Damal, Varaheeswarar Siva temple. N.Arcot district.

Posted by Shamala Krishnan

Damal, Varaheeswarar Siva temple:

Damal village is on Banglore, Chennai high way. It is about 14 kms from Kancheepuram Town and 85 kms from Chennai.

The temple architecture resembles to Chola, Pallava and Vijayanagara dynasty Period.The temple is under renovation now, so we were not able to see fully.

As per purana the temple was renovated during 11th and 12th century.
The entrance of the temple is not fully finished. The arch of the temple is of stone with Ganga and yamuna Devi sculptures.

There is a separate sanctum for Ganapathy, Subramanyar. A four pillar mandapam is seen.

Main deity is Varaheeswarar and his consort known as Goddess Sornambika. Sri Sarabeswarar is also there to bless devotees who come there.

As per purana, Lord Vishnu after his varaha avathara he did not return back to vaikundam. Devas requested Lord Siva to help them. Lord Siva in the form of hunter pierced his arrow on Varaha and then Vishnu realized his reason of Varaha avatara.

Here Vishnu is in the form of Lingam to get rid of his sin in killing Hiranyakshan. They say we can see Sanku and Chakkra on Siva lingam during harathi time. They say it is Kethu parihara sthalam. On Maha Sivarathry day Sun rays fall on Siva lingam in the evening {4.30-6.00}.

There is another new Siva temple seen near this temple.

Panapakkam, NA district, TN.

Posted by Shamala Krishnan

Panapakkam:

Mayura Nadhar, Siva temple. This place is about 14 Kms NW from Kancheepuram.

Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Mayuranadhar and his consort known as Goddess Sowandaranayaki. Sthala vruksham is palm tree.

Goddess Umadevi worshipped Siva in the form of peacock, hence the name Mayuranadhar.

Nandi devar worshipped Lord Siva in the form of tiger. We see 63 Nayanmars in the temple prakaram.

Others who worshipped and blessed by Lord Siva are Nandi Devar, Brahma, Indra and Agyasthiyar.

The place is also known as Mayurapuri, Indrapuri, Brahmapuri and pulioor.
Kallathy Nadhar Siva temple:

Main deity is Lord Siva in the form of Linga known as Kallathynadhar and his consort known as Goddess Gyanapoongkodhay.

There is a four pillar mandapam near the gate with beautiful sculptures.
As we enter we see Dwajasthambam. Other deities seen in the temple are Ganesha, Dakshinamoorthy, Bairavar, Nalvar and Shkeyzhar.
Lakshmi Narayana perumal temple:

The temple is under renovation. There is 16 pillard mandapam with sculptures.