Sri. Sishta Guru Natheswarar temple: Thiru Thurayoor, Cuddlore Dt.
The place is about 8kms from Bunnrutti, and it is about 32 kms from Cuddalore. This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam. This is also considered as Guru Sthalam.
We see Dwajsthambam in front of he main sanctum.
Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai, and Teertham is Soorya Pushkarani.
Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Sishta Guru Nadeswarar / Pasupatheeswarar and his consort here known as Poongkodhai / Sivaloka Nayaki.
Other deities seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram are Nardhana Vinayakar in separate sanctum, Dakshina Moorthy as Koshta Deivam, where we see Lord Siva who blesses Sundarar as a sculpture, Subramanyar, Bairavar, Soorya Lingam, Rama Lingam, Beema Lingam, Soorya Bagawan, Adi Kesava Bakthavatchalar, Gaja Lakshmi, and Ashtabuja Kali.
Sthala Purana Says when Saint Sundarar reached this place the River Penna was flowing, so he sang Hymn on Lord Siva from the other bank of the River. At that time old couple who came there took him in their boat to cross the River. Sundarar searched for Lord Siva who disappeared from his vision. Old man told Sundarar, the person whom he was searching for is above him. Old man disappeared from there. Sundarar when he saw up, he saw Lord Siva with his consort on Rishba Vahan. Sundarar pleaded to Lord Siva to give Upadesam (teach) about Penance. Lord Siva was pleased and here in this temple as a Guru, he gave Upadesam (teach) to Sundarar about the penance. Hence he is known as Sishta Guru Nadhar / Thava Neri Aaludayar.
There is a, shrine for Thaduthu Aatkonda Eswarar as old man granting darshan for Saint Sundarar, opposite to temple. Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagiri nadhar sang Thirupugzh on Lord Subramanyar.
[thavaneri Aaludayar][Rishba Vahan][Soorya Pushkarani][River Penna]
This place is about 15kms from Ulundoorpettai, Vizhupuram, TN. This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadunadu.
Main Deity Swayambu Lingam known as Chandra Shekarar / Vennaiappar seen under Rudraaksha Pandal and his consort known as Neelamalar Kanni in standing posture. She resides in separate sanctum. Here in the temple Lord Siva is seen in the centre of Soolam as Urchavar Idol which denotes Ardanareeswara tathvam.
Adikara Nandi is seen with both palms together here.
During the month of Feb/ Mar (Masi Tamil month), Early morning sun rays falls on Lord Siva and we see change of different colours.
Sthala Vruksham is Punnai and Teertham is well water, which is in front of Ambaal sanctum.
Other deities seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram are Vara Siddhi Vinayakar, Murugan with Valli and Devani is seen seated on peacock, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Natarajar seen in separate sanctum, Navagraham, Chandeekeswarar and Bairavar.
Lord Vishnu is seen seated with Mahalaksmi with both her palms together, on his left lap as Lakshmi Narayanar. Their eyes are closed as if they are meditating.
Lord Siva Himself built a dam with paddy hence the place is known as Nelanai which later changed into Neivanai.
Thiru Gaynasambandhar, during his pilgrimage reached this place in the night. He had difficulty in tracing the path. Lord Siva asked Ambikai to guide Sambandhar to reach the temple. “She” met Sambandhar in nearby place, known as Ethalavadi. When he reached the temple, Sambandhar worshiped Lord Siva who gave a wonderful darshan for him. In excitement he danced and sang Hymns on Lord Siva. The idol of Gyana Sambandhar is beautiful in dancing form. Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar are seen in the sanctum.
Sthala puranam: People of this region did not worship god because of their wealth and luxury. In order to teach them a lesson Varuna was asked to pour down as rain causing heavy disaster. Lakes and tanks began to breach. People started worshiping “God” to rescue them. Lord appeared as a youth and asked them to bring their paddy bags from their homes to build dam. They looked upon the youth as their saviour. He said “God” is the one who gives prosperity and they should be grateful to Him. He gave them pot full of Gold to recover their loss and disappeared. Lord appeared before them as Swayambu Lingam. They raised a temple for Lord and named him as Swarnakateswarar
Arakanda Nallore: Athulya Nadeswarar Temple.
This place Arakanda Nallore is about 2 kms from Thiru koiloore and 35 kms from Vizhupuram. This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara sthalam. Previously the place was known as Arayani Nallore. The temple is on a hillock near the confluence of Gowthami River and River Penna.
The temple Raja gopuram is of seven tiers.
Sthala Vruksham is Vilvam and teertham is River Penna.
Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Athulya Nadhar / Oppila Maneeswarar facing west under Rudraksha mandapam. His consort known as Soundra Kanakambikai / Azhagiya Ponnamai in standing posture is seen in different sanctum. Goddess is holding Alli Flower in her left hand and Lotus flower in her right hand. The temple is considered to be Gyana Yoga Sakthi Peetam.
Nandi is seen facing slightly towards right side with his ears turned towards the main sanctum, as if, he is ready to hear, what Lord Siva says. Here he is known as Sevimadukkum Nandi Devar.
Adikara Nandi is seen slightly moved towards Left side. When Sambandhar came to this place the doors of temple, were shut by the followers of other religion and worship was totally stopped. Sambandhar sang Hymns about Lord Siva here, and the doors opened immediately and then onwards rituals were started again. Both Nandi and Adikara Nandi seen slightly moved to either sides with their face turned towards left and right side respectively, for Sambandhar to have a clear darshan of Lord Sri Athulya Nadhar.
Other deities seen in the temple are Swayambu Valampuri Vinayakar, Mutthu Kumarar seen with six hands, Vishnu seen with Pryoga Chakkram in his hand with Lakshmi Devi, Kati hastha Durgai, Jeshta Devi, Asithanga Bairavar, Chandeekeswarar, Saptha madhar, Saneeswarar and Navagraham. Saneeswarar in the navagraham sanctum is seen with his right leg placed on his vahanam crow. Biravar is seen without his vahan dog.
Sambandar sanctum
There is a sanctum for Ramana Maharishi in the temple.
Eesanar, Durvasar and Viswamitra Rishi wanted to learn thoroughly about Eswara sakthi. So they approached Hygragreevar who is supposed to be god for Gyanam. Lord Hyagreevar joined with them and approached Lord Murugan for Upadesam. When they went to Lord Murugan he took them to His mother Goddess Parvathy.
Mother Goddess blessed them and asked them to visit Krishnaranyam on Earth where confluence of Penna and Gowthami River happens. To the north bank of this place there is a Hillock with power of Gyana Sakthi. Goddess asked them to meditate in this place about Lord Sivato get good result. Lord Siva was impressed with their penance and appeared before them. Lord gave Upadesam about Veda Agama Nadham. Lord Siva’s Upadesam to them about the Nadham was so clear and precise; they addressed him as Sri Athi Tulya Nadha Eswarar, which over a period changed into Sri Athula Nadeswarar.
There is a sanctum for Annamalayarhere. Sambandharafter worshippingLord Siva here wanted to visit Thiruvanna malai and worship Annamalayaar. But it did not happen so, he thought of Annamalayaar and installed a Siva Lingam and worshipped Him. This sanctum is seen in-between Sri Athulya Nadhar Sanctum and Goddess Soundra Kanakambikai.
As we go around the temple, we see Foot prints of Sambandhar placed on a peetam in a place from where he worshipped Annamaliyaar and sang Hymns on Him.
Sthala Purana says Lord Vishnu worshiped Lord Siva in this pace to get rid of his dosha for destroying Mahabali. Goddess Lakshmi also came in search of Lord Vishnu to this place. Lord Siva appeared before them here.
Once a muni, by name Neelakantar visited Siva kshetrams, to get rid of his curse. On his way to Thiru Annamlai he took bath in River Penna and sat on the hillock. From place he was able to see Thiru Annamalai, so he decided to worship Lord Siva from this place. He started meditating in this place. Lord Siva was pleased with his worship, and appeared before him with his consort Parvathy, and blessed him to get rid of his curse. Neelakanta Muni prayed Lord Siva, to stay back in the place and bless mankind. Lord Siva is in Swyambu Lingam form known as Araiani Nadahar in this place.
Here we see five caves where Pancha Pandava stayed for sometime during their Agnayatha vasam Period
(Swayambu Lingam)[Gyana sakthi][Eeswara Sakthi][ValampuriVinayakar][AdikaraNandi][Ramana Maharishi]
Thiru Chopuram: Thiru Chopura Nadhar / Mangala pureeswarar
Temple.
The place is about 20 kms from Cuddlore.
The place is also known as Thyagavalli. The temple is on the shore of Bay of Bengal. This is one the Devara Sthalams of Nadu Naadu.
A Temple that was burried and recoverd from sand.
Some thousands of years back the
temple was buried into sand due to fury of the sea.
In the later years of 19th
century the sand was cleared and temple was constructed once again.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam Arulmigu
Thiru Chopura Nadhar/ Mangala pureeswarar and his consort Chopura Nayaki Amman
/ Sathyadakshi Amman...
Here Sivalingam is on square peetam
as Avudai and the Lingam portion is made of Sand. Palm print of Agasthya muni
is visible on the Lingam portion. There is a small ball like bulb which is
considered as Ganga. Lord Vishnu and Brahma are
seen worshipping at the back of sanctorum.
Something unique in this temple is
Turmeric and Kumkum is used for worship of Lord Siva here. Hence the Lord is
known as Mangala pureeswarar.
Unique factors
One can here sound of Saptha Swaram from
Dakshina Murthy idol when it is tapped.
Here White Vastram is used for Dakshina
Murthy instead of Yellow which is normal. Dakshina Murthy is seen with Nagam to
left hand and Agni to right hand which is in reverse order.
Teertham is known as Chopura
Teertham and Bay of Bengal.
Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree.
Inside the inner prakaram we see
Vinayakar, Lakshmi, Murugan, Verrateswarare, Kannappar, Navagraham,
Lingothbavar, Dakshina Murthy, Bairavar, and Natarajar sanctums.
Sthala purana says once when a
devotee came here to worship Lord Siva he did not see the temple but a little
portion of Kalasa was visible from within the sand. The residence of the village helped in
removing the sand and the temple was visble.
During the marriage of Lord Siva and
Parvthy the land tilted to one side, due to the weight of complete Mankind and Devas
who gathered to see the function. So Lord Siva asked Agyasthya Muni to travel
towards south to balance.
As the sage was traveling he
installed Siva Lingam in many places for his worship. Once when he came to this
place he had severe stomach ache and he prayed to Lord Siva. He tried to make a Lingam
of sand which was available there. He was not able to do the Lingam. He realised Lord was testing him. He finally
used some herbs found near by and extracted juice from it and mixed them to
sand and made a Lingam out of it. The Lingam has palm print of sage Agasthya
when he installed it. He was relieved from stomach ache.
Agasthiyar and Thyagavalli
worshipped Lord Siva of this place.
Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva
of this temple.
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