The Navagraha temples are situated in and around Kumbakonam. They can be covered in a day keeping Kumbakonam as the base.
Keezaperumpallam Naganathan Temple – Kethu sthalam
Timings : 6.00 - 12.30 3.30 - 8.30
Contact : 91- 4364 260 582, 275 222, 260 088, 260 424,94435 64642, 95004 16171
Lord Anugraha Vinayaka graces in the temple from His separate shrine. Kethu known for his wisdom and benevolence, with his serpent head and human body faces west seated on simham with hands folded worshipping the Lord. The devotees of his Rasi who pray for excellence in education and family prosperity are blessed with it. When faced with adverse aspects, The first prayer with red flowers is to Lord Naganatha and then Kethu, offering horsegram rice – Kollu sadham – as nivedhana and lighting Saptha deepams.
Pujas are performed to planet Kethu at Rahukalas and Yemakanda Kala times approx 90 mins time. 16 types of abishekam and homas with a nivedhana made of gram powder, salt and pepper in rice are done besidees Vastras offered in different colours. Lamps with gingely oil are lit. The nivedhana should be distributed in the temple to visitors and never be taken home. People pray to planet Kethu for general family welfare and prosperity, success in litigations, progress in trade, avoidance of accidents, freedom from fear of death etc. Vasuki (the serpent used as rope to churn the milk ocean) festival is celebrated in Panguni (March-April). On the 3rd day of the festival, the event of Lord Shiva granting Darshan to Kethu is celebrated. Planet Kethu comes in procession on this day and on the Rahu-Kethu transition days.
On the Rahu-Kethu transition day, a special Homa is organized.
There is no Navagraha shrine in the temple as Kethu retains all the prominence. There are two Sun idols and a Saturn idol in the temple. Pujas are performed to one Sun during the Utharayayanam covering January-February to June-July and to the other Sun during the Dakshinayanam covering July-August to December-January.
During the churning of the milk ocean, when serpent Vasuki used as the rope for the purpose got exhausted and split its venom, Devas ran to Lord Shiva for protection who the poison and protected the world. Vasuki regretted having made Lord Shiva to swallow its poison, performed penance seeking Lord’s pardon. When th eLord gave darshan admired its sense of sacrifice and on Vasuki’s request, Lord agreed and stayed here named after the serpent - Naganathar.
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.
Thirunallar Saneeswaran Temple
Timings : 6.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Phone : 04368-236630,236504
When the sages wanted the lord to suggest a suitable place on earth for Satra yaga, He rolled out a Chakra [nemi] made of darbha [Kusa grass] which stopped at a forest [aranya] which came to be known as Naimisharanya. The name is also believed to be due to destruction of Asuras in a flash of a minute [Nimisham].
In Naimisharanya, God exists as water, with a view to providing the sages with shade, nutrition and fruits so they could listen uninterruptedly to divine teachings and stories un affected by hunger or thirst. Lava and Kusa, the twin sons of Sri Rama sang the Ramayana here. Sage Parasara's son was conferred the title of Veda Vyasa. Balarama was hailed by the sages for destroying Asura Balvanan and Srimad Bhagavata was retold at the commencement of KaliYuga by Sage Suka.
There are many puranic stories associated with the sacred tanks of Darbharanyeswara.
The king of Kalinga was cursed to turn into of a wild elephant along with his queen and prince due to unintended slight he caused to Sage Bhagava. To recover from the curse, Sage Narada intercession directed them to go to Darbharanyeswara and ensure that even a drop of the water fall on his body from the head of a pilgrim who just had taken a dip in the sacred Brahma Thirtha.
When they followed his advise, King, his Consort and son were transformed to the original form.
Nala the handsome and brave king of Nishadha was married to Damayanthi. Shani vowed to ruin Nala and to bring about their separation. He waited for twelve long years and when Nala erred in the performance of his morning ablutions on a certain day Shani gained control over him causing immense sorrow, unhappiness, separation from wife and loss of Kingdom. Finally When Nala got back everything, he was advised by Bharadwaja at Vriddhachalam to take a dip in Tirunallar where, he regained his mental peace, prosperity and old glory
He spent a few days at the shrine, dug a tank which was named Nala Teertham after him and got the temple renovated. Whoever has a bath in this tank will be blessed and be blessed by Sani.
King Thooyakanda, ruler of Vedavarthana situation on the bank of the river Godavari, did a putrakameshti yajna, begot a son and did thanam of riches and cows to the Brahmins who conducted the yajna for him
One of the Two Brahmins who found that the other had got a bigger cow, became jealous, quarrelled and in the course of exhange of blows, one struck the cow which died instantaneously. Gohatya or the sin of killing a cow, though unpremeditated, caused the Brahmin to immediately become a low class blind human being.
The unfortunate Brahmin on the advice of Sage Romasha, prayed to Darbharaya to seek redemption for his sin from the Lord after taking a bath in the Hamsa Tirtha. When a drop of water from the head of a woman pilgrim who had just bathed in tank and was drying her hair landed on him, he got back his Original Form and sight, absolving him from the sin of killing the Cow.
Uruchi, the King of Avanti, requested the Sage Bharadwaja to advice him as to which is the most superior form of charity. This sage suggested Annadana or serving food to the starving when performed in Darbharanya Kshetra the donor would be immensely benfited. When he followed the advise and prayed here, appreciating his sincere prayers, The Lord appeared and offered him a boon. The king sought the Lord’s Grace at all times and the means to offer food to all those who approached him. The King then remained in this Sacred Place for long devoting Himself to the Service of the poor and Feeding and Hungry.
Two sons of a merchant with the same name of Agnivannar got into immoral ways and lost their fortune to become penniless.
To fend for themselves and the necessity of keeping their body and soul together, they turned into robbers, waylaying and killing travellers and seizing their possessions.
Once a sage happening to pass their way was also subjected to the treatment by them. The sage gave them wise counsel, lead them to Darbharanya where the brothers attained salvation after taking a bath in the Hamsa Dirtha and worshipping the Lord.
Alangudii Guru Temple
Timings : 6 .00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Contact : +91-4374-269 407
Presiding deity Aabathsahayeswarar is a Swayambulinga Murthy. It’s the sthalam where Lord Dakshinamurthy praised as Guru Baghwan has great and hence the place is regarded as Guru sthalam. Sage Viswamitra, emperor Mushukunda and Veerabadra had prayed to the Lord here. Mother Parvathi performed penance and had Lord Shiva as Her Lord. Scars of measles are found in the idol of Saint Sudarar.
Located in the centre of Aalangudi, The aesthetically designed main tower (Rajagopuram) is of five tiers. There are shrines for other deiteies in the shrine.
The procession deities – Big sized Vinayaka, Subramanya, Chandeswara, and Kalyanasastha are seen. Procession deity Dakshinamurthy graces with four Sanakathi rishis.
Special abishekam and pujas are conducted for Guru Dakshinamurthy on Thursday in the month of Masi – February - March. Married women change their Mangalsutra thread and those of marriageable age are blessed with long married life. This day has great significance in Guru related issues.
As there is no separate Jupiter shrine, Lord Dakshminamurthy here, the authority for the planet is worshipped here and graces with four Sanakathi rishis. Sage Viswamitra worshipped here.
Aalam is the high intensity posion which sprang up first while churning the milk ocean. When the whole world – earth, pathala the world below and the one above the earth – was threatened with total destruction, Lord Shiva came forward and consumed it to protect the universe. Since he drank the Aalam, hence the name Aalangudian.
The belief is in this place none is affected by any poison problem as the Lord protected the world by consuming the Alam poison while churning the milk ocean.
Alangudi is regarded as one of the Pancha Aranya Sthalas – (Pancha-five, Aranya-forest covered). Alangudi is considered as one of the subsidiary temples of thiruvidaimarudur. Worshipping in this temple on Thursdays blesses one with good things in life. Those afflicted by snake planet aspects get relief here. The unique feature is in this temple Lord Dakshinamurthy is taken in car procession.
Daksha, father of Mother Parvathi, with a goat head, can be seen. The idol of sundarar is small and a little damaged. Once taken to Tiruvarur once by a king, was brought back to Alangudi by a priest. To escape the palace guards, the priest told them that he was taking his measles afflicted child. When the priest unfolded the idol on reaching Alangudi, he found small-pox scars on the statue too which are visible even now.
Friday (Sukravaram) is attributed to the worship of Mother-Goddess and hence bearing the same name, Sukravara Ambica graces from a separate shrine.
The temple structure embodies the Matha (Mother) Pitha (Father) and Guru (Teacher) philosophy. Entering the temple, we first have Mother-Ambica Shrine, followed by the presiding deity and the Guru-Dakshinamurthy.
When saint Sundarar was caught in the floods while coming to Alangudi, Lord Shiva Himself came to his rescue in a boat and Lord Vinayaka protected the boat from capsizing and therefore the Vinayagar is named Kalangamal Katha Vinayaka.
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.
Thirunageshwaram
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m
Phone : +91- 435-246 3354, 94434 – 89839 0435-2463354
Lord Sri Nageswarar is a swayambumurthi. It is amazing that while performing the abishekam to Raagu, the milk turns blue in colour. The three Mothers Girigujambikai, Maahalakshmi and Saraswathi grace from a single shrine in the temple. While Raagu appears in a snake form with human head in other temples, he is in total human form here.
Highly sanctified by its Moolavar, sthalam and theertham and also sung by Thirugnana sambanda Swamigal, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Sundaramoorthy Swamigal, it is considered the most divine place for worship besides of legendary importance according to Sekkizar.
Raagu Bagavan is seen with his two consorts Ngavalli and Nagakanni and bestows his kindness. Devotees who seek fulfillment of their prayers here meet with success. In this Lord Siva was worshipped by Raagu Bagavan and got relieved of a curse.
Lord Siva has narrated to Umadevi about Shenbagaraniyam, now called Thirunageswaram and he is known as Shenbagaran Eswaran siting under the shenbaga tree and blessing devotees. Nandi worshipped the Lord here and got the status as Nandeesan and Vinayaga as Ganapathi (the Head of Ganas). Indira worshipped Goddess Girigujambikai (one adorned with heightened breasts) with Punugu (a rare scent variety) and got relieved of the bad smell emanating from all over his body. Sages Gowthama, Vashista, Parasarar, and Kings Nala, Pandavas and Bageerathan have worshipping Sri Naganatha Swami here for various benefits and relief. Aadisesha, Thakshagan and Karkotagan were blessed by the Lord here.
Raagu Bagavan can be seen with his two consorts Nagavalli and Nagakanni together and it is believed that prayers for fulfillment of desires at this shrine are favorably considered by him. Raagu worshipped Lord Siva her and got relived of a curse.
Raagu Bagavan is believed to help one's good position, status, business, faithfulness, winning over opposition, to be debt-free, travel over seas and for other power.
Suriyanar koil
Timings : 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m.
Phone : +91- 435- 2472349
Lord Sun graces in the temple facing west with a Lotus on both hands accompanied by His consorts Ushadevi on the left and Pradhyushadevi on the right. The Navagrahas (nine planets) are without their vahanams.
Sun occupies the first place among the nine planets and hence the Devotees pray him to protect them from their adverse aspects in their lives. Those undergoing the seven and half years Saturn period come to the temple seeking relief. The practice is to stay in the temple for 12 Sundays called Thala Vasam covering about two and half months (78 days) from the morning of first Sunday. Bathing in the sacred springs known as Nava theerthas, observing fast and worshiping of the Lord Tirumangalakudi Prananatha and Mother Mangala Nayaki and other deities in the place offers peace and relief.
Devotees perform a ritual called Nadi Pariharam, Navagraha Homas and Surya Archana, Abhishekam and archana with sugar pudding (Sarkarai pongal) which is considered important here. Wheat, jaggery and their farm yields are offered equal to their weight – a ritual called Tulabaram. Those seeking child boon tie cradles.
There are only two temples in India dedicated to Sun God, one at Konark in North where there is no idol worship and this in South. This temple follows idol and as Sun is noted for His scorching heat, to cool down the effect, planet Guru (Jupiter) is just opposite the shrine, facilitates His worship under a bearable temperature. Sun’s Horse vehicle is also before Him, as Nandhi is before Lord Shiva.
This is a temple dedicated for the nine planets – Navagrahas as presiding deities. In other temples, the planets are sub-deities and the speciality is that Sun God graces with His consorts in wedding form. He is calm and graceful. Every planet has its own shrine and are calm and beneolant in nature offering solace to the devotee. The Planets are without heir Vahanams.
Sage Kalava Muni was suffering from severe leprosy worshipped all the planets begging total cure and was blessed. Lord Brahmma strongly objected as the planets were to give the effects of good and evil deeds of the individuals and giving direct boon is a violation. The planets came to a white wild flower jungle (Vellerukku vanam) and performed penance on Lord Shiva for relief. Lord appeared before them and said that the place belonged to them and allowed them to grace the devotees worshipping them enduring a variety of hardships.
Agniswarar temple - Kanjanoor - Sukran
Temple timings : 6.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon - 5.00 p.m. - 8.30 p.m
Phone : +91-435-247 3737
On the bank of the river Ganges, Sages like Sounagar started the holy sacrifice sathrayaagam. Mahapouraanigarsoothamaha munivar took abode, after the completion of the twelve years of holy sacrifices. Sounakaathi saints served and worshipped him and welcomed him by saying that he is the one who is able to make the earth get rid of all the sins and they also declared that the place become very sacred after his arrival.
Soothamaha munivar told them there is a specialized place better that this Ganges River nears the Vadacauvery which removes all the sins and provides luxurious life.
The Unqiueness of this temple are that the Parasaara saint had been cured of his paranoa, Albinism of Agni God, Kamsarajan had been cured from all his diseases, Chandran, Sithirasenan, Indiran had been relieved from all their sins, the hunter Kalakandan attained his heavenly bliss, Lord Vishnu had got comforted from Shukradhosha. The holy sacrifice that is done in this temple is equal to the thousand Sathrayaga.
Taking a dip once in this Vadacauvery give benefit of a dip for twelve years in Ganges River. Pooja done for ancestors equals those that are prepared in Kashi.
Once upon a time, during the war of Devas and Asuras, Mahavishhnu used his discuss to kill the hiding asuras soon as Shukra had gone out of his ashram. The chakra also killed Shukra's wife Shukeerthi. Shukram broght back the entire dead alive and cursed Vishnu to be born on earth. Mahavishnu thought of fulfilling the curse to do good things on earth with the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Some of the Vaishnavas were stating that Mahavishnu is everything by Veda's and they disrupted Shiva devotees and Shiva Festivities. Vishnu wanted to teach lesson to them and was born as a son for Vasudevar, who is a panjarathira Vainavar. Named sutharsanar, he started to recite "Shiva shiva" and started going to Agneeshwara temple. He was admonished many times, but he went along with Shiva devotees to the Agneeshwara temple. His father did Ubanayam at proper age and also performed Gayathri Mandhira Ubadesam. He also said to Sutharsanar that he should recite Narayana Namam along with Gayathri and pray at Varatharaja Temple.
But, Sutharsanar went one again to Agneeshwara temple and did Maathiyanigam in Agni Theertha along with Gayathri Mandhra and Panjatcharam other than this he also worshipped Lord Shiva and Karpagambal. His father Vasudevacharyar got anger and threw him out from home. So, he reached Agneeshwara temple and heard Shiva nama parayanam. Soon, he slept. At midnight, Agneeshwara appeared as Thankshinamoorthy before the little boy Sutharsanar and made him to know all the Myth's and Ithihasas besides he also named him as Haratattar.
Getting all the knowledge, Haratattar took a holy dip bath in Cauvery in the morning and went to his house. Looking at him withVibuthi and Ruthiraksham and stating Shiva is everything by Veda's and Shastra's, His father Vasudeva didn't accept his debate and wanted to eliminatel him. When he was asked to prove it by standing in the fired iron pedestal, Haratattar stood in the fired iron pedestal and recited said Shivaparathuvam before many scholars, pundits and Saiva Vainava Followers. Agneeshwara along with Karpagambigai appeared before Haratattar.
Years passed and Haratattar was married to Pangajavalli, daughter of Supratheepar. They both give birth to 9 children namely Mahadeva, Neelakandar, Shankarar, Chandireshekarar, Saambashivan, Mahalingam, Komuktheesan, Karpagam and Meenakshi. He daily his holy dips twice in Cauvery River and also prerformed panjatcharajabam and shivapooja. He decided to make everyone to know about the greatness of Lord Shiva and hence did many Miracles.
There was a old Brahmin named Devasambu in this temple. Once, he carried bunch of Grasses to his cow. Unfortunately, the tied bunch of Grass fell over the calf and it dies. Devasamba was stunned and called out as Shivashiva. He asked the vedic Brahmins for a solution to get rid of gohathiDosha. They asked him to take a holy dip in Ganges River and since he was poor, he could not go to Ganga. So he asked solution to Haratattar who said it was an unfortunate happening and when he called out Shivashiva, you had got rid from it. The calf also got Narkathi as it had heard Shivashiva while being dead. But, the other Brahmins did not accept this. Haratattar asked Devasambu to give a grip of grass to Nandhikesavar and as a miracle, Nandhikesavar ate that Grass. From that day, Nandhikesavar has also been called as "PullundaNandhi".
Gangatharan is the son of Haratattar's sister and had an abnormal growth. As he wanted to go Ganges, Haratattar asked him to get dipped in Cauvery. Gangatharan also did it as per his words and surprisingly, he rose in Ganga and worshipped Vishvanathan and Visalakshi. When Gangatharan wanted to return to his hometown, He didn’t know the way. On that Occasion, a Shiva saint preached Gangatharan about panjaksharam and asked him to dip in Ganga and the saint disappeared. He took a dip in ganga and rose in Cauvery.
After reaching Kanjanoor, Gangatharan worshipped Agneeshwarar and developed a Theertha on the southwestern side and named it as Manikarnigai. He also built a temple for Vishwanathar and Visalakshi and also built parivaram for Vinayagar, Subramaniyar and separate channidhi for Suyamprakashmoorthy, who preached Pankajsharam for him. After many years and on the day of Akshayathiruthi, he reached Shivaloka by getting the blessings from Suyamprakashamoorthy. when people had the habit of adding Sheekaikai with porridge. Haratattar took that Sheekaikai mixed with porridge to take a purifactory bath in Cauvery. At that time, Agneeshwarar appeared as an old Shiva devotee and told to Haratattar that he is in hungry who gave that porridge to that Shiva devotee.
Haratattar after returning home, after felt very bad for giving it without remembering that it had sheekakai. Haratattar prayed whole heartedly for his health to Lord Shiva. At that time Shivalingabupathi, a king was doing Nivedanam and Annadanam in Shiva pooja's. Shiva appeared in the dream of Shivalingabupathi and said that his Nivedanam and Annadanam won't be on par with Haratattar's porridge. From that day, the king became the disciple of Haratattar. Haratattar reached Heaven on a panjami day in Thai month by seeing the Agneeshwarar who appeared as a Rishabarudar along with Karpagambal, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar and Sandikesar.
Sri Vaidyanathar temple, Vaitheeswaran koil – Mars 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment