In view of certain prayers, it was decided to visit a few temples in Tamilnadu. In addition we wanted to cover our Kula Theivam temple in kerala. So a trip was planned with the following route in mind:
Chennai, Vaitheeswarankoil, Thiruvarangulam, Pillayarpatti, Vairavan patti, Thirumayam, Srirangam,Samayapuram, Masani Amman, Chittilamchery, Koothandvar, Chennai
Sri Vaidyanathar temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : 91- 4364- 279 423.
Devotees offer punugu a cosmetic paste, Pachai Karpooram, sandal, lime, rosewater and flowers to Lord Muthukumarswami for the Arthajama puja with offerings of milk rice. Abhishekam is done with sandal and some offer sari for Mother Thaiyal Nayaki. For the Lord, Abishekam is done with rice flour, turmeric powder, cosmetic powders and oil, milk, curd, sacred ash, rose water, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit, honey, sandal etc
Tonsuring and Ear boring ceremony is done here. Lighting of Maa Vilakku made of rice flour and ghee, offering mangal sutras and god symbols are some of the forms of prayer. Salt, Pepper and Mustard and eye symbols made of silver are placed in the Ambica shrine.
It is believed that Siddhas had performed abishek to Lord with nectar for boons. In the tank here, 18 theerthas are mixed which cures all diseases. When Sage Sadananda was performing penance here he cursed the snake and the frog he was devouring as it disturbed his tapas. It is believed that since then, no snake or frog comes near this tank.
The place is also known as Pullirukkuvelur. Pul means Bird - here the eagle king Jatayu, Irukku the Rig Veda, Vel-Lord Muruga and Oor the place make the name Pul Irukku Vel Oor = Pulirukkuvelur.
As the headquarters of medical science, It is believed that this place offers cure for 4448 diseases. Consuming the medicine ball made of the anthill sand, abishek water, neem leaves, abishek sandal and abishek sacred ash which gives total relief. For skin problem, the punugu oil, is applied for relief. IT is believed that, worshipping the Lord facing west brings the devotee the benefit of worshipping in 1000 Shiva temples. Both Lord Aadhi Vaidyanatha in the entrance of the temple and the presiding deity Vaidyanatha face west. Lord Muruga got His Vel weapon at this place. It is believed that Sri Rama worshipped here.
Mars decides the wedding prospects and other living conditions in the horoscope. Those facing adverse effects, special pujas can be performed by praying to Angaraka for success in land deals, freedom from debt burdens and joint pains in the body. Praying on Kruthika star days and Tuesdays, undertaking fasts and performing abisheks & offering clothing in red pleases Lord.
Jatayu Kundam - pit: Jatayu was killed when he tried to prevent Ravana from abducting Mother Sita. The last rites was performed by Rama for the bird in the Vibuthi Gundam here. Son of a king, Veerasenan was cured of tuberclosis when he bathed in the theertha and consumed the nivedhana.
The west facing Lord Muruga in the temple is praised as Chella Muthukumaraswami as he is beloved of his parents. Since Lord Muruga enjoys all prominence in the temple, all festivals are dedicated to Him.
Pujas to Lord and Mother are offered only after puja for Lord Muruga. A 10 day festival is celebrated in January-February beginning from Tuesday. 28 day Panguni Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in March-April. A medicine prepared with sacred ash, anthill sand and oil is meant for leprosy.
Generally the Navagrahas are seen in the front side of the sanctum sanctorum while here they are behind. Mother Thaiyal Nayaki ensures the welfare of her children, the devotees. Angaraka is on his Goat Vahan on Tuesdays.
Hari Theertheswarar temple
Timings : 6.00-1.00-4.00-8.30 phone : 9865156430
Those born in Pooram Nakshatra should visit Sri Hari Theertheswarar Temple (Nimbaranya Kshethra)that is located in the town of Tiruvarankulam, in Pudukkottai district. Sri Hari Theertheswarar is also known as Thiruvarankula Nathar. The ruling Goddess of the temple is Brihannayaki, also known as Periya Nayaki.
The symbol for Pooram Nakshatra is the couch or bed as in ancient times it was found the two stars of Pooram Nakshatra resemble the two front legs of a cot. Pooram Nakshatra people exhibit a relaxed demeanour, where people tend to take life easy and lay back after they have completed their responsibilities and commitments in life. Sometimes, For such reasons, Pooram is also represented as a swinging hammock. It also indicates stepping back and looking at a problem without getting involved in it completely, which often works towards arriving at a solution
Pooram is known to be balanced between the extremes, relaxation is balanced by work and aggression with calmness. Pooram is a female nakshatram and carries all the characteristics that are feminine by nature, as in the case of care, being gentle, beauty and love. People with this star tend to be intelligent, sharp in their mental abilities, disciplined and enterprising.
The presiding deity, Hari Theertheswarar, is a Swayambu. The temple’s history dates back to the Chola King Kalmashapadan, who was longing for a child. He was advised by Sage Agasthiya to pray to Lord Shiva here. However, the king did not find any shivalinga here. When he learnt that people who carried Pooja materials tended to trip and fall down at a particular place, he dug an found the land bleeding at the spot, and Shiva Linga emerging from the earth.
When he was upset at having caused injury to the Lord, Shiva appeared with Devi Parvathi and blessed him. The temple was build at this place and consecration done on the day of Pooram.
People born in Pooram Nakshatra when they visit the temple on the day of their Nakshatra will be relieved of their worries. Those seeking child as well as those who have Doshas on account of adverse planetary positions pray here for prosperity.
Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar temple
6.00 to 1.00 4.00 to 8.30 04577-264240, 264241 Cell: 73972 64240
An ancient rock cut temple, as the Vinayagar satisfies the wishes of his devotees like Karpagam tree, he is known "Karpaga Vinayagar". Here he appears with 2 hands and seen seated without Angusapasam, with his legs folded and stomach not touching the Asanam in the form of "Artha Padma" Asanam. Devotees worshipping Valamburi Vinayagar seated facing north, will be blessed with all wealth.
The deity of this temple is known as "Marudeeswarar" as Marudha tree worship is followed in this temple. The sculpture of Pasupatheeswarar, "A cow worshipping Lord Siva by offering his milk" is the special feature of this temple. Kubheran the Lord of wealth had worshipped at this temple.
Also adding to the sprituality Goddess Laxmi, Saraswathi and Durgai are found together at the same spot.
The unique feature is that the three Lingams Thiruveesar, Marudheesar and Senchadeswarar and the three Goddess Sivagami amman, Vadamalar Mangaiamman and Soundara Nayaga amman all appear together at the same place and bless the devotees.
By worshipping Kathyayini amman women get relived of sevvai dosham which prevent them from getting married. "Saptha Madhar" has a seperate sannidhi known as Sakthi sannidhi at this temple.
Vairavanpatti
Timings 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 3.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Phone +91-4577- 264 237
Lord Sri Rama seen on the wall worshipping Vishwarupa Anjaneya in the goshta of sanctum sanctorum. Since Anjaneya brought Him the news that Sita is safe, Rama respectfully greets His messenger. This teaches the devotees developing the quality of simplicity.
Lord Bhairava appears in a separate shrine with His dog vaahanam. The sacred spring created by him is outside the temple. Praying the lord after a dip here will result in child boon. Fear of enemy and sins would be blown away
There are three lizard sculptures behind Mother Ambica shrine. It is believed that those affected by dosham should pray here. Lord Dakshinamurthy gracing from a A Mandapam with Dhakshinamurthy and a pillar with seven musical tunes, Chandikeswara shrine, showing features of a monolith cave temple, a warrior on the horse are some of the Tamil architecture type sculptural skills. Nandhi, is seen in a separate mandapam.
Brahmma the creator had five heads like Lord Shiva. Once Parvathi extended respects to Him mistaking for Lord Shiva which Brahmma silently accepted without pointing out to Parvathi. When Lord Shiva came to know, he sent Vairava to pick off one head of Brahmma. Lord Vairava is graces the devotees from this temple.
Sathiaygireeswarar temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Phone : 04577 - 261 122, 94862 – 32362
Associated with this temple are Adisheshan and Vayu who once had an argument regarding their prowess. When Adisheshan held the Meru Mount tightly, Vayu tried to break the mount. In the process, a small piece "Sathyam” fell at this place forming a small hill, Sathyagiri. This temple was constructed on top of it. Hence, the lord is named as Sri Sathyagireeswarar.
It is also believed that Lord Murugan created a tank here and prayed to Lord Shiva seeking “Rudhra Pasupatham” to destroy the demon Soorapathman. As he was blessed at this place, it gets the name “Seinjalur”. Seinjalur is derived from the words “Sei” meaning Murugan, “nal” meaning fruitful and “Oor” meaning place in Tamil. The tank is called as “Kumara Theertham”. The river “Manni Aru”, that flows close to this temple, was originally called “Subramanya Nadhi”.
Chandikeswarar, is the only Nayanmar with the title of “lord” (Easwaran). He is considered the head of all devotees by Lord Shiva.
There was a brahmin couple, Echathathan and Pavithrai in Seinganur with a son called Visara Sarma. He was devoted to Lord Shiva.
One day when he saw a cowhered beating a calf he asked him not to beat the cows. He jocularly asked sarma to be a cowherd. Visara Sarma thought that this an opportunity to serve Lord Shiva as he felt cows represent Kamadhenu. He had great respect for as they give “Panchakavyam” (five offerings) to the lord. So he accepted got the job from the cattle owners. He used to bring the cows to Thiruvaipadi for grazing. Since he was affectionate to them, They showed their love by producing plenty of milk.
Since his thoughts were always about Lord Shiva, he installed a sand lingam under an Aathi tree on the river bank and performed pooja. He would milk the cows and offer to the Lord. However the milk to owners did not reduce as the cows made it up. The Other cowherd complained to the owner that sarma is wasting the milk. The father visiting the grazing place and seeing the son performing pujas and abishekam, got angry, hit him and damaged the milk pots
Deep in his prayers, Sarma did not realise to to who was disrupting his pooja. He continued his pooja but by instinct, he retaliated by attacking the intruder with a stick. Unfotunately the stick turned into an axe and cut the legs of his father. Admiring his devotion, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvathi granted darshan, embraced him and garlanded him with a garland that he himself had worn. He was made the chief caretaker of his wealth and named “Chandikeswara”.
While praying to Chadikeshwarar, devotees click their fingers or clap to inform him that their hands are empty and not taking away any of Lord Shiva’s wealth. Chandikeshwara is always in deep meditation and this clicking / clapping sound awakens him.
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar has sung about this incident. According to “Periya Puranam”, since this is Chandikeswarar’s birth place, as a mark of respect he got down from his palanquin and walked down to the temple.
On Shivrathri, Sandikeswara Nayanar attained salvation (“Moksham”) in Thiruvaippadi, which is very near to this place. The day was a new moon day.
Thirumayam Sathyamoorthy perumal temple
6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. +91-4322 -221084, 99407 66340
In this seventh century temple, Sathyamurthy Perumal with his Discuss & Conch in a standing posture in the sanctum under the somachandra vimana in this 7th century sathya Kshethram showers grace on his devotees. from the sanctum sanctorum under the Somachandra Vimana, holding His discus and conch in standing posture. The place is praised as Sathya Kshtram after the name of Lord Perumal. Lord Tiru Meyyar of Tirumayam with half closed eyes is in his reclining posture on Adisesha considered the biggest india is in the other shrine. Surrounded by Sages and Devas, Lord Brahmma appears from Perumal’s naval chord and Mahalakshmi graces from Lord’s chest.
When Lord was in His Yoga Nidhra, pretending to be asleep, two demons Madhu and Kaidaba tried to abduct Sridevi and Bhoodevi. When Mahalakshmi hid in Lord’s chest and Bhoodevi at His feet, without disturbing the sleep of Perumal, Adisesha spat his venom to drive away the demons. While Adishesha was afraid that he didn’t seek the permission of Lord to do so, Lord appreciated his action. Hence Adisesha appears in a shrunk posture.
Sthlapuranam :
The Perumal who explains about "Sathyam" (or) truth can be the example for the universal slogam. "Sathya meva Jayathey". To explain and be an example for this, he stands in this sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan".
Perumal to explain about "Sathyam" or the “truth”, stands in this temple as "Sathya giri Nathan".
Perumal found in Bogha sayanam or Kidantha kolam without sleeping, is assessing the good / bad actions of all Aathmaas.
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When Asurars where dominating the world and the spreading evil, Yagnas and poojas were declininge and all the Rishis, and Devars were frightened to perform them. As they could not handle the powerful Asuras, they surrendered to "Dharma Devathi".
Dharma devathai changed herself into a deer and came to this place called as "Venu Vanam", as it is full of Bamboo trees. Perumal appeared before her and promised to stay here as "Sathya giri Nathan" and save the good from evil.
Athiri Muni and his wife Anusuya who were so famous for their bhakti for perumal and started for doing tapas towards the Thirumurthys with the wish for a child with their Amsam. All the murthies agreed and Lord Vishnu was born as "Dattatreyar" with Lord Shiva as the Moon God was born along with Durvasa as the eldest son. The 3 children after their mastery over vedas and mantras and were asked to undertake penance by their father. First, Durvasa went to Kailasa, Dattatreyar went to the Himalayas and the Moon god to Sathya giri kshetram to do their tapas towards Narayana When Perumal satisfied with the tapas and granted a boon, Moon god requested him to stay in Chandra Mandalam (Moons Place).
This sthalam with a huge Gopuramis also called as "Aadhi Ragam" and the perumal is older and bigger than Sri Rangam. After entering there is a big Mandapam with carved stone pillars with beautiful paintings. Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar, Kannan, Aandal, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar have separate sannidhis.In the "Maha Mandapam", we have the Garudan facing the Moolaver Sannadhi. Having Aadhiseshan as the bed, the perumal is in Kidantha Kola seva with two Thirukkaram (hands) as found in Sri Rangam.
To comfort Adisheshan for killing the demons without disturbing him, one hand of Perumal is towards Adhiseshan as assuring him and another hand is found on his chest there by protecting the Lakshmi.
Chitraguptan, Maarkandeya Maharishi, Brahma devan and Garudan are found in this temple. On his lotus feet are, Bhooma devi and Madhu Kaidapars..
Srirangam
Timings : 5.00 to 11.00 4.00 to 8.00 Phone : 0431 -2432246
Srirangam, lying in the islet formed by cauvery and coleroon, is considered the foremost and the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples (Divyadesams). This temple goes by several names such as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Bhogamandabam. In the Vaishnava parlance the term "KOIL" signifies this temple only. The temple is enormous in size. With 21 towers, the enormous temple complex is 156 acres and has seven prakaras or enclosures.
The sanctum image of Ranganatha is of mortar and about 15 feet in length. The couch of Ranganatha is about 3 ft in height and the hoods, which are five in number, rise to about 6 ft'. The Srirangam image is in yogasayanamurti form
Samayapuram
Timings 5.00 to 11.00 4.00 to 8.00 Phone : 0431 - 2670460, 2670907, 2670557
The main deity, Samayapurathal or Mariamman is made of sand and clay like many of the traditional Mariamman deities, and hence there are no abhishekams. Instead the "abishekam" is done to the smaller statue in front of it.
There is a ritual to buy small metallic replicas, made with silver or steel, of various body parts that need to be cured and deposited in the donation box as there is a belief that the mother will cure any body illness.
The Goddess Mariamman is considered very powerful and devotees affected by Chickenpox and Smallpox come to this place, stay and pray the Goddess for speedy recovery. Abisheka Theertham (Divine Water) is sprinkled on them after Pooja for recovery. There is a separate rest hall for their stay in the temple.
Once ruled by Chola Kings. Samayapuram is also known by the names Kannanur, Kannanpuram, Vikramapuram and Mahalipuram. Flower sprinkling (Poochoridal) festival happens during the month of March and Chithirai Car festival is conducted during the month of April.
Masaniamman temple
Timings : 6.00-12.30-4.00-8.00 Ph-04253-282337
In the Sangam Era, Anaimalai was known as Nannanur and ruled by a chieftain named Nannan who owned dense grove of mango trees. His appointed check post official caught a young woman who after bathing in the river Aliyar picked up aamango fruit coming to her, floating on the water.
The innocent woman was produced before the chieftain in wet clothes. She pleaded not guilty and explained that she never committed any offence. Despite her father offered to give an image of gold equal to her weight by way of compensation together with 81 elephants, the ruler ordered her execution.
Feeling sad, the local people built a tomb for her and prayed for her salvation. An idol of her in reclining position was made and she become the guardian deity of the place.
It is very rare to find the deity in the lying posture. The Idol is 15 Feet in length and leaves an awesome and fascinating impression. The Deity with four hands, has two raised above and the other two placed on the ground. The hands carry the Trident, Drum, Snake and the Skull.
Mahamuniswarar graces before Ambica. There are shrines for Pechi, Durga, Mahishasuramardhini, Saptha Mathas, Vinayaka, Karupparayar, Bhuvaneswari and Bhairava in the corridor-prakara of the temple.
An 18 day festival is grandly celebrated in Thai month (January-February ). New Moon days, Tuesdays and Fridays are auspicious here.
A mahamuni pooja is held on the last day. The stone image known as “Neethi Kal” responds to the pleading of the devotees. People take a holy dip in the water, wear holy ashes and grind some red chilly paste and greased on the 'Neethi Kal'.
Koothandavar temple, Coimbatore
Visited The Koothandavar temple while returning back to Chennai. Located within Coimbatore city, it is easily accessible.
