Thiru Kandiyur

Thirukandiyur is one of the rare places where you can find the Holy Trinity in the same premises.  There is also a story connecting Thirukandiyur and Bitchandar Koil.  Thirukandiyur is near Thiruvaiyar in Tanjore district.  This is one of the Astha Veeratta Sthalams of Shiva.  Vishnu is known by the name, Harasaaba Vimochanar, which literally means one who absolved Shiva or Haran of His Sins.  Vishnu’s consort here is Kamalavalli thayar.  Devotees throng the temple seeking atonement for their sins.  Shiva here is known by the name, Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar or one who plucked off Brahma’s head. His consort is Mangala Nayaki.There was also a separate temple for Brahma here.  Click here to read more....

Bitchandar Koil or Uthamar Koil

It is very rare to find temples where the Holy Trinity – Brahma Vishnu and Shiva are Worshipped in the same temple premises.    The fact is that there are not many temples dedicated to Brahma. But it is also to be noted that there is no temple without a niche of Brahma. Thirukandiyur near Tanjore and Bitchandar Koil near Trichy are two such holy places where the Holy Trinity is present. 

 

Shiva is known as Bitchandar at Bitchandar Koil or Purushottamar Koil. Shiva’s consort here is Soundarya Nayaki or Vadivudai Nayaki. Vishnu is known as Purushottamar and His consort is Poornavalli Thayar. There are also separate shrines for Brahma and Saraswati.  Click to read more....

Sri Lakshmipureeswarar Temple - Thiruninriyur

Lakshmipureeswarar temple is at Thiruninriyur.  Thiruninriyur is about 6.5 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil on the way to Mayiladuthurai or Mayavaram. This is a Padal Petra Sthalam.  This is an East facing temple.  The main deity is Lakshmipureeswarar and his Consort is Ulaganayaki.  The lingam here is one of the 64 Swayambhu lingams. Lakshmi and Vishnu have worshipped Lord Shiva here.  Lakshmi was granted the boon of winning Vishnu’s heart, hence the name Lakshmipureeswaraar.   A Chola King used to pass through Thiruninriyur every night after worshipping at Sirkali.  As he was passing through this village, the lamps carried by his entourage used to go off. Click here to read more...

Thiruvidaimarudhur Mahalingaswamy Temple

Mahalingaswamy temple at Thiruvidaimarudhur near Kumbakonam is a huge temple with three praharams (circumambulatory paths).  They are ashvamedha praharam, kodumudi praharam and pranava praharam.  Ashvamedha praharam is the outermost praharam and circumambulation of this Praharam equals the benefit of performing an Ashvamedha Yagnam.  Benefits include; relief from illness caused due to seivinai (evil spirits). Kodumudi Praharam is the middle one, and circumambulation of this Praharam is equivalent to circumambulation of Mount Kailash which is the primary abode of Lord Shiva.  The innermost praharam is the Pranava Praharam or Omkara Praharam. Circumambulation of this Praharam will result in Moksham (liberation from all sufferings and pain).

Mahalingeswarar here is the main deity of the Parivara sthalams.  Parivara Sthalams are a group of temples which together form a much larger temple.  Click here to read more