Chennai - Sirkazhi - Thiruvengadu - Vaitheeswarankoil - Thiruvisanallur - Thiruveezhimizhalai - Thirumaurgal - Thiruvirkudi - Piranamalai - Chennai
Ashta Bhairavaas
Ashta Bhairavas are the eight manifestations of God Bhairava, an ugra form of Lord Shiva, who is believed to protect control the eight directions. Maha Kala Bhairava, is considered supreme and most powerful of Bhairavas and is said to be supreme authority of all Bhairavaas..
Ashta Bhairava with their ruling goddesses, vahanam, the direction he guards in addition to the consecrated temples, Nakshatras that finds his favour, Redemption from Dosha and the associated stones.
It is unique that the Ashta Bhairavas, all of them, can be seen at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi & Aragalur Sri Kamanada Eswar Temple, near chinnsalem.
Their forms are :
1. Asitanga Bhairava
2. Ruru Bhairava
3. Chanda Bhairava
4. Krodha Bhairava
5. Unmatta Bhairava
6. Kapala Bhairava
7. Bheeshana Bhairava
8. Samhara Bhairava
The suggested route will be Chennai - Sirkali Temple - Vaitheeswaran Koil - Tiruvengadu - Thiruvisanallu - Thiruveezhimizhalai - Thirumarugal - Thiruvirkudi - Piranmalai - Chennai
Sirkazhi Thoniappar Temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 04364 -270235, 94430 53195
The name Sirkazhi comes as Kali is believed to have worshipped Shiva here and the name of Sri Kali Puram over time got shortened to Sirkali (Sirkazhi). The presiding deities Mother Periyanayaki also known as Thiru Nilainayaki and the Lord is Thoniappar (Sattainathar / Brhamapureeswarar) in this temple.
With 2 Rajagopuram with 7 tier, big courtyards ( prakarams) and high walls, this temple has Parijatham (pavazhamalli) is the sthala vruksham and 22 theerthams out of which Brahma Theertham is Paramount.
Thirugnanasambandar, who was born here, revived the glory of shaivism, and won over the Pandya King who reverted to Hinduism.
Born son of Shri Shiva Pada Hrydayar who one day when he took the child to the pond for a both, He stayed under the water too long which scared the child.
When the child cried, Parvathi along with Shiva appeared and fed the child with milk ( Gnana Paal, Milk of wisdom) to pacify him. When the father came out of water, he got angry that the child had drank milk offered by some stranger. Sambandar pointed upwards and sang the famous “thodudaya Seviyan” and Shiva and Parvathi, gave darshan making the father realise that his son was not an ordinary child.
He visited various Shiva kshetrams and started rendering Thevarams. Since he was a very young child, he was carried in a palanquin and often crossed path with Appar.
Thirumangai Azhwar was his contemporary who was honoured by Sambandar with a spear which is seen on Azhwar in temples. Shri Adi Shankarar in the slokas of Soundarya Lahari, has praised him.
When Sambandar affectionately addressed Thirunavukarasar as Appa, he then came to be called as Appar. Since he considered this place holy as Sambandar was born here, refrained stepping on it and sand staying outside the town which made the Lord appeared and bless him
When his marriage was finalised with Poompavai, she died of snake bite. Sambandar restored her life but considered her as his daughter as he had given her life and refused to marry her.
During the holocaust, Shiva was surveying the universe covered with water in a boat. He had with him the essence of all the 64 arts for the benefit of mankind. Since Sirkazhi was not affected, he decided to stay here. As He came in a Thoni (boat), Hence is called Thoniappar.
Mahavishnu incurred dosham for having sent King Mahabali to Patalam and got relieved of the same here. To demonstrate that Hari and Haran are one and the same, Lord Shiva took the skin off Vishnu’s body whereby the dosham was removed and used it to adorn his body and therefore became as Sattainathar. (sattai in tamil is a form of attire). Seeing Vishnu’s skin on Shiva, Mahalakshmmi mistook Her husband had died and removed flowers from Her hair. Shiva and Parvathi pacified Her. In view of this ladies do not keep flowers on their hair in this temple. Also as Shiva wore Vishnu’s skin, It is a custom that no one wears upper garment while entering the sanctorum. Shiva controls all the Dharmas and hence called Sattainathar. Hence people pray here for resolution of legal disputes
When Brahma once could not carry out with His job as Creator, He prayed here and got back His powers and hence the Lord is Brahmapureeswarar. During a contest between Adisesha and Vayu, a small portion of Mount Kailash to be blown away which landed here. Hence this place is called Chinna Kailash, the shrines so arranged at different levels and the temple looks like a hill with Tiered shrines. .
Shiva is present in three different formats - Brahmapureeswarar , a swayambumoorthy, with Mother Thiru Nilai Nayaki (Sthira Sundari), Lord Thoniappar (Periyanayakar/Uma Maheswarar) along with Mother Periyanayaki imparting wisdom to her at the middle level called Thonimalai or Gurumurtham. Lord Sattainathar (Vatukanathar) as an Ashta Bhairava Kshetram ( presence of eight forms of Bhairavas, as in Kashi).
Special poojas are offered on Friday nights. Apart frome Sattainathar shrine, there are seven separate shrines for the Ashta Bhairavas.
The fampir siddhar - Sattai Muni- Jeeva Samadhi is present in this temple. Shiva taught spiritual lessons to Mother Parvathi here which is considered as one of the Shakthi Peetams as She represents both Parvathi and Mahalakshmi here. One can have darshan of Trimurthis with Their Consortss - Brahma/Saraswathi, Vishnu/Mahalakshmi and Shiva/Parvathi. Such a divinity can be seen in Sucheendram,.
Arunagirinathar worshipped Murugan here. This is the birth place of Gananatha Nayanar who served shiva devotees was made the chief of the Shiva Ganas. .
Sri Swedaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvenkadu – Budhan Temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon - 4.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 04364-256424
Swadharanyeswarar (presiding deity), Brahmavidya nayaki (his consort) Nataraja, Agoramurthy, Brahmavidyambal, Swetha Mahakali and Maha Durga are the deities seen here. Of the 64 Muthras of Lord Shiva, the Agoramurthy form is present here and the Lord performed Six of them. As in Chidambaram we find Vishnu has a place near the Nataraja. Indira, Iravadham, Vishnu, Suryan, Chandran & Agni (fire) worshipped here. Bhudan faces North East and opposite is the temple for Chandran.
Thiruvengadu has been praised by four nayanamars, Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar.
Demon Maruthuvan after receiving boon tortured the devas who surrendered to the Lord who asked them to live in disguise in Thiruvengadu. Shiva sent Nandhi who defeated the demon but was injured. Furious Shiva’s anger took the form of Agoramurthy. The demon sought his pardon and requested that those worshiping Agoramurthy should have no enemies.
Achuthagapanar took the holy dip in the three tanks, Prayed to Thiruvengadar and was blessed with a child who was known as Meikandar and became the chief of Santhana Kuravars who gave Saiva Sidhanatha.
When a Brahmin named Vedarasi placed his bundle of food in the hollow of a tree, a snake spewed poison on it. Unaware, Vedarasi gave this food to a vedic priest, who died consuming it thereby causing Brahmahathi Dhosham which was absolved by worshipping Lord Siva of Thiruvengadu.
When Thirugnanasambandar reached Thiruvengadu, he felt the whole place was sivalingams filled Sivalokam and hesitated to put his foot on. When he prayed Goddess Periyanayaki appeared there and took him as child on her hips. The idol of Periyanayaki with Thirugnanasambandar is found installed in the temple.
Thiruvengadar, the son of Sivanesan and Gnanambigai, with the blessings of a Siva came to be called Pattinathu Adigal.
Indra having killed Virudhasura, worshiped Lord Thiruvengadar and was absolved of his sins.
Sage Durvasar gifted a mala to Indra who in his vanity threw it towards the elephant Iravadam who stamped it under its feet. Durvasar cursed Indra who realizing his folly created a tank and worshipped Lord Siva Linga and was absolved of his sins.
Suwedakedu who was destined to die at eight worshipped Lord here. As soon as he saw Yama, he held on to the Siva Linga tightly and Yama could not perform his duty.
Budhan is said to bestow wisdom and intellect. Pooja to Bhudan on Wednesdays is rectifes Bhuda Dhosham. Praying at Thiruvengadu provides relief from puthira dosham, difficulties in studies, mental instability and nervous disorders. Knowledge, music, astrology, math, sculpting, medicine, language skills are the beneficial aspects of Bhudan.
Full green moong dhal, white flowers and green cloth are the offerings to Budhan by devotees.
Sri Vaidyanathar temple
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone ; 91- 4364- 279 423.
Punugu a cosmetic paste, borneol (pachai Karpooram in Tamil) sandal, lime, rosewater and flowers offered to Lord Muthukumarswami for the Arthajama puja with milk rice nivedhana. Aabishekam is one with sandal and Sari offered for Mother Thaiyal Nayaki. For Lord, they perform abishek with rice flour, turmeric powder, cosmetic powders and oil, milk, curd, sacred ash, rose water, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit, honey, sandal etc.
Tonsuring is a popular offering here. Ear boring ceremony is also done. Lighting of Maa Vilakku made of rice flour and ghee, offering of mangal sutras and god symbols is a prayer of commitment. They place salt, pepper and mustard and silver eye symbols in the Goddess Ambica shrine. Annadhanam is also arranged by many. Distribute the neivethiyams to visiting devotees is a familiar sight. Many generously contribute for the renovation of the temple.
The nectar used for the abishek is mixed with the holy spring. It is believed that 18 theerthas are mixed in this tank that cures ailments people suffer from. When Sage Sadananda was performing penance here, he saw a snake trying to devour a frog. Since he cursed them no snake or frog comes near this tank.
The place is also known as Pullirukkuvelur. Pul means Bird-here the eagle king Jatayu the noblest character in Ramayana in the service of Lord Sri Rama, Irukku the Rig Veda, Vel-Lord Muruga and Oor the place make the name Pul Irukku Vel Oor = Pulirukkuvelur.
It is believed that the place is the headquarters of medical science that offers cure for innumerable diseases. It is the faith of the devotees that Lord Vaidyanatha cures not only the physical pains of the people but also liberates them from rebirth in addition to fulfilling the wishes of people on jobs, wedding, children, mental peace, relief from planetary problems etc. Both Lord Aadhi Vaidyanatha in the entrance and the presiding deity Vaidyanatha face west. Lord Muruga is to have got His Vel weapon from this place. Lord Sri Rama worshipped here.
This parihara sthalam of Mars - Sevvai in the horoscope of a person decides his/her wedding prospectus and other living conditions. People with adverse effects do special pujas by praying to Angaraka-Sevvai-Mars for success in deals, freedom from financial burdens and muscle and bone related issues in the body. Praying on Kruthika star days and Tuesdays is considered special.
There is the Jatayu Kundam pit here. Jatayu the eagle engaged in a battle with Ravana to prevent him from abducting Mother Sita and lost his life in the service of Sri Rama. As requested by him, Sri Rama performed the last rites for him in the Vibuthi Gundam here. King Veerasenan came here with his tuberculosis afflicted son, bathed in the theertha and offered sweet nivedhanas and also consumed them. His son was cured completely.
As a beloved son of Lord Vaidyanatha and Mother Thaiyal Nayaki, Lord Muruga in the temple is praised as Chella Muthukumaraswami – meaning beloved. The Prasad containing items used in the Arthajama Puja as described above is believed to be an effective medicine for various ailments. Lord Muruga enjoys all prominence in the temple and all festivals are dedicated to Him.
Pujas to Lord and Mother are offered only after pujas to Lord Muruga. This place offers importance and belongs to Mars-Angaraka. He blesses the devotees on his Goat Vahan on Tuesdays
Lord Muruga worships His divine Father and Mother in the temple. The Navagrahas are behind the presiding deity here.
Sivayoginathar temple – Thiruvisainallur
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone L 0435-200 0679, 94447 47142
The Nandhi safeguards here as Rishaba Vaahanam and hence located in Thiruvisainallur in Thanjavur belonging to Rishaba raasi are rid of Doshams zodiac sign (Kritigai, Rohini and Mrasir-sham). Worshipping the deity on Pratosham, Sivarathiri and Somavaara days is very good.
Since this place has seen all the four yugas, The deity is worshipped as Puraathaneswarar in the Kritha Yuga, Vilvaaranyeswarar in the Tretha Yuga, Yoganandeeswarar in the Dwaapara Yuga and Sivayoginaathar in the Kali Yuga. Sage Agasthya worships this deity on the Sivarathiri days is the tradition. Lord Perumal appears as Lakshmi-Narayanan, along with His consort Lakshmi. During the Ramayana days, Jatayu’s feather fell in this place, where now is the ‘Jatayu Theertham’.
Bhairavar in this place is called ‘Chaturkaala Bhairavar’. In each of the yuga, he manifested as a Bhairava to bless us. Near Dakshinamoorthi is the Ganankala Bhairavar, Mahalakshmi is near Swarnakarshana Bhairavar, Baalasani is close to Unmaththa Bhairavar. Uththara Kailaaya Lingam is nearby Yoga Bhairavar. It is beneficial to worship them in the ashtami day.
About 300 years ago, Sridhara Ayyaavaal was performing devasam and a person came seeking alms. Traditionally alms should not be given at that time. But, Having pity he gave food to that hungry man. He was banished from the village and ordered that, he should take bath in the Ganga to get rind of the sin. Sridhara Ayyaavaal prayed to the Lord here and Ganga flowed in his house well.
Lord Brahma, the God of Creation was born as a son to one Vishnu Sharma along with six others. He performed tapas and On the Sivarathiri day, Lord Siva appeared and made them as seven lights and merged them with Him. Hence, the deity is ‘Sivayogi Naathar’. To signify this legend, we can see Seven hair locks in the body of the Sivalingam.
Once a king had illicit relation with lot of women besides torturing and cheating them. At one stage, he had a change of heart and wanted to live with a life of values. A yogi advised him to visit Thiruvisainallur. take a dip in Cauvery and worship Sivayoginathar to get rid of his curse. He did so and was blessed.
Once a person with numerous sins, called out for the Lord in his last moments. When Lord Siva wanted to know who was calling, Nandhi turned to find ou and hence the Nandhi is in the turned posture here. Since it was a ‘Pratosha Day’, All his sins vanished with Nandhi seeing him. Since his life had to end, Lord Yama came to fetch and Nandhi stopped him. After a fierce quarrel, Nandhi won and sent Yama away. Unlike other temples Nandhi will be seen inside the flag-post, here he is seen outside.
Near the southern temple wall is seen the Sun-Dial around 700 years old. This clock can measure the route of the sun sunrise to sunset. A semi-circle with the numbers from morning 6.00 to evening 6.00 are carved around with a brass nail is fixed in centre. When the sunlight falls on this nail and on the number where its shadow falls, is the time for that moment which shows the expertise of ancient Tamils in Astronomy.
Sri Veezhinatheswarar temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 91-4366-273 050, 94439 24825
Pleased with the penance of Muni Kathyayana and his wife for a boon of a child, Mother Parvathi showered her blessings by Herself being born to them. When she attained marriageable age, the sage Narada prayed to Shiva to marry her. Responding Lord Shiva took the hands of Parvathi on the Magam Star day in the month of Chithirai (April-May). As requested by Narada, The Lord appeared in the Wedding Form (human form).
Once this place was dense with many trees, sandal, shenbagam, Jack and Vila all collectively called Veezhi Mizhalai Kurumbar, a hunter and a devotee of Lord Shivaoffered him the Vila fruit for nivedhana. Pleased with him, the Lord taught him the 8 great lessons called Ashtamasiddhi. The Vila fruit is still found at the feet of the Lord in the temple. Hence, the place came to be known as Thiru+Veezhi+Mizhalai as a combination of the fruit and the devotee hunter.
Thiruveezhimizhalai once passed through a dry period with severe famine. Gnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar prayed to the Lord through their hymns to tide over the famine condition and restore fertility in the land. The Lord gave each a gold coin each day to buy food and feed the suffering people. He gave the coin to Gnanasambandar on the eastern side and the other at the western side to Tirunavukkarasar. This is called Padikkasu (equivalent of allowance money)and this peetam also is still in the temple.
It so happened that demon Chalandaran took of the disc of Vishnu who went to Lord Shiva to get it back from him. Lord Shiva told Lord Vishnu that since he was among the Veezhi plants in Earth, he had to worship him there to get back the disc. Vishnu, In this place, made a pond in his name and worshipped Shiva with this theertham and lotus flowers. When it was short by one flower, Vishnu made up by taking off his own eye to worship Shiva. From this day onwards, the practice of offering eye symbols carved in silver, gold or copper came into being. Lord Shiva pleased with the puja of Vishnu gave him back His disc. The eye offered by Vishnu is still at the feet of Lord Shiva.
Vanmeeganathar Temple, Thirumarugal
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Phone : 04366 270823
Presiding Deity is called as Vanmeeganathar and Mother is called as Neelotpalambal. This is also called as Kala Bhairavar Temple and is a sub temple of Thirumarugal Ratnagiriswarar Temple
The Temple faces east and the shrines of Lord Muruga and Vinayaga are at the entrance of the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Vanmeeganathar and is in the form of a Lingam. Like most Shiva temples the idols of Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma, Durga and Vinayaga are around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine is at the designated location.
Mother is Neelotpalambal and is in a separate south facing shrine. Kala Bhairavar is in west facing shrine and is situated in northeast corner of the temple and hence the name due ot its location. Near thiss Shrine there are two additional Bhairavas. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Nagas and Suryan in the temple premises. Navagraha Shrine is absent
It is believed that those who visit Thirunallar, must visit this temple because the Kalabhairava here is the one who changed the fate of Emperor Nala and blessed him.
Sri Veerataneswarar temple, Thiruvirkudi
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 94439 21146
With a five tier Rajagopuram, Chakkara Theertham is a big tank with Vinayaga sannidhi on the bank, opposite the tower with safe and convenient steps and compound wall. Near the entrance a beautiful Nagalinga sculpture greets the devotee. The Shiva temple worshipped by Lord Vishnu and the place where Lord Shiva restored Brinda to life as Tulsi are seen. Shrines for Mother Mahalakshmi, Lords Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Bhairava, Sani Bhagwan, Navagrahas the nine planets, Sun, Moon, Pidari and Gnana Theertham are seen. There is also a separate temple for Lord Bhairava. Tulsi is the sacred tree.
Presiding deity of the temple is Lord Veerattaneswarar. Mother is Parimala Nayaki. People pray here for solutions caused by Vasthu dosha.
Indira the king of Devas went to Mount Kailash to have Shiva darshan with the pride of a king. Disguised Lord Shiva prevented him from proceeding further. When Indira struck Shiva with His vajrayutha Lord opened His forehead eye. Indira fell at His feet and sought His pardon. Lord Shiva spilled a drop of His sweat in the milk ocean from where a demon child was born who pulled the beard of Lord Brahmma and whose tears also fell on the child. The child wet with Shiva’s sweat, Brahmma’s tears and the drop of the milk ocean was named Jalandarasura.
He grew up and demanded Brahmma a life without death and the rule of the three worlds. Brahmma denied it. He got the boon that he would be alive till such time his wife Brindhai retains her chastity. His atrocities grew and finally embarked to kill Lord Shiva Himself. Lord came in the guise of an aged person, drew a round line as a charka and asked the demon to place it on his head and said that it would destroy him. Arrogantly the demon challenged that the Chakra could not kill him as his wife was a chaste woman.
Shiva called Lord Vishnu and asked Him to appear before Brinda as Jalandarasura, who not knowing that the visitor was not her husband, she called him in with the respect of a husband and thus got tainted mentally. Lord Shiva then placed the Chakkara on demon’s head which chopped off his head.
Brinda immolated herself cursing Lord Vishnu that He will also suffer separation from His wife. Thus it happened in the Rama avatar where he gets separated.
The curse of Brinda made Lord Vishnu mentally retarded and to cure Him, Lord Shiva sowed a seed at the place of her immolation and Tulsi plant grew. A garland made of the Tulsi leaves and placed on Lord Vishnu offered him total cure. He was cured completely. Lord Vishnu asked Lord Shiva a gift of the Chakra-discus. When He worshipped Lord Shiva with thousand lotus flowers and found that he was short by two, He took His two eyes for the puja. Pleased, Shiva gifted the charka to Sri Vishnu
Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon 4.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m
Phone : 04577 246170, 94431 91300
Kodunkundranathar Temple is a vast hill temple of 30 acres can be reached by a flight of steps and regarded as the 5th Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region The hill in the form of a Shivalingam and called Prachandragiri and Katoragiri. Thre are three prakarams, 5 beautiful vimanams and a stunning Rajagopuram.
Marudu Brothers made several contributions to this temple which has 3 shrines representing the states of Bhumi, Antariksham and Swargam. Bhrama, Saraswathi, Subramanya and Nandi had prayed to Shiva here. There are separate sanctums for Nallamangaipaaga Swamy (kalyana kolam) Viswanathar and Kodungundra Naathar here. There are 57 Theerthams in this temple.
Lord Siva called as Kodungundranathar and Thayar Kuyilamudha Nayaki bless the devotees for early marraige. History narrates that Vallal Pari ruled this place and he gave his chariot to Mullaikodi. The temple is built on three levels; each representing earth (boologam/ pathalam), space (antaram) and heaven (Swargam). There are different shrines of Siva at each of these levels
The ground level shrine is of Thiru Kodunkundranathar, with Siva in lingam form, and santum for Parvati and Murugan. The middle level is that of Bhairavar. The top temple has Siva as Mangaibaagar, along with Parvati in kalyana kolam as a couple. Piranmalai - at 2,500 feet is a unique fortified hill with a temple at 500 feet and a dargah atop its peak.
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