Posted
by Shamala Krishnan
- Kottur Temple:
The temple Thiru Kottur is about 15 kms south east of Mannarkudi; on the banks of River Mulliaru. This is One of 275 Devara sthalam. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple..
There are two prakaram in the temple. As we enter we see Dwajasthambam and Nandi in front facing main sanctum.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Kozhundeesar and his consort known as Madhuravasana ambikai / Theynar Mozhi ammai.
Sthala Vruksham is Vanni tree. There are nine teertham for the temple, like Mulliaru, Sivagangai, Brahma, Siva, Amudhu, Indra, Viswakanma, Mandai and Aramba Teertham.
Devas and Mini’s worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Brahma worshiped Lord Siva under Vanni tree, which is Sthala Vruksham of the temple, and he was blessed by Lord Siva. Indra worshiped Lord Siva and got rid of his Brahamahatthi Dosha. Indrasenan worshiped Lord here, to pardon him for having ill treated Brahmins.
Sthala Purana says rituals for ancestors can be performed in this place.
- Thiru Kalar:
The place is known as "Parijatha Vanam" which is about 23 kms south east of Mannarkudi. One can reach the place by taking the main line of Mannarkudi to Thiruthurai poondi route, and take a diversion at the place Pallang koil, towards south and travel about 4 kms.
This is One of 275 Devara sthalam.
The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five storeys, with three prakaram.
As we enter inside, we see Dwajasthambam and Nandi. There is another inner gopuram also.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kalar mulai Nadheswarar / Parijatha vana Nadhar, and his consort known as Amirthavalli / Ilang kompannal.
Teertham here known as Durvasa Teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Parijatham / Pavalamalligai.
Durvasa muni, Parasara muni and Kaalava muni worshiped Lord Siva of this temple. Purana says Durvasa muni saw the dance of Lord Nataraja in this place. We see Durvasa muni sculpture in front of Nataraja.
As we go around the inner prakaram, we see Valampuri Vinayakar, Dakshina Moorthy, Subramanyar, Durgai, Lakshmi, and Chandeekeswarar. Here, Lord Subramanyar is Arumugan with twelve hands sitting on peacock.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva and Arunagirinadhar composed Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanyar. We find stone inscriptions in the temple.
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- Thiruvendurai Temple
The temple is about 10 kms east of Mannarkudi. The temple is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam. Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.
The main Raja Gopurm of the temple is of three storey and single prakaram. As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam with Lord Ganesha and Nandi in a small mandapam.
Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Thiruvendurai Nadhar, Bramaresar and his consort known as Waynedungkanni Amman.
Pushkarani is Brahmapureesa teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Vilavam.
Sthala purna says Thirumal worshipped Lord Siva and proved the greatness of Siva pooja to universe. Brahma, Harichandran, and Thayaga Cholan worshipped Lord Siva of this place.
Brungi muni who was ardent devotee of Lord Siva, worshiped him in the form of “Bee” avoiding Ambikai. He was cursed by Ambikai. He worshipped them in “Bee” form and attained moksha. They say bee sound is heard in the, inner sanctum of Lord Siva.
[Moksha][Brungi Muni] [Harichandran][Gyana Sambandhar]
- Poovanoore temple:
The temple “Thiru poovanoore” belongs to Mannrkudi taluk on the bank of River Pampani. Main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five storey, and two prakarms.
The temple is One of 275 Devara sthalam. Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.
Main deity of the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Chaturanga Vallabeswarar, Pushpavana Nadhar and his consort known as Karpagavalli and Rajarajeswari Amman.
Pushkarani is in front of the temple known as Ksheera Pushkrani and Sthala Vruksham known as jack fruit tree.
As we go around the inner prakaram deities like Ganesha, Subramanyar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Pasupatheesar, Chandeeswarar, Soorya and Bairavar are seen.
Purana says Rajarajeswari daughter of King Vasusenan and Kanthimathi was good at chess game. King made announcement to get his daughter married to the person, who defeats, her in Chess game. No one was ready to accept the challenge. Muni advised, King along with princess to go for sthala yathra. When the King came to this place Poovanoore, Lord Siva appeared as Siddhar and played the chess game with the princes and married her. Hence Lord Siva is known as Chaturanga Vallabanadhar.
Vinayakar, Brahma, Indra and Thirumaal worshipped Lord Siva of this place.
Chamundi Amman is said to be powerful. Stone inscriptions are seen in the temple.
- Thiruvirumpulai / Alangkudi :
The place Erumpulai is about 6 kms from Valangaimaan, and the place is popularly known as Alangkudi. This is one of 275 Devara Sthalam. This place is one of Pancha Aranya sthalam.
The main Raja gopuram of the temple is of five storeys and two prakarams.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abathsagayakar and his consort known as Elavarkuzhali Amman.
Teertham of the temple is known as Brahma teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Poolai plant.
As we go around the inner prakaram, deities seen in the temple is,Vinayakar known as Kalangamal katha Vinayakar, Murugan, Lakshmi, Nalvar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Agasthyar and Saptha lingas. Sooryesar, Somanadhar, Somesar, Saptharishi Nadhar, Vishnu Nadhar, Gurumosesurar and Birmesar.
Arulmigu Dakshina Moorthy is important, and this temple is considered as Guru Sthalam in Navagraha sthalam temples.
Black Poolai plant being the sthala vrukssham the place is known as Erumpoolai. Lord Siva who drank the Aalam (poison which came out while the ocean was churned with the help of Vasuki) to protect Devas reside in this place. Hence the place is known as Alangkudi.
Sthala purana says Lord Siva of this temple was worshiped by Viswamithra muni, Veerabadharar and Musukundha chakravarthy. Ambikai came down to this place, to worship Lord Siva. She penance here and married Lord Siva.
Thiru Gyanasambandhar worshiped Lord Siva. He sang hymns in praise of Lord Siva of this place Erumpoolai.
[Gyanasambandhar][Saptha Lingas][Alangkudi][Pancharanya Kshetram]
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