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.

Teerthana Giri, Kozhundeeswarar Temple, Cuddlore.

Teerthana Giri:    Arulmigu Siva Kozhundeeswarar.

This temple is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalams. The temple is about 18 kms from Cuddlore on the bank of River Pennai.

Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.

Dwajasthambam is seen in front of the temple.

Pushkarani here in the temple is known as Jambuva Thadagam. A sage was cursed to become a Bear which bathed in this tank and got blessed. Hence the name for pushkarani is Jambuva Thadagam.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree. Lord was given food under the tree. We see a Siva Lingam under the tree.

As we go around the prakaram we see Nardhana Vinayakar and other sculptures to either side.

Four Boodha Ganas are seen worshipping Vinayakar.

Sculptures related to Sthala puranam.  

 

Lord Dakshina Moorthy is seen sitting on a peetam with his legs folded. Four of his disciples are seen sitting near him. Muyalagan is missing.  Lingothbavar is seen at the back of Lord Siva sanctum, Goddess Durgai is seen to the other side of the wall.

Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sivakozhundu Eswarar and his consort known as Oppila Nayaki Amman in seperate sanctum. She is also known as Karuthadang kanni and Neeladhambikai. Sun rays fall on Lord Siva on 20,21 and 22 of Panguni Month.(march- April)

Lord Nataraja is seen in separate sanctum with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. This is something rare form. Here Lord Vishnu is seen with his counch and Lord Brahma with Mridhangam. Lord Siva is performing Ananda Thandavam to which Lord Vishnu is singing with is counch and Lord Brahma is playing Mridhangam. Darshan of Lord here is considered beneficial for who aspire for excellance in Music and Dance.

Here crop known as Thinai was cultivated in those days and it was used as Nevaidham for Lord Siva. Hence the place was known as Thiru Thinai. Now the crop is not grown and the practice is discontinued.

Lord Chandikeswara is seen with his consort in this temple.

Sthala Purana says a farmer couple who lived in this village had the habit of taking food only after feeding a Siva Devotee. One day farmer couple did not find any Devotee since Lord Siva tested their faith. At last they went to their field to feed workers who were also missing there. They waited for their return. An old man came there and they requested him to have food. Old man replied he will not accept food as free. He wanted do some work and accept food as wage. Couple asked him to plough the field and accept food. In the meantime they went home to fetch food for old man. When they returned they saw the crop was grown and ready for harvest.

They served the food for the old man under the Kondrai tree and asked him how he was able to do so fast. Old man after eating disappeared. Lord appeared and and told them he came here in disguise as old man. They worshipped and asked him to stay back in the place to bless them. Lord Siva stayed back as Swayambu Lingam in this place as Sivakozhundeeswarar.

 The plough which was used is seen in the temple now also.

Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Thiru Karaveeram / Vadakandam, and Thiru Peruveloore Temples.

1. Vadakandam / Thiru Karaveeram
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The place Thiru Karaveeram is about a km from Thiru kannamangai, which is 7 kms from Thiruvarore.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Thiru Karaveera Nadhar and his consort known as Prathyaksha Minnammai. Lingam in the temple is big in size.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sthala vruksham is Arali and teertham Anavaradha teertham.
   
   
   
   Gowthamar worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Karaveeram means Ponnarali. Since the Sthala Vruksham is Arali the place is known as Karaveeram.
   
   
   
   
   Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Manakkkaal / Thiru Peruveloore:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The place Peruvelore is about 10 kms from Nannilam. The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers. This is a madakkoil built by Cochengat Cholan.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter in, we see Dwajasthambam.
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Abimukeswarar and his consort known as Elavarkuzhali.
   
   
   Teertham is Saravana Poigai, and Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram.
   
   
   We see Vinayakar and Arthanareeswar in the ground level.
   
   
   
   We climb few steps to reach the Maha mandapam which leads to an Artha mandapam and Main sanctum.
   
   
   
   There is a sanctum for Ambal seen in the maha mandapam. She is seen in sitting posture like Raja Rajeswari. There is Sri Chakkra installed here. Origin of Lalitha Trisathy was in this place.
   
   
   
   Sanctum for Lord Subramanyar is placed in-between Lord Siva and Ambal, which is in the form of Somaskandha moortham.
   
   
   
   We see kala Bairavar, Bairavar and Vaduga Bairavar in this temple.
   
   
   
   
   Importance is Lord Murugan penance in this place and received Velayudham from Goddess. Pushakarani was made by him, and it is named as Saravana Poigai.
   Gowthamar worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Ganga Devi worshiped Lord Siva here to get rid of her sins, and she was blessed by Him
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a sanctum for Lord Vishnuhere. Lord Vishnu took Mohini avathar to distribute nectar among Devas and Asura. Once the mission was over he worshiped Lord Siva here to get back to his normal form.
   
   
   
   
   The place is Parihara sthalam of Lord Sukra. One who stammers, worship lord Siva in this place will be curd and blessed.
   
   
   
   Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Thiru Navukkarasar sang Hymns on Lord Karaveera Nadhar. Sundarar has mentioned about this place in his composition. Arunagiri nadhar Sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.

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]