Sivapuri / Thiru Nelvoyil: Uchinadhar temple / Kanakambal Temple.
The temple is about 3 kms SW, from Chidambaram. This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu.
The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers with single prakaram facing east.
Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Uchi Nadeswarar and his consort known as Kanakambikai Amman.
This is one of the places where Lord Siva gave darshan to Agasthya Muni. We see Parvathy Parameswarar at the back of Siva Lingam in wedding posture.
Sthala Vruksham is Amla.
Teertham is known as Krupa samudram in front of the temple.
As we enter we see Dwajasthambam
Nandi is seen in a mandapam
As we go around the temple prakaram we see Vinayakar, Murugan, Pancha Lingam, Saneeswarar, Navagraham and Natrajar sanctums.
Kala Bairavar sannidhi
Inner sanctum Gopuram
The temple was surrounded with paddy field hence the name Thiru Nelvoyil. At present the place is well known as Sivapuri.
Sthala Purana says Thiru Gyana Sambandhar who is great devotee of Lord Siva, was blessed by Lord. When he was 3 years old, his father left him on the steps of pushkarani to have bath. The child was hungry and cried for milk. Goddess Parvathy gave him milk. When his father came he saw milk in the lips of child, asked the child who gave him milk. He pointed the hand towards temple and sang his first Hymn in praise of Lord. His father Sivapadhar felt happy to know this.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar along with Nayanmars and relatives was traveling to Achalpuram Siva Temple for his marriage ceremony. They members in marriage party were hungry when they reached this place Sivapuri. Lord Siva in guise of the temple priest fed the party with delicious food. So the lord was praised by them as Uchinadhar / Madhyaneswarar.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns in praise of Lord Siva here. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
The temple is about 3 kms SW, from Chidambaram. This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu.
The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers with single prakaram facing east.
Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Uchi Nadeswarar and his consort known as Kanakambikai Amman.
This is one of the places where Lord Siva gave darshan to Agasthya Muni. We see Parvathy Parameswarar at the back of Siva Lingam in wedding posture.
Sthala Vruksham is Amla.
Teertham is known as Krupa samudram in front of the temple.
As we enter we see Dwajasthambam
Nandi is seen in a mandapam
As we go around the temple prakaram we see Vinayakar, Murugan, Pancha Lingam, Saneeswarar, Navagraham and Natrajar sanctums.
Kala Bairavar sannidhi
Inner sanctum Gopuram
The temple was surrounded with paddy field hence the name Thiru Nelvoyil. At present the place is well known as Sivapuri.
Sthala Purana says Thiru Gyana Sambandhar who is great devotee of Lord Siva, was blessed by Lord. When he was 3 years old, his father left him on the steps of pushkarani to have bath. The child was hungry and cried for milk. Goddess Parvathy gave him milk. When his father came he saw milk in the lips of child, asked the child who gave him milk. He pointed the hand towards temple and sang his first Hymn in praise of Lord. His father Sivapadhar felt happy to know this.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar along with Nayanmars and relatives was traveling to Achalpuram Siva Temple for his marriage ceremony. They members in marriage party were hungry when they reached this place Sivapuri. Lord Siva in guise of the temple priest fed the party with delicious food. So the lord was praised by them as Uchinadhar / Madhyaneswarar.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns in praise of Lord Siva here. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
Chidambaram
Temple: Cuddlore District.
The place Chidambaram / Thillai is about 44 kms from
Cuddlore. This is One of the Nadu Nadu Devara sthalam, and one of the Pancha
Boodha Sthalam which denotes Space/ Akashya.
Raja Gopuram is of seven tiers. There are four prakaram in
the temple.
Sthala Vruksham is Thillai Maram. Once the place was dense
with Thillai tree and hence the name was Thillai. Now we do not find these
trees here. There is a Thillai tree, made of stone seen in west prakaram of Thiru
moolattanaar sanctum
Teertaham is Siva Gangai, Anantha teertham, Brahma teertham,
Vyaghyapadhar teertham, and Thiru parkadal.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Thiru Moolattaneswarar
and his consort known as Sivakami Amman in Seperate temple with two prakaram
near the tank.
To inner prakaram we see sanctums of Polla Pillyar, Murugan,
Kala Biravar, Spatika Lingam, Maragadha Lingam, Sundaresar, Durgai, Govinda
rajar, Navagraham,
Greatness of the temple: Natarajar in Thillai is more
important. Thandavam here known as Ananda Thandavam. Next to him a there is a small
sanctum which is covered by screen. During Aarathi time they remove the screen
where we see only a Thiruvasi to which a garland of golden Vilva is hung. This
denotes God is in the form of space (Akasha) which has neither the end nor the
beginning. This is what known as “Chidambara Rahasyam”
King Chola and Nambiandaar Nambi worshipped Pollaa pillayar
of Thiru Narayoor. They were blessed by Pillayar and came to know the place as
Thillai, where Hymns sung and signed by Sundarar, Thiru Navukkuarasar and Thiru
Gyana Sambandhar were collected and kept. When they searched in that place they found
Hymns were fully covered by Puttru (mud). Many of them were damaged and rest
they preserved carefully.
Govinda Raja perumaal sannidhi is near Natarajar Sannidhi.
There is a separate dwajasthambam for perumal temple. Govinda raja perumal is
one 108 Divya Desa perumal. In front of
the perumal if we stand on the platform we can darshan of Perumal, Natarajar
and Lord Brahma.
Periya puranam of Sekzhiar was inaugurated in thousand
pillar mandapam of this temple
Nanadnar a staunch devotee of Lord Siva wanted to visit the
temple. Nandanar was a dalit farm worker. His master (upper class) denied grant
him leave, since he was not entitled the previlage of worship. Nandanar did not leave his hope. Finally one
day when he came to Chidambaram he was not allowed to enter inside the Temple. He tried to get the glimpse of Lord Siva from
the entrance. Since Nandi was in front of Lord Siva, he was not able to view
Him. Lord Siva was happy with his devotion and Nandi was asked to move to a
side, for Nandanar to have darshan. Nandanar attained salvation here and he
merged with Lord Siva.
There are Five Sabhas in the temple namely Chittrambalam,
Ponnambalam, Perambalam, Nirudha Sabha and Rajtha Sabha.
Sages Patanjali and Vyagyapadar were blessed to view the
dance of Lord Siva in Kailas. They were happy
and they wanted people on earth also to be blessed like this. They penanced for
this purpose to Adhimoolar. Lord was happy with their selfless penance and responded.
Lord Siva along with 3000 sages came to this place and performed Dance Darshan
in the month of Thai (Jan-Feb) at 12 AM. on Poosa Nakshtra. These 3000 sages
then came to known as Thillai Moovayiravar.
It is said there is a similarity in the design of Natarajar
sanctum and human body.
Nataraja shrine has 21,600 golden tiles engraved with
NAMASHIVA Mantram which is equal to number of times one breathes each day.
There are 72,000 nails used which represent the nerves of human body. The 9
entrances represent the 9 conveniences in the body which activate our
movements. The five steps denote NA Ma SHI VA YA Mantra. There are 64 wodden
supports which represent 64 arts. There are 96 windows which refer to 96
philosophies. The 16 pillars denote Pancha Boodham, 6 Sastras and 4 Vedas.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundrar and Thiru Navukarasar sang
Hymns on Lord Siva. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Murugan.
From Varanasi we went to Vindhyachal, sakthi peetam.
- This place Vindhychal is about 60 kms from Varnasi and 8 kms from Mirzapur. Its on the rail road of Allahabad to Mogalsarai. There is a station by vindhyachal and also Mirzapur.
This is one of the sakthi peetam and goddess if known as Vindhyavasini. Sathi devi's left Leg thumb fell here and it is considered as one of the sakthi peetam.
Goddess Durga after having killed demon Mahishasura etablished herself here. In later years she defeated Sumba and Nisumba.
- Sitakund
This is one of the popular attractions at Vindhyachal. It is said that when Sri Ram, Sita and Lakshman were returning home after their exile, Sita became very thirsty at this place. Since water was not easily available, Lakshman pierced an arrow and immediately a fountain of water came out.
In memory of Ram, Sita and Lakshman and Goddess Durga a temple was constructed. One can quench their thirst here at the Sitakund. After climbing 48 steps to the Sita Kund the track leads to another low hillock, where the AshtabhujaTempleis situated.
- Ashtabuja
This is supposed to be the main sakthi peetam.
As purana says she is supposed to be Maha maya Kali whom Kamsa lifted up thinking that it was Devki's 8 th child.
Near Ashtabhuja temple, there is another cave temple with a narrow path. The cave roof is so low and the passsage is too narrow, one has to bow down and enter into in single row, to have a glimpse of the Goddess Kali.
We see bairavar to the side near by.
Besides these temples there are many more temples at Vindhyachal. In Ramgaya there is one more Jagadamba ashtabuja devi temple, and Ramanadhar temple. This place is aboout 3 kilometer away from vindhyavasini temple There are also the Brahmakund and Agastyakund whose waters are very sacred and it is believed that bathing in these water can relieve one from their sins. Besides, there is also an Ashram of Anandamayee Ma.
- Mirzapur temples
Budhenath temple
The temple is in Mirzapur town. This is Siva temple and the main deity is known as Bhudeswar. We see Bairvar near the entrance of the temple.
- Thadakeswaranath temple
The temple is near district court of Mirzapur town. Main deity is Thadakeswarar in Linga form.
- Durga temple:
This is 1000 year old temple.
Main deity is swayambu Durga matha. As we enter there is a small temple, where we see Siva in the form of lingam.
Inside the temple we have the darshan of Durga matha and as we go around we have the darshan of Bairavar, Saraswathy, Lakshmi, and Vishnu. Outside the temple premises we have the darshan of Sankata Hanuman
- Tulasi manasa mandir:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Rama. The temple was built in the year 1964 and it is on the site where Goswamy Tulasidas wrote the epic “Ramacharithramanasa”. The construction of temple is of marble stones. We see Hanuman in front of the temple.
As we enter inside we see idol of Tulasidasar with the book Ramacharitramanasa. Tulasi Ramanayan is written on the walls of the sanctum. The main idol is lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman. To one side Annapurna Devi, and Lord Siva as Bikshadanar is seen, and to the other side Sathyanarayana Swamy.
- Sri Rama temple:
The temple is in huge premises. Lot of checking is there. We are not allowed to take anything inside. We find lot of monkeys here. There is a sanctum for Lord Rama, Sita and lakshmana. In front of the main sanctum of Sri Rama we see Hanuman.
- Swamynarayan temple
The temple is near ghay ghat. The temple construction appears like a chariot.
Inside it’s a big hall where we see Swamynarayan and Lakshminarayan idol made of eight elements. To one side we have darshan of Lord Siva and Parvathy. To other side we see palliarai. Here we see Radha krishnar and Swamynarayan pictures. We can see Ganesha and Hanuman also.
- Birla mandir:
Uma Maheswara mandir built by Birla family. In the main sanctum we see Lord Siva in Linga form. We are allowed inside the sanctum. Outside the sanctum to one side we see Durga and Lakshminarayanar in different sanctums. The temple is in Banaras university campus.
- Varahi temple
The temple is in Thripura bairvi Ghat. Goddess is big in size and known as Padala Varahi. She is in basement and no one is allowed inside. Only poojari can go inside to perform pooja. There is small hole in ground level from there, we can have the darshan of Varahi. The temple is closed by sunrise (by 6.30 am). They close the door and again the darshan time is next day morning only. - Bindu Madhavar temple
The temple is in Pancha ganga Ghat. This temple is one of the pancha Madhava Kshetram. The main deity is Saligrahama stone. Only after our visit to the temple, sthala yatra is completed.
- Kamakoteeswarar temple: The temple was constructed by Kanchi matt. The temple is constructed in south indian style according to panchayadhana rules.
Main deity Lord Siva is known as Kamakoteeswarar, and Goddess Kamakoti devi. Siva Lingam is of Narmadha stone, Goddess Kamakoti is of emerald. We see sanctum of Lord Ganesha, Thirumal and Sooryanarayanar. Ganesha and soorya idol is of red stone. To one side we see pallikondasivan in different sanctum. The temple is near Hanuman ghat.
- Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaramatt
This is in Hnuman ghat. This is branch of Kamakote Peetam of Kanchi. Veda patasala is also there. Rooms are available for stay. - Kala Bairavar temple
The temple is in Visweswara ganj. Kalabairvar is one form of Lord Siva. Normally only the face is seen, to have the full darhan you have to pay. There are 8 bairava temples are there in Kasi. He is supposed to be Kaval deivam {protecter} of Kasi. Biravar is the person who punishes people for sins.
- Gowdi Matha temple
This is the last temple to visit in Kasi. She was supposed to be grama devata, when Kalabiravar was declard as Kaval deivam
Purana: she got annoyed with Lord Siva and Planned to take the benefits, of devotees who visit Kasi. Lord Siva was horrified and he made a deal with her. He asked her to stay at the border of Kasi town and she can take the 50% of Kasi visit benifts if they do not visit her.
Gowdi matha was cooled down and she said she will be happy with the people who offer her conch to her. There is no need to take anything other than the conch which is available near the temple. The panda {poojari} asks us to repeat, what he says. The benefit of counch is your’s and the benefits of visiting Kasi is mine.
- Tridev Temple
The temple is constructed 6 months back. There is a big hall as we enter inside, the deities are kept in three comparments.
In the center we see Sri rama , Sita, and Lakshmana. We also see ganesha to upper side and Hanuman in lower side of Sri Rama's left side. to the right side we see Radha Krishnar to upper side and Lord shiva parvathi to lower. To the left corner of the hall we have the darshan of Annapurani, and to the right corner, Trisulam.
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