Thiru Neiythanam / Thillai sthanam: Neyyadiappar Temple. Tanjavoore Dt.

Thiru Neiythanam / Thillai sthanam: Neyyadiappar Temple.



The place Neiythanam is about 2 kms west of Thiruvayaaru. This is one of the 275 Devara Sthalams of Tanjavoore Dt. Thillai Sthanam is seventh temple of Saptha Sthana Sthalam.








Main Raja Gopuram is of five storeys. There are two prakaram in the temple.





Dwajasthambam.



Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam and Teertham is River Cauvery.



Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Sri Kruthapureeswarar/ Neiyyadiappar and his consort known as Balaambikai Amman Illamangai Ammai seen in separate Temple here.



Here daily abishekam for Lord Siva is performed with Ghee and later with hot water hence he is known as Neiyyadiappar.




Shrines for Lord Vinayakar and Murugan are seen in inner prakaram of the temple.
As we go around the prakaram we see Nardhana Ganapathy, Dakshina Moorthy in standing posture, Lingothbavar and Brahama as Goshta Deivam around the sanctum of Lord Siva.
Goddess Saraswathy worshiped Lord Siva in this place.









During festival time Lord Iyarappar and his consort Aram Valartha Nayaki visit all seven temples known as Saptha Sthana Sthalams. The seven places are Thiru Pazhanam, Thiru Chottru thurai, Thiru Vedikudi , Thiru Kandiyoore , Thiru Poondthuruthi and Thiru Neiyathanam. This temple Thilla sthanam is seventh temple of Saptha sthanam. One can have darshan of all urchava idols in seven palanquins of Saptha Sthana Sthalams.




A cow in this region was pouring its milk in a place habitually in a specific place. The milk turned into Ghee due to climatic condition. When a shepherd tried to find about the cow it disappeared. It was Kamadenu. He reported about this in the village. When they dug the place they found a Siva Lingam. The King built a temple for the Siva Lingam in that place and arranged for Abishekam with Ghee everyday followed by hot water Abishekam.





A devotee of Lord Siva used to visit the temple daily and used to light a lamp with Ghee and on his return he used to pluck leafy vegetable grown in the temple premises. This was happening for a long period. When grew old one day after lighting the lamp he prayed to Lord Siva to show mercy and bless him for having lighted lamp for so many years. The old man heard a voice saying what mercy remains to be shown as he has plucked daily leafy vegetable grown in the temple as wages says the Sthala Puranam.





Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva here. Aunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Ottakuthar and Pugazhendi Pulavar (poet) sang on Lord of this place.

Keezha Pazhuvoore: Arulmigu Vadamoola Nadhar Temple, Perambaloore Dt.

Keezha Pazhuvoore: Arulmigu Vadamoola Nadhar Temple.



This place Thirupazhuvoore is about 10 kms to south of Ariyaloore on the south bank of River Marudhudayaar. The place is also known as Yoga Vanam.
This is one of the 275 Devara sthalams.








The Main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers and two prakaram in the temple.









We see Dwajasthambam as we enter inside.



Teertham is known as Brama Teertham in the front of the temple. Sthala Vruksham is Banayan Tree.









Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vadamoola Nadhar / Aalanthurayaar and his consort known as Arunthava Nayaki Amman in separate shrine. Here the Lingam represents Prithivi. Sambarani thailam is applied on Siva Lingam. The lingam is too small, so a cup is placed upside down and abishekam is done on this only.









Goddess penanced and performed yoga hence the place is known as Yoga Vanam. We see Goddess in yoga posture here in the temple.









Other deities seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram are Kamala Ganapathy, Murugan, Pancha Boodha Lingams, Mahalakshmi, 63 Nayanmars, Lingothbavar, Durgai, Chandeeswarar, Saptha Kanniyar and Navagraham.




Sthala Purana says Once Goddess Parvathy closed the eyes of Lord Siva due to which the complete universe came to a stand still. Sooryan and Chandran are considered as the two eyes of Lord Siva. Lord says to Goddess Parvathy if any act which troubles others is punishable. To get rid of the dosha for her act,Goddess Parvathy was asked to go down to earth. Lord asks her to penance in different places and finally reach Yoga Vanam and stay there penancing till he joins her.



Goddess Parvathy penanced in many places and she finally came to Yoga Vanam where she made a Siva Lingam with the mud of Valmeekam and worshiped Lord Siva. She penanced here standing on single leg. Lord Siva was pleased with her penance and blessed her by joining with her. This Yoga Vanam is the place now known as Keezha Pazhuvoore.




Brahaman, Thirumaal, Indran, Pandavar, Agasthiyar, Chandran, Poororavan, Vasishtar, Sadanandar, Kanvar, And Vyasar worshiped Lord Siva here and were blessed by Him.
Parasuramar worshiped Lord Siva here to get rid of his dosha for killing his mother. Here Vinayakar is seen in dancing posture.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this Temple.




Stone inscriptions are found in the temple. The temple was constructed by stones during the period of first Parandakan Cholan.

Pasupathy Koil, Pasupathy Nadhar Temple, Tanjavoore.

Pasupathy Koil: Pasupathy Nadhar Temple.



The place is about 14 kms from Kumbakonam to Tanjavoore and 2 kms from Iyempettai. The temple tower is of five tiers, and there is only one prakaram in the temple.







This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Tanjavoore and one of the Saptha Sthana Sthalam. (Chakkra Mangai, Soola Mangai, Ariya Mangai, Nandi Mangai Thazha Mangai, Pulla Mangai and Pasu Mangai are Saptha Sthana temples.







The temple is constructed by Cochengat Cholan as Maadak Koil. In the base Nandi is seen in the mandapam Ancient name of the temple is Thiru Pullamangai.



Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pasupathy Nadhar / Brahma pureeswarar and His consort known as Soundara Nayaki / Alliyang kodai.




Sthala Vruksham is Baniyan Tree and Teertham is River Cauvery, River Kudamuruti, Kamadenu Teertham and Siva Teertham








Agasthiyar








Dakshina Moorthy




Other deities seen in the temple as Koshta Moortham are Vinayakar, Dakshina Moorthy, Lingothbavar with Brahma and Vishnu, Nalwar, Brahma and Durgai Amman. Nandi is seen among Navagraham. Durgai Amman is like Mahishasura Mardhini with weapons in her hand. Durgai of Thiru Nageswaram Temple, Patteswaram Temple and Thiru Pullanga Managi temple are sculptured by same person in all these three places. Durgai is considered very powerful in all the three temples.









Bairavar










Kamadenu worshiped Lord Siva in this place.





Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Pasupatheeswarar of this temple.

Panayapuram, Panagkateeswarar Temple. Vizhupuram.

Panayapuram: Panagkateeswarar Temple.




The place Thiru Panagkattoore is about 10 kms from Vizhupuram. This place is one of the Siva Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. This is one of the five temples having Palm tree as Sthala Vruksham.











Main Raja Gopuram of the temple. The temple has two prakarams.








Sthala Vruksham is Panai and teertham known as Padhuma Teertham.









Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Panagkateesar facing east.










Goddess Puravammi / Sathyambikai here is seen in separate sanctum facing east.





The place was surrounded by Mullai forest hence the name Puravaar Panagkattore.








Other deities seen as we go around the temple prakaram are Vinayakar








Arumugar









63 Nayanmars, Sapthamadhar, Thirumaal, Rishabaroodar, Gajalakshmi, Nalwar, Dakshina murthy, Brahama, Lingothbavar, Durgai, Pichadanar, Somaskandar, Navagraham, Sani Bagawan Chandekeswarar and Natarajar. Thiru Neelakandar and wife are seen with their palms put together in the temple.









View of the temple tower as we go around the prakaram




King Daksha Prajapathy did not invite Lord Siva for the Yagnam which he was conducting. He refused to pay offerings for Lord Siva in the Yagnam and insulted Lord Siva. Every one of the Devas, who attended the Yagam performed by King Dakshan and took his offerings were punished by Akora Veerabadrar, messenger of Lord Siva.


Sooryan lost his luster, and he had to worship Lord Siva in many places to regain his luster. This is one of the place were Sooryan worshiped Lord Siva. Lord Siva blessed Sooryan and he gained his old bright form. As a mark of respect every year during the month of April/ May (from Tamil new year day) early morning Sun rays falls on Lord Siva and then on Goddess for a week




Sthala Purana says In order to protect the pigeon that surrendered to him Sibichakravarthy came forward to yield his eyes. Lord Siva was pleased by Sibichakravarthy’s dedication to his work as a ruler. He appeared before him and blessed him with eyesight which he lost. So Lord Siva of this place is also known as Kann Parithu Aruliya Kadavul.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. There are stone inscriptions of first Kulothunga Cholan, Parakesari Adi Rajendra Devan and Koneranmai Kondan. As Per the inscriptions Lord Siva is known as Thirupanag kattudaya Maha Devar and the place known as Thiru Puravar Panagkatudayar temple.

Thiru Chopuram, Thiru Chopura Nadhar / Mangala pureeswarar Temple. Cuddlore

Thiru Chopuram:  Thiru Chopura Nadhar / Mangala pureeswarar Temple.

The place is about 20 kms from Cuddlore. The place is also known as Thyagavalli. The temple is on the shore of Bay of Bengal. This is one the Devara Sthalams of Nadu Naadu.

A Temple that was burried and recoverd from sand. 

Some thousands of years back the temple was buried into sand due to fury of the sea.

In the later years of 19^th century the sand was cleared and temple was constructed once again.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam Arulmigu Thiru Chopura Nadhar/ Mangala pureeswarar and his consort Chopura Nayaki Amman / Sathyadakshi Amman...

Here Sivalingam is on square peetam as Avudai and the Lingam portion is made of Sand. Palm print of Agasthya muni is visible on the Lingam portion. There is a small ball like bulb which is considered as Ganga. Lord Vishnu and Brahma are seen worshipping at the back of sanctorum.

 

Something unique in this temple is Turmeric and Kumkum is used for worship of Lord Siva here. Hence the Lord is known as Mangala pureeswarar.

Unique factors

One can here sound of Saptha Swaram from Dakshina Murthy idol when it is tapped.

Here White Vastram is used for Dakshina Murthy instead of Yellow which is normal. Dakshina Murthy is seen with Nagam to left hand and Agni to right hand which is in reverse order.

Teertham is known as Chopura Teertham and Bay of Bengal.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree.

Inside the inner prakaram we see Vinayakar, Lakshmi, Murugan, Verrateswarare, Kannappar, Navagraham, Lingothbavar, Dakshina Murthy, Bairavar, and Natarajar sanctums.

Sthala purana says once when a devotee came here to worship Lord Siva he did not see the temple but a little portion of Kalasa was visible from within the sand. The residence of the village helped in removing the sand and the temple was visble. 

During the marriage of Lord Siva and Parvthy the land tilted to one side, due to the weight of complete Mankind and Devas who gathered to see the function. So Lord Siva asked Agyasthya Muni to travel towards south to balance.

As the sage was traveling he installed Siva Lingam in many places for his worship. Once when he came to this place he had severe stomach ache and he prayed to Lord Siva. He tried to make a Lingam of sand which was available there. He was not able to do the Lingam.  He realised Lord was testing him. He finally used some herbs found near by and extracted juice from it and mixed them to sand and made a Lingam out of it. The Lingam has palm print of sage Agasthya when he installed it. He was relieved from stomach ache.

 Agasthiyar and Thyagavalli worshipped Lord Siva of this place.

Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.  

Mel Kadambur / Kadambar, Arulmigu Amirtha kadeswarar temple. Kattumannar Koil, Cuddlore District.

Mel Kadambur / Kadambar:  Arulmigu Amirtha kadeswarar temple.

This temple is one of the Nadu Naadu Devara Sthalams. The temple is about 5 kms distance to SW from Kattumannaar Koil on the bank of River Kollidam.

The main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Amirtha kadeswarar facing east and his consort Vidhyujyothi Nayaki Amman in different sanctum. Sun rays falls on Siva Lingam on 3, 4, and 5, of Panguni Month (March and April). Moon rays falls on Siva Lingam in the Month of Iyppasi full- moon day.

The temple is constructed with stones. It is like a Chariot. We can see horses also to the chariot in the front sides.

Vinayakar in this temple is known as Aravara Vinayakar in separate sanctum. He looks serious leaning his head slightly to left.

Athithi, mother of Devas worshipped Lord Siva in this place which was not liked by Devendran. So Indra wanted to take away the Lord Amirthakadeswar to his place. He turned the temple as Chariot and pulled it. Vinayakar wanted to teach him a lesson by pressing the Chariot. So the left wheel is struck to earth.

Sthala Vruksham is Kadamba Vruksham

Teertham is Sakthi teertham

As we go around the prakaram, we see Kanni Vinayakar, Murugan, Ardhanareeswarar, Uma Maheswarar, Agyasthyar, Nalwar, Meenakshi, Lakshmi, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Chandekeswarar, Durgai, Navagraham and Chandikeswarar.

To the outer wall of the main sanctum we see beautiful sculptures.

Here we see Kanni Vinayakar, Agasthyar, Devandran and Ardhanareeswarar.

Durga Matha.

Alingana moorthy.

   

 Gangadharar.

Lord Brahma, Parvatha Rajan and Chitraguptan to left of Brahma. Pathanjali muni and Gangadharar are seen to right of Lord Brahma.

Lord Dakshina Moorthy.

Here on top of Dakshina Moorthy we see a sculpture of Dakshina Moorthy with Veena in his hand and above that we see another Sculpture of Dakshina moorthy with flute in his hand.

Ardhanareeswarar.

Kala Bairavar.

Saneeswarar

Veerabadrar.

Lord Murugan received his Bow to destroy Sooran, by worshipping Lord Siva in this temple. Sani Baghwan in the temple is seen with Eagle as his vahana. Purana says King Dasaradha gave crow to Sani Bhagawan who replaced it for eagle. The Moorthy is older to Ramayana period.

When Devas churned the Ocean, pot of nectar was given to Lord Indra. They tried to consume the Amirtam without worshipping Lord. Vinayakar angrily took away the nectar pot to teach them a lesson. When Vinayaka was passing through this place a drop of nectar fell down and this formed as Siva Lingam. Hence the Lord is known as Amirtakadeswarar.

The place was full of Kadamba Vruksham; hence the place is known also known as Kadambar

Sthala Purana says Devas and Indra, realized their mistake and worshipped Lord Siva in this place and received the nectar from Him. Lord Siva stayed back in this place as Amirthakadeswarar. When Indra was not able to lift the chariot temple from this place he worshipped Lord Vinayaka to help him. Lord Vinayaka agreed and asked Indra to install one Crore Lingam and he accepted the challenge. Due to his pride he failed in his attempt. Indra worshipped Lord Siva who asked him to make a Siva Lingam chanting his name thousand times. Indra made Rudrakoteeswara and worshipped him.

Lord Amirthakadeswarar appeared before him and he said he wished to stay back in this place. It is believed that Indra worships Lord Siva of this temple daily.

Importance of the temple is there is Urchava idol of Rishba Thandava Moorthy with 10 hands. Special Pooja is performed on pradosha days of New, Full Moon. Here we see Goddess Parvathy, Lord Vishnu, Lord Vinayaka, Bairava, and Veerabadrar, Maharishis like Narada, Brungi, Mruganda, Nandi Devar, Gandrava and Boodha Ganas watching the Thandavam.   

Goddess Vidhyujyothi Nayaki Amman is considered to posses the Sakthi of Goddess Saraswathy, Goddess Maha Lakshmi and Goddess Durga matha. In the morning she graces as Goddess Saraswathy with Veena, in the midday with Elephant as Goddess Maha Lakshmi, and in the evening as Goddess Durga Matha with Tridend. Hence the name Vidyajyothi Nayaki

Navagraha worship Lord Siva here. So Lord Siva is dreesed with cloth of respective colors. The temple is regarded as Navagraha Parihara Sthalam

Thiru Navukkarasar, Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Mannikkavachakar and Sundarar have worshiped and sang Hymns praising the Lord Siva. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan.