Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple

Vaitheeswaran Koil is my family’s “kula deivam”. A few months back my uncle told me about Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy Temple near Vaitheeswaran Koil and mentioned that we should first pray at that temple before we offer prayers at Vaitheeswaran Koil. I visited this temple at Mannipallam village, in August 2010 and it was partially built. The main deity is Vaithyanatha Swamy and His consort here is Thayyalnayaki. Mannipallam village is about 6 Kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil. This village is about 2 to 3 kms from Thirupungur. Enquiries with the locals to know more about the temple drew a blank. I had an opportunity to visit this temple again in early October 2010. I enquired at Vaitheeswaran Koil and one of the priests told me that there were in fact five Vaithyanatha Swamy temples around Vaitheeswaran Koil and that they had featured in the latest edition of Sakthi Vikatan. Someone overheard my conversation with the priest and directed me to the temple office and meet Mr. Ramani, who is an electrician there. Mr. Ramani hails from Mannimangalam and what he told me was very painful. He said that the village people could not rebuild the temple due to lack of funds and the temple was in ruins for a long time. Click here to read more...

Valvil Ramar Kovil, Thiru Pullaboothangudi

The Village of Thiru Pullaboothankudi is the birth place of Thirumangai Azhwar. Valvil Ramar Kovil at Thiru Pullaboothangudi is one of the 108 Divya desams and one of the Vaishnava Navagraha Parihara kshetrams around Kumbakonam. The Moolavar is Valvilraman and the Utsavar is Raman at this temple. The thayar or the Lord’s consort at this temple is Hemambujavalli. The holy water is Jatayu theertham. The vimanam is Shobana Vimanam. He is facing East and present in Kidantha kolam or a lying posture. Click here to read more

Gajendra Varadhar Kovil, Kapisthalam

Gajendra Varadhar Temple at Kapisthalam is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This ancient temple is believed to be more than 2000 years old. Lord Vishnu is present in Bujanga Sayana posture here. The holy water or theertham at this temple are Gajendra Pushkarni and Kapila theertham. There are separate shrines for Yoga Narasimhar, Sudharshana, Azhwars and Garudan. The moolavar, Gajendra Varadar is in bujanga sayana under the Kadhanakkruthi Vimanam. His Consort at this temple is Ramamani Thayar. She is also known as Shenbagavalli or Pottramarayal. She has a separate shrine to the right of the Lord’s shrine. Kapisthalam is one of the Pancha Krishna Kshethrams. The other four are, Thirukkannamangai, Thirukannapuram, Thirukovilur and Thirukannangudi. Click here to read more..