Thiruvakkarai Vakarakali Amman Temple.



The place is about 22 kms to south of Thindivanam on the banks of River Varaha.
This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu.








Main entrance of the temple.









The Raja gopuram of the temple. There are three prakarams in the temple.









We see Dwajasthambam and Nandi which are not in straight line to Lord Siva of main sanctum.








Main Deity is in the form of Lingam known as Arulmigu Chandra Mouleeswarar is seen with three faces only here, in this temple and his consort known as Vadivambikai Amman. Face in the lingam which faces east is known as That purdam, the one facing north is known as Vamadevam and south facing face is known as Akora mukam to which there is teeth (Korai Parkal) seen out at the ends of mouth. This is visible only during the milk abishekam is performed to Lord Siva.





Vakra kali Amman sanctum is seen to a side near the main Raja Gopuram itself. Here in the temple Kali Matha is seen with eight hands with weapons. The garland is of skulls hanging from one shoulder in cross. Child skull is her earings.









Sthala purana says Samharam of Vakrasuran was done by Lord Vishnu. Dunmuki sister of Vakrasuran was pregnant. As per Dharma Sastra, Kali cannot kill a pregnant woman. Kali took the child from Durmuki womb and wore it as an ornament in her ear and then killed Dhunmuki. Kaali is known as Vakrakaali here and she was with furious temper, after killing Durmukhi. Acharyar Adi Sankarar installed Sri Chakkra on left leg of Kaali. She turned out to be Santha Swaroopam after this.




Opposite to Vakra Kaali temple we see Athma Lingam which is also known as Kanda Lingam which was worshipped Vakrasuran. It is said the Lingam is cool during summers and during rainy season water drops are seen on the top of Lingam.




Lord Murugan with twelve hands, is seen seated on Peacock along with Valli and Devani.









Kundalini Siddhar jeeva Samadhi is there within the temple premises.




There are many things contradictory to tradition. The temple tower, Dwajasthambam, Nandi and main deity Siva Lingam are not in straight line. They are from one another. The chakkra, which Varadarajar holding in his hand is different from usual one. Sani Bagavan Vahan crow is seen to left side of him instead of right side.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.Arunagitinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan.Here in the temple Stone inscriptions of First Aditya Cholan and Chembian Madevi is seen.

Thiru Erukkattham pulior / Thiru Kumaraswamy Temple, Rajendra Pattinam, Cuddlore District.

Thiru Erukkattham pulior / Thiru Kumaraswamy Temple:

The place is about 12 kms south of Vrudhachalam. The temple is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam. This place is birth place of Thiru Neela kanda Yazhpanar who is one of the 63 nayanmars.

The Main Raja gopuram is of five storeys. There are two prakarams in the temple.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Thiru Kumaresar / Swetharanyeswarar facing east and his consort known as Veeraamulai Amman / Abinna Kusa Nayaki seen in separate sanctum. Here the rays of Sun fall on Lord Siva from March 16 to 20.

Sthala Vruksham is Vellerrukku plant. The Errukku plant has medicinal value of curing Leprosy.

Here Teertham is known as Gandha, Sengkazhuneer and Neela Teertham.

As we go around the inner prakaram, we see sanctum of Siddhi Vinayakar, Nardhana Vinayakar, Subramanyar seen with Valli and Devasenai , Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi Amman, Lakshmi, Narayanar, Dakshina murthy, Chatta nadhar, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Nalvar, Sooryan, Bairavar, Saneeswarar and Navagraham.

We see Thiruneelakanda Yazhpanar and Madhangasulamani Ammai sculptures in the outer prakaram.

Sthala Purana says Deva Ganas worshiped Lord Siva, to know about the sacred Siva Sthalam where one can attain Mukthi. Lord Pazhamalai Nadhar said Urukattham Pulioor. Deva Ganas came to this place and worshiped Lord Siva, hence the place is known as Ganesuram. 

King of Madhurapuri stayed in this place and worshiped Lord Siva to bless him with a child. By Lords grace he was with blessed with child who was named as Rajendran hence the place is known as Rajendra Pattinam.

A Brahmin was penancing for Lord Siva’s blessings in this place, for sake of a child. Here, when  a Tiger was about to attack the Brahmin, a hunter killed the animal. Due to the good deed, he was born as sage with Tigers feet, and he worshiped Lord Siva of this place and the place is known as Pulioor.

King Suvedhan who was ardent devotee of Lord Siva was infected with Leprosy due to his past sins. The King had dip in the pushkarani of this temple and worshiped Lord Siva here. The king was relieved of Leprosy. 

Once, Lord Siva was preaching about the meaning of Vedas and Agamas to Goddess Parvathy Devi in Kailash. Parvathy Devi was not very attentive about what Lord Siva was preaching. She was punished for this act to be born on Earth. Lord Murugan did not like this and in anger he threw the Vedas in sea. Lord Siva cursed him for his act to be born dumb in trader’s community. Lord Murugan in the name of Rudrasanman was born dumb by birth to Talapathy and Gunasalini. When he grew old he visited many Siva temples seeking relief. When he visited this place Erukkatham Pulior and worshiped Lord Siva here, who blessed him with speaking skills. Hence the Lord here is known as Arulmigu Thiru Kumaresar. There is an idol for Rudrasanman in this temple.

Gyana Sambandhar, Sundarar and Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thitupugazh on Lord Murugan.

Chidambaram Temple, Cuddlore District.

Chidambaram Temple:    Cuddlore District.

The place Chidambaram / Thillai is about 44 kms from Cuddlore. This is One of the Nadu Nadu Devara sthalam, and one of the Pancha Boodha Sthalam which denotes Space/ Akashya.

Raja Gopuram is of seven tiers. There are four prakaram in the temple.

Sthala Vruksham is Thillai Maram. Once the place was dense with Thillai tree and hence the name was Thillai. Now we do not find these trees here. There is a Thillai tree, made of stone seen in west prakaram of Thiru moolattanaar sanctum

Teertaham is Siva Gangai, Anantha teertham, Brahma teertham, Vyaghyapadhar teertham, and Thiru parkadal.

Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Thiru Moolattaneswarar and his consort known as Sivakami Amman in Seperate temple with two prakaram near the tank.

 

To inner prakaram we see sanctums of Polla Pillyar, Murugan, Kala Biravar, Spatika Lingam, Maragadha Lingam, Sundaresar, Durgai, Govinda rajar, Navagraham,

Greatness of the temple: Natarajar in Thillai is more important. Thandavam here known as Ananda Thandavam. Next to him a there is a small sanctum which is covered by screen. During Aarathi time they remove the screen where we see only a Thiruvasi to which a garland of golden Vilva is hung. This denotes God is in the form of space (Akasha) which has neither the end nor the beginning. This is what known as “Chidambara Rahasyam”

King Chola and Nambiandaar Nambi worshipped Pollaa pillayar of Thiru Narayoor. They were blessed by Pillayar and came to know the place as Thillai, where Hymns sung and signed by Sundarar, Thiru Navukkuarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar were collected and kept.  When they searched in that place they found Hymns were fully covered by Puttru (mud). Many of them were damaged and rest they preserved carefully.

Govinda Raja perumaal sannidhi is near Natarajar Sannidhi. There is a separate dwajasthambam for perumal temple. Govinda raja perumal is one 108  Divya Desa perumal. In front of the perumal if we stand on the platform we can darshan of Perumal, Natarajar and Lord Brahma.

Periya puranam of Sekzhiar was inaugurated in thousand pillar mandapam of this temple

Nanadnar a staunch devotee of Lord Siva wanted to visit the temple. Nandanar was a dalit farm worker. His master (upper class) denied grant him leave, since he was not entitled the previlage of worship.  Nandanar did not leave his hope. Finally one day when he came to Chidambaram he was not allowed to enter inside the Temple.  He tried to get the glimpse of Lord Siva from the entrance. Since Nandi was in front of Lord Siva, he was not able to view Him. Lord Siva was happy with his devotion and Nandi was asked to move to a side, for Nandanar to have darshan. Nandanar attained salvation here and he merged with Lord Siva.

There are Five Sabhas in the temple namely Chittrambalam, Ponnambalam, Perambalam, Nirudha Sabha and Rajtha Sabha. 

Sages Patanjali and Vyagyapadar were blessed to view the dance of Lord Siva in Kailas. They were happy and they wanted people on earth also to be blessed like this. They penanced for this purpose to Adhimoolar. Lord was happy with their selfless penance and responded. Lord Siva along with 3000 sages came to this place and performed Dance Darshan in the month of Thai (Jan-Feb) at 12 AM. on Poosa Nakshtra. These 3000 sages then came to known as Thillai Moovayiravar.

It is said there is a similarity in the design of Natarajar sanctum and human body.

Nataraja shrine has 21,600 golden tiles engraved with NAMASHIVA Mantram which is equal to number of times one breathes each day. There are 72,000 nails used which represent the nerves of human body. The 9 entrances represent the 9 conveniences in the body which activate our movements. The five steps denote NA Ma SHI VA YA Mantra. There are 64 wodden supports which represent 64 arts. There are 96 windows which refer to 96 philosophies. The 16 pillars denote Pancha Boodham, 6 Sastras and 4 Vedas.

Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundrar and Thiru Navukarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Murugan.