Thiru Vilwaranyeswarar Temple, Thiru Kalambur Nannilam.  

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Sri Vilvaranyeswarar temple, Thiru kalambur.



The place Thiru Kalambur is about six Kms from Thiru Kudavasal. The place is also known as Brahma Vanam, Kandeepa Vanam and Panchakra puram on the banks of River Vettaru.



This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The main Raja Gopuram is of five storey with two Prakaram.






Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vilwaranyeswarar and his consort known as Soundra Nayaki Amman. Teertham is Brahma teertham in front of the temple and Sthala Vruksham known as Vilvam.




Other Deties seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram is Poiaadha Vinayakar, Murugan, Adi Vilvanadhar, Pancha Lingam and Gaja Lakshmi sanctums.
Agsthiyar, Arjuna and Brahma worshipped Lord Siva of this place.



Sthala Purna says when Thiru Gyana Sambandhar visited the temple the River Vettaru. It was full of water flowing due to storm. No boat man was there to cross him across the river to reach the temple. “Sambandhar” asked his companions to remove one of the boats which were kept safe on the banks. They all sat in the boat and Gyana Sambandhar sung hymns on Lord Siva and they reached other bank and reached the temple. Even today the day is celebrated every year.



Stone inscriptions to the period of 3rd Kulothangan and 3rd Raja raja Cholan say Lord Siva is Thiru Kollam Boodhudayar and Amman as Azhagiya Nachiyar.

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Thiru Koneswarar Temple, Thiru Kudavoil.  

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Thiru Koneswarar Temple of Thiru kudavoil:




Thiru Kudavoil is about 16 Kms from Kumbakonam, and about 16 Kms from Thiruvaroore. This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The place is also known as "Kadhali Vanam, Vanmeegachalam and Kudavayer kottam".




The temple has two prakaram, and there is no Raja gopuram for the temple. This is a Madak koil built by King Cochengat Cholan .








Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Koneeswarar and his consort known as Periya Nayaki.








Teertham known as Amrurtha teertham, seen in front of the temple and Sthala Vruksham is Plantain.









As we enter we see Ganesha sanctum and deity here known as, "Anumadhi Vinayakar" in outer prakaram. There is a Dwajasthambam and Nandi in front. As we enter inside we see sanctum for Periya Nayaki Amman in standing posture with Abhya Varadha Hastham. Opposite to the sanctum Vahana Mandapam is seen. There is no separate Durgai in this temple; Ambal is worshiped as "Brugan Durgai".









Inside we see three storey Gopuram. As we go around prakaram, we see Idumban, Dandapani, and saraswathy sanctum. To NW corner we see Murugan sanctum, peacock mandapam and Maha mandapam, where Murugan is seen with Valli and Devanai. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.









As we go around further towards north direction, we come across Sthala Vruksham Plantain, Jack Fruit tree, Navagraha, Sri Murugan, Sri Mahalakshmi, Thirunabindhu Muni, Saptha madhar, Nalwar, Sundarar and Paravai Nachiar.




In front of Sundarar sanctum, we see steps to climb and reach the main sanctum. Natarajar is seen here. There is a Maha Mandapam, Nandi Mandapam with pillars and Artha mandapam to cross to reach the main sanctum of Sri Koneeswarar. The Lingam is big in size with a square Avudayar.




Sthala purana says at the end of yugam, all Vedas were kept in the “Amrutha kalasam” and Lord was protecting it in Siva Lingam form. Later the Lingam was covered by the snake pit and appeared like a mud heap. Once Garuda tried to poke the mud heap here and Lingam came out of the pit. So the place is known as Kudavoil Koneesa moorthy, Vanmeegesar, and Garudesar.




At the time of next yuga starting, Amrutha kalasam fell at Kumbakonam, and broke into three pieces. The mouth portion fell in this place and Amrutham (nectar) started flowing down from the kalasam and formed as Amrutha pushkarani.



Garuda has worshiped Lord Siva in this place. We Goddess herself is considered as Durgai in this temple. We do not find separate Durgai in the prakaram as we go around.



As per sthala puranam, Jatayu, Agni, Sutha Maharisi and Brugu Muni worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Thiru Gyana Samanthar sang hymns on Lord Siva and Arunagirinadhar composed Thirupugazh on Murugan of this temple.




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Sri Vaanji Nadhar temple, Sri Vanjiyam, Nannilam.  

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Thiru Vaanjiam Temple:



This place Thiru Vannchiam is about 16 Kms from Thiruvarore, and about 28 kms from Kumbakonam. This place is also known as Boo kailasam, Sandana Vanam and Thruvarayoor. The place is considered equal to Varnasi Kshetram.This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.







The temple is constructed with granite stones. The main Raja gopuram of the temple is of five storeys and three prakarram. Sthala Vruksham is Sandal tree.







As we enter in there is a corridor where we see Dwajasthambam. To the left side there is a separate sanctum for Yamadharma. Inside the sanctum we see Chitragupta in standing posture near Yamadhrma.



As we enter into second prakaram we see Abyankara Vinayakar and Blamurugan to either side of the door. Mangalambikai sanctum is seen here. s we enter thirs prakaram we see Irattai vinayakar, and Adikara Nandi.We pass through Maha mandapam and Artha mandapam to reach msin sanctum of Sri Vaanchi Nadha swamy.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vaanji Nadhar and his consort known as Vazha Vandha Nayaki / Mangala Nayaki.Teertham is Yama teertham, Gupta Gangai and Anandha Koopam. Water in Gupta Gangai came from the Trisoolam of Lord Siva in Krutha Yugam. Parvathy stayed on the banks, and the pushkrani is considered sacred.









In Dwapara yugam the pushkarani is known as Prasara teertham. Veeradanu was wandering as Brahma Rakshas and he was relieved out of his curse by parasar sprinkling this holy water on him. In Tretha Yugam the pushkarani is known as Athri teertham. Athri Maharashi stayed here and used water from the pushkarani and worshiped Lord Siva here for a child. He was blessed, and Dattatreya is his son. In Krutha Yugam Thirumagal left Thiruparkadal, came down to earth, and lived as Brugu muni’s daughter. Thirumaal decided to penance in this place and join with Thirumagal. Lord Siva was pleased, and he brought Thirumagal from Brghumuni’s ashram and got them married in this place. The place is known as Thiru Vanjiyam




Yama worshiped Lord Siva here and was blessed. There is a separate sanctum for yama in this temple. Yama is considered as a Vahana, for Lord Siva in this temple. Yama does not punish people who die in this place



Sthala purana says Uma Devi heard the importance of this place from Lord Siva. She stayed back in this place. In the month of Feb/ March (Masi) Lord Vishnu along with Umadevi came to this place. Lord Siva with his consort blesses with all prosperity, for one who worships him in this place. Since Uma Devi liked and opted to stay back in the place, it is known as Thiru Vanjiyam. Ganga worshiped Lord Siva here to get herself purified, from the sins of those, who bathe at Ganges at Varnasi.



As we go around the prakaram, we come across Yamadharma, Yoga Bairavar, Durgai, Vennai Pillayaar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chandra mowleeswarar, Pancha Boodha lingam, Gaja Lakshmi, Kailasa Nadhar, Sani Bagwan and Nataraja sannidhi.Yoga Bairavar is seen in sitting posture in this temple which is rare. Raghu and Kethu together bless here. This form of is known as Chanda Raghu.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Manikkavachakar, Sekizhar, Arunagiri nadhar, Ramaling Swamigal and Mutthuswami Deekshidar have contributed songs on Lord Siva of this temple.



There are stone inscriptions seen in the temple.




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Madhuvaneswarar Temple, Nannilam Town.  

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Nannilam / Madhuvanam:






Madhuvaneswarar Temple is known as Nannilam Perungkoil on the banks of River Mudikondan. This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam. It is a Madakkoil built by Cochengat cholan. There are two prakaram.




The temple is in the town Nanilam which is about 25 kms from Mailaduthurai and about 15 kms from Thiruvarore. The place is also known as Devaranyam, and Bragathpuram



Main deity is swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Madhuvaneswarar / Prakasa Nadhar, and his consort known as Periya Nayaki / Prakasa Nayaki.



Sthala purana says Devas worshiped Lord Siva from this place and hence the name Devaranyam. Teertham is Deva teertham. Yama, Varuna, Indra and Kubera installed Siva lingam and worshiped in this place.








Since it is a madakoil we have to climb few steps to reach the main sanctum. We see Agasthesar in the ground level first prakaram.



Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.



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Thiru Kondeecharam Temple, Nannilam  

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Thiru Kondeecharam




The temple Thiru Kondeecharam is about three Kms East of Nannilam, on the River Bank of Mudikondan. This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam.






The temple is facing east with single Prakaram.







Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pasupathy Nadhar, and his consort known as Santha nayaki Amman. There is a deep mark on the top of Siva lingam.



Teertham, of the temple is known as Ksheera Pushkarani and Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam tree.



Sthala purana says once Umadevi was in the form of a cow. She was searching for Lord Siva, and grazing. Here in this place her horn hit on a Siva lingam and blood started oozing. As a cow, she was helpless and started pouring milk on the Siva lingam to stop the blood. The deep mark made by her horn is still there on the Siva Lingam says Archakar.














Here, we see the pillar sculpture of the cow worshiping Lord Siva related to sthala purana. Kamadenu worshiped Lord Siva in this place.







As we go around the temple prakaram, we see sanctums of Vinayakar, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, Sooryan, Chandran, Bairavar and Jurahareswarar.




Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Stone inscription of King Krishnadevarayar period is seen






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Vadakari / Thiur Panayoore: Nanilam.  

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Vadakarai / Thiru Panayoore:



“Vadakari” is about five kms south east of “Nannilam”, on the banks of “River Mudikondan”. This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple is facing towards east, with two prakaram.






Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Soundareswarar and his consort known as Periya Nayaki Amman. Sthala Vruksham is Panai maram and teertham is Amirtha Pushkarani, Mahalakshmi and Parasara Teertham.








Sthala Purana ,says Parasara Muni, Musukundan, Karikala Cholan and Maha lakshmi worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Vinayakar of this temple is known as Thunairundha Vinayakar.




As we go around the prakaram we see sanctum of Subramanyar, Gaja Lakshmi, Parasara muni, Durgai, Natarajar and lingam representing seven sthalamaround the place.



Stone inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan, Parakrama Pandiyan, Raja Raja cholan, and Kulothungan period are seen in the temple.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.



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Ambar Perunthirukoil, Thiruvarore.  

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Ambar Perunthiru koil


The temple is about six kms south east of Peralam. This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. This temple is a Madak koil built by Cochengat Cholan. This is birth place of Somasimara Nayanar.






The main Raja Gopuram is of three storeys and two prakaram.



Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Brahamapureeswarar and his consort known as Sugandha Kunthalambikai.



Teertha is Indra teertham, Soola teertham, and Sthala Vruksham is Punga tree.



As we go around the prakaram we see Vinayakar, Murugan, Maha Lakshmi, Akilandeswari, Bairavar, Soorya, and Nataraja sannidhi.




We see two segments in the vimanam. In one we see Somaskandar and in the other we see Brahma pureeswarar in Lingam form. At the back of Brahma pureeswarar, Lord Siva is seen as Somaskanda moorthy.



Brahma worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Manmadha was blessed by Lord Siva and Nandarajan was released out from Brahmahathi Dosha after worshiping Lord Siva of this place Ambal.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of Ambal. Thiru Navukkarasar has mentioned about this place in his work. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of Ambal Temple. Sthala puranam was written by Vidvan Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai.



Stone inscriptions of 3rd Kulothanga period are seen.


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