Jalanatheswarar Temple, Thakkolam

Arulmigu Giriraja Kannigambal Sametha Jalanatheswarar Koil in Thankkolam is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams. Thirugnanasambandar has sung in praise of the Lord here. There is a seperate sannadhi for Ambal.This temple was originally built by the Pallavas and later improvements and additions were made by the Cholas and Hoysalas. 

There are a few interesting legends associated with the temple. One of the loegends is associated with kamadhenu, the celestial cow. Sage Udhadhi, the sun of Guru Bhagavan had a son named Theerkadar. One day he saw Kamadhenu near his ashram. He was conducting a yagam and asked Kamadhenu to be there. Kamadhenu politely refused saying that she cannot take part with Lord Indira’s permission. The infuriated sage cursed Kamadhenu tolose all its Divine powers. Kamadhenu in turn cursed the sage to lose his spiritual powers and be an ordinary man. Click here to read more.....

Vada Aranyeswarar, Thiruvalangadu

Vada Aranyeswarar Temple at Thiruvalangadu is one the Padal Petra Sthalams. This temple is about 60 kms from Kathipara Junction. This place was once a forest of Banyan and hence the name Thiruvalangadu (Thiru + Alam + Kadu). Thiru means holy, Alam is Banyan and Kadu means forest. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy here. The Lord is facing East and His Consort Vandar Kuzhali Amman is in a separate shrine facing South. The theertham is Mukthi Theertham and the Sthala Vruksham is Alamaram or Banyan tree. This is one of the Padal Petra Shalangal. This is also one of the Pancha Sabhais of Lord Shiva. Click to read more....

Thirumazhapadi Vaidhyanathaswamy Temple

Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy temple is on the banks of the river Coleroon or Kollidam at Thirumazhapadi, in Ariyalur district. The Kollidam river flows northward here in the vicinity of the temple. It is at a distance of 45 km from Tiruchi. This temple is one of the padal petra sthalams. There are lot of inscriptions on the temple walls. Inscriptions say that this temple has received contributions from the kings of various dynasties viz Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Hoysala & Maratha and of course the smaller rulers of Ariyalur. Click here to read more....

Mangadu Temples

Mangadu is about 6.5 Kms from Porur Junction towards Poonamalee. Mangadu is the site for three temples; the famous Kamakshi Amman Temple, Velleeswarar Temple and the Vaikunta Perumal Temple. This whole area was once a mangrove and hence it is called Mangadu; Manga is mango and kadu is forest.

The Velleeswarar Temple is one of the Navagraha Temples around Porur. This is a Sukran Pariharam Sthalam. As with all temples, there are a few interesting legends associated with this temple too. Velleeswarar temple and the Kamakshi amman temple together are supposed to be one temple. Hence there is no shrine for Ambigai at the Velleeswarar temple and there is no Shiva Lingam at the Kamakshi Amman temple. Velleeswarar temple is just about half a kilometre from the Kamakshi Amman temple. Vaikunth Perumal temple is stones throw from the Kamakshi Amman temple. All the three temples have a common legend. Click here to read more....

Haridwaramangalam

Haridwaramangalam is one of the Pancha Aranya Kshethrams and is just about 3 Kms from Avalivanallur, which is also one of the Pancha Aranya kshetrams. Aranyam means forest. The five temples which collectively make the Pancha Aranya Sthalams are  
Thirukkarugavur
Alangudi
Avalivanallur
Haridwaramangalam
Thirukollambudhur

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Marundeeswarar Temple, Tiruvanmiyur

Marundeeswarar Temple, Tiruvanmiyur is one of the many ancient temples of Chennai. The 1 ½ ft tall Shiva Lingam here is a self manifested one or a Swayambhu. Marundheeswarar is facing West. His Consort Thirupurasundari is present in a separate mandapam and is facing South. The shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga are facing East. Marundeeswarar Temple, Tiruvanmiyur is one of the 275 padal petra sthalangal. Appar and Thirugnana Sambandar have sung hyms in praise of Lord Marundeeswarar, confirming its existence during their time. Thus the temple is at least 1200 years old. Arunagirinathar has stayed at this temple and has sung eulogising Subramanya here. Stone inscriptions belonging to the 11th century AD are seen in this temple. Click here to read more…

Karumbeswarar Temple, Thirukkanur

Semmeninathar temple at Thirukkanur near Vishnampettai is one of the 275 padal petra sthalams. This is on the banks of River Coleroon or more commonly known as Kollidam River. Vishnampettai is special to me because it is the village of my maternal ancestors. I have spent the summer holidays in this small village with my brother, sister and cousins. My Great grandfather started the school at this village about 125 years ago, around the year 1885. His father had earlier started the School at Thirukattupalli which later became the Sir Siva Swamy Ayyar Higher Secondary school.

The Shiva lingam here is a Suyambhu lingams. The Lord’s concert at this temple is Soundarya Nayaki and She is also known as Sivayoganayaki. The ambal here has not got a crown but is seen to be having Jadamudi (long braided hair). The theertham here is veda theertham. This temple is believed to be over 2000 years old. This temple was actually submerged in the sands on the banks of Kollidam. It was accidentally discovered by a shepherd. There was a single sugarcane tree at the spot where the temple was unearthed. Hence He is also known as Karumbeswarar; Karumbu meaning sugarcane in tamil. This temple was originally built by the Pandyas and was later renovated several times by the Cholas. Click here to read more