Pennagatam: Pralayakaleswarar Temple



The temple is about 15 kms east of Thittakudi. This is one of Nadu Nadu Devara sthalams.







The Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five tiers and prakaram.










Dwajastham of the temple.



Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Pralayakaleswarar / Sudarkozhndu Nayakar and his consort known as Kadandhi Nayaki.



Sthala Vruksham is Sanbagam and Teertham is Vellaru, Indra Teertham and Kailaya Teertham.


Lord Siva of this place was worshiped by Deva kanniyar (Penn), Kamadenu (AA) and White Elephant (Gadam) hence the place is known as Pennaagadam. The temple is also known as Thoonganay madam











Temple Vimanam is known as Gajaprushta Vimanam. to north side of main sanctum there is another sanctum with separate gopuram on higher level. We find steps to climb, where we see Lord Siva, who is known as Soundareswarar.







This is like a temple above another temple.







Gopura Vimanam of the inner sanctum



Purana says a Chola King had to worship Lord from the other bank of the River due to floods. Lord was pleased and he raised the ground level as an acknowledgement for King’s prayers. This is the reason for a temple above another temple.







Murugan sanndhi picture, from top of the temple.






Murugan sanctum, in the temple.



Sthala puranam says during the time ofPralayamall places submerged under water. Then, Devas worshiped Lord Siva to protect universe. Lord Siva directed Nandi to stop the pralayam (flood), so Nandi turned towards the entrance, to stop the flood and diverted it and protected the place. Originally Nandi was facing Lord Siva which turned back to stop the flood and from then Nandi is facing the entrance.



Kalikamba Nayanar was born in this place. He was a great devotee of Lord Siva. Kalikamba Nayanar with his wife used to do pada pooja for Shiva Devotees. One day the servant of Kalikamba Nayanar visited his place as Shiva Devotee, knowing this his wife refused to do pada pooja for him. Kalikamba Nayanar lost his temper and cut his wife’s hand for her refusal to do pada pooja. Lord restored her hand and Kalikamba Nayanar attained Mukthi in this place. It was the birth place of Achudha kalappar who is the father of Meykanda Devar.



This was the place where, Thirunavukarasar got the Trisul and Rishba seal stamped on his body by Lord himself. Thirunavukarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva here.



Stone inscriptions of Chola and Vijayanagara Kings regime are seen in the temple.

Thiru Nelvoil Arathurai: Teerthapureeswarar temple.


The place Thiruvatta Thurai is about 10 kms east from Thittakudi on the banks of River Vellaru. The temple was under renovation.




Raja Gopuram is of five storeys with prakarams




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Teerthapureeswarar and his consort Tripura Sundari / Anandha Nayaki Amman.


Sthala Vruksham is Banyan tree.


Teetham is River Velar / River Neeva and Neelamalar poigai.


As we go around we see beautiful sculptures as Koshta moorthams.






Pichaandavar,





Natarajar and Sivakami Ammai along with devotee






Guru Dakshina Moorthy.











Lord Siva and Parvathy.






Ardhanareeswarar






Bairavar



Here Nandi is seen facing the entrance. Purana says during the flood time he turned back.

Adiseshan penanced and worshiped Lord Siva here on the bank River Neeva. Lord Siva was pleased with his worship and the place was known as Thiru Arathurai ( Thiru + Aravam + Thurai ). Later days it changed as Thiru Nelvoil Arathurai and presently the place is known as Thiruvatta thurai.



There are seven temples on the bank of River Vellaru known as Adi Thurai (karianoor),
Tiruvalanthurai, Thiru Aduthurai, Thirukaranthuri, Thiruvattathurai (Thittakudi), Thirumandhuthurai and Thiru Nelvoil Arathurai are the places known as Arathurai Temples. Lord Siva appeared, and to help Saptha Rishi’s perform their rituals in this place, He called seven Thurai (Nee Vaa) which means you come and it was known as River Vellaru,


While Sambandhar was returning after his worship of Pralaya Kaleswarar at Pennadagam, Lord Siva of Thiru Vattahurai sent palanquin (Mutthu Chivigai) and an umbrella (Mutthu Kodai) for his devotee, Sambandar who was visiting this place.


King Chera, Chola and Pandiyan worshiped Lord Siva of this place and installed Siva Lingas. We find Chera, Chola and Pandiya Lingam in the temple.

Sani Bhagavan worshiped Lord Siva here and there is a separate sanctum for Sani Bhagawan.


Sundarar, Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, and Appar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this
Temple. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.

Sri Mushnam: Arulmigu Bhoovaraha Swamy Temple.


The place is about 21 kms to SE, from Vrudachalam. This kshetram is one of eight Swayam vektha Kshetram. The other Swayam vektha Kshetram are Sri Rangam, Vanamamalai, Tirupathy, Salagramam, Pushkaram, Naimisaranyam and Badrikasramam.






The main Raja gopuram of the temple is of seven storeys with three prakarams.






Main entrance of the temple.







As we enter the temple we see Garudakambam, and there is a small sanctum for Garudazwar.



Sthala Vruksham of the temple is Bodhi tree also known as Aswatha maram.





Teertham is Nithya Pushkarani, Sri Varaha teertham and Lakshmi Narayana Teertham.



Main deity is Sri Bhoovaraha Swamy of Saligrama stone, is seen in standing posture facing west and his head turned towards South. Ambujavalli Thayar is seen in separate sanctum. Urchavar, of this temple is known as Yagna Varaha Moorthy seen with Sridevi and Bhoodevi Thayar in Artha mandapam of the temple.



Vimanam under which Bhoovaraha Swamy resides is known as Bhavana Vimanam.






As we go around the prakaram we see Viswaksenar, Andal, Udayavar, Venugopalan, Kuzandai Amman, Vedanta Desikar, Thrumangai Azwar, Manavala ma munigal.
Thiru Kachhinambi Nammazwar is seen in separate sanctums.




Sthala Purana says when the earth was stolen by Hiranyasura; Lord Vishnu took the avatara as Varahar and killed the Asura. The earth was once again installed on the hood of Adiseshan.
Bodhi Tree / Aswatha tree and Tulsi were created from His two eyes and the sweat turned into Nithya Pushkarani.

Bhoodevi, sambaran, and Lord Krishna worshiped Bhoovaraha Perumaal.


After his mission was completed he stayed back in this place known as Sri Mushnam as Bhoovaraha moorthy to grace his devotees.