Thiru Vetkalam, Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple. Chidambaram taluk.

Thiru Vetkalam:  Sri Pasupatheeswarar temple.

The temple is about 3kms east of Chidambaram. Now the place is known as Annamalai Nagar.

This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu Temples.

The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of three tiers facing east.

  

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pasupatheeswarar and his consort known as

Sri Sargunambaal / Nalla Nayaki. There is a mark on Siva Lingam.

Teertham of this temple is Krupa Kataaksha Teertham.

Sthala Vruksham of the Temple is Bamboo.



We see pillars with sculpture related to Sthala puranam of this temple in front of Goddess sanctum.

Arjuna is hiding his weapons.

 

As we go around the prakaram we see Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan, Lakshmi, Meenakshi, Chokka Nadhar, Nalvar, Navagraham, Natarajar, Sooryan and Chandran.

Nardhana Vinayakar and Anugraha Dakshina Moorthy are seen as koshta Deivam. Here Muyalagan near Dakshina Moorthy is facing towards left side which is different from usual posture.

Lord Indra.

Sthala purana says Arjuna wanted to acquire Pasupathasthram to win the battle against Kauravas. Arjuna got all Asthras (weapons) from his father Indra. Krishna told Arjuna, Pasupathasthram can be acquired from Lord Siva only with permission from Indra...  

Arjuna penancing is seen with his one leg, to be blessed by Lord Siva with Pasupathasthram.

Arjuna penanced in this place which was full of Bamboo. Duruyodhana sent Mookasura in the form of pig to spoil the penance of Arjuna. Lord Siva wanted to test Arjuna so He disguised himself as hunter.

Lord Siva with Parvathy appeared as hunter and killed the pig. Four Vedas followed Him as Dogs. Arjuna also aimed at the pig. Before granting Pasupathastharam, Lord Siva wanted to test the ability of Arjuna.

Lord Siva as a hunter is seen fighting with Arjuna.

The hunter (Lord Siva) and Arjuna claimed themselves for the death of pig. From discussion it went to fight and Arjuna's bow broke. Arjuna in anger hit hunter (Lord Siva). The blow was felt by all the living being on earth. Parvathy got angry by Arjuna's act. Lord Siva told Parvathy her anger is not good and it would affect the whole universe. He asked her to cool down move to side.

Lord Siva lifted Arjuna with his leg and threw him Krupa Kataksham. Once Lord Siva’s Leg touched Arjuna, he was blessed.

Lord Siva and Parvathy appeared in front of him. Lord Siva gave Pasupathasthram to Arjuna.

Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Thiru Navukkuarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva. Arunagirinadhar Sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.

Thirukazhi paalai, Paalvanna Nadhar Temple, Cuddlore District.

Thiru kazhi paalai:    Paalvanna Nadhar Temple.
 

This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam.  The temple is about 5 kms to SE, from Seergazhi and it is near by Sivapuri temple.



Earlier, the temple was in a place called Kaaraimedu on the northern bank of River Kollidam. The temple was known as Kazhi palai. Due to floods, in rainy season the temple was heavily ravaged. So a temple was constructed in present place, and all idols were shifted to the new premises.







There is a Raja Gopuram of three tiers facing east, there is a Nandi seen outside, in front of Raja Gopuram.







Near the main entrance of the inner sanctum we see Adigara Nandi with his consort 

Pradosha Nandi is seen in front of the main sanctum in a mandapam.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Paallvanna Nadhar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman. There is a split in the top of Lingam. At the back we see wedding posture of Lord Siva and Parvathy.

As we go around the prakaram, we see sanctums of Lord Vinayaka, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Lord Vishnu, Agora moorthy, Kiradha Moorthy, Lord Brahma, Chatura Durga, Navagraha, Bhuvaneswari and  Nayanamars.

 

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Sthala Vruksham is Vilwa and teertham is Kollidam.



Sthala Purana says Kapila Muni during his pilgrimage passed visited this place dense with Vilwa tree. The sand in this place was white due to cow’s pouring out milk voluntarily in this place. So the sand is white in colour. Kapila Muni made a Siva Lingam out of this mud and worshipped Lord.
While King was passing through this place horse hoof hit Siva Lingam and it got split on the top. Kapila Muni wanted to make another Lingam for his pooja. Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy appeared before him and asked him to install the same Shiva Lingam since the milk poured in that place was by Kamadenu.



Unique feature of the temple is Bairavar is wearing 27 skulls as sacred thread and serpent as belt with Lion’s teeth. The temple is also known as Bairavar Temple. It is believed the idol of Bairavar in Kasi Keshtram and the Bairvar of this temple was made by same sculpture.


This is one of the places where Lord Shiva gave darshan to Agasthya muni. Valmiki worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Lord Natarajar here seems to tie his jadamudi up as turf.  Sivakami Amman is seen with her friends Vijaya and Saraswathy.


Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundarar and Thiru Navvukkuarasar sang Hymns praising Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. 

Arulmigu Vaimoore Nadhar: Thiruvaimoore, Nagapattinam District

Arulmigu Vaimoore Nadhar: Thiruvaimoore, Nagapattinam District.



The place Thiru Vaimoore is about 3 kms from Thiru Kuvalai. This temple is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam, and One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam. The main gopuram of the temple is of three tiers and single prakaram.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vaimoore Nadhare and his consort known as Ksheeroba vasini / Palenum men mozhiaal Ammai. Sthala Vruksham is Pala Maram ( Jack fruit tree) and Teertham is Soorya teertham.



Importance : Niagara’s are facing towards same direction in a line. Here in this place Thyagrajar is known a Neela vidangar. The dance of Natarajar is known as “Kamala Natanam, and Simhasanam is Rathna Simhasanam”. Sooya worshiped Lord Siva here, and Sun light falls on Siva Lingam and Ambal, during 12 & 13day of Panguni.(third week of April). Tarakasuran harassed Brahma and Devas, so disguised as birds and worshiped Lord Siva in this place. They were blessed By Lord Siva.







Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Thyagarajar, Thirumarai Kaadar, Natarajar and Nalvar sanctum.



Thiru Gyna Sambandhar and Thiru Navukkarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Sundarar has mentioned about this place in his works

Velvikudi temple. Kuthalam, Seergazhi.

1. Thiru Velvikudi:
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalams.
   
   
   
   The place is about 2 kms to Kutthalam. The main raja gopuram is of three storeys with two prakarams.
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Manavaleeswarar and his consort Parimala sugandha Nayaki ammai.
   
   
   
   Pushkarani is Mangala teertham.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Purana says Parvathy made lingam out of mud and worshipped him for sixteen weeks and got married to Lord Siva in this place.
   Marriage of a prince was stopped, due to the death of brides parents. The prince penanced and worshipped Lord Siva of this place. Lord Siva was pleased with his prayers and he asked his booth ganjas to bring the girl who was fixed previously as a bride and got them married.
   
   
   
   Importance: Sundra moorthy nayanar was cured from leprosy by having a dip in Agni teetham, which is pushkarani of this temple and worshipped Lord Siva. There is no Dwajastham in this temple. One can be relived of all navagraha dosha in this place because Lord Siva and Parvathy's marriage took place here. All preliminary yagam for the marriage was performed here by Brahma in this place.
   
   
   
   The sthala purana says by visiting and praying to Lord Siva here all the hurdles for the delay in marriage gets cleared. On every full moon day yagam is performed in the temple for devotees who come for prayers with marriage ceremony.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Uttrakosamangai and Rameswaram, jyothir lingam Temple.

1. Uttrakosa mangai:
   
   
   The temple is one of 275 Important Siva Devera sthalam.
   
   
   
   The place is 15 kms SW of Ramanadhapuram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Swayambu Linga known as Arul migu Mangala nadhar and his consort known as Goddess Mangaleswari Ammai.
   
   
   
   Sthala Vruksham of the temple is Ilayandhi and teertham Agni.
   
   
   
   Importance: Lord Siva preached the secret of vedagamas to Goddess Parvathy here and hence the place is known as Uttrakosamangai.
   
   
   
   Purana says thousands of muni’s penanced on Lord Siva in jyothi form. Mannikka vachakar was born in this place. There is a small sanctum for mannikka vachakar in front of Agni teertham.
   
   
   
   Inside the temple we see Maragadha Natarjar who is always covered with sandal paste. We can have, darshan of Natarajar without sandal paste on Thirvadirai day, in a year and abishekam is done only on that day which is unique.
   
   
   
   Instead of Navagrahas we see only Saneeswarar in this temple which is something different from the normal pattern.
   
   
   
   Mannikka vachakar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place, and Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Subramanyar of this place.
   
   
   
   
2. Rameswaram:
   
   
   This is one of 275 Devara sthalam and one of 12 Jyothir Lingas.
   
   
   
   The place is 52 kms from Ramanadhapuram. This is an island. The temple dates back To Lord Rama’s time. Originally it was a tatched shed. The present structure that we see is the contribution of number of persons spread over centuries. The main sanctum was built in 12th century. The pride of the place goes to Sethupati of Ramanad.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Lord Siva in the form of Linga known as Ramanadhar and his consort known as Goddess Parvathavardhini ammai.Teertham is Koiti teertham, Agni teertham, and Danushkoti are important ones.
   
   
   
   Purana says the Siva Linga in the main sanctum is of mud made by Sita for Rama to do Siva pooja. Hence the main deity is known as Ramanadhar. We find another Linga known as Viswanadhar which was brought by Hanuman from Kasi on request of Rama.
   
   
   
   
   The story is Lord Rama, to get rid of his brahamahathi dosha, due to the killing of Ravana, who is an ardent devotee of Lord Siva. He requested Hanuman to bring a Siva linga from Kasi to perform the pooja.
   
   
   
   Hanuman was late, in getting the Linga and the auspicious time was coming to end, so Rama installed the Linga made by Sita and performed the pooja. Hanuman when he came with Siva lingam, he was not happy about what has taken place and he tried to remove the Lingam.His efforts were waste.
   
   
   
   
   He realised his foolishness, and to cool down Hanuman, Rama was kind enough to place the Linga Moorthy and named as Viswanadhar. He said one has to have darshan of the Viswanadhar first and then Ramanadhar. Even the temple pooja is performed in the same manner.
   
   
   
   As we enter the temple to right side we see Hanuman and Viswanadhar is seen inside the same sanctum.
   
   
   
   Importance: One who visits the temple fetch holy water of Koti teertham and do abishekam for Viswanadhar at Varanasi, and fetch water from Kasi and do the abishekam for Ramanadhar to complete the holy visit.
   
   
   
   There are about 64 teerthams around the temple. The bath here refreshes the mind and body. The water has medicinal values here. There are 22 teerthams in wells representing Devatas. One who visits the temple takes bath in all the teerthams and then they worship Lord Siva in the main sanctum.
   
   
   
   There is a spatika Linga for which they perform abishekam in the early morning hours only, and one has to purchase ticket for this seva. The corridor of Rameswaram is world famous. The corridor is supposed to be lengthy one, with pillars to either side in a row and it’s in Guiness Records.
   
   

[Tirupugazh][Jyothir Lingam][Manikkavachakar][brahamathi Dosha]

Muttharasa nallore, Anantha Nallore, Tiruchenthurai, and Thiruparaithurai Temples. Trichy.

1. Mutharasa nallore: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is about 7 kms from Trichy to Karur.
   
   
   Main Deity:There are three main deities seen in this temple.
   
   
   Rathna girieswarar and his consort known as Aralakesari amman in different sanctum.
   
   
   Eangoinadhar and his consort known as Maragadha valli amman in different sanctum.
   
   
   Kadamba Vaneswarar and his consort known as Bala kujalambikai in separate sanctum.
   
   
   A king by name Mutuarasu used to worship Siva in Kulithalai in morning, Rathanagireeswarar of Iyer malai in the noon, and Thiru engoinadhar of Eangoi malai in the evening everyday.
   
   
   When he was old he was not able to do the worship like before. He was sad and praying. Lord Siva to help him.. Siva wanted to help his devotee he came in the dream of King and asked him to remove the three idols that are in the ground near the vanni maram and build temple there.
   
   
   
   The king in the morning did accordingly and found the idols of Siva and Goddess also. He built the temple and installed all the idols and the place was named after him.
   
   
   
   Other deities seen in the temple, is Murugan with Valli and Devayany, Dakshina moorthy, Ganapathy, Chandeeswarar, Navagraha, Birava, Sani, and Surya.
   
   
   
2. Antha nallore: Devara Vaippu sthalam
   
   
   
   The place is about 13 kms from Trichy to karur.
   
   
   Main Deity: Vadateertheswarar and his consort known as Balasundari Ambikai.
   
   
   Importaance: This is a small temple and considered as Vaippu sthalam
   
   
   
   
3. Tiruchendurai: Devara Vaippu sthalam
   
   
   The place is about 12 kms from Trichy to Karur.
   
   
   Main Deity: Swayambu Linga known as Chandrashekara swamy and his consort known as Maanendiya valli.
   
   
   Sthala Vruksham: Jack fruuit tree.
   
   
   Importance: This is one of the Vaippu sthalam. Siva linga looks rough like jack. Ambikai has deer in her hand. Usually Nataraja in all temples will be attached to Tiruvasi at the back but in this place Nataraja is standing on single leg without support is special.
   
   
   
   
4. Thiruparithurai:
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The place is about 15 kms from Trichy.
   
   
   Main Deity is Paraithurai nadhar / Tharuka vaneswarar and Pasumpon myilammai / Hemavarnambal.
   
   
   
   Sthala Vruksham: Punnai tree. Teertham is cauveri.
   
   
   
   Importance: Siva in the form of Bikshadanar removed the ego of munis and revealed himself to them in this place.
   
   
   
   The temple is situated in the place where parai trees are large in number, hence the place is known as Paraithurai. Indra, Kubera and Sptharishis, worshipped Siva here.
   
   
   
   Other deities present in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, Durgai, Dakshina moorthy and Navagraha.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar and Navukkarasar sang hymns on Siva of this place.

Thiru Pynjeeli and Thiru Palaithurai Temple. Trichy.

1. Thiru pynjeeli:
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   
   
   The place is about 8kms from Mannacha nallore.
   
   
   Main Deity is Neelakandeswarar / Jeelivana nadhar and his consort Visalakshi ammai.
   
   
   Teertam: Appar teertham. Sthala vruksham: Jeeli. {One variety of plantain tree.}
   
   
   
   Importance: Lord Siva appeared in the form of human being and gave food for Navakkuarasar. Vasista muni had darshan of Siva in dancing posture. Here instead of navagraha we see 9 Small deepas lighted in front of dwajasthamba.
   
   
   
   We see separate Yama temple outside the main temple within the compound. Inside we see Siva and Parvathi with Murugan between them as Somaskandha moortham with yama under the leg of Siva, surya chandra on the top to either side with chamaram.
   
   
   Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandhar sang hymns on Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Thiruthiya malai: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is about 10 kms from Thiruvellari.
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu linga known as Eka pushpa priyanadhan and Thaiyilum nallaval in different sanctum.
   
   
   Teertham: Water spring here, is considered as teertham.
   
   
   Importance: The temple dates back to some 5000 years back. It is on a small hillock and looks like a fort. Only one flowers blooms and the main deity was worshipped with that flower and hence the name. The place is a small village and hardly people visit the place. The temple is maintained well.
   
   
   
   
3. Thirupalaithurai:
   
   
   One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   
   
   The place is about 12 kms from Trichy to N.E.
   
   
   Main Deity is Thiru Moolanadhar and his consort Nithya kalyani ammai.
   
   
   Sthala vruksham: Vilvam. Teertham: Kollidam.
   
   
   
   Importance: Nithya kalyani ammai, Markendeyar, and Surya worshipped Siva in this place.
   
   
   Purana says once Markendaya did not have milk to worship god and he was worried at that time Siva blessed him and milk started pouring. That is the reason for the name palaithurai. Sambandhar sang hymns on Siva of this place