Thiru Chotru thurai Nadhar / Oudhavneswarar Temple:




The place is about 15 kms from Tanjavoore and 4 kms from Kandiyoor.
This temple of Chotuthurai is one of the Devara Sthalam, on the south bank of River Cauvery. This is third temple of the Ezhur (Seven) sthalams, where Lord fed is devotees.









Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers




The temple has single prakaram only. As we go around the prakaram, Sanctum of Annapoorani Amman is in the south east, Lord Arumugan facing east is seen in a shrine facing south.








Lord Maha Vishnu sanctum is seen facing east. We get to see Gautama Muni worshiping Lord Vishnu here.









Lord Vinayakar and Lord Murugan are seen near the temple entrance to either side.









We see a mandapam and Adigara Nandi is seen in front of the mandapam. We see Natarajar in the mandapam which leads to the Artha mandapam and main sanctum of Lord Oudhavaneswarar.




Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam. Teertham is River Cauvery and Soorya teertham.










Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Thiru Chotru thurai Nadhar / Oudhavaneswarar with his consort known as Annpoorani Amman facing east. She is seen in a separate sanctum in SE while go around the prakaram.










Brahma, Vishnu, Sooryan, Indran and Sage Gautama worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Sage Gautama attained Mukthi in this place.










Sthala Purana: Once due to severe famine people were starving. The temple was not taken care off at that time. A devotee of Lord Siva named Arulalan worshiped Lord Siva to overcome the severe famine. He banged his heads to the steps and cried out for help from Lord Siva. There was heavy down pour and the place was flooded. There was a bowl floating in the water which was picked by Arulalan. He heard a voice announcing, the bowl is Akshya Patra which gives food always without any bounds. It will never go dry and it can help in feeding the people to get rid of their hunger.




Since the Lord here has helped to get rid of famine and gave Akshya Patra which gave food, Lord is praised and named as Thiru Chotru Thurai Nadhar. (Chotru means food).





Saints Sundarar, Thiru Navakkuarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here. Thiru Ramalinga Vallalaar has praised and worshiped Lord here.

Pasupathy Koil: Pasupathy Nadhar Temple.



The place is about 14 kms from Kumbakonam to Tanjavoore and 2 kms from Iyempettai. The temple tower is of five tiers, and there is only one prakaram in the temple.







This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Tanjavoore and one of the Saptha Sthana Sthalam. (Chakkra Mangai, Soola Mangai, Ariya Mangai, Nandi Mangai Thazha Mangai, Pulla Mangai and Pasu Mangai are Saptha Sthana temples.







The temple is constructed by Cochengat Cholan as Maadak Koil. In the base Nandi is seen in the mandapam Ancient name of the temple is Thiru Pullamangai.



Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Pasupathy Nadhar / Brahma pureeswarar and His consort known as Soundara Nayaki / Alliyang kodai.




Sthala Vruksham is Baniyan Tree and Teertham is River Cauvery, River Kudamuruti, Kamadenu Teertham and Siva Teertham








Agasthiyar









Dakshina Moorthy




Other deities seen in the temple as Koshta Moortham are Vinayakar, Dakshina Moorthy, Lingothbavar with Brahma and Vishnu, Nalwar, Brahma and Durgai Amman. Nandi is seen among Navagraham. Durgai Amman is like Mahishasura Mardhini with weapons in her hand. Durgai of Thiru Nageswaram Temple, Patteswaram Temple and Thiru Pullanga Managi temple are sculptured by same person in all these three places. Durgai is considered very powerful in all the three temples.









Bairavar









Kamadenu worshiped Lord Siva in this place.



Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Pasupatheeswarar of this temple.

Thiru Needoore: Arulmigu Somanadhar temple.



The place is about 5kms to north of Mailaduthurai. The place is also known as Vakularanya Kshetram.






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This temple is one of the, Devara Sthalam temple of Nadu Nadu.









The temple Raja Gopuram and we see two prakarams in the temple. Vimanam over the main sanctum is of two layers.








Nandi is seen in a mandapam.




Sthala Vruksham is Magizha Maram (Tree) and there are nine teertham for the temple.









Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Somanadhar and his consort known as Veyuru tholi Ammai / Veda Nayaki Amman. Urchavar, in the temple here is known as Soma Skandar.



As we go around the prakaram we see Kailasa Nadhar, Siva Lokanadhar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Murugan, Vinayakar, Saptha Kanniyar, Natarajar and Aanandha Thandava Moorthy.Vinayakar here is known as Siddhi Vinayakar.




Vinayakar is seen in three forms as big, old and wise which are represented as Chintamani Vinayakar, Selva Maha Vinayakar and Sivaandha Vinayakar. Before starting any new work people come here worship Vinayakar and with his guidance they start the work.




Sthala Purana says once when Indran came down to Bhoolokam he was not able to find a Siva Lingam to do his daily morning worship of Lord Siva. He collected sand from the Cauveri River bed and made a Siva Lingam and performed his pooja. He sang a song to have darshan of Lord Siva dancing. Lord Siva was pleased with his song and gave darshan for him as he wished. So Lord Siva here is also known as Gana Nardhana Sankaran. When he left the place, he left the Siva Lingam here. We can see the finger prints on the Siva Lingam.




King Danmadha Sudhan due to his Karma in previous birth was born as a crab in his next birth. The King approached Sage Naradha who guided him to worship Lord Siva in this place to get rid of his karma and gain Moksha. The king took bath in River Cauvery and worshiped Lord Siva as he was guided by Naradha Muni. Lord Siva appeared and blessed the king. Lord Siva made hole in the Lingam and the Crab (King) entered inside this hole and attained Moksha. The hole is there in the Siva Lingam.




Lord Sooryan worshiped Goddess here hence she is known as Adithya Abhya varadha Ambikai. Sani Bagwan is seen in the mandapam in front of Goddess. One who worships Goddess here in this place gets rid from the power of Sani Dosha.



Sundarar and Thiru Navukkarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.

Thiru Nindra Voore: Maha Lakshmi pureeswarar Temple.



The place Thiru Nindra Voore is about 8 kms, from Mailaduthurai on the north bank of River Cauvery. This temple is one of the Devara Sthalm of Nagapattanam Dt.













The temple tower is of three tiers










Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Maha Lakshmipureeswarar facing east and his consort known as Ulaga Nayaki Amman facing south. There is an axe scar seen on the Siva Lingam.




Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam and Teertham known as Neela Poigai.





Selva Ganapathy is seen in separate sanctum here. We see Subramanyar, his consorts Valli and Devanai, along with peacock facing towards right side in a separate sanctum. Here in this temple Muyalagan who is seen under the feet of Dakshina Murthy is facing left with snake in his hand. Dakshina Murthy is seen as Koshta Deivam with his left hand blessing Muyalagan.




Other deities seen in the temple are Bairavar, Nandi, Brahma, Durgai and Navagraham. Here Soorya and Chandra graham are facing each other which are unusual.




As we go around the prakaram we see Parasaurama Lingam worhiped by Parasuramar. There is a Jamadagneeswarar Lingam worshiped Jamadagni Muni which is small in size. Parikeswara Lingam is big in size with Lord Maha Vishnu seen next to it.



Agasthiyar, Parasuramar, Devendran, Iravadham, and Kamadenu worshiped Lord Siva in this place and were blessed by Him.




Sthala Purana says Chola King used to cross this place to have darshan of Thillai Natarajar daily. One when they were traveling the wick went off and they try to light it but failed. Once when they crossed the place it started glowing automatically. This was happening in the same place regularly.


King saw a shepherd there and asked him, did he observe something strange happening in this place. Shepherd told there was a Siva Lingam on which the cow used to pour milk on it. The King found the Siva Lingam and try to remove it from that place, build a temple elsewhere and install the Siva Lingam. They were not able to remove the Siva Lingam and blood started oozing from the place.


So the Chola King constructed a temple there itself. Since the wick went off here automatically, the place is known as Thiru Nindra Voore. Thirumagal worshiped Lord Siva in this place hence the name Thiru Nindra Voore.




A stone inscription is there in the temple. The temple is under Thiru Kailaya Parampara Thiru Darumapura Aadeenam.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.

Thiru Vadugoore: Panchanadeeswarar Temple.




The place is known as Thiru Vandaar Koil, which is about 20 kms from Pondichery. This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu.









Thiru Vadugoore Temple. There is a small sanctum for Nandi in front of the temple.









Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Panchanadeeswarar / Vadugeesar and his consort known as Thirupura Sundari Amman / Vadugar Nayaki see in separate sanctum. The Lingam portion is slightly slanting and scars are seen on it. Urchava Vigraham is known as Panchamurthy.




Sthala Vruksham is Vanni and Teertham known as Vamadeva Teertham.








Other deities seen in the temple are Valampuri Vinayakar, Siva Parvathy, Dakshina Moorthy, and Lord Brahma worshiping Lord Siva is seen near Dakshina Moorthy.









We see Ardhanareeswarar, Chandikeswarar, Navagraham, Bairavar and Durgai with eight hands. Lord Arumugan with twelve hands is seen seated on Peacock facing left. Valli Devanai is seen to either side of Murugan.




Sthala Purana says Brahma had five heads like Lord Siva and he was proud about this. Once Goddess Parvathy mistook Brahma to be Lord Siva and extended her Honour to Him. Lord Brahma did not protest this in spite of his knowledge about the mistake that has happened. Lord Siva in anger removed one of the heads of Lord Brahma and punished him for his pride. Lord Brahma felt ashamed of his act and begged Lord Siva to pardon him. Brahma worshiped Lord Siva here in this place where the incident took place. Since one head of Brahma was removed by Lord Siva, here he is known as Vadugeesar.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Tirupugazh on Arumugan of this temple.

Thiruvakkarai Vakarakali Amman Temple.



The place is about 22 kms to south of Thindivanam on the banks of River Varaha.
This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu.








Main entrance of the temple.









The Raja gopuram of the temple. There are three prakarams in the temple.









We see Dwajasthambam and Nandi which are not in straight line to Lord Siva of main sanctum.








Main Deity is in the form of Lingam known as Arulmigu Chandra Mouleeswarar is seen with three faces only here, in this temple and his consort known as Vadivambikai Amman. Face in the lingam which faces east is known as That purdam, the one facing north is known as Vamadevam and south facing face is known as Akora mukam to which there is teeth (Korai Parkal) seen out at the ends of mouth. This is visible only during the milk abishekam is performed to Lord Siva.





Vakra kali Amman sanctum is seen to a side near the main Raja Gopuram itself. Here in the temple Kali Matha is seen with eight hands with weapons. The garland is of skulls hanging from one shoulder in cross. Child skull is her earings.









Sthala purana says Samharam of Vakrasuran was done by Lord Vishnu. Dunmuki sister of Vakrasuran was pregnant. As per Dharma Sastra, Kali cannot kill a pregnant woman. Kali took the child from Durmuki womb and wore it as an ornament in her ear and then killed Dhunmuki. Kaali is known as Vakrakaali here and she was with furious temper, after killing Durmukhi. Acharyar Adi Sankarar installed Sri Chakkra on left leg of Kaali. She turned out to be Santha Swaroopam after this.




Opposite to Vakra Kaali temple we see Athma Lingam which is also known as Kanda Lingam which was worshipped Vakrasuran. It is said the Lingam is cool during summers and during rainy season water drops are seen on the top of Lingam.




Lord Murugan with twelve hands, is seen seated on Peacock along with Valli and Devani.









Kundalini Siddhar jeeva Samadhi is there within the temple premises.




There are many things contradictory to tradition. The temple tower, Dwajasthambam, Nandi and main deity Siva Lingam are not in straight line. They are from one another. The chakkra, which Varadarajar holding in his hand is different from usual one. Sani Bagavan Vahan crow is seen to left side of him instead of right side.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.Arunagitinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan.Here in the temple Stone inscriptions of First Aditya Cholan and Chembian Madevi is seen.

Panayapuram: Panagkateeswarar Temple.



The place Thiru Panagkattoore is about 10 kms from Vizhupuram. This place is one of the Siva Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. This is one of the five temples having Palm tree as Sthala Vruksham.











Main Raja Gopuram of the temple. The temple has two prakarams.








Sthala Vruksham is Panai and teertham known as Padhuma Teertham.









Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Panagkateesar facing east.










Goddess Puravammi / Sathyambikai here is seen in separate sanctum facing east.





The place was surrounded by Mullai forest hence the name Puravaar Panagkattore.








Other deities seen as we go around the temple prakaram are Vinayakar








Arumugar









63 Nayanmars, Sapthamadhar, Thirumaal, Rishabaroodar, Gajalakshmi, Nalwar, Dakshina murthy, Brahama, Lingothbavar, Durgai, Pichadanar, Somaskandar, Navagraham, Sani Bagawan Chandekeswarar and Natarajar. Thiru Neelakandar and wife are seen with their palms put together in the temple.









View of the temple tower as we go around the prakaram




King Daksha Prajapathy did not invite Lord Siva for the Yagnam which he was conducting. He refused to pay offerings for Lord Siva in the Yagnam and insulted Lord Siva. Every one of the Devas, who attended the Yagam performed by King Dakshan and took his offerings were punished by Akora Veerabadrar, messenger of Lord Siva.


Sooryan lost his luster, and he had to worship Lord Siva in many places to regain his luster. This is one of the place were Sooryan worshiped Lord Siva. Lord Siva blessed Sooryan and he gained his old bright form. As a mark of respect every year during the month of April/ May (from Tamil new year day) early morning Sun rays falls on Lord Siva and then on Goddess for a week




Sthala Purana says In order to protect the pigeon that surrendered to him Sibichakravarthy came forward to yield his eyes. Lord Siva was pleased by Sibichakravarthy’s dedication to his work as a ruler. He appeared before him and blessed him with eyesight which he lost. So Lord Siva of this place is also known as Kann Parithu Aruliya Kadavul.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. There are stone inscriptions of first Kulothunga Cholan, Parakesari Adi Rajendra Devan and Koneranmai Kondan. As Per the inscriptions Lord Siva is known as Thirupanag kattudaya Maha Devar and the place known as Thiru Puravar Panagkatudayar temple.

Thiruvamathoor: Sri Abirameswarar Temple.



This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The place Amathoore is also known as Vanni Vanam which is about 6kms from Vizhupuram.








The temple tower is of five tiers. There are two prakarams in the temple.









As we enter into the temple we see Dwajasthambam and Bali peetam.








Here we see a big Nandi known as Maha Nandi.








Hear we see padala Nandi also.




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abirameswarar is facing east and his consort known as Muthambikai facing west, in separate temple.



Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai and Vanni Vruksham seen inbetween the sanctum of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.




Teertham is a well, known as Thanda Teertham, and pushkarani known as Aambalam.




Sthala Purana says long back cows were without horns. They were attacked by wild animals so the cows worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Lord was pleased and blessed them with horns. Hence the place was known as AAmathoore and Lord Siva in this place known as Abirameswarar.










Other deities seen in the temple are Maal Thuyar Teertha Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar, Natarajar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichaadanar, Sahasra Lingam, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chatta Nadhar, Arunachaleswarar, and Saptha madhar, Chandeeswarar, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalwar and 63 Nayanmars.









Sri Rama worshiped Lord Siva in this place with Thanda Teetham to get rid of Brahmahathi dosha by killing Ravana. Lord Murugan worshiped Lord Siva and Parvathy here before he left for war against Soorapaduman. Parvathy bestowed Lord Murugan with her Sakthi Vel here in this place.




Brungi Muni worshiped Lord Siva and neglected Goddess Parvathy. Parvathy did not like his attitude, so he was cursed by Parvathy to become Vanni Vruksham. Later he worshiped both Lord Siva and Parvathy and was blessed by them.










To south west corner of temple premises we Sathya mandapam known as Vatta palagai.





Stone inscriptions of first Rajaraja Cholan, Rajendra Cholan, Veera Rajendran and first Kulothunga Cholan are seen.





Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Abirameswarar of this temple. Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Thiruvarutpa by Vadalore Ramalinga Swamigal and Thiruvamathur Kalpagam by Irattai Pulavar are rendered to Lord Siva of this temple.