Sri Marundeeswarar Temple at T. Edayar, Sri Sivaloganathar Temple, Gramam / Thirumundeeswaram and Sri Kripapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvennainallur , Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

17, August 2011

On 14^th August 2011,  went to the following PAADAL PETRA SHIVA STHALANGAL  and had a good dharshan. For this journey,  I would like to thank Mr Srinivasan of Adyar House and his friend Mr RAVI, who took me to all the three temples through his motor cycle. These three temples are located on the southern side of Pennai River.   

45/13. MARUNDEESWARAR TEMPLE / IDAIYATTRUNATHAR TEMPLE,  THIRI IDAYARU, ( T. EDAYAR )

( This post has been up dated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, Legends etc,. For the up dated post please Click This link )

Now the place is called as T. Edayar. This is the 45th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 13th Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

    

Ambal sannadhi entrance

Moolavar    : Sri Marutheswarar,  Sri Idayarteesar

Consort      : Sri Ganambigai, Sri Sitridai Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are....

The temple facing west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Only Balipeedam with out dwajasthambam and Rishabam mandapam without Rishabam. Maharishi Sukar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.  

A small sannathi of Sukar is also there in this temple. ( In my earlier post we had seen the Sugavaneswarar  temple at Salem. The statue is very much similar to this with a parrot face ). Ambal is facing east in a separate entrance from east.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctroum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The adhistanam is of simple pada bandha adhistanam. An ekathala Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Telephone and mobile numbers are - + 91 4146 216 045 and 94424 23919. 

HOW TO REACH :

The bus  from Villupuram going to Thirukovilur  via Thiruvennainallur passes through Idayar and the temple is on the road side which can be located very easily. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

Moolavar vimanam

3 tier Rajagopuram

Balipeedam and Rishabam mandapam without Rishabam

51/19. SIVALOGANATHAR TEMPLE, GRAMAM 

/ THIRUMUNDEESWARAM

( This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For the details of the updated Post please click this Link )

Now this place is called as Gramam. But the Panchayat Board is known as Thirumundeeswararm.This is the 51st Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 19th Shiva sthalam of nadu nadu. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

Moolavar vimanam with Subramaniyar sannadhi on the left

Moolavar    : Sri Sivaloganathar, Sri Mudeeswarar, Sri Mundeesar.

Consort      : Sri Soundarya Nayagi, Sri Kanaar Kuzhalali, 

                   Sri Selvanayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are ....

The 5 tier Rajagopuram was built at a latter stage. There is no Dwajasthambam (Kodimaram). In the prakaram Sannadhi for Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan. Thindi and Mundi  of Lord Shiva’s bhuta ganas worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

From the inscriptions ( By 24^th Koprakesari Varman of Madurai ) available in the temple that the place Thirumudeeswaram was once the Capital city of Mudiyur Nadu. Please note that there is connection with the Salem Sugavaneswarar  temple inscription of Madurai Koprakesari Varman.

CONTACT DETAILS

The telephone number is + 91  4146 206 700

HOW TO REACH

Town bus from Villupuram to Thiruvennainallur passes through this Gramam village.  Rout No 5E.

Private bus also available from Villupuram  ( For heavens shake do not try this mode of transport.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

5 tier Rajagopuram

46/14. SRI KRIPAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, 
THIRUVENNAINALLUR

( This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For the details of the updated Post please click this Link )

This is the 46th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 14th Shiva Sthalam of Nadu nadu. Sundarar has sung his first hymn in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Sundarar’s first Thevaram Hymns/song “Pitha Pirai Soodi Arulala“ paadal petra sthalam. And also Lord Shiva  thaduthankonda  sthalam for Sundarar.  Sundarar is seen with Palm leaf  in this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Kripapureeswarar, Sri Venupureeswarar, 
                   Sri Aruturainathar,  Sri Thaduthatkonda Nathar

Consort      : Sri Mangalambigai, Sri Verkanniammai

Some of the important features of this temple are....

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A small Sundarar sannathi is opposite to Raja Gopuram.  Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Sannadhis for, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Nalwar, 63var, Saptamatrikas, Chandikeswarar and some some loose sculptures with Ayyanar.

In this temple Lord Shiva gave a dharshan as Rishabaroodar to Sundarar. It is believed that the Lord Shiva’s “Padha Koradu” is available in this temple. Lord Shiva after the  case /Vazhakku  entered in to the sanctum after leaving the Padha Koradu in front of the temple and disappeared. There is a separate mandapam  called Vazhakku theertha mandapam in front of Main temple. The jeeva samadhi of Meikanda Nayanar is very close to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :  

Mobile number  + 91 9345660711

HOW TO REACH : 

Town bus route no 5D and 5E are available from Villupuram Town.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

Temple complex view

Moolavar vimanam  like a mada koil

Mandapam - in which the Vazhakku  between Shiva and Sundarar was conducted

5 tier Rajagopuram and Sundarar Sannadhi in front

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Veeratteswarar Temple, Thirukovilur and Sri Athulya Natheswarar Temple, Arayaninallaur / Arakandanallur, Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu.

 25, July 2011.

On 24-07-2011 went to Thirukovilur and had a darshan of Sri Veeratteswarar  temple, one of the 276 Paadal Petra sthalangal. Some of the photos are  from the new chariot below.

43/11. SRI VEERATTESWARAR TEMPLE. THIRUKOVILUR 

( This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions and legends. For the details of this updated post please click this Link )

This is the 43rd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 11th Sthalam in Nadu Naadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Rajagopuram with kodimaram an inside view

Moolavar    : Sri Veeratteswarar

Consort      : Sri Sivanthavalli, Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the features of this temple are....

The temple is on the south bank of Pennai river. The temple is facing west with a 4 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Shiva and Ambal Sannathi are built as separate Temples with separate entrances. This is one of the atta veeratta sthalam.

Legends

Anthakasuran samhara sthalam. Natarajar's posture with thirisoolam is to be seen.  A relief of this story is carved on the wooden chariot. Meiporul Nayanar lived and had done seva at this temple. Avvaiyar has sung the famous “Vinayagar Agaval” starts with “ Seetha kalaba chenthamari poompatha Silambu  pala Isai pada …..சீதகலப செந்தாமரைப் பூம்பாதச்சிலம்பு பல இசை பாட... ”, in this temple. Hence Avvaiyar reached kailash  before Sundarar through Vinayagar's trunk.

It was  learned that Chozha King Rajaraja Chozhan was born in this place.

HOW TO REACH 

Lot of buses are available from Villupuram, Thiruvannamalai, Panruti.  

CONTACT DETAILS 

Mobile number +91 93456 60711

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

Natarajar saba mandapam  vimanam  looking from prakaram  wall

Vinayagar sannadhi vimanam

Temple Chariot sculptures

Chariot a relief of Anthakasuran vatham.

Temple chariot Reliefs 

On 24th July 2011 went  to ThiruKovilur  and had the  darshan of Sri Athulya Natheswarar. Of Aryani Nallur. Now this place is called as Araganda Nallur.

44/12. ATHULYA NADHESWARA TEMPLE, ARAYANINALLUR ( ARAKANDA NALLUR - THIRUKOVILUR )

( This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions and legends. For the details of this updated post please click this Link ).

This is the 44th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam on the north bank of river Pennai and 12th Sthalam in Nadu Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Temple complex view from a distance

Moolavar    :Sri  Athulya Nadheswara, Sri Oppilaa Maneeswarar,   
                  Sri Aryani Nathar

Consort      :Sri Soundarya Kanakambigai, Sri Arul Nayagi,  
                  Sri Azhakiya Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is facing west. This temple is built on a mount like rock ( Paarai ).  The 7 tier Rajagopuram is on the south side on the banks of river Pennai. The sanctum sanctorum door of this temple made open by Lord Shiva for Thirugnanasambandar's song, which was locked by samanars. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Sri Veeratteswarar Temple's can be seen from this temple.

Sri Ramana Maharishi  had done meditation before going to Thiruvannamalai, which is 30 KM from this temple. A Ramana maharishi's Statue is also installed in front of Nalvar.

CONTACT DETAILS: 

Mobile number : +91 9965144849  

HOW TO REACH : 

Buses also available from various places like Panruti, Vridhachalam, Panruti.

Lot of buses are available from Villupuram which is 39 KM, get down at Thirukovilur Railway Station and also called as Araganda Nallur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Rajagopuram 7 tier

Moolavar vimanam

Ambal sannadhi vimanam with Rajagopuram 

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Abirameswarar Temple at Thiruvamathur, Sri Panamgatteswarar Temple at Panayapuram and Sri Panchanatheeswarar / Vadugunathar Temple at Thiruvandarkoil- Paadal Petra Sthalangal Darshan in and around Nadu Nadu, near Villupuram.

 12, July 2011.

In Continuation to my Paadal Petra sthalangal darshan,  I had been to  the following three Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal  (in Nadu Naadu) near Villupuram on 09-07-2011.

53/21. SRI ABIRAMESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVAMATHUR

( This post was updated with Thevara hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For the details of up dated post please click this link )

Now this place is called as Thiruvamathur. It is  the 21^st  Moovar Paadal Petra sthalam  of Nadu Naadu.

Iraivan: Sri Abirameswarar, Sri Azhakia nathar

Iraivi   : Sri Multhambigai, Sri Azhakia Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are ....

The temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. This is one of the temple where the Ambal temple is facing west, separately built opposite to Shiva temple.  There are two Nandhis. One is big and is made of sudhai / Stucco and the other one is stone located in a Pit. Purpose of Nandhi in a pit is to pray Shiva to get rain, by immersing Nandhi in water.

Vattaparai Amman Sannathi is famous here, which is south west corner of the Ambal temple. To find out the truth of a guilty person, the person will have to do sathyam  in front of the Amman. It is believed that Ambal will give punishment to the guilty. Now only Shiva lingam is installed in place of Ambal.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from Main bus stand. Route nos 22,8C, 32, 6E and 18. Buses going to Mel Gudalur  and Elu Sempon  is going via this temple.

Mini bus also available from the old bus stand.

To catch bus, better to wait at Hospital Stop signal, Villupuram ( Chennai buses also pass through this stop )

CONTACT DETAILS:

Telephone and mobile numbers are +91 4146 223379 and +91 98430 66252

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Moolavar Rajagopuram with kodimaram and Ambal temple on the other side of the road Rajagopuram is also visible

A big Sudhai nandhi  and a small ( Stone ) kal nandhi below the ground level under the mandapam

View of Shiva Temple Rajagopuram  with Ambal temple gopuram view from Ambal temple

52/20. SRI PANANGATEESWARAR TEMPLE, PANAYAPURAM 
( PURAVAR PANANGATTUR ) 

( This post was updated with Thevara hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For the details of up dated post please click this link )

This temple is 20^th  Paadal Petra  Shiva  sthalam of  Nadu Naadu. Saint Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple,   Now this place is called  as Panayapuram.

Iraivan : Sri Panangateeswarar

Iraivi   :: Sri Sathyambigai, Sri Puravammai.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a 4 tier Rajagopuram. Palipedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram. It is one of the five Shiva temples, in which Palm Tree as sthala vruksham. There are separate sannadhis for Ambal and Sri Murugan, both are are facing East. 

This temple was under threat of shifting to give way for road expansion and the road alignment was changed after public protest.

This temple was built by Chola King  Kulothungan -I.

HOW TO REACH :

From Chennai to Villupuram get down at Mundiambakkam. The buses  going to Pondicherry  via Mundiambakkam  is going through  Panayapuram.

From Chennai to Neyveli, Panruti, Thanjavur, 2 KM after Vikravandi get down at Panayapuram.

Auto/ Share autos are available from Mundiambakkam Sugar Factory opposite side. 3 KM from Mundiambakkam.

CONTACT DETAILS 

Mobile number is +91 9942056781

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

( Moolavar vimanam  with Vinayagar sannadhi

Siva Lingam under the Palm tree the sthala viruksham

( Ambal sannadhi vimanam )

Ambal sannadhi entrance

Front view of the temple with Dwajasthambam

Arumuganar with Lakshmi

Rajagopuram 4 tier 

48/16. PANCHANATHEESWARAR TEMPLE/ VADUGURNATHAR TEMPLE, VADUKUR - THIRUVANDARKOIL

( This post was updated with Thevara hymns, History, Inscriptions and Legends. For the details of up dated post please click this link )

It is a 16^th  Temple in Nadu Nadu Saint Thirugnanasambandar Paadal Petra sthalam. Now the place is called as Thiruvandarkoil.  

Iraivan        : Sri Vadugeeswarar, Sri Vatugunathar, Sri Vatugurnathar

Iraivi           : Sri Thirupurasundari, Sri Vadukirkanni

Some of the important features of this temple are ....

The temple is facing east with a Balipeedam and Rishabam. The temple do not have the Dwajasthambam and Rajagopuram. A base of a mandapam is on the right side of the Nandhi & Palipedam. The Koshtams has the Chozha period statues. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar and Valli Devasena Subramaniar.

This temple was  built by Chozha Kings, similar to Thanjavur Rajarajecharam /  Peria Temple but not to the size. The temple complex is under the control of archaeological department.ASI. 

Legend: It was believed that Vadugu Bhairavar worshiped Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin caused by killing  demon / Asuran Mundakan.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sundara Moorthy Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile number  +91 9698886111, for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

All the buses from Villupuram to Puducherry pass through Thiruvandarkoil. The temple on the road side opposite to Food Corporation Go-down.

After visiting Panayapuram Panagateeswarar, Via Koliyanur koot road, we can reach this temple, through bus to Puducherry.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Stone velaipadu moolavar vimanam

Vinayagar sannadhi

Moolavar vimanam

Aalingana moorthy installed at a latter stage in one of the nitch of the koshtam

Palipeedam with nandhi there is no Dwajasthambam (kodimaram)

Temple entrance with nandhi mandapam 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sabarimala Yatra, Kerala.

18, June 2011.

Self and one of my friend went to SABARIMALA  and had very good darshan of Lord Sri AYYAPPAN on 15^th of June 2011, shrine opens for the monthly pooja. . The river pampa is running with full of water and we had a good bath. The water current is also so  high. Since it is the  rainy season  there was  intermittent  showers  throughout our journey. The path was completely paved with granite steps and without steps.( Only slope ). It was a very good journey and nice experience  to climb the hills during heavy rain with holding the IRUMUDI on the top of the head. The rain water flowed like a stream in the concrete slope paths and steps. The crowd was much less and we had a good dharshan without waiting more time in the Q. The following are the photos taken through my mobile X10 mini.

 ( Pathinettampadi )

 ( Self at pathinettampadi )

 ( Myself with my friend Mr G. Shunmugasamy )

 ( Main shrine ) 

 ( Main shrine )

 ( Mancha madha sannadhi )

 ( Steps in the slope to the sabarimalai)

 ( Steps in the slope to the sabarimalai)

 ( Green forest while climbing down ) 

( The water is flowing to the brim level in Pamba river )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA :---

Arulmigu Swarnambigai Sametha, Sugavaneswarar Temple, Salem, Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

01, June 2011 

This is one of the five  Shiva temples built along the river Manimuthar. These five temple's main shiva lingas are of  swayambhu. There is a belief that worshiping  the 5 temples in a single day will remove all the sins. This temple was built by the Chozha king Koparakesari, which is more than 1000 years old. But there is no sign of Chozhas / Cheras period architecture. There are about 15 inscriptions available in the temple. The sthala Puranam claims that temple is a padal petra Vaipu sthalam by Sundarar Nayanar, but that particular song is not known.

 

Entrance Rajagopuram on the east side 

LEGENDS

The Sthala puranam was told by Nandi Devar to Sanatha munivar, which has 672 songs. Once, Brahma was sitting on the lotus among the Devars, Munis,  Asuras and 4 Vedas in the form of  cows/pasus. Every body appreciated the unique creation power of Brahma. After hearing all these happenings the Muni SUGAR, ( The voice of the muni is similar to that of Parrot’s voice ) who is a Lord Shiva devotee, went and told everything to Devi Saraswathi. This muni was born to Muni Vyasar and Thilothamai, who has a Parrot face. When Brahma known this he cursed the Muni Sugar to become a Parrot ( King of Parrot) and the curse will disappear at Salem after worshiping Lord Shiva.

While Muni Sugar worshiping Lord Shiva  in the form of parrot, a hunter Vachirakanthan  killed sugar along with other parrots, who tried to save Lord Shiva statue. The weapon also hits Shiva statue and blood was oozing from the lingam. On seeing this the hunter  also killed himself. Lord Shiva appeared and blessed the parrots and the hunter. Muni Sugar also got the original appearance.  To show this there is Urchavar and moolavar of Muni Sugar with Parrot face is installed in the temple. Some of the photographs taken through my X10 Mini mobile are uploaded below.

Suga munivar whose nose is like parrot nose 

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is heart of Salem City.
Frequent buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu 
The temple is very near to old Town bus stand  

CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Bas-reliefs of Subramaniyar with Valli Devasena

Bas-relief of Shiva with Murugan

Stucco Rishabaroodar

Subramaniyar sannadhi

Temple complex view with Subramaniyar sannadhi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA :---