Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.

Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.


The place Thirumarai kadu / Vedaranyam is about 45 Kms from Nagapattinam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam.







The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram.






As we enter through the main Raja gopuram we see a 16 pillar mandapam and the pushkarani is seen to our left.







As we cross the mandapam, we see small sanctum for Ganpathy.






After having darshan of Ganapthy, there is one more pillar mandapam to cross and enter in to the inner Gopuram of the temple





Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is One of 64 Sakthy Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thayagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Natanam.





Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram.








Teertaham is Manikarnikai and Veda teertham.







The temple prakaram is very big and it was full of water.



Importance: Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here in this place. After their worship the temple main door was locked from inside. There was another door from the side which people were using to enter into the temple. Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar reached this place on their visit to temples in the south. They were surprised to see the main door closed and came to know the reason. Sambandhar asked Navukkarasar, to sing on Lord Siva to open the door for devotees. Lord Siva was pleased by the Hymns, which he sung and the door opened on its own. Sambandhar was requested to sing to keep the door closed and opened here after. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva the temple main door closed on its own. From that day onwards the main door is used by devotees to enter in.



Goddess voice is melodious like Veena, hence she is known as Veena Vadha Vidushani.
So here we Saraswathy Devi without Veena and instead she is in the form of meditating with palm leaf in her hand.







Durgai in this temple is facing south and she is worshiped as Kaval Deivam.









Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvthy marriage in this place.



A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rate, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakkravarthy.



This place Thirumarai kadu is birth place of Paranjyothy Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilayadal Puranam.(Siva Leela).



Others like Manu Maandata, Dasaradha, Rama, Mavali, and Pandvas worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed.



The ”Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vruksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”



Sundarar Thiu Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan known as Melakkumaran.

Agastheeswarar temple, Agathiyan Palli, Nagapattinam.

Agastheeswarar temple: Agathiyan Palli, Nagapattinam.







The place Agathiyan palli is about 48 Kms from Nagpattinam and about 3 Kms from Vedaranyam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam The main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.







Main Deity is swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Agatheeswarar and his consort known as Mangi Nayaki / Bagam piriyaal. Lord Siva is facing east and Ambal is facing towards west.






Agasthya Muni sanctum is seen next to Ambal sannidhi.












Sthala Vruksham is Atthi and Teertham known as Agni Pushkarani.






As we go around we see sanctum of Vinyakar,and Dakshina Moorthy, and Navagraham.



Importance of the temple is Yama, Worshiped in this place and attained Mukthi. The Navagraha’s are in a line facing towards same direction



Sthala Purana says Agasthiyar was asked to go towards Southern side during the marriage of Lord Siva and Parvathy to balance the earth. Agyasthiyar was blessed by Lord Siva to visualize the marriage ceremony of Lord Siva any time he thinks so.
Agathiyan Palli is one of the places where, Muni made a Siva Lingam and worshiped Lord Siva, Hence the main deity is known by his name as Agastheeswarar.

Kulasekara Pandian celebrated utsavam for Lord Siva, and he was cured of his ill health.


Stone inscriptions of Chola, Pandya, and Thirupuvana Chakkravarthy Veera Pandya Devar period are seen.


Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

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]

Papanasam Temple, Ambasamudram, Thirunelveli.

1. Papanasam, Vikrama Singa pura:
   
   
   This place is one of Devera Vaippu sthalam of Lord Siva.
   
   
   This place is about 10 kms from Amba Samudram and 42 kms from Thirunelveli on Western Ghats of Podigai malai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a falls near the temple known as Agastiyar falls.
   Main Raja gopuram is of seven storeys, with two prakarams.
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Papavinasar, and his consort Lokanayaki Amman in different sanctum.
   
   
   
   Lord Siva taught Tamil literature and grammar to Agastiyar in this place hence here, Lord Siva is known as Ezhutharindhar, Atsharapureeswarar and his consort as Sri Sugandha Kunthalanayaki.
   
   
   
   Sthala vruksham is Kalachedi. Teertham of the temple are Kalyana teertham and River Thamirabarani.
   
   
   
   As we enter we see Dwajasthambam and go around the prakaram, Natarajar, Agastya Muni, Juradevar, 63 Nayanmars, Kalyana sundarar, Ulagammi, Arumugar, Saneeswarar, and Navagraha’s are seen. There is a Vinayakar and Iyyanar sanctum in the outer prakaram.
   
   
   
   Beautiful sculptures are seen to the walls of main sanctum. Inscriptions say Pandya King Vikrama singar developed this temple and the place is known as Vikrama singapuram.
   
   
   
   Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Murugan of this temple.