Avudayar Temple, Thiruperunthurai, Pudhukottai District.

1. Avudayar temple:
   
   
   The temple is 14 kms from Aranthangi of Pudhukottai District and dates back to 8th century AD.
   
   
   Interesting facts about the temple…
   
   * Although the main deity is Athmanadhar and Sivalokanayaki Amman, there is just a platform,{avudayar} in the main sanctum.
   
   * Another interesting fact about this temple is that, there is no Dwajasthambam, Nandhi and Chandikeswarar, which are common in any other regular temple. There is a small pot like thing on the Avudayar which appears like a Linga.
   
   * At the back of Avudayar we see 27 stars in the form of light. After the pooja, offering of Rice and Bittergourd is placed on the small platform in the front and the steam from it is the offering for God.
   
   
   * Goddess Sivalokanayaki is seen in separate sanctum. Here again, in this sanctum we see avudyar with paadam on it. We can have a darshan from outside through small ventilators in the wall.
   
   
   * It is said that Lord Siva took the place of a Guru and preached Panchakshara manthra to Vadhavoorar in this temple. He has been known as Manikkavachakar, ever since. He also attained his mukthi at this place.
   
   
   * As we enter the temple, we see Manikkavachakar idol placed to left in small, slightly raised sanctum. We need to follow a particular sequence for worship in this temple. We pray to Manikkavachakar first, then main deity and finally we come to Manikkavachakar sanctum again. As we go around, we see Vinayakar, Veerabadharar, Natarajar, and Subramanyar.
   
   
   Story Behind Construction of this Temple.
   
   
   King Arimardhana Pandian asked his minister Thirvadhavoorar to buy Arabian horses and gave him money. He reached a place called Perunthurai to buy horses. (There is a dock and hence the place is known as Perunthurai.) There was a veda patasala in this place and ThirVadhavoorar was impressed by the guru and the way they were reciting Vedas. He forgot his mission. He felt that the God himself was like a Guru in this place. He started clearing his doubts about many things. He felt God is nothing but some power which is (omnipresent) everywhere, and not bound by time or kaala. Vadhavoorar asked the means to reach god? Guru did not reply to his question.
   
   
   One has to search, and feel the presence of eternal power. One day when he saw the Guru he saw the Aura behind him. He felt the Aura like thing that appears is the Almighty. He utilized the money (with which he was supposed to buy horses) to construct the temple.
   
   Initially, only a platform like thing was built and offering of rice was kept on the platform. The steam was considered as God (Siva) for him. It is the same platform which still present inside the sanctum and the same rituals are still followed. In the later years, Pandaya kings extended the temple with beautiful sculptures and pillars. The pillar sculptures reflect the richness, clothing style, ornaments and culture of those days.
   
   
   Important aspects about the temple
   
   
   * Teertham is Brahama narayana teertham.
   * Sthala vruksham is Kurutha maram. Sthala purana says by applying mud near the sthala vruksham leprosy can be cured.
   * Manikkavachakar sang hymns on the Lord Siva of this place.
   * Arunagirinadhar sang on Lord Murugan here.
   * This is the same place where Thiruvachakam was sung by Manikkavachakar. This is considered as 8th Thirumurai in saiva madham
   * There is carving of a monkey and udumbu to the top of the shelter which means our mind is a monkey and it should be controlled. Our thought about god should be firm like the grip of udumbu. We see many sculptures which convey some meaning, one can visit, feel and enjoy all this only in person

[Manikkavachakar][Sivasthalam] [Thiruvachakam][Vedapatasala]

Pancha ramala Kshetram.

Panchaa ramala Kshetram:This is a group of 5 temples, in Andhra Pradesh. According to puranas the temples are age old. The latest construction works and development took place in 10th Century, during chalukaya period.








According to purana, Tarakasuran did penence and was blessed by Lord Brahma. He did penance and was also blessed by Lord Siva. He was too strong and he can be defeated only by Siva sankalpam. He acquired an "Athma lingam" from Lord Siva and was asked to wear it to neck so that no one can defeat him.



Once he acquired all these powers, he started troubling everyone on earth. To rescue the living beings on earth from Tarakasuran Siva had to take step. Siva parvathy marriage took place and Lord Subramanian was born.



As Subramanyar grew up, he was made the head of warriors of Devas. Lord Subramanya was asked to fight with Tarakasura. Lord Subramanya took Agni astram and aimed at Athma Lingam tied to the neck of Tarakasuran and it broke into 5 pieces and thrown in different places.




Subramanya asked them to install the pieces immediately in the places where they fell. In three places the Siva lingam started growing, and it was nailed says puranas. There is a controversy about this.




These five places are called as “Pancha arama kshetram”.
The places are “Draksharamam” were Daksha prajapathy installed the Athma lingam, “Kumara ramam”, were Lord Subramanya swamy installed the Athma lingam here, “Ksheera ramam” were Lord Sri Rama installed the Athma lingam, “Amara ramam” were Amarendra installed the Athma lingam and “Somaramam” were Lord Chandra installed the Athma Lingam.

1. Draksharamam:
   
   
   
   The temple is in East Godavari district of AP. It is 10th Century temple.
   The place is about 60kms from Rajamandry and 32kms from Kakinada. This is the place were Daksha prajapathy did his Daksha yagnam and hence the name Draksharamam. The temple arectiture is blend of both chalukya and chola.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Swayambu spatika Sivalinga of 16’height and the main sanctum is of 2 floors.
   
   
   
   The Siva lingam is known as Bheemeswarar and it is also known as Bogalingam. Here the installation of Bheemeswarar was done by Dakshaprajapathi, and hence the name Draksharamam for the town.
   
   
   
   Goddess is Manikamba is one of the “Sakthi peetam”, here she is ichha sakthi and gyana sakthi as well. Here sati Devi’s navel part fell, and this is one of the sakthi peetam. She resting on “Srichakra” here. We can have the darshan of srichakram also. She is having Athma lingam in her hand.
   
   
   
   
   Any pooja for Lord Shiva is done from the first floor only. Before we enter into main sanctum we enter into two prakaram which are dark. On the walls of the prakaram we see too many small projections of small stones which they say when the temple was constructed originally there were diamonds kept in those places and the prakaram was well lighted by glitter of diamond stones. When they started robbing the diamond they turned into stones.
   
   
   
   Purana says the temple was originally constructed by demons. We find a pillar in the same prakaram which is supposed to be the foundation pillar of the temple and it is close to the wall and we are supposed to pass through the gap and it is known as “Moksha Dwaram”. To the corner of the prakaram there is a small place from where we can have “Sikara Darshanam”
   
   
   
   As we reach we can have the darshan of Bheemeswarar to all four sides.
   The other deities in the temple are Ganapathy and Nrithya ganapathy near the entrance of the temple. As we enter inside there is a Dwajasthambam and in the prakaram we see Lakshmi Narayanar who is kshetra palakar. Virupakshar, Saptha madhar, Subramanyar, small stone miniature of the temple, unjal mandapam, Navagraham, Ashta dik balakar, Sikha Anjaneyar, Kailasa ganapathy, 108 Siva lingam on a square stone in a line, and bhima sabha.
   
   
   Annadhanam is provided in the temple and a big hall with locker and a rooms are also available there.
   
   
   
   
2. Kumara ramam:
   
   
   
   The place is in East Godavari district of AP.
   
   
   
   The temple is in Samalkotha which is 16kms from Pithapuram and 13kms from Kakinada.
   This is 10th Century temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   One piece of Athma lingam was thrown here and the installation was done by Lord Subramanya and hence the name Kumara ramam.
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is huge swayambu spatika lingam known as Bheemeswarar, and consort Bala Thirupaura sundari.
   
   
   
   As we enter the temple we see pond in front, dwajasthambam and a huge nandi. As we go around the prakaram we see Ganapathy, Soorya Narayanar, Dattatreyar, Saraswathy without veena in her hand, Sapthamadhar, Subramanayar, Mahishasura mardhini, Lakshmi, and Kala Bairavar.
   
   
   
   The main sanctum is of two levels we climb steps to reach the first floor and we have the darshan of “Lord Bheemeswarar” and “Bala thirupura sundari” with Athma lingam in her hand beside Siva lingam in the main sanctum. In front of Siva lingam small nandi is there and we see padam in front of nandi.
   
   
   
   
3. Ksheeraramam:
   
   
   
   The place is in west Godavari district of AP.
   
   
   
   It is 11kms from Narasapur, 21kms from Bheemavaram. The temple dates to 10th century
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu spatika lingam known as Ksheera Ramalingeswarar.
   
   
   
   This is another place where a piece of Athma lingam fell and it was installed by Lord Sri Rama, and hence the name Ramalingeswarar. The Siva lingam is small in this place, it is not smooth and it is white in color. The temple gopuram is about 125’height.
   
   
   
   Near the main entrance of the temple we see Veerabadharar and Anjaneyar to either side. There separate sanctums for Lakshmi, Janardhanar, Saraswathy and Brahama, and hence the temple is known as Trimoorthy temple also. Other deities seen inside the temple are Mahishasuramardhini, Kumara swamy and Subramanyar in the form of Nagar, in different sanctums.
   
   
   
   
4. Somaramam:
   
   
   
   The temple is in Gunupudi village of Bheemavaram town, west Godavari fistrict AP.The place is 32 kms from Narasapur and 70kms from Eluru.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Swayamby spatika Athma lingam known as Someswarar. One of the pieces of Athma lingam fell here and it was installed by Lord Chandra, hence the name Somaramam.
   
   
   
   The Lingam is big and changes its colors which is something unique. It is milky white on full moon day and by the time of new moon day it changes into whitish or black.
   
   
   
   We see goddess parvathi to side in different sanctum near the main sanctum of Lord Siva. In front of Someswarar we see saligrahamam.
   
   
   
   Main mandapam we have steps leading to Annapurani temple which is above Main Siva sanctum. Amba and Ambalika are Dwara balikas for the sanctum of Annapurani.
   
   
   
   The other deities around the temple are Kumaraswamy, Lakshmi Janardhanar, Subramanya swamy, and Soorya Narayana Moorthy. There is a separate sanctum for Nava graham. There is a pushkarani in front of the temple.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Amararamam:
   
   
   
   This is in Amaravathy town of Sathanapalli taluk, Guntur district.AP.
   The place is 30kms from Guntur.
   
   
   
   Main Deity: Swayambu Spatika Athma Siva lingam Known as Amararamam.
   
   
   
   The Athma lingam piece which fell here was installed by Amarendran and hence the name Amaravathy for the place. The Siva lingam started growing here and they it was nailed to stop the growth. Again here the lingam is too big and can be worshipped from first floor. We see marks which they say, is the blood stains when nailed. We see 108 Siva lingam in the prakaram. River Krishna is flowing near by.
   
   
   As we visited some years back i have not added pitures.
   
   

Thirupoovanam and Thirusuzhi temples. Siva gangai district.

1. Thirupoovanam:
   
   
   The temple is one of 275 Siva Devera sthalams.
   
   
   
   The temple is in Sivagangai District, 19 Kms from Madurai.
   
   
   Main Deity: Arul Migu Poornanadhar Goddess Soundra Nayaki in separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   Sthala Vruksham is Jack Fruit. Teertham is Mnikarnigai River and Vaigi River.
   
   
   
   Importance: Dharmayagnan wanted to mix his father’s ash in Sethuk karai. As he was proceeding he happened to cross this place where the ashes turned to flowers. This place is considered equal to Kasi {Varanasi}.
   
   
   
   The other deities seen in the temple are Baskara Vinayakar, Subramanya Swamy, Sooryan, Nalwar, Saptha madhar, 63 Nayanmars, Mahalakshmi, Dakshina Moorthy, Patanjali Muni, Vyagyapadhar muni, Chandran, and Navagraham.
   
   
   
   
   Brahma, Thirumal, Surya, Naradha, Thirumagal, and Nala Maharaja worshipped Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar, Navkkuarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
2. Thirusuzhi:
   
   
   
   This is One of 275 Important Devara Sthalam
   
   
   
   The place is 45 kms to south of Madurai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity: Swayambu lingam known as Thirumeny Nadhar and his consort Thunaimalai Nayaki,in different sanctum. Sthala Vruksham is Punnai. Teertham is Kovvaikadal.
   
   
   
   Importance: Ramana Maharishi’s birth place. His house near the temple and a room in his house is dedicated for Ramanar with his photos. Bhomi Devi worshipped Lord Siva here and hence he is known as Bhoominadhar.
   
   
   
   Other deties in the temple are Bhodi Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Pralayavidangar, Palani andavar and Navagraham.
   
   
   Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   

Someswara Swamy temple and Jain temple.

Kulipaka Someswara Swamy temple: The place is now known as Kolusupaka. the temple is Veera saiva Kshetram in Aleru mandal, Nalgonda District, AP. Its about 80 kms from Hyderabad city. 6kms from Aleru. The temple is very old one and there are stone inscriptions of kings who have donated lands, cow, gold etc, to the temple during the period 1070-1126 for maintanance and nithya pooja. Chalukya architecture decorate the structure of the temple. The main deity is Swayambu linga known as Someswara lingam and goddess sakthi matha chandikamba. The temple is taken care by Veera saiva dharma samsthapanam. Acharya Sri jagadhguru Renukacharya of
Veera Saiva lingodhbawa moorthy is seen at the back of Someswara swamy inside the main sanctum.
Moon worshipped Siva of this place to get rid of his curse by Guru. Naradha, Rama, Agyasthaya muni, and others have worshipped siva of this place. We see many idols in the temple as a proof.
The temple is full of carved stones and pillars with stone carvings in three segments. First we see a Maha dwaram with Kakathiya style. We see Ganesha near the entrance to one side and a Nandi in lower level to the ground. As we enter there is Dwajasthambam with nandi at the top. Hanuman is there to the front of dwajasthamba. Ganapathy and subramanya swamy to either side near Hanuman. From the main entrance to the second segment we have a big corridor on either sides with full of beautiful sculptures of all gods and goddess on a platform which catch your eyes.
There is a Linga here known as Nayalinga, where villagers settle their disputes by touching the linga and solve their problems.
Near the door to the second segment on either side we see Veerabadhra and Subramannya swamy. Here we see Linga and a bid Nandi known as Bavishya nandi.
Now we enter into the third segment which is a big hall known as Navaranga mandapam and the main garbhagraham of
Swayambu Someswara swamy in the form of linga and at the back Sri Jagadhguru Renukacharya lingothbava moorthy. In the navaranga mandapam we see a big Siva lingam with panchalokha trimoorthy kavacham and a big nandi in front.
Goddess chandikamba sannidhi is attached to main Someswara swamy. To the side of the temple we see Kotilingam and nandi in front of him.

Veera narayana swamy temple:
This temple is also situated in the same place Kolunapaka, near Someswara swamy temple. This temple is also very old one. Chalukyan style is reflated on this temple built around 1104 AD.
Inside the premises we see Mahalakshmi and Sita Ramar in different sanctum. At the back of the temple there is a Shiridi baba temple.




Jain mandir: Sri Swetharambar jain tirth mandir.
Location: Kolanapakka, Nalgonda District, Andhra pradesh.
This temple is about a kilometer away from someswara swamy temple. In the jain mandir beautiful images of Thirthankaras are seen. The impressive image of Mahaveera is carved entirely out of precious jade. They say the temple is as old as 2000 years, and it was last renovated some 100 years back when it was discovered. Now the renovation work is going on for the past 20 years.
The temple is of marble stones and pillars.The complete temple is with beautiful carvings to the sides pillars and roof. There is a huge bell at the entrance of the temple.