Thiruvakkarai Vakarakali Amman Temple.



The place is about 22 kms to south of Thindivanam on the banks of River Varaha.
This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu.








Main entrance of the temple.









The Raja gopuram of the temple. There are three prakarams in the temple.









We see Dwajasthambam and Nandi which are not in straight line to Lord Siva of main sanctum.








Main Deity is in the form of Lingam known as Arulmigu Chandra Mouleeswarar is seen with three faces only here, in this temple and his consort known as Vadivambikai Amman. Face in the lingam which faces east is known as That purdam, the one facing north is known as Vamadevam and south facing face is known as Akora mukam to which there is teeth (Korai Parkal) seen out at the ends of mouth. This is visible only during the milk abishekam is performed to Lord Siva.





Vakra kali Amman sanctum is seen to a side near the main Raja Gopuram itself. Here in the temple Kali Matha is seen with eight hands with weapons. The garland is of skulls hanging from one shoulder in cross. Child skull is her earings.









Sthala purana says Samharam of Vakrasuran was done by Lord Vishnu. Dunmuki sister of Vakrasuran was pregnant. As per Dharma Sastra, Kali cannot kill a pregnant woman. Kali took the child from Durmuki womb and wore it as an ornament in her ear and then killed Dhunmuki. Kaali is known as Vakrakaali here and she was with furious temper, after killing Durmukhi. Acharyar Adi Sankarar installed Sri Chakkra on left leg of Kaali. She turned out to be Santha Swaroopam after this.




Opposite to Vakra Kaali temple we see Athma Lingam which is also known as Kanda Lingam which was worshipped Vakrasuran. It is said the Lingam is cool during summers and during rainy season water drops are seen on the top of Lingam.




Lord Murugan with twelve hands, is seen seated on Peacock along with Valli and Devani.









Kundalini Siddhar jeeva Samadhi is there within the temple premises.




There are many things contradictory to tradition. The temple tower, Dwajasthambam, Nandi and main deity Siva Lingam are not in straight line. They are from one another. The chakkra, which Varadarajar holding in his hand is different from usual one. Sani Bagavan Vahan crow is seen to left side of him instead of right side.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.Arunagitinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan.Here in the temple Stone inscriptions of First Aditya Cholan and Chembian Madevi is seen.

Patanjali Manohar temple, Vilamar. Thiruvarore.

Thiru Vilamar Temple :



This temple is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The place is near Municipal office of Thiruvarore.








There is no raja Gopuram for the temple. We see Gnapathy and Murugan to either side of the wall near the main entrance. There is nothing but a garden in the outer prakaram. We see Bali peetam and Nandhi as we enter inside the second entrance.









As we go around the prakaram, we see separate sannidhi for Siddhi Vinayakar, Mahalakshmi, Subramanyar with Valli Devanai. There is a well seen in this prakaram, and there is a separate sanctum for Biravar. Bairavar idol is big here.








Pushkrani in front of the temple is known as Agni teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam



We proceed to see the main deity, where we enter into a mandapam. We see Ambaal sannidhi, and Nataraja sannidhi here. There is a Maha mandapam, Artha mandapam and main sanctum.



Patanjali Muni, Sooryan and Vygyapadhar sculptures are seen before, we enter into Artha mandapam.



Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam of mud, known as Patanjali Manohar and his consort Madhura Bashini. This is one of Sakthi peeda sthalam. Srichakkram is seen in Ambaal hastham.There is third eye for goddess here which cool and pleasant like chandran.




Inside the main sanctum swayambu Mud Lingam, at the back of Siva Lingam we see Natarajar, and Rudra padam to front of main Deity Patanjali Manohar.



As we go around the inner prakaram, we see Dakshina Moorthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Sri Durgi as Kostha moortham and Chandikeswarar in small sanctum.




Importance:When Aarati is given in the main sanctum, we see the jyothy in Siva Lingam and it is like a jyothy swaroopam. Siva lingam is Jyothy swarupam.



Purana says Pathanjali muni penanced and worshiped Lord Siva to see Nataraja’s dance. Lord Siva was pleased with his worship and showed his dance performance at Thillai (Chidambaram). At this time Vyagayapadha muni was also there to see the dance of Lord Siva. They were happy, and requested Lord Siva to perform Ajaba Natanam and Rudhra Thandavam for them and Padha Darshanam for devotees. Lord Siva asked them to go to Sripuram (Thiruvarore) where they can see his performance and Padha Darshnam.



They came to Thiruvarore where they saw Siva Lingam every where. They worshiped Kamalambal. As per her, guidance Patanjali muni made a Siva Lingam of mud, and they worshiped Lord Siva. Lord Siva was pleased and performed Ajaba Natanam for their sake, and showed his Padha darshan, which is known as "Rudhara Padham". Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Musukundha Chakkravarthy, and Devas were present at this time.



The place is known as Thiru Vilamal, Thiruvadi kshetram and Siva Pada sthalam.



Bairavar is Ksetrablakar, so there is no Navagrahm in the temple. Lord Siva showed his Viswaroopa darshanam here, so Nandi head is turned to side.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Sundrar and Thiru Navukkarasar had mentioned about Lord Siva of this temple in their compositions.

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]