Thirukoiloore: Veeratteswarar temple.
The place is known as Andhaka puram, historically. Thirukoiloore is the city in Vizhupuram. This is one of the Devara Sthalam in Nadu Nadu Temples. The temple is one of the Attaveeratta Sthalam of Lord Siva.
Main Raja gopuram of Veerateswarar Temple.
As we enter inside the main door we see Dwajasthambam in front.
Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Veeratteswarar, with his consort known as Periya Nayaki / Sivananda Valli in different sanctum.
Chariot of the temple.
Sthala Vruksham is Sarakkondrai and Teertham known as River Penna.
Other Deities seen in the temple areVinayakar known as Periyanai Ganapathy, Shanmugar, Dakshina Moorthy, Vishnu Durgai and Chandeekeswarar.
Lord Shanmuga wanted to perform Siva Pooja to get rid of his sin, of destroying Demons. Mother Ambikai showed him the place where Vel from Her hand fell. Hence this place is known as Thiru Kai Vel. Lord Shanmuga performed Siva Pooja here. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
Saint Sundarara and King Cheramaan were going to Kailash. On their way they met Avvaiyar and told her, about their travel to Kailash to meet Lord Siva. Avvaiyar was performing pooja of Lord Ganesha at that time. They left her and proceded on their way to Kailash. Avvaiyar performed her pooja. She placed her request to Lord Vigneswara to fulfill her wish to visit Kailash. Lord Vigneswara took Viswaroopam and left Avvaiyaar her at Kailash even before Saint Sundarar and Cheramaan reached there.
Avvaiyaar sang Vinayakar Agaval on Lord Vigneswara of this temple. Hence the Vinayakar here is known as Periyanai Ganapathy.
With the efforts of Avvaiyaar and Poet Kapilar, marriage of Angavai and Sangavai, (daughters of King Pari Vallal) with King Deiveekan was celebrated in this place. Poet Kapilar lived in this place. There is a rock here known as Kapilar Hill, on which he was sitting. This is the birth place of two Nayanmars, Meiporul Nayanar and Narasinga munairayar.
Sthala Purana says Lord Siva destroyed Demon Antakasura in this place. Anthakara means Ignorance. Once Goddess Parvathy closed the eyes of Lord Siva ,due to which the whole Universe was filled with darkness. Demon Anthakara came out of the darkness. Lord Siva hit, Demon Anthakara on his head with the club in his hand. Blood drops that fell on ground turned to be a Demon. Goddess Parvathy started collecting the blood in a bowl. The blood that fell down became 8 vertical and 8 horizontal lines cross wise and formed into 64 squares. Lord Siva created 64 Bairavas with His power for 64 squares to prevent the production of Demons further. Thus Devas were blessed by Lord. Thus Vastu sastra started from this place. Lord Siva is considered residing here with the powers of Bairava.
Sundarar, Appar and Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
Koil Thiru Maagalam:
The place Thiru Maagalam is about 4 kms south of Peralam, of Thiruvarore District.
The temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The main Raja gopuram is of five storeys with two prakarams facing east.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Maakalanadhar and his consort known as Achamtavirtha Nayaki.
Tertham is Maagla Teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Marudha maram.
We see sanctums of Achamtavirtha Vinayakar, Murugan, Kaali, Thyagesar, Naga kannigai, Nayanmars, Madhanga Muni, Subramanyar, Maha Lakshmi, Durgai and Chandekesar.
Kali worshiped Lord Siva in this place, hence the place is known as Maaglam. “Madhanga muni” worshiped Lord Siva in this place. He was blessed to have “Umadevi”as his daughter. “Somasi Nayanar” performed a yaga here in this place. Lord Siva was pleased and appeared in person to have the havirbagam and blessed him.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Sundarar and Thiru Navukkarasar have made a mention about the place in their hymns.
Stone inscriptions of 1st Kulothungan and Vikrama Cholan period are seen in the temple.
The place Thiru Maagalam is about 4 kms south of Peralam, of Thiruvarore District.
The temple is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The main Raja gopuram is of five storeys with two prakarams facing east.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Maakalanadhar and his consort known as Achamtavirtha Nayaki.
Tertham is Maagla Teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Marudha maram.
We see sanctums of Achamtavirtha Vinayakar, Murugan, Kaali, Thyagesar, Naga kannigai, Nayanmars, Madhanga Muni, Subramanyar, Maha Lakshmi, Durgai and Chandekesar.
Kali worshiped Lord Siva in this place, hence the place is known as Maaglam. “Madhanga muni” worshiped Lord Siva in this place. He was blessed to have “Umadevi”as his daughter. “Somasi Nayanar” performed a yaga here in this place. Lord Siva was pleased and appeared in person to have the havirbagam and blessed him.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Sundarar and Thiru Navukkarasar have made a mention about the place in their hymns.
Stone inscriptions of 1st Kulothungan and Vikrama Cholan period are seen in the temple.
Edumbavanam Temple.
This place Edumbavanam is about 12 kms from Thiruthurai poondy. This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam. The temple main Gopuram is of three storeys with single prakaram..
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Sargunadeswarar and his consort known as Mangala Nayaki amman.
Teertham is Setha pushkarani, Moksha pushkarani and Sthala vruksham is Vilvam.
Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Sooryan, Agathiyar, Edumbai, Sani Bagawan, Durgai, Natarajar and Lingothbavar.
Edumbai worshiped Lord Siva and was blessed hence the place is known as Edumbavanam.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place, and Appar mentioned about Lord Siva of this place in his Thiru Thandakam.
[Appar][Thiru Thandakam] [Edumbai][Moksha Pushkarani]
- Palakuruchi / Nattiathankudi Temple.
The place is about 12 kms SE from Kuttha nallore. The place can be reached from Mavoore cross road and take the road leading to Vadapathi mangalam.
This temple is one of 275 Devara sthalam. The temple main Raja Gopuram is of five storeys with prakaram.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Rathna pureeswarar and his consort known as Mangalambikai Amman.
Pushkarani is Soorya Teertham seen in front of the temple, and Kari teertham at the back of the temple. Sthala Vruksham known as Maavilangai
As we go around the prakaram, deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan, Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi, Dakshina Moorthy, Lingothbavar and Kotpuli Naynar.
Purna says elephant worshiped lord Siva in this place and attained Moksha. The pushkrani made by elephant is known as Kari teertham . Lord Siva is also known as “Karinaleswarar.”
This is the birth place of Kotpuli Nayanar. When Sundarar visited the temple Nayanar asked his two daughters to take care of him as servants. Sundarar adopted them as his daughters.
Purana >says when “Sundarar” came to temple he did not find Lord Siva in the sanctum. He prayed to Lord “Ganesha,” to help him to find Lord Siva. Ganesha showed his hands in the direction where Lord Siva was seen as, farmer working in the field along with his consort. Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva, who disappeard from the field and was seen inside the sanctum.
Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Appar has contributed two hymns on Lord Siva.
- Keeralathur
The place Thiru Kollikadu is about 15 Kms to North from Thiruthurai poondy, and 16 kms South of Thiruvarore. This temple Keeralathur is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam.
Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Agnieeswarar facing west and his consort known as Panjin Melladi Ammai.
Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam. Teertham is Agni Teertham.
Agni Devan worshiped Lord Siva of this temple and was blessed by him, hence the name Kollikadu for this place. Sani Bagwan is important in this place.Sani Bagawn meditate here and was blessed by Lord Siva in the form of Agni,and bestowed him as Anugraha moorthy. Here sani Bagawan is considered as Pongu sani, and one who worship him here,in this place is blessed, by him.
Here in this temple we see Navagraha in the shape of tamil letter pa. (they are in line to three sides.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place. Thiru Navukkarasar mentions about this place in his Thiru Thandagam.
The temple is under renovation work
- Thiruvarore Araneri / Asalesam .
This temple is one of 275 Devara sthalam of Lord Siva.
This place Thiruvarore Araneri is within the main temple of Thirvarore Thiru Moolattanam.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Araneriappar facing west, and his consort known as Vandar Kuzhali ammai.
Importance of this place is Naminadhiadigal Nayanar lit the lamp with water. This information is mentioned in the Thevaram (Hymns) sung by Thirunavukarasar.
Stone inscriptions say The Araneri temple was built by Chembian madevi with the help of stones.
Thiru Navukkarasar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
- Paravayul Maandali
This temple is opposite to Thiruvarore temple chariot halted at East Street. (Keezha Veedi)
The temple is one of 275 Siva devara Sthalam.
Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as Thuvai Nadhar and his consort known as Panjin melladi Ammai in different sanctum.
Sthala purana says “Durvasa Muni” worshiped Lord Siva of this place hence the name “Dhurvasa Nayinaar.” “Sundarar” got back his eye sight, by having a dip in the pushkarani and worshiping Lord Siva.
Sundarar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
- 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]
- 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]
- Thiru Meeyachoor: Lalitha Parmeswari.
The place is about two kms from Peralam. There are two Deities which are considered as two different Devara Sthalam. One is known as Thiru Meeyachoor and the other is Thiru Meeyachoor Elang koil. The temple is big one, with five storeys Raja Gopuram and two prakarams.
Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Meganadhar and his consort known as Soundara Nayaki Amman/ Lalitha Parameswari in separate sanctum. Teertham is Soorya Pushkarani. Sthala Vruksham is Vilwam.
The purana says Sooryan worshipped, Lord Siva with his consort residing on elephant. The main sanctum Vimanam is like the back of Elephant. This is known as Gajaprishta Vimanam. Soorya worships Lord Siva of this place in the second week of May every year. Other deities, seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Murugan with bow, Pancha Boodha Lingam, Ashta dikbalars, Saptha madhar, and Kalyana sundrar.
Kshetra puraneswarar is seen as Koshta devatai. We see Ambal and Lord Siva together with Lord Siva’s hand holding Ambals Chin. The Ambal face in this sculpture is carved in such a way if we see it from right side it looks, as though she is angry and from left it appears as smiling face.
We see Chandra Shekarar, Rishabarudr, Bairavar and Durgai with a peacock in her hand. They have kept a board which says any wish presented in front of Durgai will be reported to Lord Siva and it is fulfilled. It says parrot is the media of transporting our prayers at Durgai, to Lord Siva.
Lalitha parameswari is seen in different sanctum. The sanctum is so peaceful and we loose ourselves in front of Lalitha Devi. This is the sanctum were Lalitha sahasranam was recited first. They say everyday they were a new anklet (Golusu) for Ambal here. They have written Lalitha sahasranam to wall in side the sanctum.
Chandran, Agni and Yama worshipped Lord Siva of this temple. Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Siva (Megandhar) here. - Meeachoor Elang koil:
Elang koil means the deity is shifted to another place before the temple is renovated.
It is also known as Balalayam. This is to north side of Meeyachoor main sanctum
As we go around the temple we see Arulmigu Sakala Bhuneswarar and his consort Mekalambal. This deity is for the second Devara sthalam of Meeyachoor Elang Koil.
Appar sang hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
[Appar][Laitha Parameswari] [Sundarar][Lalitha sahasranamam]
- 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]
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