and he is known as Vedapureeswarar.
Importance: The main deiy is about 1’ height slightly slanting and hooves marks on the linga. Goddess Tripurasundari in different sanctum standing posture with abaya vardha mudra. Srichakra is there in front of her.
Sthala purana says there are 5 teertham Janma nasini, Kama nasini, papa nasini, Gyana dhayini and Moksha nasini which are from jada mudi of Siva.
Navakku arasar and Sambandar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.
Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this place. Saint Thyagaraja idol is noted one in temple. We see Subramanya with right leg on peacock with bow in his hand.
- Thiru poroor:
Siva temple and known for Subrayamanya swamy.
The temple is about 25kms from chengalpet.
Main deity: Swayambu linga known as Vanmeega nadhar and Swayambu Subramaniyar with Valli and Devanai. Teertham : Saravana pogzhai. Sthala vruksham: Vanni.
Vishnu to overcome the curse of Kanva muni worshipped Siva here and was blessed. Subramanya fought with asuras and preached gyana in this place.
- Thiru Arisili:
This is One of 275 Devara sthalam.
we can reach the place from Pondicherri to Dindivanam via Kiliyanoor. Stop at Ozundiyapattu and 1.5kms from there. From Dindivanam 2.5kms.
Main deity: Swyambu linga known as Arisili nadhar and his consort known as Periya nayaki ammai. Sthala vruksham: Arasa vruksham.
Importance : The lingam is in small size and goddess in different sanctum. Other deities like Ganapathy, Subramanya with valli and Devanai, chandeeswarar and navagraha are seen in the temple as we go around the main sanctum.
King Sathyavradhan, devotee of Siva developed a nandavanam(garden) with flowering plants useful for his worship. Unfortunately something was eating all his plants and spoiling his nandavanam. King was angry and he started watching the nandavanam.
He came acrosss a deer which was grazing and he tried to kill it. The deer escaped into a bush and from there a hunter came and started fighting with King. After sometime the hunter disappeared inside the bush.
King was surprised and started clearing the bush and he found a lingam there and he built a temple and named him as Arisili nadhar.
Sambandhar visited and sang hymns on Siva.
The temple timing is 7-12am and 4-7pm.
- Thiru Erumbai magalam:
This is One of 275 Devara sthalam.
Distance and Route: Pondicherry to Dindivanam via Killianoor stop at Thiruchitrambalam cross road and 3kms from there.
Main deity: Thiru Makaleeswarar and his consort known as Kuilmozhi nayaki.
Importance: Due to the penance of Karuvelachittar, drought occurred and King was worried and he wanted to disturb him. Devadasi (dancer who dance in temple) was requested by the king to help him. She reached the place of chittar and he was disturbed by her presence and he started living with her.
Once when she was dancing in the temple her anklet fell down, and chittar tried to put the anklet without disturbing her dance. People around started making fun of him, chittar was annoyed and started chanting on Siva, to the surprise of everyone the lingam broke into 8 pieces.
King was worried again and he realised his mistake and asked chittar to pardon him. Once again chittar sang a song and the lingam pieces joined together. From that day they put kavacam to linga and started worshipping.
King made another lingam to replace the one that is broken, but in his dream he was told not to do so by Siva. The new idol is to north side of the temple. Mahakalar worshipped in this place and hence the name Makaleeswarar.
Sambandhar visited and sang hymns on Siva.
- Thiruvakkarai:
One of 275 important Siva temple.
Distance and Route: Buses are available from Dindivanam. Dindivanam to Pondy via Mylam stop at Perumpakkam and 7kms from there.
Main deity: Swaymbu linga known as Chandra shekarar and his consort known as Vadivambikai in different sanctum. Sthala vruksham: Vilvam.
Name: Vakrusaran worshipped Siva here and was killed by Vishnu, hence the name Thiru Vakkarai.
Other deities like Durgi, Vinayakar, Dakshina moorhy, Lakshmi, Arumugar, Bairavar, Chandran, Vishnu in standing posture, Navagrahas and Sahara linga.
Importance: Vishnu fought with Vakkrasura and blood started oozing out and asuras were multiplied in number. Vakkra kali was sent to drink the blood without falling on the ground. We see Vishnu at the back of Vakkra kali amman. She has baby like thing in her right ear.
They say she fought with vakkrasuran sister who was pregnant at that time out of soft corner she adorned the baby of womb, in her ear.
Nataraja here, stands on his left leg and the right one lifted in up in air and the thandavam known as Rudra thandavam. Opposite to Vakkra kali, lingam known as Vkkralinga worshipped by Vakkrasura is seen. This linga is cool during summer and water drops are seen on top portion of lingam during rainy season.
Main entrance, Nandi, Dwajasthamba and main Deity are not in a straight line in this temple as a rule.We see Varadaja perumal in standing posture with abya hastham, sanku and with prayoga chakkra in his hand.
Sani graha is also different with his vahana crow to left. People who suffer of vakkra grahas can worship in this place and prosper in life.
- Mylam:
Subramanya swamy temple.
Distance: 10kms from Dindivanam.
Main deity:Viswanadhar and his consort known as Visalakshi ammai.
Teertham: Varaha river. Sthala vruksham: Punnai.
Importance: After the samharam of asura sura by lord Subramanya, sura requested that he wishes to be a vahana for Murugan. Sura was asked to penance at varaha river by subramanya.
Sura took the form of peacock and started the penance. Subramanya was pleased and accepet him as a peacock vahana in this place. Lord Subramanya in kalyana Kolam with Valli and Devannai.
Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on murugan here.
hi amma
ReplyDeleteis this the temple u said u visited on siva rathri