Swarnakateswarar Temple, Neivanai, Vizhupuram.

Neivanai: Swarnakateswarar Temple.



This place is about 15kms from Ulundoorpettai, Vizhupuram, TN. This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadunadu.












Main Deity Swayambu Lingam known as Chandra Shekarar / Vennaiappar seen under Rudraaksha Pandal and his consort known as Neelamalar Kanni in standing posture. She resides in separate sanctum. Here in the temple Lord Siva is seen in the centre of Soolam as Urchavar Idol which denotes Ardanareeswara tathvam.








Adikara Nandi is seen with both palms together here.




During the month of Feb/ Mar (Masi Tamil month), Early morning sun rays falls on Lord Siva and we see change of different colours.



Sthala Vruksham is Punnai and Teertham is well water, which is in front of Ambaal sanctum.



Other deities seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram are Vara Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan with Valli and Devani is seen seated on peacock, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Natarajar seen in separate sanctum, Navagraham, Chandeekeswarar and Bairavar.



Lord Vishnu is seen seated with Mahalaksmi with both her palms together, on his left lap as Lakshmi Narayanar. Their eyes are closed as if they are meditating.



Lord Siva Himself built a dam with paddy hence the place is known as Nelanai which later changed into Neivanai.



Thiru Gaynasambandhar, during his pilgrimage reached this place in the night. He had difficulty in tracing the path. Lord Siva asked Ambikai to guide Sambandhar to reach the temple. “She” met Sambandhar in nearby place, known as Ethalavadi. When he reached the temple, Sambandhar worshiped Lord Siva who gave a wonderful darshan for him. In excitement he danced and sang Hymns on Lord Siva. The idol of Gyana Sambandhar is beautiful in dancing form. Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar are seen in the sanctum.




Sthala puranam: People of this region did not worship god because of their wealth and luxury. In order to teach them a lesson Varuna was asked to pour down as rain causing heavy disaster. Lakes and tanks began to breach. People started worshiping “God” to rescue them. Lord appeared as a youth and asked them to bring their paddy bags from their homes to build dam. They looked upon the youth as their saviour. He said “God” is the one who gives prosperity and they should be grateful to Him. He gave them pot full of Gold to recover their loss and disappeared. Lord appeared before them as Swayambu Lingam. They raised a temple for Lord and named him as Swarnakateswarar

Thiru Kaannattam Puliur, Arulmigu Patanjali Nadhar Temple. Kattumannr Koil, Cuddlore Dt.

Thiru Kaannattam Puliur: Arulmigu Patanjali Nadhar Temple.

The temple is one of the Siva Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu Temples. This is also one of the Pancha Puliur Kshetram.

This is main Raja gopuram of temple is of three tiers. There are two prakaram in the temple.

Main Deity in the temple is small Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pathanjali Nadhar and his consort known as Kanaar Kuzhali / Ambujakshi Amman. Urchavar is Soma Skandar.

Teertham is Soorya Teertham and River Kollidam.

Sthala Vruksham is Atthy (fig) tree and white Errukku plant

As we go around the inner prakaram we see Vinayakar, Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Gaja Lakshmi, Murugan, Brahman, Thirumaal, Saneeswarar, Pathangali Muni and Sooryan sanctums.

Here in this temple Dakshina Murthy is seen sitting. Kallala Maram is missing, which is unusual. We also see Lord Krishna in-between two Nagam and Siva lingam in-between two Nagam.

Lord Nataraja is seen with his left leg is moved a little forward and his body bent slightly backward. Purana says he danced here to grace Patanjali Muni. Here in the temple Patanjali Muni is seen with Nalwar. It is believed to be Naga Dosha parihara Sthalam. 

Patanjali Muni worshiped Lord Siva of this temple. Hence the name here for Lord Siva is Patanjaleeswarar. We see sculpture of Patanjali Muni in the temple.

Sthala Purana says Adisheshan in paarkadal disguise himself as Patanjali muni and worshipped Lord Siva here. Lord Siva graced him by performing Aanandha Thaandavam.  Patanjali requested him to bless him with his Aananda Thandavam and Lord Siva obliged and in some of the places Patanjali muni had darshan of Aananda Thandavam. Lord Siva was happy to add his devotee Patanjali's name, before his name. So he is known here as Pathanjaleeswarar.

Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Kasi Viswanadhar temple

Kasi being the oldest city of the world and an importnt piligrimage center, it attracts large number of people from all over the world. Varnasi is famous for Hinduism, spirtualism, mysticism and indian Philosophy. these are reflected in tmples ashrams , ghats and numerous sects.



Kasi town is full of narrow lanes, and without a guide it is not possible to visit the temples. The temples look like a house and the lanes are too confusing. Kasi is very old town with lot of temples. Visiting all the temples is not possible in short stay. I am giving information about the temples which we visited.



Invaders destroyed the old Viswanadhar temple, and the present Viswanadhar temple was constructed by Queen Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in the year 1776. Once again Aurangzeb destroyed the temple to replace it with gayanvapi mosque.



However one can see the remanants of the temple in the intricate and fine artwork of the western wall of the Mosque. Viswanadhar temple and the gyanvapi Mosque are adjacent to each other. The temple is in a narrow lane. Lot of security measures is taken and we cannot take anything inside the temple. Shopkeepers are taking care of your belongings.

1. Viswanadhar temple is one of the Jyothir Lingam.
   
   
   
   The temple is like a mandapam with four side’s door. Main deity Viswanadhar is to a side in this hall. Reason for this is, as per Akashvani information they were asked to keep camphor in the main mandapam and it would light on its own and the main deity was supposed to be installed in that place. From outside, the temple looks like a house and the gopuram (sikaram), can be viewed only from inside. The main gopuram was gold plated by Maharaja Ranjeet sing.
   
   
   
   
   First we come across, darshan of Dundi Vinayakar. There are about eight Vinayakar around the temple out of which he is important.
   
   
   Viswandhar Lingam is smooth black stone seated in a silver plinth. We have darshan of Avimuktheswar, Bhavani, subramanyar, and Mahakal {Bairavar}.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Visalakshi temple
   
   The temple is in different place. The goddess is seen in sitting posture.
   
   
   
   Annaporna Devi temple is of marble stones. Here Goddess Annapurna has a container and in another hand she has Agappai {spoon}. We see Srichakkra Meru yantram in front of Annapoorani Devi installed by Adi Sankarar. We see Bikshadanar in silver near her.
   
   
   
   To either sides of Annapoorani we see Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The center mandapam is in octogen shape. In front of Annapoorani we have the darshan of Sri Sathya Narayanar. Golden Annapoorani darshan is only for three days during Deevali festival.
   
   
   
   There are two main entrances known as Dharma Dwaram and Biksha Dwaram.
   
   
   
   
3. Kala Bairavar temple
   
   
   
   The temple is in Visweswara ganj. Kalabairvar is one form of Lord Siva. Normally only the face is seen, to have the full darhan you have to pay. There are 8 bairava temples are there in Kasi. He is supposed to be Kaval deivam {protecter} of Kasi. Biravar is the person who punishes people for sins.
   
   
   
   
4. Gowdi Matha temple
   
   
   
   This is the last temple to visit in Kasi. She was supposed to be grama devata, when Kalabiravar was declard as Kaval deivam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   she got annoyed with Lord Siva and Planned to take the benefits, of devotees who visit Kasi. Lord Siva was horrified and he made a deal with her. He asked her to stay at the border of Kasi town and she can take the 50% of Kasi visit benifts if they do not visit her.
   
   
   
   Gowdi matha was cooled down and she said she will be happy with the people who offer her conch to her. There is no need to take anything other than the conch which is available near the temple. The panda {poojari} asks us to repeat, what he says. The benefit of counch is your’s and the benefits of visiting Kasi is mine.
   
   

[Bairavar][gyanavapi][Annapoorani][Viswanadhar][Bikshadanar][jyothirlingam][Bairavar][Adisankarar][srichakkra meru]