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.

Kayaroganar Siva Temple, Nagapattinam

Thiru Kayaroganeswarar Siva temple, of Nagapattinam.



The place Nagapattinam is about 25 kms from Thiruvarore.








This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam in Nagapattinam town. The temple is one of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam and he is known as Sundara Vidangar... The place is one of Mukthi sthalam and considered equal to Kasi Kshetram.













Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kayaroganeswarar and his consort known as Neelayadakshi Amman. This is one of Sakthi Peetam. Urchavar here, known as Chandra shekarar. Sthala Vinayakar of this temple is known as Nagabarana Vinayakar. Thyagesar sannidhi is next to main sanctum. At the back of main Lingam in the sanctum we see Somaskanda moorthy.








Amman sannidhi is separate sanctum with a kodi maram in front. Here Ambal is like a teenage girl before marriage. Nandi Devar in the temple of Ambal sanctum in front is seen with his head turned towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum.



Purana says Nandi in this sanctum, was appointed to take care of Ambal who is teenage girl before marriage. Since Nandi is devotee of Lord Siva he said he wanted to have darshan of Lord Siva always. Lord asked him to stay here and have darshan of Him.
This is the reason for Nandi turning his face towards Lord Siva’s Sanctum. Nandi eye is sculptured in such way one eye is looking at Lord Siva and the other eye towards Ambal.


Sthala Vruksham is Mango tree and teertham known as Pundareeka teertham and Deva teertham.





There is a big Nandi seen in mandapam.






We see beautiful sculptures related stories of the temple on the top of the mandapam to four sides.






Importance of this place is Adiseshan worshiped Lord Siva here. Adipattha Nayanar was born in this place and attained Mukthy here. King Dasarathaworshiped installed Sani Bagawan in this temple and worshiped. Ashtabuja Durgai and Asthabuja Bairavar are seen as we go around the prakaram. Arumugan is seen with Thiruvasi and 12 hands holding weapons.


Lord Murugan, Thirumal, Agasthiyar, Vashistar, Musukunda Chakkravarthy, worshiped Lord Siva and they were blessed by Him. Lord Siva of this temple was worshiped by Saptha Rishis.



Sthala Purana says Pundareeka Muni, meditated and worshiped Lord Siva to attain “Mukthi” He was guided by Kanva maharishi to do so. Lord Siva was pleased and “He” embrased Muni and gave Mukthi. Hence Lord Siva is known as Kayaroganeswarar.
Azhuguni chittar jeeva samadi is in the temple.



Thiru Gyanasambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar composed Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.


Stone inscriptions of First Rajarajan and Kulothungan period are seen in temple.

Thiru koneswarar Temple, Thiru Kudavoil.

Thiru Koneswarar Temple of Thiru kudavoil:




Thiru Kudavoil is about 16 Kms from Kumbakonam, and about 16 Kms from Thiruvaroore. This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The place is also known as "Kadhali Vanam, Vanmeegachalam and Kudavayer kottam".




The temple has two prakaram, and there is no Raja gopuram for the temple. This is a Madak koil built by King Cochengat Cholan .








Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Koneeswarar and his consort known as Periya Nayaki.








Teertham known as Amrurtha teertham, seen in front of the temple and Sthala Vruksham is Plantain.









As we enter we see Ganesha sanctum and deity here known as, "Anumadhi Vinayakar" in outer prakaram. There is a Dwajasthambam and Nandi in front. As we enter inside we see sanctum for Periya Nayaki Amman in standing posture with Abhya Varadha Hastham. Opposite to the sanctum Vahana Mandapam is seen. There is no separate Durgai in this temple; Ambal is worshiped as "Brugan Durgai".









Inside we see three storey Gopuram. As we go around prakaram, we see Idumban, Dandapani, and saraswathy sanctum. To NW corner we see Murugan sanctum, peacock mandapam and Maha mandapam, where Murugan is seen with Valli and Devanai. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.









As we go around further towards north direction, we come across Sthala Vruksham Plantain, Jack Fruit tree, Navagraha, Sri Murugan, Sri Mahalakshmi, Thirunabindhu Muni, Saptha madhar, Nalwar, Sundarar and Paravai Nachiar.




In front of Sundarar sanctum, we see steps to climb and reach the main sanctum. Natarajar is seen here. There is a Maha Mandapam, Nandi Mandapam with pillars and Artha mandapam to cross to reach the main sanctum of Sri Koneeswarar. The Lingam is big in size with a square Avudayar.




Sthala purana says at the end of yugam, all Vedas were kept in the “Amrutha kalasam” and Lord was protecting it in Siva Lingam form. Later the Lingam was covered by the snake pit and appeared like a mud heap. Once Garuda tried to poke the mud heap here and Lingam came out of the pit. So the place is known as Kudavoil Koneesa moorthy, Vanmeegesar, and Garudesar.




At the time of next yuga starting, Amrutha kalasam fell at Kumbakonam, and broke into three pieces. The mouth portion fell in this place and Amrutham (nectar) started flowing down from the kalasam and formed as Amrutha pushkarani.



Garuda has worshiped Lord Siva in this place. We Goddess herself is considered as Durgai in this temple. We do not find separate Durgai in the prakaram as we go around.



As per sthala puranam, Jatayu, Agni, Sutha Maharisi and Brugu Muni worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Thiru Gyana Samanthar sang hymns on Lord Siva and Arunagirinadhar composed Thirupugazh on Murugan of this temple.




[Hymns][Kadhali Vanam][Thirupugazh][Cochengat Cholan] [Garuda][Nandi Mandapam] [Jatayu][Amrutha Teertham][Agasthiyar][Amrutha Kalasam]