Showing posts with label Arumugan. Show all posts

Kamakoore: Sri Chandrasekara Swamy Temple.



The temple is about 7 kms from Arani, Tiruvannamalai Dt. The temple is very old and it needs renovation. Pooja is performed only twice daily.








The temple has a raja Gopuram and as we enter we see Dwajasthambam, and to the side we see Sanctum for Lord Ganesha.



The place is known as Kamanagar and Kamathoore is changed into kamakoore in present days. There is a sanctum for Kamakshi ammai hence the name for the place is Kamathoore in olden days.



As we go around, after worshipingLord Ganesha, we see entrance in south side for Lord Siva Temple. Here we have darshan of Adigara Nandi and we see Natarajar sannidhi in front of us. Here Lord Natrajar’s posture is different from other places. Here his left leg is on the floor and the right leg is placed from the back of left one in twisted form. The dance Mudra of this kind is known as Chatura Thandavam.



After worshiping Natarajar, we cross dwarabalakar and enter into artha mandapam. In Garbagraham Lord Chandrasekar Swamy is in Linga form. His consort known as Amirthambikai in standing posture is seen in separate sanctum to the side.



As we go around the temple we see sanctum for Arumuga swamy seated on peacock with his consorts Sri Valli and Devani. Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Arumugan of this temple.



As we proceed there is a sanctum for Sahasra Lingam. There is a separate sanctum for Kamakshi ammai who is known as Tripurasundari in this temple. She is holding flower in one hand and sugarcane to the other hand. Sri Chakkram is installed in the sanctum.

Devikapuram: One of the 64 Sakthi Peetam temples


The temple is about 16 kms from Arani.


The place is also known as Kanakagiri, Deviampathi, Devikizhipuram and Narayanavanam.



There is a temple on the top of hill for Lord Siva. One has to climb about 320 steps to reach the temple. Pooja is performed only once in the morning time so the temple is opened only during morning hours. We missed due to our visit to temple was in the evening hour.


Here Swayambu Siva Lingam is known as Ponmalai Nadhar. There is a sanctum for Lord Murugan. Teertham is Agni Teertham and Sthala Vruksham here is Magizha Maram.








In the town, there is a temple for Goddess, with seven tier Rajagopuram and three prakarams




















As we enter in we see beautiful sculptures to either sides of walls near the main door.








We see huge mandapam leading us to another inner gopuram. To the front of it Dwajasthambam and Nandi is seen.






There is a huge pillar mandpam with beautiful sculpture to the pillar on it.



Main Deity is Periya nayaki Amman in this temple. She is one of the goddess of 64 Sakthi Peetam.


Teertham is Sivagangai and Sthala Vruksham is Banyan Tree.







There is a separate sanctum for Arumugan. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugzh on Lord Arumugan of this temple.







As we go around we see a separate sanctum for Kaameswarar with his consort Kokilambal.






Durgai seen as koshta deivam during our prakara valam







Sthala puranam of the temple: King Ugrasenan penanced here and he was blessed with female child, whom he named as Devaki. Hence the place was known as Devaki puri, which is now known as Devikapuram.


Once a person belonging to Irular sect was plucking root vegetables by digging the ground. This was his job. One day when he was digging under a banian tree on a mountain his axe fell on root and blood started oozing out. He was frightened and fell down unconscious state. That day Lord Siva reveled to him in his dream, about his presence as Linga roopam in that place. Irulan started worshiping Siva Lingam from that day.


Once Pallava King was passing through the place and came to know the details of this Siva Lingam here. He decided if he wins the war against his enemy he would construct a temple for Lord Siva in this place. Pallava King won the battle and he constructed the temple on the hill.


Stone inscriptions are seen in the temple.

Rathna Giri: Balamurugan Temple. Rathnagiri, Vellore.





The Temple is on small hillock, with Raja Gopuram of five tiers. There are steps leading to top and one can reach the top by vehicle also. We reached by car.



Main deity is Bala Murugan and Urchavar known as Shanmugar.


We see Karpaga Vinayakar here in the mandapam. Urchavar Shanmugar is seen on a stone mandapam which is like a Chariot.


Annabishekam is performed in this place for Lord Murugan as he is considered as Sivaamsam. Since, it is the temple with Bala Murugan as main deity Soorasamharam is not celebrate here in this temple during Skandha Shashti.


Sthala Purana says the temple was there on the hillock. Over a period the pooja performance stopped due to inconvenience in reaching the place. Once a devotee visited the temple and there was no oil to light lamp. He felt sad at heart and a thought of Balamurugan, flickerd in his mind and he became unconscious. Looking at this Poojari went down to bring some one to help him. In the mean time the devotee got up and he wrote a message on the sand. It said he was blessed by Balamurugan and his mind is full of Balamurugan. He wanted to construct the temple and arrange for daily Aradhan for Balamurugan. He sat up and started meditating. Later on the temple was constructed.

Durgai sanctum is seen at the foot hill with Nandi and Simhavahanam to either side.

Kangeyanallore Murugan temple.


The place is about 7kms from Vellore.







The temple has a Raja Gopuram of five tiers.






As we enter in we see Dwajasthambam inside the temple.



Main Deity is Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devanai seen in the marriage form.Urchavar here in the temple is Shanmugar.



We see a small sanctum for Arunagirinadhar here. He sang Hymns on Lord Muruganof this temple.


We find other deities like Selva Vinayakar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Saraswathy, Lakshmi, Nava warriors of Lord Murugan, Nalwar, Veerabadharar, Naagar, and Bairavar. There is a shrine for Smitra Chandeekeswarar here in the temple.



Krupanandavarrior’s father Malayadasar wanted to construct the temple raja gopuram. He approached Lokanadhar well known as Thirupugazh Swamy at Thiruvannamalai. He was asked to come back after a year for this work. Malayadasarapproached him once again after a year.


Thirupugazh Swamy gave him a rupee coin and vibudhi prasadam and blessed him to start the work of Raja Gopuram. With blessings of Lord the work was completed soon.






We see Adishtanam of Krupnandavarior in front of the Murugan Temple.

Valli Malai: Murugan Temple.


The place Valli Malai is about 11 kms distance from Katpadi and 14 kms from Thiruvalam.
This is one of the temples visited by Arungirinadhar who sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan.







We see a Pushkarani known as Saravana Pogai and Sthala Vruksham is Veyngai Tree.







Main Raja gopuram of Shanmugar Temple, at Valli malai, near Saravana poigai.






There is a temple for Lord Murugan who resides here as Shanmugar in standing posture facing east with his consorts Valli and Devanai.






Valli belongs to this place hence the place is named after her as Valli Malai.
We see a sanctum for Valliat foot hill and also uphill. She is seen holding Undivill and Stone in her handsto drive away birds.
Valli belongs to hunter community. Honey and Thinai (corn flour) is offered as neivedyam for Lord Murugan.







We see Peacock in a small mandapam in front of the steps






There are about 500 steps to climb up to reach top hill.







The temple of Lord Murugan is cave temple on single rock. View of inner sanctum gopuram of Lord Murugan.


When we reach the top we turn left to see a dwajasthambam of the temple. We see Valli ammai, to left near the entrance of the cave temple. Inside the mandapam we see Selva Vinayakar, Arunagirinadhar, Veerabadrar, Nava Veerar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Nandi, and Chandeeswarar.


We climb steps to reach main sanctum of Lord Murugan in standing posture with his consort Valli and Devayani facing south. We see urchava moorthy of Moolavar, Arumugar and Bala Subramanian. There is a square window to the east side of sanctum, which is supposed to be a cave path leading to Tiruthani. It is believed it was through this path Lord Murugan took Valli to Tiruthani.


This is the place where Valli performed penance on Lord Vishnu to have the hands of Lord Muruga. Hence the devotees are blessed by sadari in this temple.







We go around the cave rock and find the path is leading to Ashram of Vallimalai Swamigal.





The path is about 3kms distance with ups and down. It was difficult walking through the path.










We find Adishtanam of Valli malai Swamigal here.









As we proceed further we see teertham known as Kumari Teertham and there is spring with sweet water, and it is said the sun rays does not fall. The purana says this is the place Valli gave Honey and Thinaimavu for Lord Murugan.







We find Ganesha Giri which appears like elephant. This is the place; Lord Ganesha appeared as an elephant to frighten Valli.







We see Erattai Vinayakar on a platform.






Here we see Pancha Vruksham.



On the top of the hill there is Mandapam where we find Siva Lingam. Climbing the hill top is difficult. There are no steps.






We find a small pond here.












We find Jain caves on the hill, with sculptures carved on the rock.

Poravachery, Ettukudi and Ennkan, are three Subramanya Swamy temples, in which the idols were sculpted by same sculptor in same pattern. The complete idol is of single granite stone. The Lord Subramnayar is sculpted with six face (Arumugan) and ten hands. He is seen with weapons, in ten hands, and two hands are Abhaya Varadha hastham. Lord Murugan is seen in seated form on his peacock which holds a snake to its beak. The sculpture of Subramanian is beautiful with minute details like finger, and nails which gives a feeling of life in the sculpture. This is the specialty about the Lord Subramanyar idol in all three places.

1. Sri subramanya Swammy Temple, Poravachery
   
   
   
   
   This temple is situated at Poravachery four kilometers from Nagapattinam on the Nagapattinam-Tiruvarur route just one kilometer from Sikkal.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Lord Shanmuga with his consorts Valli and Devayanai is in the form of granite statue. The peacock, Lord Muruga and the Tiruvasi are all made of a single piece of granite. Lord Subramanya received Vel from his mother Parvathy to fight against Sooran
   
   As we go around we see Lord Ganesha named as Annadhana pilliyar.There is a separate sanctum for Ambal, who is worshiped as swarna kalika Devi.
   Lord Siva is seen here, in Linga form known as Sundareswarar and his consort Meenaksi. There is a place here for Idumban.
   
   Arunagirinadhar sung Tirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
   
   
   
   Story:
   
   
   
   There lived a sculptor in the village named Porulvaitha Cheri about a km away from Sikkal town of Nagapattinam district. He was a great devotee of Lord Muruga and used to chants Saravana manthram always. He sculpted an idol of Arumugan on peacock. The idol was beautiful and the Chola king who happen, to see this was impressed. He was too greedy and wanted the idol to be unique one of its kind in his kingdom. So he removed the thumb of sculpture so that, he may not be able to make another similar idol.
   
   
   
   The sculpture moved away from the place and on his way he saw a stone with all good qualities to make an idol. With great effort he started working on the stone. The king Mutharasan who was ruling that place saw him working with lot of effort and dedication. He was visiting the place to see the development in the work. He made another idol of Arumugan exactly similar to the previous one. At the time of completion light rays passed over the sculpture and the peacock started flying with Arumugan on its back. The sculpture lost his eye sight. He screamed out to catch (etti pidi- which means catch in tamil language) the peacock, At that time Raja muthurasan was entering inside, his soldiers caught hold of the peacock and made a scar on the leg. The complete thing became an idol and the king built a temple in the same place which was known as ettipidi. Over a period the name became Ettukudi in usage.
   
   
   
   
   The sculpture with the help of his daughter was able to sculpt another idol of Arumugan which was installed at Ennkan. At the completion of the sculpture he got back his eye sight.
   
   
   
   
2. Ennkan:
   
   
   
   
   Ennkan Murugan temple is located in Thiruvarore district about 13 kms from Thiruvarore. The temple was constructed during 2nd Kulothungan period. The place is also known as Sameevanam
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Lord Subramanyar in separate sanctum. Here Lord Siva seen in the form of Swayambu Lingam, known as Brahmapureswarar and his consort Perriya Nayaki Amman.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we go around the temple we see sanctum for Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Natarajar Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bairavar, and Arunachaleswarar
   
   
   Vanni maram is Sthala vruksham and teertham known as Kumara Teertham, Nethara pushkarani, saravana Poigai, Vridha cauvery, and Brahma teertham
   
   
   
   Importance three days in the month of Panguni (March / April), sunray falls on Lord Siva. Here Arumugan is seen in sitting posture on peacock. The complete weight of Thiruvasi, Lord Arumugan and the peacock is rested on one foot of the peacock.
   
   
   
   Purana says Lord Subramanyar arrested Lord Brahma, who was unable to explain the meaning ofPranava Manthram and he started doing the creation work. Brahma worshiped Lord Siva with his eight eyes. Lord Siva was pleased and asked Subramanayar to release him and hand over the duty of creation. Lord Subramanya refused to give to one who does not know the meaning of Pranava Manthram. Lord Siva convinced, Lord Subramanya and asked him to give upadesam of Pranava Manthram and assign Brahma with duty of creation.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   So in this temple Lord Subramanya is facing south side and resembles Lord Dakshina moorthy, so he is known as Gyana karakan, looks like Natarajar and the hall is known as sabha mandapam. He is like kala samhara moorthy so he is considered as Arul karakan
   
   
   
   
   Since Brahma worshipped with his eyes the place is known as Enkann. One who has problem with their vision, worship Arumugan of Ennkan, and they are blessed with good eyesight says sthala puranam
   
   
   
   Arunagirinadhar Sang Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanyar.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Ettukudi Murugan
   
   
   
   Ettukudi Village is about 20 kms from Nagapattinam to Thiruthuraipoondy route. Main deity is Lord Siva in Lingam form as Soundhara nayakar and his consort known as Anandavalli thayar Vanmeega chittar attained Samadhi here. Samadhi is seen under the vanni tree. Vanni maram and saravana poigai, Other deities like Nardhana Ganapathy, juraharewaa, Sreenivasa Soundaraja perumal,Sani Bagawan and Bairavar are seen. Importance of the temple is deity appears to us, as we visualize him in our heart. Arunagirindhar sung Tirupugazh on Lord Subramanya of this temple.