Temples around Thanjavur
Airavatheeswarar Temple, Darasuram
Timings : 6 a.m. to 10 pm
Ph : 0435 241 7157
The highlight of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the set of steps next to the first structure which when tapped makes musical sound. It is a World Heritage Monument and constructed by Rajaraja II in the 12th century. Lord shiva in linga form named Airavatesvarar graces here. The Linga was worshipped by the Devendra's mount elephant Airavatham and hence the name. There are several beautiful sculptures and the temple has a water with curative powers. Hence a bath here is considered before we visit the temple.
Airavatesvara Temple, built in the Dravadian style of architecture, exhibits delicate stone carvings which reflects artistic grandeur and the skill artisans of the chola period. Smaller in size than the Big or the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, The shrine is said to have been constructed with nitya-vinoda, in mind. The vimana is 24 metres in height. The southern part of the front mandapam is made in the shape of a giant chariot having large stone wheels drawn by horses. The eastern side of the inner court has exquisitely carved buildings. The Balipita is one of those engraved buildings. The pedestal of the Balipita is linked to a small shrine which has Ganesha. 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, one for Yama. Huge stone slabs with carved image of seven celestial nymphs are seen.
There are several inscriptions which talks about renovation by Kulottunga III, About Shaivite saints, 108 sections of inscriptions and about transportation of as image in the temple from Kalyani. It was called as Kalyanapura by Emperor Rajadhiraja Chola I.
Sri Thenupureeswarar temple, Patteeswaram
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Phone : +91- 435- 2416976.
Mother Durga in the temple was the family deity of the Chola kings for about a century. She was in the northern side of the palace in Patteeswaram. Lord Bhairava, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga were also found here. Prayers to Mother Durga was mandatory for war and other decisions. At the end of their rule, Mother Durga was placed in this temple.
Mother Durga in this temple seated on lion, is smiling, merciful and not angry. She is found turning to the left side against the traditional right facing, along with her 8 hands, three eyes and kundalam and other jewels.
When Tirugnana Sambandar came to Patteeswaram on a scorching summer day, Lord sent a pearl Palanquin tent (Muthu Chivigai in Tamil) to save him from heat.. The Lord also asked Nandhi to move aside to see his saint devotee coming to Him. Sambandar then offered his pathigam beginning with the line Paadal Marai to his Lord.
Daughter of divine cow Kamadenu Patti worshipped Lord here, hence the place is called as Patteeswaram.. Lord Ram was rid of Sayahati Dosha left in this temple. Mother Parasakthi performed penance on Lord here. The Dog curse on Dharma sharma spelt by Sage Medhavi was absolved 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 chose this place for Her penance on Lord Shiva. Devas came here in the form of trees and plants and made the environment green and beautiful. Divine Cow Kamadenu sent Her daughter Patti to help Mother. Lord Shiva appeared here before Mother with His hair bunch – Sadai Mudi and thus was called Kabartheeswarar.
Understanding the sacred nature of the, Patti made a Shivalinga of sand and performed penance observing the niyamams. The water was taken for abhishekam from the sacred Gnanavavi theertha. Lord Shiva pleased with Patti’s sand Linga, merged into it and made all 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.
Garbarakshambigai temple , Thirukarugavur
Timings : 5.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. 4.00 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone : 08870058269
Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman temple is dedicated to Sri Mullaivananathar and Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman. Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar, the three famous Nayanmaars have sung the glory of this temple.
Goddess Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman cures infertility, blesses them to become pregnant and blesses for safe and trouble free delivery.
Two sages by the name of Gowthama and Gargeya did penance at this place called 'MULLAIVANAM' ie. (Jasmine Forest). A couple by name Nidhruva and Vedikai stayed rendered service to the sages and since they had no kids, the sages advised them worship Sri Garbarakshambigai. The couple did intense devotion and the wife conceived
During her later stage of pregnancy, her husband Nidhruva was away from home and she was in severe pain due to pressures of pregnancy. At that moment, a sage by name Sri.Urdhuvapada came to her abode and sought alms but since she was unwell in body & mind, she could not respond to that sage's request who got enraged & cursed her. Due to the curse, her foetus got affected and Vedikai prayed to the Goddess who appeared before her, protected the foetus, preserved it in a sacred pot and presented to the couple afterl it developed into a male child. The parents named their child as 'Naidhuruvan'.
The grateful Vedikai prayed the Goddess to remain in this place and protect women and their foetus as she had done in her case. Accepting the prayer, The Goddess remains here as 'Garbharakshambigai' meaning 'Protector of foetus' and hence the name of the place. This is also the place where childless couples are blessed with children.
Later while Vedikai had no mother's milk to feed her child, the Goddess sent 'Kamadhenu' to feed the child who scratched the earth in front of the temple with her hoof and milk came out in abundance and formed a 'Milk Tank' which now exists as 'Ksheerakundam'.
The Lord is 'Mullaivananathar'(meaning lord in jasmine forest) and it is evident even today the impression of jasmine creepers which once covered it. Linga is a 'Swayambu' and is made up of ant hill mud. Hence no water abishekam to the Lingam and is normally pasted with a kind of musk called 'Punuhu'. People with incurable disease come to offer 'Punugu Chattam' to the Lord and get themselves cured from the diseases.
Brihadeeswara temple, Tanjore
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m 4.00 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
Phone: +91 4362 274 476
- The Big temple is considered as one of the oldest ancient temples in India
- Was constructed by the great king Raja Raja Chola I in a record 7 years time.
- The temple is built of granite stones which weigh about 130,000 tons.
- Construction of Large temples those days was also considered to generate employment and Big temple would have provided opportunities for large number of people.
- The construction is done by the method of interlocking stones, in which one rock is kept over the other without using the joint mortars. In some cases, they have used lime mortar for binding of rock pieces.
- The vast foundation of the temple is made without excavating the earth and yet the temple stands in its position.
- The temple is made with zero degree inclination.
- The Beautifully carved Vimana and Kumbam are very inspiring. The vimana is 260 ft in height and called Dalshina Meru. The Kumbam weighs almost around 80 tonnes.
- It is an architectural marvel that the shadow of the Raja Gopuram never falls on the ground. There have been some contradictory views on this recently. The construction is geometrically perfect and has withstood nature’s fury for over a thousand years.
- The original Nandhi statue in the temple kept growing in size and hence it was kept aside and nailed to the ground. However, the current statue is a single stone statue gifted by the Maratha rulers during the later years. This is 13 feet tall and made out of single stone
- There are many inscriptions carved on the walls of the temple. These convey the rituals performed for Lord Shiva and the entire story of how the king Raja Raja Chola I planned and executed the construction of this Colossus in granite.
- There are a lot of paintings which portrays Lord Shiva, Asuras and other celestial beings. Natural dyes and the unique, magnificent skill, the painting still remains intact.
- One can spot is two figures in the temple sculptures who do not loo Indian. It has been found that the 2 figures indicates two European men, one English and another French. This indicates that overseas trade was evident during the Chola’s period.
- It has been found that there are more than hundred underground passages leading to various spots including the king’s palace, other temples, important places near Tanjore and many other critical locations of other regions. The most mysterious thing about these tunnels is some paths may also lead to dangerous spots and since the map of the tunnel is unknown, all of them are sealed. These underground tunnels were considered to be strategic planning and safety traps designed by Raja Raja Cholan.
- The original name of the deity was Rajarajeshwar and the temple was Rajarajeshwaram. The Marathas renamed the temple as Brihadeeshwara or the Great Ishwara.
- It is said Raja Raja Cholan got the inspiration to built this marvel during his visit to Sri Lanka
- The temple has a portrait of Raja Raja Cholan paying obeisance to Lord Natarajar.
- Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan is the chief architect of the temple and his successors survive to this day and practicing the art of Vastu or Vastu Shastra.
- Depictions of nartakis or dancers showing eighty one of hundred and eight karanas in Bharata Natyam are carved here and they are a part of Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni or Sage Bharata. The temple those days was a platform for talented dancers to showcase their talent.
- Different kinds of jewels used in the period are mentioned in inscriptions. Twenty three different types of pearls, eleven varieties of diamonds and rubies have been mentioned.
- It is a matter of astounding fact that there was not a single granite quarry within a 100 km radius of the temple. This indicates that the Cholas have carried out this Himalayan task of building the temple which is an unsurpassed and unique masterpiece of our glorious country.
Sri Vasishteswarar temple, thittai
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m
Phone : 91-4362 252 858, 94435 86453
Thittai means wisdom spot. Activating the life in the Human body are six bases-Mooladhara, Swadishtana, Manipuraka, Anagatha, Visuddhi and Aangna. Lord Murugan grants the benefits of these Aadharas to his devotees with final benefit of enlightenment placing them ever in bliss. Lord Muruga is the thirumoolar here with His body as Thenkudi and bliss as Thittai – Thenkudi Thittai.
Sun God worships Lord Vasishteswara through his rays on Aavani 15, 16 and 17 and again on Panguni in the Utharayana half year on 25, 26 and 27 as Rising Sun. Surya Puja is performed on these days in the temple.
It is a miracle in the temple that drops of water fall on Lord Vasishteswara every 20 minutes from the Vimana. The five Lingas in the temple represent the Pancha Bhoodams – Earth, Space, Water, Fire and Vayu the wind.
This is a guru sthalam and he graces here from a separate shrine in a standing posture always ready to heed to call of the devotees Praying Guru Bhagwan will be blesses with high eloquent and oratorical skill ad excellence in academics.
Thittu in Tamil means a Elevated place. During the pralaya, the world was inundated with water. The boat powered by the Ohm Mantra carrying Lord and Mother stopped at a Thittu called Sirkali, also known as Thonipuram. It said that of the 28 holy places Lord Shiva loved prior to the Pralaya, 26 were submerged in water. The remaining two were Sirkali and Thenkudi Thittai. It is believed that during the Pralaya the sound OHM came out from Sirkali and in Thenkudi Thittai the sound HAM emerged along with other mantra sounds. This place hence came to be known as Gnana Medu the wisdom spot and Thenkudi Thittai. Sirkali is called as Vadakudi Thittai. It is said the places called Thittai (Kudi Thittai) find favour with the Lord and Mother. Maharshi Vasishta had his hermitage here and hence the Lord is known as Vasishteswara. Mother is praised as Ulaganayaki.
Lord is a Swayambumurthy in the temple. Sun God worships Lord with his rays in the month of Aavani on 15, 16 and 17 and again in the month of Panguni on 25, 26 and 27.
Sri Brahma Kandeeswarar temple , Thirukandiyur
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 8 p.m.
Phone 91-4362-261 100, 262 222
Sthalam where Lord Shiva was absolved of his sin of Brahmahathi.
Sthalam that showed that even God is not above Dharma and cannot escape from his sins Nandi’s marriage took place at Thirumazhapadi here
Lord Shiva built a temple for Lord Narayana and himself here
Suryan is present with two of his consorts, Ushe and Chaya.
The position of the navagraha in this temple is uniqueTirukkandiyur is just 3km from Tiruvaiyaru, on the route to thanjavur, is Tirukkandiyur. there are two temples here on the main road, one dedicated to Shiva and the other to Vishnu, located on opposite sides. The Siva temple is Sri Brahma Kandeeswarar temple, while the Vishnu temple is Sri Harasaapa Vimochana Perumal temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams.
Sri Brahma Kandeeswarar temple is considered as one of the seven saptastana temples of Tiruvaiyaru. The other six are: Tirupppazhanam, Tiruchottruturai, Tiruvedikkudi, in Tiruppanturai, Tillaistanam and Tiruvaiyaru. During the month of Vaikasi (May - June), the utsava moorthy of Sri Panchanadeeswarar of Tiruvaiyaru is taken to each of the saptastana temples.
Sri Brahma Kandeeswarar temple has an interesting story to it. It is said that Brahma, the creator among the Trinity, originally had a fifth head on top of his four heads. However, he became so egoistic with pride on account of his being the creator that he began to imagine he was the greatest of the gods. Shiva then stepped in to teach Brahma a lesson. He cut off his fifth head, the reason why Brahma a lesson. He cut off his fifth head, the reason why Brahma has four heads now. A chastened Brahma realized his folly, shed his arrogance, and prayed to Shiva for forgiveness. Tirukandiyur or Kandiyur (literally, condemned) is the site where this episode is said to have taken place.
The temple faces west and has tow prakarams. Shiva is worshipped here in the Lingam form as Brahma Shira Kandeeswarar (He who cut off Brahma's head). Behind the sanctum, facing the Lingam, is the shrine of Brahma and Saraswati. Gooddess Mangalambigai is the divine consort here. Inscriptions dating back to the Pallava and Chola times can be found in the shrine. A modest fivve tiered Rajagopuram greets us at the entrance.
Sri Harasaapa Vimochana Perumal temple is, as the name indicates, dedicated to the "Perumal (Vishnu) who redeemed Hara (Shiva)." Shiva, as explained above, had cut off Brahma's fifth head. However, His act invited the Brahmagarthi dhosam, a kind of taint/curse, the consequence of which was that he encountered terrible misery, with the decapitated skull stuck in His hand, and with which he had to beg for alms. Vishnu and Lakshmi then intervened to relieve Shiva of the dhosham. This shrine is the hallowed spot where Shiva received His remission. It is also known as Trimurthi Kshetram, as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, appeared together here at the end of the episode.
Since Shiva was freed of His sin here, devotees who pray in this small temple will also be absolved of their sins, it is said. The deity is in a standing posture, and is also known as Sri Brighunathar. His divine consort, in a separate shine, is Sri Kamalavalli Thayar. There are sub-shrines here for, among others, Lord Narasimha, Andal, etc. The Pushkarni, holy tank, is known as Kapaala theertham. The Rajagopuram of this temple has three tiers, and is shorter than that of the Shiva temple opposite. The Rajagopuram of Sri Brahma Kandeeswarar temple is devoid of embellishments, while that of Sri Harasaapa Vimochana Perumal temple is crowded with depictions from the various puranas.
Thiruvedikudi Vedapureeswarar temple
Timings : 10.00 - 12.00 6.00 to 8.00
Phone : 0346 226 2334
- Saint Tirugnanasambandar in his pathigam of ten verses, worships the Lord of the temple and praises His mercy on those aspiring for an auspicious wedding. The Arthanareeswara form of Lord Shiva has Shakti on the left.
- Giving importance to womanhood, In this temple Lord is on the left and Mother on the right in the Arthanareeswara form. This place is called Thiruvedhikudi because Lord Brahmma worshipped here. The four Vedas – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva – had worshipped in this temple. Hence praying here, one can become a scholar in Vedas.
- Lord Vinayaka, is called Veda Pillayar as he enjoys the recitation of Vedas by leaning His ears with all attention. Since this place was full of scholars well versed in Vedas, the place was once known as Chaturvedi Mangalam.
- Surya Puja is performed in the temple on 13, 14 and 15th of Panguni month in March-April.
- The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called Vedapureeswarar or Vazhai Madu Nathar. His consort is known as Mangayarkarasi.
- A Chola king, worried about the delay in his daughter’s marriage of his daughter, worshipped Mother Mangayarkarasi at this temple. The wedding took place shortly. He changed his daughter’s name as Mangayarkarasi to express his gratitude. He also did many renovations to the temple.
- Pranava manthra “OM” worshiped Lord Shiva here. Vedas followed and hence, this place is called as Vedhikudi. This is the place where Lord Shiva nominated a Vathiar (priest) for Nandhi’s Marriage.
- In this third Sapthasana Sthalam, Lord worshiped Lord Shiva. As an unique feature, Sun’s rays fall on the lingam at sunrise on 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Panguni every year leading to the belief that Suryan performs pooja during these 3 days to Lord Shiva here.
- Considered a “Thirumana Thiruthalam”. It is here Thirugnanasampanthar had obtained the vision of Lord’s marriage. The Lord her blesses to avoid delay in marriage, Getting the right partner and for an auspicious wedding Saint Sambanthar sang his pathigam “Neeruvari ada” here.
Thiruvaiyaru temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. -11.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.-8.30 p.m.
Phone - 0436 2260332
- This huge temple with five prakarams, and several mandapams is called Dakshina Kailasam. The sculptures are exemplary. Tiruvaiyaru is considered to be the 51st of Tevara Stalams.
- Somaskandar (Ologamaaaveedivitankar) is in a separate shrine. The Shiva yoga Dakshinamurthy shrine is considered important. The shrine to Ambala Darmasamvardhini Amman has two prakarams housing the Dakshinakailasam, and the Uttara Kailasam. There are spots in this temple which produces echos.
- Sucharitan, a devotee, was saved from untimely death by Shiva in the form of a column of light. Agasthyar obtained his dwarfed stature here. Ambal is said to have worshipped Shiva with two measures of grains.
- Six worship services are done each day. Aiyarappar is taken to the Kaveri river on new moon day every month.
- Since Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy and it is believed that His long and thick turf is spread all over the place behind the shrine circumambulation is not permitted.
- Mother is known as Aram Valartha Nayaki and Dharma Samvardhini.
Thingaloor kailasanathar temple – Chandran Sthalam
Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Phone : +91-4362-262 499, 9344589244, 9443586453
Villagers conduct the rice feeding ceremony of their infant children in the temples of their family deities. This is also done in the Guruvayurappan temple. In Tamilnadu Thingalur Kailasanathar temple is famous for this custom.
Celebrated by people on Ashwini, Mrigasheersha, Uthiram, Swati, Tiruvonam, Sadayam and Revathi star days during the Chandra Hora time and before Annaprasnam, the child is shown the moon and a cow, for the blessings of Jaladevadha (water God) and Oushadhi Devadha (God of medicines).
Hence showing the moon to the child while feeding has a spiritual meaning and not just a matter of beauty.
Thingalur is closely associated with Appudhi Adigal. He was neither a staunch devotee of Shiva nor was known for his penance. He had great regard for Tirunavukkarasar. He names both his sons after Tirunavukkarasar. In his opinion, serving a devotee means serving God.
when Adigals’s son was bitten by a snake, Tirunavukkarasar brought the boy back to life with his “Ondru Kolam” Thevaram. Sekkizhar tells the story of Appudhi Adigal in 46 verses in Peria Puranam.
Chandran is also called as Thingal and hence his abode is Thingalur. Chandran is said to be in the locks of Lord Siva and hence when devotees worship the Lord, also worship him. When churning the paarkadal using Mandira Malai and the snake Vasuki the toxicity of venom affected the Devas and Chandran who emerged with the Amirtham revived the Devas.
Praying to Chandran removes Dosham to mother, mental retardation, skin and nerve problems, jaundice, fluid accumalation which are the effects of Chandra dosham. Wealth, mother’s/wife’s happiness, Govt’s help, ownership of vehicle, marriage, offsprings, prosperity, foreign travel will be bestowed by his divine grace on his devotees.
Kapisthalam Gajendravaradar Temple
Temple timings : 7.00-12.00-5.00-7.30-
Phone : 04374 225434 – Seshadri Bhattar
15 kms form kumbakonam. 7th century temple with Five tiered gopuram. The large land area is including the pushkarnis, Gajendra Pushkarni and Kapila Theertham covered by a granite wall. The sthala vruksham is Magizha Tree.
Gajendra Varadar is Presiding deity and Utsavar is Dhamodara Narayanan. The Thayars are Ramamani Valli and Loganayaki. One of the Pancha Krishnaranya kshethram where Krishnan as the Utsavar gets precedence over the presiding deity
Gajendra Moksham story is well known. There lived a king by name Indrajuman who was such a staunch Vishnu devotee that he neglected his kingdom and lost it. Once He was in Vishnu pooja and failed to see the arrival of Sage Durvasa. The Rishi thought that the king was arrogant and cursed him to become a wild elephant. When the king sought relief from curse, the Sage advised him to continue with his Pooja and the Lord Vishnu would give relief.. In the same place, a Gandharva named Koohoo was troubling every one. He caught the legs of the sage agasthya during his snanam. The Rishi cursed him to become a crocodile in the temple tank and his deliverance will happen in the hands of Vishnu.
When Gajendra came for plucking the lotus flowers of the tank for Pooja, Koohoo caught his legs. The elephant called out to Lord Vishnu as Adimoolame and the Lord killed the crocodile with His disc. In view of this, both Indrajuman and Koohoo got liberated of their curse. Hanuman a monkey (Known as Kavi OR Kabi0 got darshan of this Lord in this place and this place came to be called Kabisthalam or Kavisthalam.
The Moolavar faces east in the Bhujanga Sayana ( reclining ) posture. He has various thiru namams namely - Gajendravaradar, Adimoolaperumal and Krishnan. Similarly Thayars are also called Ramamanivalli, Shenbagavalli and Pon Thamarayal. Thayar’s shrine is on the right side of the Moolasthanam.
Azhwar in his pasurams praises him as “ Attrangarai Kidakkum Kannan” ( Kannan reclining on the river bed ) and hence has been called kannan henceforth. This is a unique Divya Desam where the Lord had given darshan and redemption to two non-humans ( elephant and crocodile) and darshan to a monkey (Hanuman). Praying here gives relief from the ill effects of Rahu.
No comments:
Post a Comment