Thiru Koodalaiyatroor: Arulmigu Nardhana Vallabeswarar Temple.
The place is about 20 kms from Chidambaram and about 8 kms
from Sri Mushnam, near the confluence of River Vellaru and River Manimuthuaru.This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu Temples.
The main Raja Gopuram is of three storeys. The main sanctum Vimanam
is of two stages. We have to climb few steps to reach a mandapam.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Nerikattu Nadhar /
Arulmigu Nardhana Vallabeswarar and his consort known as Gyana Sakthy and Parasakthy
in two different sanctums. In the month of Chittirai 1 to 3, Sun rays falls on
Siva lingam.
We see Nandi in the Prakaram.
Natarajar, Amudha Vinayakar, Viswanadhar, Arumugar, Lord
Vishnu, Gyana Sakthy and Amudha Sakthy Sanctums are seen. Here in this temple
we see only Saneeswarar sanctum. Here he is known as Pongu Sani. Navagrams is
not seen here. There is a sanctum for Chitraguptar.
Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathy penance here in this
place and were blessed by Lord Siva who gave darshan and danced for them, hence
the name Nardhana Vallabeswarar. The temple is near the confluence of two
Rivers Vellaaru and Manimuthaaru hence the name Koodalayatroor for this place
Kallala Vruksham is sthala Vruksham of this temple.
Terrtham in this place is Brahma, Agasthya, Kathyayanar, River
Vellaaru and River Manimuthaaru.
Sculpture seen to the temple wall.
Sthala purana says the Chola Raja by name King Dinakaran suspected
his wife and killed his queen. Due to his act he got Brahmahathi Dosham. He
left the kingdom and wandered like a lunatic. One day he saw a dog with skin
disease was following him. As they were passing by River bank the dog jumped
into the River and when it came out the dog was cured of all its skin disease.
The King saw this and he also did the same and got relieved t of Brahmahathi
Dosha. He got back his Kingdom and constructed a temple for Lord Siva near the
confluence of two rivers
River Vellaaru and River
Manimuthaaru here.
Over a period the temple was sunk and the idols were lost.
Goddess appeared in the dream of the priest and told him about the presence of
the idols in the River. Priest did as he was told and found the idols. He constructed
temple and installed the idols.
Sage Agasthya had a son by name Karthyanan who was also a great Rishi like his father. Agasthyar worshiped
Lord Siva here for daughter. Sage found a Girl baby playing on lotus leaf in
River Manimuthaaru. He brought the child to his place and named her as
Ambujavalli. During the Varaha Avatara of Lord Vishnu, saw His consort Lakshmi Devi
as Ambujavalli and married Her. We find a shrine for Lord Vishnu here.
Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple.
Thiru kazhi paalai: Paalvanna Nadhar Temple.
This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam. The temple is
about 5 kms to SE, from Seergazhi and it is near by Sivapuri temple.
Earlier, the temple was in a place called Kaaraimedu on the northern
bank of River Kollidam. The temple was known as Kazhi palai. Due
to floods, in rainy season the temple was heavily ravaged. So a temple was
constructed in present place, and all idols were shifted to the new premises.
There is a Raja Gopuram of three tiers facing east, there is a Nandi seen
outside, in front of Raja Gopuram.
Near the main entrance of the inner sanctum we see Adigara Nandi with his
consort
Pradosha Nandi is seen in front of the main sanctum
in a mandapam.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Paallvanna Nadhar
and his consort known as Veda Nayaki Amman. There is a split in the top of
Lingam. At the back we see wedding posture of Lord Siva and Parvathy.
As we go around the prakaram, we see sanctums of Lord
Vinayaka, Murugan with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Lord Vishnu,
Agora moorthy, Kiradha Moorthy, Lord Brahma, Chatura Durga, Navagraha,
Bhuvaneswari and Nayanamars.
Sthala Vruksham is Vilwa and teertham is Kollidam.
Sthala Purana says Kapila Muni during his pilgrimage passed visited this place dense with Vilwa tree. The sand in this place was white due to cow’s pouring out milk voluntarily in this place. So the sand is white in colour. Kapila Muni made a Siva Lingam out of this mud and worshipped Lord.
While King was passing through this place horse hoof hit Siva Lingam and it got split on the top. Kapila Muni wanted to make another Lingam for his pooja. Lord Siva with Goddess Parvathy appeared before him and asked him to install the same Shiva Lingam since the milk poured in that place was by Kamadenu.
Unique feature of the temple is Bairavar is wearing 27 skulls as sacred thread and serpent as belt with Lion’s teeth. The temple is also known as Bairavar Temple. It is believed the idol of Bairavar in Kasi Keshtram and the Bairvar of this temple was made by same sculpture.
This is one of the places where Lord Shiva gave darshan to Agasthya muni. Valmiki worshiped Lord Siva of this place. Lord Natarajar here seems to tie his jadamudi up as turf. Sivakami Amman is seen with her friends Vijaya and Saraswathy.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Sundarar and Thiru Navvukkuarasar sang Hymns praising Lord Siva of this place. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
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.
Teerthana Giri:
Arulmigu Siva Kozhundeeswarar.
This temple is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalams. The
temple is about 18 kms from Cuddlore on the bank of River Pennai.
Main Raja Gopuram is of three tiers.
Dwajasthambam is seen in front of the temple.
Pushkarani here in the temple is known as Jambuva Thadagam. A
sage was cursed to become a Bear which bathed in this tank and got blessed. Hence
the name for pushkarani is Jambuva Thadagam.
Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai Tree. Lord was given food under
the tree. We see a Siva Lingam under the tree.
As we go around the prakaram we see Nardhana Vinayakar and
other sculptures to either side.
Four Boodha Ganas are seen worshipping Vinayakar.
Sculptures related to Sthala puranam.
Lord Dakshina Moorthy is seen sitting on a peetam with his
legs folded. Four of his disciples are seen sitting near him. Muyalagan is
missing. Lingothbavar is seen at the
back of Lord Siva sanctum, Goddess Durgai is seen to the other side of the
wall.
Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Lingam known as
Arulmigu Sivakozhundu Eswarar and his consort known as Oppila Nayaki Amman in
seperate sanctum. She is also known as Karuthadang kanni and Neeladhambikai.
Sun rays fall on Lord Siva on 20,21 and 22 of Panguni Month.(march- April)
Lord Nataraja is seen in separate sanctum with Lord Vishnu
and Lord Brahma. This is something rare form. Here Lord Vishnu is seen with his
counch and Lord Brahma with Mridhangam. Lord Siva is performing Ananda
Thandavam to which Lord Vishnu is singing with is counch and Lord Brahma is
playing Mridhangam. Darshan of Lord here is considered beneficial for who
aspire for excellance in Music and Dance.
Here crop known as Thinai was cultivated in those days and
it was used as Nevaidham for Lord Siva. Hence the place was known as Thiru
Thinai. Now the crop is not grown and the practice is discontinued.
Lord Chandikeswara is seen with his consort in this temple.
Sthala Purana says a farmer couple who lived in this village
had the habit of taking food only after feeding a Siva Devotee. One day farmer
couple did not find any Devotee since Lord Siva tested their faith. At last
they went to their field to feed workers who were also missing there. They
waited for their return. An old man came there and they requested him to have
food. Old man replied he will not accept food as free. He wanted do some work
and accept food as wage. Couple asked him to plough the field and accept food.
In the meantime they went home to fetch food for old man. When they returned
they saw the crop was grown and ready for harvest.
They served the food for the old man under the Kondrai tree
and asked him how he was able to do so fast. Old man after eating disappeared.
Lord appeared and and told them he came here in disguise as old man. They
worshipped and asked him to stay back in the place to bless them. Lord Siva
stayed back as Swayambu Lingam in this place as Sivakozhundeeswarar.
Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this place.
Thirumaani
kuzhi Temple:
Thiru Vaamaneeswarar.
The place is about ten kms from Cuddlore on the
bank of River KedilaThis temple is one of the Nadu Nadu
Devara Sthalams.
The main Raja Gopuram is of five tiers and there are three
prakarams.
As we enter inside we see Dwajasthambam
Nandi Devar is seen in small mandapam
Teertham is River Kedila and Swetha teertham.
Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as
Vaamaneeswarar and his consort known as Ambujakshi Amman in separate sanctum
facing east.
Something unique in the temple is we see Beema
Rudrar screen in front of Lord Vamaneeswarar. Beema Rudrar is always guarding
Lord Siva here. First pooja is performed for Beema Rudrar. The
screen is lifted and the pooja for Lord Vaamaneeswarar is
performed.
As we go around the inner prakaram we see Selva
Ganapathy, Udhavi Ganapathy, Arumugan, Nalwar, 63 Nayanmars, Saptha Madhar,
Pancha Moorthys, Gaja Lakshmi, Bairavar, Navagraha, Vishnu Lingam, Soorya and
Chandran.
Thiru Annamalaiyar seen at the back of
main sanctum
Sri Durgai sculpture seen to side wall of
main sanctum
We see beautiful sculptures on the walls related to Sthala
puranam
Sthala Purana says Lord Vishnu descended down
as small Brahamin boy named as Vaamana. He went to King
Maavli and asked for three feet of land by his foot. King agreed to
give land forVaamana.
Immediately Vaamana took to his original
form and measured earth and space for two feet by his foot. King
Maavali bowed his head down for Vaamana to rest
his feet on his head for the third one. Vaamana did so and
it was the end of King Maavali’s life.
As a parihara for the death of King Maavali, Lord
Vaamana worshipped Siva lingam here .Hence the place is known as Maani
kuzhi and Lord Siva as Vaamaneeswarar.
Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord
Vaamaneeswarar. Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple.
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