As we enter we see Dwajasthambam.
We see the entrance to, inner sanctum.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Somanadhar and his consort known as Meenakshi Ammai.
As we go around the sanctum we see to south west corner a sanctum for Lord Subramanian known as Mutthukumara swamy. He is also known as Samhara Moorthy.
To north side of the prakaram there is a sanctum for Sri Kandha Swamy in standing posture with Abahya hastham along with peacock and Vel. To his either side, we see Valli and Devani.
There are other deities like Vinayakar, Dakshina Moorthy and Channdikeswarar.
Purana says Boodha Ganagal of Lord Siva worshiped Lord Murugan of this place.
As we go around the prakaram we see different form of Lord Murugan. Boodha Ganangal is seen in the outer prakaram.
Nruthya Skandar.
Brahma Sastha
Bala Skandar
.
Sivagurunadhar.
Pulinthar. (Hunter)
Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
The temple is in Kancheepuram district. The place is about 20kms west of Singaperumal koil, on Chennai – Vizhupuram National High way.
This is a very old temple of more than 1000years constructed by King Bageerathan, who was ruling Sankondpuram of Ilanji Kingdom.
The temple has main Raja Gopuram of five tiers with a big mandapam to front.
As we enter inside through the main door, we find a big Dwajasthambam
Main deity is Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy with Valli & Devasena. Arunagirinadhar sang Tirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
Here, the pushkarani of the temple is known as Vajra Teertham and Sthala Vruksham is Padiri tree.
Indara wanted to worship Lord Murugan. He approached his Guru Brahaspathyto guide him. Indra was asked to worship Lord Subramanya of Vallakottai by his Guru. Indra came to this place and he used his weapon Vajra to make a pond. He used the water from the pushkarani to worship Lord Subramanya. Hence the pushkarani is known as Indra Teertham and Vajra teertham.
There was a fort in which there was an Asura named Vallan. He was giving lot of trouble to Devas, who prayed to Lord Subramanya to help them. Lord Murugan killed the Asura. To fulfill the wish of Asura, Lord Murugan named the place as Vallan Kottai, which became Vallakottai over a period.
Sthala Purana says King Bageeratha was ruling Sankondapuram of Illanji Kingdom. Once when Sage Naradha visited his place he ignored him out of pride. Sage Naradha wanted to teach him a lesson. When he left the place he met asura named Koran who was celebrating his victory. Sage thought he can use Koran to teach a lesson for King Bageerathan. He addressed Koran and said your victory is nothing unless you defeat King Bageeratha. Koran waged war against Bageerathan King of Illangi. It was least expected, and Bageeradhan lost the battle and left the kingdom.
In the forest he met Sage Naradha, and begged for pardon. He asked him to guide, to get back his kingdom again. Sage Naradha asked him to meet Sage Durvasa and proceed according to his guidance. Sage Durvasa asked him to worship Lord Subramanya under the Padiri Tree on Fridays and get the blessing of Lord Murugan. King did as he was asked and he was blessed. King Bageeradha constructed a temple for Lord Subramanya in this place and the padiri tree is sthala Vruksham of the temple.
Arunagirinadhar was on visit to Murugan temples. After his visit to Thiru Porur he wanted to proceed to Thiruthani and rested for the night. In his dream Lord Subrananya said you have missed Vallakottai Murugan. Next day Arunagirinadhar visited Vallakotai Murugan and sang Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanya.
Thiruchengkodu: Ardhanareeswarar Temple.
We traveled from Bhavani to Thiruchengkodu temple. The distance is about 25 kms. The hill is red in colour.
We find an arch at the entrance, with a road leading up for vehicles and steps, for pedestrians to climb. One has to climb 1200 steps to reach the temple door.
This is One of 275 Devara Sthalam of lord Siva.
Ardhanareeswarar is one of 64 manifestation of Lord Siva, representing the unity of Sakthi and Siva. This is the one of the temple dedicated for Ardhanareeswarar as main deity. Normally Lord Siva is seen in Lingam form but here He is in human form.
The Hill is in the Lingam form, and it looks like the union of Lord Siva and Sakthi as one.
The main Raja gopuram is of five tiers.
As we enter the main door we find Dwajasthambam. There is a mandapam with pillars having sculptures of various deities.
From here, we enter into to Murugan sannidhi, who is known as Thiru Chengkottu velavar. Chengkottu Velvar is as popular as Lord Ardhanareeswarar. Arunagirinadhar has contributed songs for Velavar of this temple in his Thirupugazh.
Main Deity is Swayambu Navabashana Ardhanareeswarar and Ambaal here, known as Bagampiriyaal. Ardhanareeswarar is a combination of Lord Siva and Parvathy. Right side of the deity is Lord Siva and the left side Ambaal. During Aarthi time, poojari will show near the leg where we can have darshan of four legs of Lord Siva and Ambaal Parvathy.
Teertham is known as Deva teertham which flows under the feet of Ardhanareeswarar.
Sthala Vruksham: Iluppai Maram.
We find beautiful sculptures to the side walls of temple when we go around the temple.
Sthala Purana: Bringy Muni, was great devotee of Lord Siva and used to worship only Lord Siva. One day when Lord Siva and Parvathy Devi was together, Bringi Muni came to worship Siva; he took the form of BEE, and worshiped only Lord Siva and ignored Sakthi who was next to Lord Siva. Parvathy got agitated with Bringi, for his ignorance of not knowing power of Goddess Sakthi. She cursed him to loose his power for neglecting Her.
Lord Siva showed Bringui muni, his original form of Ardhanareeswarar, which is the form of Siva and Parvathy as one. There is a sculpture of Bringi Muni in the temple.
Importance: The Hill is in red colour. Once, “Adi seshan and Vayu Bhagawan” wanted to test who is powerful among the two. The condition was, “Adiseshan” should hold the mountain tight with his head and “Vayu” should release himself from the grip. When Adiseshn holded Vayu with his hood. Vayu blew fiercly and the mountain pieces fell at many places. The hill is known as Thiruchengkodu. The hill is in red colour, because of the blood that oozed when Adiseshan pressed Vayu bagwan, with his hood. The hill is also known as Nagagiri and Vayu malai.
Inside the temple premises we see a small sanctum for Adiseshan
We see these pillars, as we go around.
As we go around the temple there is a separate shrine of Adi Kesava Perumal with dwajasthambam in front.
We see other deities like Vinayakar, Viswanadhar and Visalakshi, Natarajar and Sivakami ammai, Siddhi Vinayakar, Adi seshan, Sooryan, Bairavar, and Navagraha.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva.
We traveled from Bhavani to Thiruchengkodu temple. The distance is about 25 kms. The hill is red in colour.
We find an arch at the entrance, with a road leading up for vehicles and steps, for pedestrians to climb. One has to climb 1200 steps to reach the temple door.
This is One of 275 Devara Sthalam of lord Siva.
Ardhanareeswarar is one of 64 manifestation of Lord Siva, representing the unity of Sakthi and Siva. This is the one of the temple dedicated for Ardhanareeswarar as main deity. Normally Lord Siva is seen in Lingam form but here He is in human form.
The Hill is in the Lingam form, and it looks like the union of Lord Siva and Sakthi as one.
The main Raja gopuram is of five tiers.
As we enter the main door we find Dwajasthambam. There is a mandapam with pillars having sculptures of various deities.
From here, we enter into to Murugan sannidhi, who is known as Thiru Chengkottu velavar. Chengkottu Velvar is as popular as Lord Ardhanareeswarar. Arunagirinadhar has contributed songs for Velavar of this temple in his Thirupugazh.
Main Deity is Swayambu Navabashana Ardhanareeswarar and Ambaal here, known as Bagampiriyaal. Ardhanareeswarar is a combination of Lord Siva and Parvathy. Right side of the deity is Lord Siva and the left side Ambaal. During Aarthi time, poojari will show near the leg where we can have darshan of four legs of Lord Siva and Ambaal Parvathy.
Teertham is known as Deva teertham which flows under the feet of Ardhanareeswarar.
Sthala Vruksham: Iluppai Maram.
We find beautiful sculptures to the side walls of temple when we go around the temple.
Sthala Purana: Bringy Muni, was great devotee of Lord Siva and used to worship only Lord Siva. One day when Lord Siva and Parvathy Devi was together, Bringi Muni came to worship Siva; he took the form of BEE, and worshiped only Lord Siva and ignored Sakthi who was next to Lord Siva. Parvathy got agitated with Bringi, for his ignorance of not knowing power of Goddess Sakthi. She cursed him to loose his power for neglecting Her.
Lord Siva showed Bringui muni, his original form of Ardhanareeswarar, which is the form of Siva and Parvathy as one. There is a sculpture of Bringi Muni in the temple.
Importance: The Hill is in red colour. Once, “Adi seshan and Vayu Bhagawan” wanted to test who is powerful among the two. The condition was, “Adiseshan” should hold the mountain tight with his head and “Vayu” should release himself from the grip. When Adiseshn holded Vayu with his hood. Vayu blew fiercly and the mountain pieces fell at many places. The hill is known as Thiruchengkodu. The hill is in red colour, because of the blood that oozed when Adiseshan pressed Vayu bagwan, with his hood. The hill is also known as Nagagiri and Vayu malai.
Inside the temple premises we see a small sanctum for Adiseshan
We see these pillars, as we go around.
As we go around the temple there is a separate shrine of Adi Kesava Perumal with dwajasthambam in front.
We see other deities like Vinayakar, Viswanadhar and Visalakshi, Natarajar and Sivakami ammai, Siddhi Vinayakar, Adi seshan, Sooryan, Bairavar, and Navagraha.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva.
- Alagai / Tanjaipureeswarar Temple:
The temple is one of the Devara Vaippu Sthalam.
The temple is located 3 kms from Tanjavore Town. The place is known as Alagapuri on the banks of River Vennaru.
From Alagai / Tanjapureeswarar temple, Tanjvoore.
The temple gopuram is of three storeys. As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam.
From Alagai / Tanjapureeswarar temple, Tanjvoore.
Main deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Tanjapureeswarar and his consort known as Anandha valli Amman.
Sthala vruksham of the temple is Vilvam. Here the teertham is Veearu and Sivagangai Teertham.
From Alagai / Tanjapureeswarar temple, Tanjvoore.
Other deities seen in the temple are, Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Natarajar, Dakshina Moorthy, Kubera and Thirunavakkuarasar.
Purana says Kubera was born here, as a vaisaya and worshiped Sivalinga of this place. Hence the place is known as Alagai.
There are number of stone inscriptions seen in the temple.
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