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Thiru Vedikudi Temple: Lord Vedapureeswarar..



The place Thiru Vedikudi is about 7kms North to Tanjore on the banks of River Vettaru. This temple is one of the Devara sthalam. This temple is one of the Ezhoor temples visited by Lord Iyarappar of Thiruvaiaru, in the Tamil month of Chiittarai (April/ May).







The temple has Raja gopuram of three storey, and single prakaram.









Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam and Teertham is Veida teertham.




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Vedapureeswarar and his consort known as Mangayarkarasi Amman. Sun rays falls on 13,14 and 15 of tamil month Panguni (March/ April).















As we go round the prakaram deities seen in the temple are Sevi Saaitha Vinayakar, 108 Siva Lingam, Dakshina Moorthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Durgai, Murugan, Mahalakshmi, Natarajar, Lakshmi Narayanar and Hanuman is seen at the feet of Him, Saptha Sthana Lingams.




Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Siva here hence the name Vedikudi for the place. Vedas worshiped Lord Siva here and were blessed. Vinayakar enjoys listening to chanting of Vedas; hence he is known as Sevi Saaitha Vinayakar / Veda Vinayakar. The temple Vimanama construction is of stones. Nandi is seen to four sides of Temple Vimanam, represting four Vedas. Ardhanareeswarar form here is unusual in this temple. Here Ambal is seen to the right side of Ardhanareeswarar who is seen as Koshta Deivam at the back of main sanctum.




Sthala purana says once Vedas were taken away from Brahma by the Asuras and it was hidden under the ocean. The Vedas were brought back by Lord Narayanar. Vedas worshiped Lord Siva to get rid of their Dosha of being with Asura. The Vedas were blessed by Lord Siva. On request of Vedas Lord Siva stayed back in this place as Vedapureeswarar.




Thiru Navukkarasar and Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva here. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.



Stone inscriptions of Rajakesri Varman and Koparakesari Varman period are seen in the temple they say the Lord is known as Thiru Vedikudi Mahadevar and Para kesari Chaturvedi mangala Mahadevar.

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.

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.

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.

Gyana Malai: Murugan Temple.


The place is known asGovinda Chery which is about 17 kms from Kaveripakkam, Vellore district.





We find an arch near the starting point to the temple.






Here we seeHanuman in standing posture.







There are about 150 steps to climb up to reach the Murugn temple.







As we climb up half the way we see Gyana Dakshina Moorthy under Kallala Maram.






The temple is small one with Kodi maram.






We see peacock in front of the kodi maram facing main sanctum.







We see a mandapam , Artha mandapam and inner sanctum.



Here in this temple Lord Murugan is in Brahma Sastha form with Valli Devayani to either side known as Gyana panditha Swamy. He is seen with four hands. We see Kamandalam and japa Malai in his two hands which are at the back. Right front hand is in the form of Abhaya Varadha Hastham and left hand is kept on his hip.


Purana says Sastha means one who punishes. Lord Murugan punished Lord Brahma who was not able to explain the meaning of Pranava Mantharam. He took the work of creation from Lord Brahma. Here we see Lord Murugan as Brahma Sastha. One who worships Lord Murugan in this form will be blessed with Gyana.


The temple timing is 8 am but the day we went the temple was closed till 8.45 am. So we could have darshan of the Lord Murugan through the gaps found in the door. The light was not sufficient enough to have good darshan. We thank God for giving darshan from the gaps in the door. We had to leave the place with a hope of visiting some other time.






There is a small sanctum forMurugan known as Kuramagal Thazhviya Kumaran.







This is the form in which Arunagirinadhar saw Lord Murugan and was blessed by him.
Arunagirinadhar is seen standing to the side.







At the back of the sanctum as we go around we see sanctum forLord Siva known as Gyana Gireeswarar with his consort known as Gyana Poongkodhai.






At he back of the Lord Siva SanctumWe see a hall which is known as Thiruvadi Poongkoil.










Here we see foot prints of Valli and Lord Murugan. Purana says Valli and Murugan when they left for Tiruthani from Valli malai rested here in this place. The three places Valli Malai, Gyana Malai and Tiruthani are in triangular point. It says visiting three places in same day is good.






There is mandapam in which we see Navagraham






View from top of Gyanamalai