Thiruparang Kundram and Thiru Edagam temple. Madurai.

1. Thiruparangkundram:
   
   
   This is one of 275 important Devera sthalam, and One of 6 Padaiveedu of Subramanya swamy.
   
   
   
   The temple dates back to 200 BC. its 9 kms from Madurai. This is a cave temple.
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Sarankundreesar / Parangi Nadhar and his consort known as Aavudai Nayaki.
   
   
   Teertham: Saravana poigai, Sathya teertham, Padalagangai, Brahma, and Lakshmi teertham.
   
   
   
   Importance: Lord Murugan married Devanai in this place.. Durgai got rid of her brahmahathi dosha due to Mahisha vadam, by worshipping Lord Siva of this place. The mountain here is worshipped as Lord Siva, and we see Nndi in the temple facing the mountain. There is a “Kasi viswanadhar”temple on the top of the hill. Chittar Bogar, worshipped Siva of this place, to get rid of the curse by”Chittar Machya munieeswarar”.
   
   
   Sambandhar, Navukku Arasar, and Sundarar, sang hymns on Siva of this place. Arunagiri nadhar sang thirupugazh on Murugan of this place. Nakkeerar sang Thiru murugatrupadai.
   
   
   
   
2. Thiru Edagam:
   
   
   
   One of 275 important Devara sthalam of Siva. The temple is located to NW of Madurai about 17 kms.
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Aedaga nadhar and Goddess Aelavar kuzali. Sthala vruksham is vilvam and teertham is brahma teetham and Vaigai river. The place is equal toKasi kshetram.
   
   
   
   Importance: Jainism was flourishing during the period of Pandya King Koonpandiyan. Queen Mangayarkarasi was ardent follower of Saivam and she took the help of Sambandhar to uplift Saivam.
   
   
   
   The king was treated by Sambandhar and he got cured. Jains did not like this and they wanted to prove themself great, so they had a bet. Both Jains and Sambandhar placed their palm leaf writing to float on the river. The one which Sambandhar wrote, floated against the water flow, and came to this place near the bank.
   
   
   
   So, Siva is known as Edaga nadhar in this place. The one which Jains floated was washed out. The hunch of the King was also straightened.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Auranagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on subramanya of this place.
   
   
   
   Other deities in the temple are Bala ganapathy, Arumugar, Durgai, Dakashana moorthy and Kala bairavar. Brahma, Parasara muni, vyasar, Thirumagal, Garuda and Adiseshan worshipped Siva of this place.
   
   
   

Avinasi , Annoor and Karamadai Temples. Coimbatore.

1. Annoor: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is 19 kms from Avinasi, and 30 kms from coimbatore
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Manieswarar and his consort known as Arunthavaselvi.
   
   
   Importance: one of the Siva temple were sanctum is facing west. The temple is in low level. As we enter the temple we see Ganesha to left and Nataraja with Sivakami ammai.
   
   
   Main deity swayumbu linga is big in size and the base known as avudai is attached to the lingam portion. Lingam has wings which the archaka shows, if we ask for the importance of the deity.
   
   
   Purana says linga portion came down flying and rested at this place which was found when an hunter was trying to remove sweet potato from the ground, he saw blood and he found the linga which was installed by the king later.
   
   
   There is mark on the top of the lingam. Normally the wings are not seen because of the alankara. The siva linga was called as Manneesar. After coming out of the temple on the top of the gopuram we can see the replica of the main deity manneesar which looks like a penguin in shape with wings to the sides.Goddess Arunthavaselvi in different sanctum.
   
   
   Other deities likeSubramanya, Dakshina moorthy, Bairava, Soorya and Chandra are there.
   
   
   
2. Avinasi:
   
   
   This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.The temple belongs to 10th century.
   
   
   The place is 41kms from Coimbatoore.
   
   >Main deity is Swayambu lingam knowdn as Avinasi Appar and his consort Perum nayaki amman.
   
   
   Teertham: Naga Kanni teertham. Sthala vruksham: Padari tree.
   
   
   In the name Avinasi, "Vinasi means huge destruction." Avinasi means which protects from huge destruction. The old name of the temple is Thirupu kolioor.
   
   
   Importance: There is a 70’height single stone deepa sthamba with sculptures of Vinayaka and Sundarar. We see a pond in front of the temple and a Padari tree.
   
   
   Sthala purana says root of Kasi kshetra Lingam is upto this place, and the Lingam is formed on it. Brahma worshipped hence the name Brahmapureeswarar.
   
   
   Arunagiri nadhar sang Thirupugazh on subramanya of this place. We see a well inside the temple known as Kasi well.
   
   
   The purana says ganges of kasi is in the form of well here. The Lingam here was worshipped by Parvathi and she did her penance. Siva was pleased and he gave her a place to the right side of body. So the Goddess sanctum is to the right side of Siva sanctum.
   
   
   Brahma worshipped and got rid of his sin. Others who worshipped Siva of this place are Iravath, Thadagai, Naga kannagai, and Rama who were blessed.
   
   
   Sundarar and Navakku arasar sang hymns about Siva.
   
   
3. Karamadai: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is about 5 kms from Mettupalayam. 30 kms from coimbatore.
   
   
   Main deity is Nanjundeswarar and his consort known as Ulagambikai / Lokha nayaki.
   Vimanam is known as Asthagaja vimanam.
   
   
   Arangar came out from karai plant bush and later he came into the temple hence the name Karamadai.
   
   
   Other deities in temple areNardhana Ganapathy, Bala Subramanayar, Rishabarooder, Kali, Brahma, Thirumal, Thirumagal, Akora veerabadharar, and Mahishasura mardhani.
   
   
   
4. Otraikal mandapam: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is about 23 kms from Coimbatoore to Pollachi highway.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Putridamkondeesar and his consort Poong kodai nayaki in different sanctum.
   
   
   Importance: Daily a cow used to pour milk in one place and they had a doubt as to why it is happening so and when they try to find the reason they found the linga in the place.
   
   

[Siva Devarasthalam][subramana swamy]