1. Thiru Edagam:
   
   
   One of 275 important Devara sthalam of Siva. The temple is located to NW of Madurai about 17 kms.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Aedaga nadhar and Goddess Aelavar kuzali. Sthala vruksham is vilvam and teertham is brahma teetham and Vaigai river. The place is equal toKasi kshetram.
   
   
   Importance: Jainism was flourishing during the period of Pandya King Koonpandiyan. Queen Mangayarkarasi was ardent follower of Saivam and she took the help of Sambandhar to uplift Saivam.
   
   The king was treated by Sambandhar and he got cured. Jains did not like this and they wanted to prove themself great, so they had a bet. Both Jains and Sambandhar placed their palm leaf writing to float on the river. The one which Sambandhar wrote, floated against the water flow, and came to this place near the bank.
   
   
   So, Siva is known as Edaga nadhar in this place. The one which Jains floated was washed out. The hunch of the King was also straightened.
   
   
   Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Auranagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on subramanya of this place.
   
   
   Other deities in the temple are Bala ganapathy, Arumugar, Durgai, Dakashana moorthy and Kala bairavar. Brahma, Parasara muni, vyasar, Thirumagal, Garuda and Adiseshan worshipped Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   
2. Thenkarai:
   
   This is 1000 years old Siva temple
   The place is 2kms from Cholavandhan and it is 28 kms NW to Madurai.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Thirumoola nadhar, and his consort goddess Akilandeswari. Teertham is Swarna pushkarani. Sthala vruksham is Vilvam.
   
   
   Importance: Though it was a swayambu lingam, it was installed by Thirumoolar. Pandya king Veera pandiyan suffered from leprosy, he worshipped Siva of this place and was cured. Stone manuscript says as a gratitude the temple was extended during his period.
   

1. Thiruparangkundram:
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 important Devera sthalam, and one of 6 Padaiveedu of Subramanya swamy. The temple dates back to 200 BC. its 9 kms from Madurai. This is a cave temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 important Devera sthalam, and one of 6 Padaiveedu of Subramanya swamy.
   The temple dates back to 200 BC. its 9 kms from Madurai. This is a cave temple.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Sarankundreesar. Teertham is Saravana poigai, Sathya teertham, Padalagangai, Brahma, and Lakshmi teertham.
   
   
   
   Importance: Lord Murugan married Devanai in this place.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar, Navukku Arasar, and Sundarar, sang hymns on Siva of this place.
   
   Arunagiri nadhar sang thirupugazh on Murugan of this place. Nakkeerar sang Thiru murugatrupadai.
   
   
   Durgai got rid of her brahmahathi dosha due to Mahisha vadam, by worshipping Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   The mountain here is worshipped as Lord Siva, and we see Nandi, of this temple facing the mountain. There is a Kasi Viswanadhar temple on the top of the hill.
   
   
   Chittar Bogar worshipped Siva of this place, to get rid of the curse by Chittar Machya munieeswarar.
   
   
   
2. Thiru mangalam: Siva temple.
   
   
   Main deity is Meenakshi and Chokka nadhar.
   
   
   Importance: The temple construction is of stone. Vembu {neem} tree and Vilvam tree are grown together which resembles to Ardhanareeswara tathvam which is unique.
   
   
   Guru Dakshina moorthy is known as mangala dakshina moorthy. The other deities are Durgai and Saneeswarar sannidhi which are important here. The well, known as Agaya gangai and it is considered as teertham of this temple.
   

1. Thirumalirun cholai also known as Azagar Koil:
   
   
   One of 108 Divya Desam.
   
   
   The place is 21 kms from Madurai to north. The temple is within the fort. As we enter we see Karuppanna swamy who is kaval divam of this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Sundarajar or Kallazagar and Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
   urchavar is known as Goddess Sundaravalli. Sthala vruksham is Sandalwood.
   Noopura gangai and Silambu aru.
   
   
   
   Importance: Both main deity and urchavar are with panchayudam.
   
   
   The purana says Lord Yama penanced here to get rid of his curse and was blessed. As a gratitude he prayed to lord, permitting him to do pooja atleast once in a day. He was permitted to do, and they say, the midnight pooja is performed by Yamadarma raja.
   
   
   
   
2. Rakkayi amman:
   
   
   
   This temple is on the top of Azagar malai. We have to climb steps to reach the sanctum. As we start to climb steps, to left muligai vanam is seen. There is a tank on the top hill known as Noopura gangai where they have a dip and worship the goddess.
   
   
   
3. Pazamudircholai:
   
   
   This is One of Six padaiveedu of Subramanya swamy.
   The place is about 25 kms from Madurai and 3 kms from Azagar koil.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Vara siddhi vinayakar in a sanctum, next to him is Subramanya swamy with Valli and Devanai in another sanctum, and in the third sanctum we see Vel.
   Sthala vruksham is Naval maram. Teertham is Saravana poigai.
   
   
   
   Importance: In Arupadai veedu, only here Subramanaya swamy is seen with both Valli and Devanai.
   
   
   Purana says this is the place were Avvai patti was asked for sutta pazam or sudatha pazam by murugan, and finally he appeared in front of her, near the sthala vruksham.
   
   
   Arunagirinadhar sang hymns on Murugan of this place. Originally vel was the only thing here and later the temple was extended. Arunagirinadhar and Nakkirer were blessed by murugan in person.
   
   
   
   
4. Arul migu Adi chokka nadhar temple:
   
   
   The temple is 1000 year old temple, located at Simhakal, Madurai.
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu linga known as Chokkanadhar and his consort known as Goddess Meenakashi. Sthala vruksham is Kadamba Maram.
   
   
   The Purana is Idaikadarwent to palace and he wanted to praise the king by his poem and get reward for it but he was not respected properly. He got hurt and left the palace. He wanted to get out of the city, at this moment chokkar appeared in front of him and asked him to stay back. At the same time Lord Siva wanted to teach a lesson to the King.
   
   
   Next day when King went to worship, the place was empty and he was shocked by the sight. He came to know that Lord Siva was in this place, and he came here to worship Siva. The King pleaded, Idaikadar to apologise and forgive him. The Siva of this place was worshipped by Kubera.
   

1. Irattai Vinayakar
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This temple is on the main road at Thallakulam, Madurai. To the other side of the road we see prasanna venkatachalapathy temple.
   
   
   
2. Prasanna Venkatachalapathi
   
   
   Main deity Prasanna Venkatachalapathy is seen with Goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchavar is known as sreenivasar.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple dates to Nayakar period of 16th century. Sthala vruksham of the temple is Promogranate.
   
   
   Purana says Nayakar king was not feeling well, and he was unable to worship lord in temple so, he stopped taking food, and he became too week. Lord gave darshan to Nayakar and asked him to, construct a temple, and place his idol to the right side of Hanuman. He disappeared after conveying this message. Nayakar built the temple and named him as prasanna venkatachalapathy.
   
   
   
3. Muthappa Nayanar:
   
   
   This temple is in Surya nagar, Madurai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity here, known as Periya Marriamman.
   As we enter in, we see Siva lingam to right side, and as we enter in, we see the main sanctum of Goddess marriamman. To the left, huge Yoga Anjaneyar in seperate hall is seen.

This time our christmas vaccation trip was towards Madurai in and around temples, Part of Sivagangai district and Ramanad district. We were six in number and hired a qualis for our trip from Madurai. The trip was of seven days, and it was wonderful trip which i wish to share with everyone.


Madurai is about 450 Kms SW from chennai. The place is well connected by Rail, Road and Air. Good frequency of city bus services available to near by places as well. We started from Secunderabad, AP, and travelled upto Danushkoti and back to our place.


The expenditure worked out to Rs 5000/ per head. This includes train tickets, taxi, room and food. All temples are opened from 5.30Am to 12 noon and 4Pm to 8pm. I have tried to give few important things about the temples which we visited.


This time we were able to cover most of the places as we planned. All temples in Madurai are in connection to the 63 Siva leelas of Lord siva.



Next few posts will be about, temples of Madurai, Thirupattur, Sivagangi and Ramanadhapuram districts.

1. Meenakshi temple:
   
   
   
   One of 275 important Siva temples.
   The temple dates back to 1600BC. The construction of walls and it structure resembles to those of 7th century.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Swayambu lingam known as Chokka Nadhar, and his consort, Goddess Meenakshi amman in seperate sanctum. Teertham is Portamari and vaigai.
   Sthala vruksham is Kadamba Maram.
   
   
   
   
   Importance: This is the place were Siva performed his 64 siva leelas. Pandya king was without child and he prayed God. Parvathi came out of fire and was brought by the king. She was named as Thadathagai and was married Siva who ruled the place. Here Goddess is given more importance and one has to visit goddess sanctum first and then Lord Siva's sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In front of Meenakshi Amman sanctum, we see portamari kulam (tank). Near the tank on the step we see Vibudhi pilliar. We have darshan of Goddess Meenakshi.
   
   
   As we go to Sunderaswarar sanctum, we see Mukkurani pilliar which is huge in size.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We then enter into Kambathadi mandapam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Here the pillars are carved with huge sculpture, like Agni veerabadharar, Akora veerabadharar, Urrthava thandava moorthy and Badhrakali.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In the mandapam we see Nandi in a mandapam and a dwajasthambam with gold covering. The pillars of Nandi mandapam are with beautiful carvings of Lord Siva in different forms to huge size. The sculptures are so good the place is always crowded with foreginers. Non hindus are not allowed inside after this place.
   
   
   
   
   
   To he sides of entrance Dwarabalakas are seen which are about 12 feet height and made of single stone. As we enter inside the artha mandapam Nataraja sabha is seen, which is known as Velliampathi. Natarage is made of stone, and it is huge in size. Sivakammi ammai is seen next, to the side of Nataraja. Here he Nataraja has changed his leg posture, to other side, different from regular side, as we see in Siva temples.
   
   
   
   
   The story goes like this King was feeling sad for Nataraja being in the same posture and his leg may pain. So he requested Lord Nataraja to change the leg so that he can relax the other one. Lord Siva obliged for his prayer, and he gives, same darshan for public also as king had the darshan of Lord Nataraja. This is unique feature in the temple. Finally we see Siva in the form of lingam in the main sanctum known as Sundareswarar.
   
   
   
   
   As we come out of the sanctum we see Ellam valla chiiter in different sanctum. The wall, of main sanctum is rested on 4 elephant, 8 lions and 16 Demons. Other deities are Bala Dakshina moorthy, Durgai, Lakshmi devi, Vanni maram of stone and a small well, and Navagraha.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The day we visited the temple we were lucky to have darshan of Meenakshi sundareswarar in golden charriot
   
   
   
2. Pudhu Mandapam:
   
   
   
   This mandapam is seen in front of Meenakshi temple main Gopuram. There are pillars carved with sculptures is seen. The mandapam is full of stalls inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Thousand pilliar Mandapam:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   This mandapam is almost like a museum full of stone sculpture which is worth having a look. The whole thing is so beautiful no words to express. The pillars are in a straight line and the mandapam is designed in such a way it looks like a charriot pulled by elephant. I have posted the photos of the sculptures of this mandapam.