1. Thiru kattupalli:
   
   
   
   Keezahi Thirukattuplli / Aaranyeeswaram temple is a Kilometer away from Thiruvenkadu with single prakaram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Aranya Sundareswarar and his consort known as Akilanda Nayaki. Teertham is known as Amirtha Poigai.
   
   
   
   Purana: Vridhasuran was killed by Devandran who suffered of Hathi dosha. Devas worshipped Lord Siva here, for Dosha nivarthy of Devandran,
   
   
   Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

[Sambandhar][Dosha Nivarthy][Hymns][swayambu Lingam]

1. Melayoor / Thiruchaikadu:
   
   
   
   The place is also known as Chayavanam. This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   The place is about 3 kms to Thiruvenkadu, and 15 kms SE, of Seergazhi Town.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul Migu Chayavaneswarar facing east and his consort Sri Kuilinum nunmozhi Ammai, facing South. Cauvery and Iravadam are teertham of the temple.
   
   
   
   Chai means korai in Tamil. The place was full of these type of grass, and hence the name Chayavanam / Chaikadu. This is one among, six places considered equal to Kasi.
   
   
   
   As we go around the temple we see a mandapam, resembling a chariot, with chakra and horses attached to the main temple. The Vimanam of the mandapam is Indra Vimanam. Inside the sanctum in the maha mandapam we see Lord Murugan with Vel. Archakar of the temple said, the idol of Lord Murugan was found in the sea.
   
   
   
   
   Purana: Indra’s mother worshipped Lord Siva of this place daily. Indra tried to take the Swayambu Lingam to his place Indralokam, by doing so his eye sight started diminishing. Eyarpagai Nayanar was blessed  by (Prathyaksham) Lord Siva here.
   
   Indra as Iravadam worshipped Lord Siva, here. Upamanyu muni worshipped Lord Siva.
   The Iravada teertham is seen in front of the temple.
   
   
   Sambandhar and appar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

[Sambandhar][Eyarpagai Nayanar][Charriot][indra Vimanam]

1. Kurukkai:
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam and one of Attaveeratta Sthalam.
   The place is about 8 kms NW of Mailaduthurai, on the banks of River Kollidam.
   The main Raja Gopuram of this temple is of five storey and two prakarams.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingm known as Arul Migu Veeratteswarar, facing west and his consort, Gyanambakai Amman facing south side. Sthala Vinayakar is known as Kurukkai Vinayakar seen in separate sanctum to outer prakaram. The hands of Vinayakar are small in size. Sthala vruksham is known as Kadukkai tree. Teertham is soola teertham in front of the temple.
   
   
   
   The place is known as Kaduvanam, due to sthala Vruksham Kadukkai. Lord Siva was alone here in Yoga Dyanam and the place is known as Yogeesa puram. Manmada vadham took place here and the place is known as Kamadhana puram.
   
   
   
   Purana : Muni Deeryavagu came to this place and he extended his hands to collect Ganga water for, Abishekam purpose to Lord Siva. At this point his hands became short and the place was called as Kurukkai.
   
   
   
   This is one of eight Veeratta Sthalam of Lord Siva. This was the place were Kama Dahanam happened, in which Kaman (Manmadhan) was turned into ashes, by Lord Siva.
   
   
   On the top of Main sanctum of Lord Siva, we see sculptures of Lord Siva as Yogeeswarar, Poorani Ammai, Manmadhan and Rathi. This is known as Kamanaganasini sabha.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we go around we see Sthala vruksham at the back of the temple. Here under the sthala vruksham we see small nandi, in a small mandapam, facing Lord Siva. This is something unique in this place.
   
   
   
   Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Vidwan Meenkshi Sundaram has written sthala puranam in poetic form.

[Kurukkai][Veeratta Sthalam} [Nandi][Kama Dhanam]

1. Thiru karuppariyaloore / Thalai Jnayeru:
   
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. Thiru Karuppariyaloore is about 14 kms
   North of Thiru Mailaduthurai, on the banks of River Pazavaru.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Kuttram porutha Esar and his consort known as Kolvalai Nayaki. River Pazavaru is known as Vinayaka Teertham. Sthala Vruksham is Mullai Plant. We see Adi lingam under the plant.
   
   
   
   There is a sanctum for Chattai nadhar and Uma Maheswarar in this temple. As we go around at the back of main sanctum we see the sanctum of Chattai Nadhar and Uma Maheswarar in the first floor. Sooryan worshipped Lord Siva in this place, hence the name Thalai Jnayeru.
   
   
   
   Purana says Vasishta Maharishi installed a Siva Lingam and attained Gyanam. Lord Siva excused Indra for his mistake, hence the name Kuttram porutha Nadhar, for him in this temple.
   
   
   
   Sambandhar and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. The temple is opened from 6-8 in the evening.

[Sooryan][Chattai Nadhar][Hymns][Uma Maheswarar] [Sambandhar][Sundarar]

1. Thiru vallam / Koneri Rajapuram.
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam. The place Thiru vallam is about 6 kms from Thiruvavaduthurai, and 10 Kms to SE of Thiru Vedaimarudhur. The temple has a Raja Gopuram of three storey and two prakarams.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul Migu Uma Maheswarar / Bhoomi Nadhar and his consort known as Mangala Nayaki Amman. Teertham is known as Mangala teertham and Sakthi Teertham. Sthala vruksham is Poopul tree.
   
   
   
   Importance: There is no Nandi in this temple. Bhoodevi worshipped Lord Siva, of this place, hence the name Bhoomi Nadhar. The place is also known as Bhoomiswaram.
   
   
   Natarajar of this place is Swayambu idol. The Natarajar here is famous. They say the nerves are visible in the idol. He is seen in separate sanctum in Maha Mandapam
   
   
   
   
   Purana says King Pururavas worshipped Lord Siva here in this place. He was blessed by Lord Siva and was relieved of his sufferings, due to Leprosy.
   
   
   
   Sambandar and Appar have sung hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

This is a small place, and we reached the place at 10 AM. The temple was open and the, gurukkal came to temple for morning pooja when we were about to leave the temple.
At the sight of Gurukkal we were happy, we will be able to see Natarajar sanctum which was locked. The system here is two persons have to operate their keys together.
Gurukkal was ready to do but the other person who was incharge did not show any interest. We waited for ½ hour in the mandapam for him to open the sanctum.



A group of art students entered for their project work in the temple at that time. The person, who was in charge, started running after the group that came and simply refused to open the sanctum. I think it was our bad luck; we had to skip and leave the temple. The whole mood of our trip on that day was spoiled. We do plan and start visiting temples, once we happen to skip any temple due to any inconvenience, we do not know when we will be able to visit the place once again.


We only hope by Lord Siva’s grace we will be able to make up with this particular temple Konerirajapuram and have a glimpse of Natarajar.


[Natarajar][LordSiva] [Nandi]

1. Thiruvavaduthurai: One of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
   
   
   The place is about 16 kms SW of Mailaduthurai, on the banks of River Cauvery. The main Raja gopuram is of five storey and three prakarams inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul Migu Gomuktheeswarar and his consort known as OPilA Ammai. Sthala vruksham is Palm tree. Teertham is Gomukhi teertham.
   
   
   
   Purana says Uma Devi worshipped Lord Siva in this place in the form of a cow. She was blessed by Lord Siva and she turned into her original form, and took her in him.
   
   
   
   Importance: Devas and Muni’s requested Lord Siva, to bless them by performing his Siva Thandavam, in which they were interested. Lord Siva fulfilled their wish here under the Sthala Vruksham. Muni’s and Brahma got their Upadesam of Siva Gyanam in this place.
   Chittars were granted Athama Siddhi.
   
   
   
   According to Sthala Puranam, Thiru Moolar composed 3000 hymns known as "Thiru Mandiram" in this place.
   
   
   
   Thiru Gyana sambandhar, Sundarar, and Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   The temple is under Thiru Kailaya Thiruvavaduthurai Adeenam. The building of Adeenam is adjacent to the temple.

[Adeenam][Thiru Moolar][hymns]Thiru mandiram]

1. Thiru Virkudi:
   
   
   
   This temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam and One of Atta veeratta sthalam. The place is about 10 Kms SE of Nanilam on the banks of  RiverVettaru. The temple has Raja gopuram of five storeys and two prakaram.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arul migu Veerattaneswarar and his consort,known as Elavar Kuzhali ammai.
   
   
   There are two pushkarani known as Shanku teertham and Chakkra teertham. Tulasi plant is sthala vruksham, seen in front as we enter inside the temple.
   
   
   
   Importance: Jalanda Suran was killed by Lord Siva, in this place hence it is known as Veeratta sthalam. We see Samhara murthy in Maha mandapam, with chakkram as yantram in his hand.
   
   
   Purana: Brinda is wife of Jalandaran. After the death of Jalandasuran, Lord Vishnu went to his place like Jalandaran and stayed with Brinda, who was not aware of Jalandaran’s death. When she knew the truth she cursed Lord Vishnu. To get out of his curse, Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Siva, of this place and he was blessed. Brinda changed herself as Tulasi plant in this place.
   
   
   Sambandhar, Navukkarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

[Sambndhar][Gyana Sambandhar] [Tulasi][Lord Vishnu]

1. Thiru Kannapuram Siva temple.
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalams.
   The place Thiru Ramanatheechram is on the banks of River Mudikondan about 11 kms from Nanilam. The temple has a Raja gopuram and two prakarams.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Ramanadeeswarar and his consort
   Karuvar kuzhali ammai.
   
   
   
   Sri Rama worshipped Lord Siva of this place, hence the name Ramanadeecharam. Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Gaja Lakshmi, Kala biravar, Nalwar, Sooryan, Dakshina Moorthy, lingothbhavar, and Durgai.
   
   
   Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
   
   
   
2. Thiru Pugaloore, and Thiru Vardhamaneecharam
   
   These two temple is considered as two different Siva Devara sthalam of 275 Devara sthalam. They are seen in the same temple compound.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The place Punnaga Vanam is about 7 kms to east of Nanilam. The temple is big with five storey, Raja gopuram and two prkarams. We see urchava idols of Nayanmars, Agni, Natarajar in the artha mandapam of the temple.
   
   
   
   Main Deity of Thiru Pugaloore is Swayambu Lingam known as Agneeswarar and his consort Manonmani Ammai. Teertham is known as Agni teertham. Punnai is Sthala vruksham of the temple.
   
   
   
   Main deity of vardhamaneecharm is Swayambu Lingam known as Sarnya pureeswarar and his consort known as karuthandar Kuzhali.
   
   
   
   Importance: Agni Bhagawan and Baradwaja muni worshipped Lord Siva of this Place. Thiru Navukkarasar attained Mukthy in this place. This is the birth place of one of the nayanar known as Muruga Nayanar.
   
   
   This was the place where ordinary bricks which Sundarar, kept in the night, turned out to be Gold Bricks.
   
   
   
   Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundarar, and Thiru Navuakkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.

[Navukkarasar][Swayambu Lingam] [Sundarar][Golden Bricks]

1. Thiru Kannapuram Sowriraja perumal temple:
   
   
   Thiru kannapuram is one of 108 Divya Desa temples. The temple is one of five Krishnaranya Kshetram. The place is about 8 kms east of Nanilam, located in-between River Thirumalaryan and Vettaru.
   
   
   
   The main Raja Gopuram is seven storeys and pushkarani is seen in front of the temple. Steps are provided to all four sides of pushkarani for devotee’s convenience.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Thiru Neelamega perumal in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar to either Side. Urchavar is known as Sowriraja perumal.
   Kannapura Nayaki thayar is seen in separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   As we go around the main sanctum we see Azwar, Veebishanan, and Sri Raman sanctum. There is a separate sanctum for Udayavar to north side of Pushkarani.
   
   
   
   Importance: This is one of five Krishnaranya Kshetram . The rest four are Thirukovaloore, Thiru kannankudi, Thiru kavithalam, and Thiru Kannamangi.
   
   
   
   The place is also known as "Srimadha shadakshra maha mantra siddhi kshetram". This place is considered as one of Mukthy giving sthalam and known as Keezhai Vedu by Pandits of olden days. Thirumangai Azwar was blessed with Thiru Mantra Upadesam.
   
   
   
   Purana says King Upasarivasu performed Aswameda yaga and was blessed with a female child, who was named as Padmini. As she grew, she turned out to be a beautiful girl. Padmini meditated in this place to seek the hands of Perumal as her life partner. Sowriraja Perumal was happy with her devoation and dedication. He fulfilled her wish.
   
   
   
   
   There is story related to Perumal. One day Archakar of the temple, as a gesture handed over the garland which was on Sowriraja Perumal, to the King who visited the temple. The King saw a lengthy hair string to the garland. He was surprised and questioned about this. Archakar said it was the hair of the perumal.
   
   
   
   
   King did not believe it and asked his men to check and find the truth. Kings men tried to pluck the hair of Perumal in main sanctum. When they did so blood splashed, and King worried for his act. He prayed to perumal of this temple to forgive him. Perumal protected his devotee the Archakar, by proving his words as truth. From then, perumal here is known as Sowriraja Perumal.
   
   
   
   
   Sowriraja perumal is seen with prayoga chakra in his hands. The place is considered as Bhoolokha vaikundam. There is no separate door/ entrance, in the temple as Swarga vassal and there is no vimana darshanam in the temple.

[Mukthy][Sowriraj Perumal] [Archakar][Krishnaranya kshetram ][Prayoga Chakkra][Bhooloka Vikundam][Swarga Vasal]