Thiru Mazhapadi, Sri Vaidhyanadhar Temple, Ariyalore.

Thiru Mazhapadi, Sri Vaidhyanadhar Temple.



This place Thiru Mazhapadi is about 28 kms south of Ariyaloore on the banks of River Kollidam.




This place is one of the 274 Siva Devara Sthalams.









The Main Raja Gopuram is of seven tiers. There are three prakaram in the temple.








We see Nandi in a mandapam and Dwajasthambam to front.








As we enter in we see two more Nandi here.







Teertham is River Kollidam, Lakshmi and Sivagangai Teertham.











Sthala Vruksham is Palm Tree.










The place was full of Palm tree hence it is known as Talavanam. Lord Siva with his Mazhu (axe like weapon) blessed Sage Markandeya, hence the place is also known as Mazhapadi.










Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vaidhyanadhar / Mazhuvadeesar and his consort known as Soundaraambikai and Balambikai in separate Shrines.



As we go around the prakaram we see deities like Sundara Vinayakar, Murugan, Akora Veerabadharar,









Somaskandar, Meenakshi, Durgai, Thirumaal, Mahalakshmi, Sundarar, Meenakshi, Chokkanadhar, Durgai, Jurahareswarar, Kalasamhara Moorthy, Kathyayini, Natarajar









We see two Dakshina Moorthy in the temple.









Lord Somaskandar idol is made of single stone.










In the shrine of Lord Brahma we see four Nandi represting four Vedas.









We see kalyana Mandapam named as Nandi Kalyana Mandapam.
Nandikeswarar and Suasambikai marriage took place in this place in the Tamil month Panguni (March / April) on the day of Punarpusam star. This day is celebrated every year as a festival in this temple.




Sthala Purana says Sage Siladha muni of Thiruvayaru performed penance on Lord Siva to bless him with child. He heard a voice asking him to perform Putharakamesti yagam. He was told he will find a child in a box while he is preparing the land for Yagnam. He was asked to bring up that child, who is blessed with just 16 years of life span.



Sage while he tilled the land found the box and when he opened it he found a child in it with three eyes four shoulders and crescent moon adoring the head. He was surprised and closed the box. Once again when he opened the box he saw a child in it. He took the child and named him as Japesar. As the child grew the sage was worried and sad. When the child was fourteen years he started penancing with single leg on the bank of Ayana teertham of Thiruvayaru. His penance was so severe the creatures in the tank started consuming his body. Lord Siva was pleased with his penance, cured him and blessed him long life.




Japesar was married to Suasambikai in Thirumazapadi. Japaser continued his penance even after the marriage. He was made chief of the Siva Ganas. He was named as Nandi Devar and he is security chief at the first gate of Kailash.



Sundarar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva here. Stone inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Hoysala period are found.

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.