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.

Keevalore Temple, Keez velore, Thiruvarore.

Keevalore Temple: Keez velore, Thiruvarore.



The place Keezh Velore is about 36 Kms from Thiruvarore to Nagapattinam route. The temple is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. This is a Madakkoil built by Cochengat Cholan.







The temple has main Raja Gopuram of Seven tiers and two prakaram.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kediliappar / Atshya Linga Swamy and his consort known as Vanamoolai Amman / Sundara Kujambikai.







Teertham for the temple is Agni, Brahma, Saravana Poigai, Soorya, Chandra and Kubera teertham. Sthala Vruksham is Badri and Elandhi.








As we go around we other Deities seen here are Bala Subramanyar, Agasthiyar, Viswanadhar, Maha Lakshmi, Kailasa Nadhar, Bragadeeswarar, Annamalai Nadhar, Jambukewarar, Kuberan and Devayindran sanctums. Kalyana Sundarar and Nardhana Ganesa is seen in Maha Mandapam








Importanceof the temple is Natrajar is seen standing with his left leg and his right one is lifted above with ten hands giving his blessings to Agastiya Muni.
Here Goddess sculpture is made of mortar, so there is no abishekam for Ambal.



Lord Murugan worshiped Lord Siva of this place to get rid of the dosham by killing Soorapaduman. He made a pushkarani by his Velayudaham. When he was worshiping Lord Siva he was disturbed by evil things so he prayed Goddess Parvathy to help him. Goddess Parvathy helped Lord Murugan, from all four directions and in the space as Anjuvattathu Amman.


An Asura by name Singathvajan was feeling thirsty, he was asking for water in a louder tone disturbing the Muni, who was meditating. Muni cursed him to become a donkey.
Agsthiyar was penancing at Vindhya parvatham. Here there was a king of the forest who was disturbing the people who visit to Agasthiyar place. Agasthiyar cursed him to become a donkey.


In their next birth the two donkeys were in a business man’s house. He used them to transport commodities. Once they came to this temple with their master and drank the water in the Brahma pushkarani, and they were able to look into their previous birth and started conversing amoung them. The master was afraid at the donkeys speaking like human beings and he left them. They went around the temple and heard a voice asking them to take bath, worship Lord Siva on Full moon day of Adi (July) for four days and drink the Water of Brahma Pushkarani. They will get back to normal human form.
Markandeya worshiped Lord Siva here.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva.

Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.

Vedaranyeswarar: Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam.


The place Thirumarai kadu / Vedaranyam is about 45 Kms from Nagapattinam. This is One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is One of Saptha Vidanga Sthalam.







The main Raja Gopuram of Vedaranyam temple is of five tiers and two Prakaram.






As we enter through the main Raja gopuram we see a 16 pillar mandapam and the pushkarani is seen to our left.







As we cross the mandapam, we see small sanctum for Ganpathy.






After having darshan of Ganapthy, there is one more pillar mandapam to cross and enter in to the inner Gopuram of the temple





Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman / Veena Vadha Vidushani. The temple is One of 64 Sakthy Peetam known as Sundari Peetam. Thayagarajar here is known as Bhuvani Vidangar. The dance of Thyagesar here in this temple is known as Hamsa Natanam.





Sthala Vruksham is Vanni Maram and Punnai Maram.








Teertaham is Manikarnikai and Veda teertham.







The temple prakaram is very big and it was full of water.



Importance: Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here in this place. After their worship the temple main door was locked from inside. There was another door from the side which people were using to enter into the temple. Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar reached this place on their visit to temples in the south. They were surprised to see the main door closed and came to know the reason. Sambandhar asked Navukkarasar, to sing on Lord Siva to open the door for devotees. Lord Siva was pleased by the Hymns, which he sung and the door opened on its own. Sambandhar was requested to sing to keep the door closed and opened here after. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva the temple main door closed on its own. From that day onwards the main door is used by devotees to enter in.



Goddess voice is melodious like Veena, hence she is known as Veena Vadha Vidushani.
So here we Saraswathy Devi without Veena and instead she is in the form of meditating with palm leaf in her hand.







Durgai in this temple is facing south and she is worshiped as Kaval Deivam.









Agasthiyar had darshan of Siva and Parvthy marriage in this place.



A rat climbed on the lamp, to drink the ghee in it. The light was becoming dim. The rat tried to taste the ghee, in this act the string which was in the lamp got disturbed, and it started glowing bright. By this act which happened without the knowledge of the rate, in his next birth it was Mavali Chakkravarthy.



This place Thirumarai kadu is birth place of Paranjyothy Adigal who is the composer of Thiru Vilayadal Puranam.(Siva Leela).



Others like Manu Maandata, Dasaradha, Rama, Mavali, and Pandvas worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and were blessed.



The ”Four Vedas” which worshiped Lord Siva here, left the place when the kali yugam started and they are worshipping Lord Siva in the form of trees and Vruksham. The place is called as “Vedaranyam.”



Sundarar Thiu Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan known as Melakkumaran.

Edumbavanam Temple, Thiruthurai Poondy.

Edumbavanam Temple.



This place Edumbavanam is about 12 kms from Thiruthurai poondy. This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple main Gopuram is of three storeys with single prakaram..







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sargunadeswarar and his consort known as Mangala Nayaki amman.



Teertham is Setha pushkarani, Moksha pushkarani and Sthala vruksham is Vilvam.



Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Sooryan, Agathiyar, Edumbai, Sani Bagawan, Durgai, Natarajar and Lingothbavar.




Edumbai worshiped Lord Siva and was blessed hence the place is known as Edumbavanam.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place, and Appar mentioned about Lord Siva of this place in his Thiru Thandakam.



[Appar][Thiru Thandakam] [Edumbai][Moksha Pushkarani]

Aridhvara mangalam, Tanjavore.

1. Aridhvara mangalam:
   
   
   
   The place Aradhaiperumpazhi/ Sameevanam is about 8 kms NW of Ammapettai on the banks of Vennaru. The Temple main Raja gopuram is of three storeys and a prakaram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is one of 275 Devara sthalam and one of Pancharanya Kshetram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Padhalavaradhar and his consort known as Alankara Ammai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Teertham is Brahma teertham in front of the temple, and Sthala Vruksham is Vanni.
   
   
   
   
   Other dities seen in the prakaram of the temple is Vinayakar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Saneeswaran, Suryan, Chandran, Bairavar, Sundrar, Sambandhar, Pancha madhar and Lingothbavar.
   
   
   
   
   There is a ditch in front of lord Siva, dug by Vishnu in the form of Varaha, hence the name Aridhvara mangalam for this place.
   
   
   
   Sthala purana says Lord Siva removed one of the horns of Varaha and wore it as a pendant to his chest.
   
   
   
   Thiru Gyana Sambandhar Sung hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Thiru Avaliva Nallore temple, Tanjavore.

1. Thiru Avaliva Nallore :
   
   
   The place Thiru Avaliva Nallore is about 6 kms north of Ammapettai, also known as Sathinadha puram / Padrivanam on the banks of River Vennaru with two prakarams.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Devara Sthalam. Here Sthala vruksham is Padri and Teertham is Chandra Pushkarani.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sakshi Nadhar and his consort known as Soundra Nayaki. At the back of the main Siva Lingam, we see Siva in the form of Rishabarudar with Uma Devi.
   
   
   
   
   Sthala purana says Adi Saiva Brahmin who used to worship Lord Siva of this place had two daughters. His first daughter was married, and his son- in- Law went to visit Kasi kshetra. In the meanwhile the girl suffered from small pox and lost her eye sight and beauty.
   
   
   
   When Son-in-Law of Adi Saiva Brahmin returned back from his Kasi yatra, looking at his wife refused to believe the fact and started arguing, that the second girl was his wife. At this point Lord Siva gave darshan as Rishbarudar and pointed at the first girl (Aval Eval) as his wife.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The girl had a dip in the pushkarani of this place and regained her beauty and eye sight. This is the reason for the place to be known as Avaliva Nallore.
   
   
   
   Stone inscriptions of Raja Raja Chola period is there in the temple.Thiru Gyana sambandhar sang hymns on Sakshi Nadhar of this temple.

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.

Brahma Desam, Devara Vaippu sthalam, Thirunelveli.

1. Brahma Desam:
   
   
   Devara Vaippu Sthalam.
   
   
   
   This place is 4 kms away from Ambasamudram, known as Chaturvedi Mangalam.
   
   
   The temple was renovated by Chera, Chola, Pandya and Nayakar kings.
   
   
   
   The main Raja Gopuram is of seven storeys and it was built by Nayakar Kings.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a beautiful pushkarani in the main road near the temple
   
   
   
   Main sanctum was built by Chola kings, Mandpams by Pandya Kings and wood decors to roof by Chera kings.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The huge main doors are carved beautifully decorated. As we enter inside we see a huge Nandi and Dwajasthambam to front. The platform of the dwajasthambam and Nadni has beautiful carvings on them.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity here known as Arulmigu Kailasa Nadhar. Nandi here is decorated and beautiful.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We can see the beauty in the roof of the mandapam.
   The place is one of the Devara vaippu Sthalam
   

[Nandi][Vaipp sthalam] [Pushkarani][Chola King][Pandya King][Chera king][Nayaka King]