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

Thiruveezhinathar Kovil, Thiruveezhimizhalai

Veezhinatheswarar temple at Thiruveezhimizhalai in Tiruvarur district of Tamilnadu is close to Tiruvarur, Mayavaram and Kumbakonam. The Presiding Deity is Kalyanasundareswarar and His consort is Sundarakushanmbigai. She is also known as Kathyayani. The sthala vruksham is Veezhi maram and the theertham is Vishnu Theertham. The Shivalingam here is a Swayambhu (self-manifisted). This is a Mada Kovil (built a few feet above ground level). There is a Paathala nandhi under the steps leading to the main sannadhi. This is a huge temple and the surrounding walls are really massive; about thirty to thirty five feet high. There is also a huge temple tank right in front of the temple. This East facing temple is one of the 275 Padal petra sthalams of Lord Shiva. This temple is owned and maintained by Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam. Click here to read more….

Gathra Sundareswarar, Kanjanagaram

Lord Shiva here is a swayambhu lingam. The Lord faces West in this temple. This village is the birthplace of Manakanjarar, one of the 63 Shaivite Nayanmars. Krithika nymphs who took care of Lord Muruga are also believed to be born here. This is believed to be the temple where those born under Krithika Nakshathiram are to pray regularly for a trouble-free life. Visiting on the day of Krithika Nakshathiram is said to do immense good to those born under the star.

The legend associated with the temple goes thus. Tarakasura, after severe Tapasya or penance to please Brahma, wanted the boon of being immortal, undying and invincible. Brahma could not grant this boon as it would make the demon all-powerful. So, Tarakasura added a condition that he may be killed only by the son of Lord Shiva. Tarakasura added this condition because, at that time Lord Shiva was in a state of Self-imposed exile. Sati had burnt her body in Daksha’s Yajna and since then Lord Shiva had gone into this state. So, Tharakasura reasoned that and there was no way that Lord Shiva was going to come out of this in the near future and thereby it was impossible for Him to beget a child. Emboldened by this boon, he attacked the Devas regularly. Click here to read more…

Padikkasunathar Temple, Alagaputhur

Financial abundance is of great importance to every human being. Good Health & Happiness (peace of mind) are the other two of the three foremost things that man prays to his Creator to bestow him with. Padikkasunathar temple at Alagaputhur near Kumbakonam is one such temple where the presiding deity blesses His devotees with financial prosperity. The main deity here is also known as Swarnapureeswarar. His consort at this temple is Alagammai or Azhagammai. The deity taken out in processions (Utsavar) during festivals is Somaskandar. The sthala vruksham is vilva. The Shiva Linga is a swayam bhu or self manifested. Alagaputhur is on the banks of the river Arasalar. The old name for this place is Arisilkaraipudur. This three tiered temple is believed to be about 2000 years old. Click here to read more…

Kalyanasundareswarar Temple, Thirunallur

The Shiva Lingam at Kalyanasundareswarar Temple in Thirunallur is a sayambhu lingam. This is one of the Mada Koil or temples built at an elevation by Kochengat Cholan. This is one of the 275 Padal petra sthalams of Lord Shiva. The main deity here is Panchavarneswarar and His consort is Parvathasundari. He is also known as Kalyanasundareswarar. The sthala vruksham is Vilvam. The holy water here is the Saptha sagara theertham. A dip in this water is supposed to absolve one of all sins. 

Kunti, the wife of Pandu and the mother of the Pandavas had a bath here to attain absolution. Kunti had committed a sin by having a child before her marriage. She then put this infant in a basket and set him afloat in a river. This child grew up to be known as Karna. A repentant Kunti after this act sought the advice of Sage Uromasa. The sage said that she would be absolved of the sin if she takes bath in the waters of all the seven oceans. Click here to read more…

Airavateshwara Temple, Darasuram

The Presiding Deity at the Airavateshwara Temple Darasuram - Lord Airavatheshwarar is present with His Consort Periya Nayaki Amman. Darasuram is at a distance of 4.5 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station and Kumbakonam Bus Stand. Frequent Bus services are available from Kumbakonam. The Legend of this temple is connected to that at Thiruvalanchuzhi. Sage Dhurvasa honoured Indran by presenting him a special garland. Sage Dhurvasa had obtained this garland from Lakshmi.  Indran, after receiving the garland placed it on the head of Airavatam, his elephant.  Airavatam, threw it on the ground and trampled it.  Sage Dhurvasa was very angry with the brash behaviour of Indran and cursed him. Click here to read more…

Uma Maheshwarar Koil, Konerirajapuram

I first came to know about the temple at Konerirajapuram through Ms Usha Suryamani’s blog. I visited this temple recently. Konerirajapuram is situated 10 km South of Tiruvidaimarudur – on the road connecting Kumbhakonam and Karaikkal. Tirunallam – as the complex housing the Uma Maheshwarar temple is known - is regarded as the 34th temple situated in the South of Cauvery in the series of Devara Temples of the Chola Empire. People throng this temple on Tuesdays and Fridays as Worshiping at this temple on these days is said to be exceptionally beneficial. The main deity here is Uma Maheshwarar and His consort is Mangala Nayaki. The Sthala Vriksham is Bhadraksha and the holy water or theertham is Bhrama Theertham. Click here to read more...

Update on Adhi Vaithyanatha Swamy, Mannipallam

I visited the Adhi Vaithyanatha Swamy, Mannipallam in December 2012 and the construction is progressing at a slow pace. The compound walls were being constructed. Work is also on in repairing the Rajagopuram. Mr. Paramanathan, who has been the champion behind reconstruction of the temple, is confident of performing the Kumbabishekam very soon. He may be running short of funds but his confidence and faith is not lacking. Anybody wanting to make a contribution towards this cause can contact Mr. Paramanathan on +91-9444526253. He himself performed an elaborate pooja and had made all the arrangements when I had informed him about my arrival. Click here to read more….

Mahakaleshwarar temple at Irumbai

Mahakaleshwarar temple at Irumbai is between 1000 and 2000 years old. This ancient temple is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams. The Lord here is also known as Chandrasekharar and His Consort is Kuyilmozhinayaki. The holy water is Maahala Theertham. It is said that Makaalar Rishi, installed a Shivalingam at Ujjain in North India and another at Amabar Makaala near Mayavaram. When he heard of the divinity of this place, he decided to install a Shivalingam at this village. There are some beautiful painting on the temple wall depicting the story of the temple. Click here to read more….

Thiruvanaikaval

Thiruvanaikaval is a well-known Shiva temple in Trichy. The temple was built by Kochengat Cholan, a Chola King who later became one of the 63 Nayanmars. This temple which is around 2000 years old is situated near Srirangam. Thiruvanaikaval is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams comprising of five Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu representing the five natural elements. This temple embodies the element of water. The sanctum of Jambukeswara has an underground water stream which is forever flowing with water. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Inscriptions from the Chola era can be seen in this temple. One time, Parvati ridiculed Shiva when He was in penance. Shiva denounced Her act and ordered Her to go to the Earth and do penance. Parvathi in the form of Akilandeswari as said by Shiva came to Jambu forest (Thiruvanaikoil) to perform her penance. Click here to read more…

Suryan Sthalam, Kolapakkam

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple at Kolapakkam, near Porur, is one of the Navagraha temples around Chennai, expecially Porur. This temple is Surya Parihara Sthalam. There is a seperate shrine for Suryan facing West. Suryan is accorded prime importance in this temple. The Lord here got the name Agastheeswarar because Agasthyar the Great Sage is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. His consort is Anandavalli. The Lord here was also worshiped by another Sage called Vakeesa and hence He is also known as Vakeeswarar. The Sthala Vriksham is Arasa Maram or Peepal tree. The holy theertham is Amritha Pushkarni. Kala Bhairavar is another very powerful Deity in this temple. Special puja is performed every Sunday to Kala Bhairavar during Rahu Kalam. Click here to read more…

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Thirunaraiyur

Ramanathaswamy Koil at Thirunaraiyur or Nachiar Koil is popular for Saneeswaran who is present here with his two wives and two sons. Ramanathaswamy temple lies between the Thirunaraiyur Nambi temple or Kal Garudan temple and Siddhanathar temple. Thus it is situated between a Divya Desam and a Padal Petra Sthalam. The legend goes that King Dasaratha was once ruling the entire world. Saturn was to make its transit to Rohini star after Krithigai. King Dasaratha was informed by sage Vasishta that this transit by Saturn to Rohini would be devastating for the whole world as it would be punctuated with famine and drought causing immense hardship to all the living beings. He asked Dasaratha to prevent it. Click here to read more…

Somangalam, Chandran Sthalam

Somangalam, a village close to Chennai is the seat of Kamakshi Amman Sametha Somanatheswarar Koil. This temple is one of the nine temples dedicated to navagrahas around Porur. This is a Chandran Sthalam. The village itself gets its name from Chandran or Soman as he prayed to The Lord at this temple to get rid of his sin. King Dakshan gave all his 27 daughters in marriage to Chandran. Those 27 wives of  Chandran are the 27 stars in Tamil Calendar. As Chandran’s favourite was Rohini and he spent most of his time with her, the others complained about this to their father. King Dakshan asked Chandran to treat all of them equally, which Chandran refused. Click here to read more…

Nachiayar Kovil

Nachiayar Kovil is on Kumbakonam Tiruvarur road about 10 kms from Kumbakonam. This temple built by Kochengat Cholan is one of the many Mada temples (built at an elevation to prevent elephants from entering them, read my post on Thiruvanaikaval to know more) that he built. As per the wishes of the Lord he built this temple after he had built 70 Sivan temples. The presiding deity Srinivasa is present with His Consort Vanjulavalli Thayaar. The Lord and His Consort are both present in the same sannadhi and are seen in Kalyana Kolam. Vanjulavalli Thayar or Nachiyar Thayar is given prominence in this temple. Even inside the sannadhi one can notice that Thayar is accorded importance. She is so placed that one can have Her darshan right from the entrance. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams. This is one of the Vaishnava Navagraha Parihara Sthalams and corresponds to Chevvai. Click here to read more…

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam

Dhenupureeswarar Temple, Madambakkam is near Tambaram. Madambakkam is an upcoming suburb of Chennai off Tambaram Velachery Road. The Presiding Deity Dhenupureeswarar got His name because He gave moksha to a cow or Dhenu in Sanskrit. His Consort here is Dhenukambal. The Lord faces East and His Consort faces South in this temple. The Shiva Lingam is Swayam Bhu Lingam or Self Manifested Lingam. Dhenupureeswarar temple was built by Parantaka Chola, also known as Sundara Chola between 956 - 973 A.D. Sundara Chola was the father of Raja Raja Chola I. Later, the temple was rebuilt by Kulothunga Chola. Additions were later made by the Cheras, Pallavas & Vijayanagara Kings. This temple is under the care of ASI. There are some exquisite sculptures in this temple. The inscriptions also provide a great insight into the history. Click here to read more…

Mathura Kaliamman Kovil, Siruvachur

The Mathura Kaliamman Kovil, Siruvachur is connected to Silapathikaram. The story is about Kannagi’s fierce vengeance against the wrong meted out to her husband  Kovalan. Kovalan was the son of a prosperous grain trader in Kaveripoompattinam. He married Kannagi who was also from a wealthy family. Kannagi and Kovalan were a happy couple until Madhavi, a dancer entered their life. Kovalan was floored by the beauty of Madhavi and fell in love with her. He stayed with her totally neglecting his lawfully wedded wife Kannagi. His attraction for Madhavi made him spend all his wealth on her. Slowly but surely, he squandered all his wealth and was a pauper. Only then he remembered his wife Kannagi and returned home.  Click here to read more….

Sundareswarar Temple, Kovur

Sundareswarar Temple, Kovur is one of the Navagraha temples in Chennai. It is the temple dedicated to Budhan. This temple dating back to the 7th century AD was built by Kulathunga Cholan. The 7 tiered Rajagopuram of this temple faces South. The Presiding Deity Sundareswarar and His Consort Soundarambika also go by the names Thirumayileeswarar and Thiruvudainayaki respectively. The Legend goes that Goddess Kamakshi was in penance at neighbouring Mangadu to win the hand of the Lord in marriage. The intensity of the penance was such that it radiated lot of heat. This heat was too much for the people and the live stock of the neighbouring villages. Click here to read more…