This is a short trip I made when i went on an assignment to this region. I was always fascinated by these temples and hence loved visiting the temples again.
Swamimalai Murugan Temple
Timings : 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Ph : 91- 435- 245 4421
- Swamimalai is the fourth of the six aaru padai veedus dedicated to Lord Muruga.
- This is a beautiful temple with three ‘Gopurams' and three ‘Praharams'.
- The five storeyed south ‘Gopuram' is decorated with statues while the other have no towers.
- What is unique about the Praharams are as follow
- First Praharam is at the base of the hill
- The second halfway up and
-The last at the top, surrounds the sanctum sanctorum.
The shrine of Goddess Shakti is at the base. Shrines for various other deities and the well with ‘vajra Teertha' should not be missed.
On reaching half way up the hill we find beautiful statues depicting the legend associated with this temple.
Further above is the second Praharam. Then at the higher level the shrine of Lord Swaminathan is located.
- The temple of Swaminathan built by Paranthaka Chola I, is believed to be in existence since the 2nd century BC. It was rebuilt after being damaged during the Anglo-French War.
- The specialty of this temple is that the presiding deity here expounded the meaning of the Pranava mantra OM to his own Father Lord Siva Himself.
- Saint Bhrugu got a boon that anybody disturbing his penance will lose all his knowledge. His penance power was so strong that the devas prayed to Lord Siva. When the Lord extinguished the sacred fire by covering the saint's head using his hand, all his knowledge was lost due to the curse. He regained his knwoeldge by learning the Pranava mantra from Lord Muruga at this shrine and hence this place is called Swamimalai. (as the son taught the father)
- When Lord Brahma could not explain the meaning of the Pranava OM, Muruga imprisoned him thereby bringing causing all creations to a standstill. On the request by the Devas, Lord Siva asked Muruga to release Brahma who refused. When Lord Siva asked him whether he himself knew the meaning of the Pranava OM, Lord Muruga said that he can explain to the latter only if he can accept him as his Guru. Accepting the condition, Lord Siva listened to explanation of OM as a disciple. Hence the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan.
The temple is built on a 60 ft artificial hillock laid with 60 laid stone steps representing the Hindu cycle of sixty years – that leads to the Lord . In the ground floor there are temples dedicated to Lord Sundareswarar and Goddesss Meenakshi.
Nakkeerar in Tirumurukatrupadai and Arunagirnathar in Tiruppukazh have sung about the diety
Airavatheeswarar Temple, Darasuram
Timings : 6 a.m. to 10 pm
Ph : 0435 241 7157
- This is a temple of very unique architecture. The highlight is the set of steps next to the first structure which when tapped makes musical sound. It is a World Heritage Monument and beleived to be constructed by Rajaraja II in the 12th century.
- Lord shiva in the Lingam form as Airavatesvarar graces here. The name comes because the Lord was worshipped by the Devendra's mount elephant Airavatham.
- The temple is filled with several beautiful sculptures and a both in the temple water tank with curative powers is recommended before we enter the temple..
- Airavatesvara Temple, built in the Dravadian style of architecture, with exquisite stone carvings and grandeur is a standing example to the skill of artisans of the chola period.
- It is Smaller in size than the Tanjore Big or the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple with a viman which is 24 meters in height. The shrine is said to have been constructed with nitya-vinoda (perpetual entertainment) in mind.
- The southern part of the front mandapam is like a giant chariot having large stone wheels drawn by horses. The eastern side of the inner court has exquisitely carved buildings withthe Balipita being one among them with its pedestal linked to a small Ganesha shrine.
- The carved flights on the southern side of the pedestal produce musical sounds upon being stroked.
- The southern west corner has a mandapam with four shrines including one for Yama, the God of Dharma. Huge stone slabs with carved image of seven celestial nymphs should not be missed.
- Several inscriptions about the renovation by Kulottunga III can be seen. Named Kalyanapura by Rajathi Raja Chola, we can see 108 sections of inscriptions about Shaivite saind and about transportation of images in the temple from Kalyani.
Sri Thenupureeswarar temple, Patteeswaram
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Ph : +91- 435- 2416976.
- Mother Durga in this temple was the family deity of the Chola kings for about a century. Found in the northern side of the palace in Patteeswaram, Lord Bhairava, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga were also found here.
- For any major initiative like war or other decisions, Prayers to Mother Durga was considered a must.
Subsequently Mother Durga was installed in this temple.
- It is a matter of joy to have the darshan of the Mother Durga in this temple seated on lion, is smiling, merciful and not angry.
- Turned to left against the traditional right facing side, along with her 8 hands, three eyes and kundalam and other ornaments, Mother bestows her grace.
- When Tirugnana Sambandar came to Patteeswaram during a scorching summer and sun blazing day, He was sent a pearl Palanquin by the Lord (Muthu Chivigai / Muthu Pallaku) to protect him from heat.
- The Lord also asked Nandhi to move aside to see ensure that his saint devotee has his darshan besides see him coming towards Him.
- Saint Sambandar then offered the Lord his pathigam beginning with the line Paadal Marai.
- Patti, Daughter of divine cow Kamadenu offered prayers to the Lord here and hence the sthalam is called as Patteeswaram.
- Lord Ram was rid of Sayahati Dosha when he offered prayers in this temple.
- Mother Parasakthi performed penance here towards the Lord..
- The curse on Dharma sharma spelt by Sage Medhavi was relieved when a drop of the Gnanavavi theertha fell on him in this temple.
- The temple architecture of the temple belongs to Naicker period.
- It also has many paintings of Maratha style and beauty.
- Mother Parasakthi wanted to do penance on Lord Shiva at this place. Hence the Devas adorned this place in the form of trees and plants and made the environment green and beautiful.
- Divine Cow Kamadenu sent Her daughter Patti in Mother's service. Lord Shiva appeared here before Mother with His hair bunch – Jada Mudi and thus was called Kabartheeswarar.
- Understanding the sacred nature of the place, Patti made a Shivalinga of sand and performed penance with niyama nishtais.
- The water for abhishekam came from the sacred Gnanavavi theertha. Pleased with Patti’s sand Linga, Lord Shiva merged into it and made it sacred.
- As the Patti calf worshipped here, the place is called Patteeswaram and Lord Patteeswarar – also known as Thenupureeswarar.
- Mother Durga appears with her feet on demon Mahisha holding conch, discus, bow, arrow, sword, armour and a parrot.
- It is also said that Sage Vishwamitra attained the full power of Gayatri Mahamantra here.
- Sage Markandeya also worshipped Lord Patteeswarar in this temple.