Shadaranya Kshetram: Arcot Temples.
The temples of Shadaranyam are very old Temples.
The Shadaranya kshetram temples are, where Saptha Rishi's (Vasishter, Valmiki, Baradwajar, Athri, Agasthiyar, Gowthamar and Kasyapa Muni) stayed there in their Ashram and worshiped Lord Siva. The temples are on either side to the bank of River Palau.
“Shat “denotes number six and Aranyam means Forest (kadu in Tamil) hence the place is known as Arcot. Lord Siva is known by the name of Rishi's who worshiped here in all these six temples.
Sthala Purana says visiting all these temples on Maha Sivarathri is as good as visiting and worshiping at Himalayas.
Once, Goddess Parvathy penanced at Kancheepuram (Prithivi sthalam) which is one of the Pancha Boodha Sthalam. Lord was pleased with her penance and married her. Rishi’s and Devas from heaven came down to Kanchi, to participate in the heavenly marriage of Lord Siva and Kamakshi Ammai. The place was so crowded; Rishi’s who came to participate in the marriage stayed in the forest near to Kanchipuram. They had to perform there daily rituals unobstructed. Each one of them chose a place in the forest to worship Lord Siva. All six places where they worshiped is known as Shadaranyam. Since Six Rishi’s worshiped Swayambu Lingam in these six places it is considered holy to visit and worship Lord Siva here.
- Veppur:
The place is about 3kms from Arcot to South Bank of Paalar River. One has to take bypass road of Vellore to Arcot.
The forest in this place was filled with Neem Tree hence the place was known as Veppur
A stone inscription says the temple is more than 1000 years old.
Later in the year 1169BC by Veera Sampanna Sambuvarayar constructed Maha mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Main sanctum of this temple.
Vasishta Muni installed Siva Lingam and worshiped Him in standing posture. There is a small sculpture of Vasishta Muni in the temple in standing posture.
Main deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Vasishteswarar and with his consort known as Balakujambikai in separate sanctum. Here Lord is seen in Kalyana kolam. Dakshina Moorthy is seen facing south in the prakaram.
Other deities seen in the temple are Selva Vinayakar, Subramanyar with Valli and Devanai, Sarabeswarar, Sapthamadhar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Akora Veerabadrar, Saneeswarar, and Kala Bairavar.
Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Subramanyar of this temple. The temple is considered as Guru Sthalam since Vasishta Guru of Lord Sri Ramachandra Murthy worshiped Lord Siva here.
- Mel Visharam:
The place is located about 3kms distance from Veppur. It is on the bypass road of Vellore to Arcot. The temple is to south bank of River Paalaru.
This place in the forest was full of Etti Maram, so the place came to be known as Visha Vruksha Vanam, and in later days the place is known as Vishram.
Valmiki Muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped Him in standing posture. We see a statue of Valmiki Muni in standing posture in the temple.
Main entrance of the temple.
Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Valmeekeswarar with his consort known as Vadivudyambikai in different sanctum.
Sthala purana says there is a stone inscription in Veppur temple which says the this temple is more than 1000 years old.
- Pudhapadi.
This place is about 6 kms from Arcot. The temple is on the South Bank of Palaru, between Arcot and Pudhupadi.
The place was full of Mango Tree in the forest, so the place was known as Amra Vanam.The temple is as old as 1600 years old.
Baradwaja muni installed a Siva Lingam and worshiped Lord Siva in standing posture. There is a statue for Baradwaja muni in the temple in standing posture.
Main Deity here is Swayambu Lingam known as Baradwajeeswarar.
The main sanctum is Gajaprushta form.
Other Deities seen in the temple are Nardhana Ganapathy, Dakshina Moorthy, and Vishnu.
- Gudimallur.
The place is in-between Pudhupadi dam and Valaja town about 3kms interior on the North bank of River Palaru.
Athri Maharishi installed and worshiped Lord Siva here for long period in sitting posture. Lord was pleased and blessed him. There is a statue of Athri Maharishi in sitting posture.
Athetheeswarar Temple main entrance.
As we enter we see Dwajasthambam
Main Deity in the temple is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Athetheswarar with his consort known as Thirupura Sundri in different sanctum.
There is another Siva temple in this place.
The Raja gopuram is of three tier.
As we enter there is long corridor leading to the sanctum
Main Deity in this temple is Sri Boomi Nadheswararwith his consort in separate sanctum.
As we go around the temple we see Ganesha, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar with Brahma and Lord Vishnu to either side.
Vasthu Pooja is performed on Vasthu day.
- Vannivedu
The place Vannivedu is about 2kms distance from Valajapettai on the North Bank of River Paalaru.
Agasthya Muni installed Siva Lingam and worshiped in this place in sitting posture. There is a statue for Agasthya Muni in sitting posture in the temple.
The place was full of Vanni Vruksham in the forest, hence it is known as Vannimedu.
Main entrance of the Temple.
Dwajasthambam
Main Deity is Swayumbu Lingam of sand known as Agstheeswarar with his consort known as Akilandeswari. Siva Lingam is small in size and finger prints are there on it. Ambal is seen standing on Avudai in penanceing form.
Other deities seen in the temple are Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Kasi Viswanadhar, Visalakshi, Swarna Akarshna Bairavar, Bairavar and Sani Bagawan.
Inside the mandapam we see Sarabeswarar and Nalwar.
- Karai:
The place Karai is about 2kms distance from Ranipetai on the north bank of Paalaru River.
The place was filled with karai plant in the forest, hence the place was known as Karai.
Gowthama Rishi installed and worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Here in the temple there is a statue gor Gowthamar seen in sitting posture in front of Lord Siva sanctum.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Gowthameswarar with his consort known as Krupambika seen in Artha mandapam.
As we go around the temple prakaram we see Sarabeswarar, and Gowthama Rishi.
There is another temple in Karai were Nandeeswara muni worshiped Lord Siva.
The place is about 3 kms from Karai in Avarakarai Village near Nalla thoppu on the north bank of Paalaru River.
Main deity in the temple Siva Lingam known as Nandeeswarar with his consort known as Ulgalandha Nayaki.
As we go around the prakaram we see Dakshina moorthy, and Navagraham
Thiru Naganadhar temple: Thiru Nagoore, Nagapattinam.
The place Nagoore is about 5 kms from Nagapattinam. The Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five tiers and a prakaram. The temple is dates back to some 2000 years.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Naganadhar and his consort, known as Nagavalli Amman.
The place is known as Punnaga Vanam. Sthala vruksham is Punnai. Teertham here, known as Chandra Teertham.
In Tamil month of Vaigasi (May/ June) full moon day Sri Naganadhar emerged under the Punga Vruksham in presence of Lord Vishnu.
Brahma Indran, Chandran, Saptha Rishi, Durvasa Muni, Samudra Rajan, and a Brahmin named Rudhirasanman worshiped Sri Naganadha Swamy of this place..
To the inner prakaram, there is a separate sanctum with mandapam for Sri Raghu Bagawan. Inside the sanctum we see Sri Naga Valli, Sri Nagakanni Ambal samedha Sri Kanni Raghu Bhagwan.
Sthala purana says he was been worshiped by these persons in all four yugam. In Tamil month of Ani (June / July) full-moon day for ten days, as Brahmotsawam, Chandran worships Lord Siva and he was blessed.
In Tamil month of Masi (Feb/March) full-moon day for ten days as Brahmotsavam, Indra worshiped Lord Siva and was blessed by Sri Naganadhar.
A Brahmin known as Sambudattan with, his wife and son was living in forest. He was living in forest to penance. One day the small boy while playing in the forest happen to see the mating of Takkan (king of Serpents)with his wife. Takkan realized the boy has witnessed this action; due to his karma Takkan chased the boy. He was bitten and lost his life. In the mean time Brahmin’s wife was worried about the where about of his son. She asked her husband to go in search for the child.
When Sambudattan went in search of his son he found him dead. Brahmin with his superficial power came to know the cause of death. He cursed Takkan to abandon from Naga Lokha, and he will be alone in the forest on earth. Takkan will loose his intelegence and power. Takkan was worried and he prayed to Brahmin, for solution to get out of the curse. Brahmin said after a period 1000 years, when Takkan meets his father Kasyap, he will be out of his curse.Takkan (Naga Raja) worshiped Lord Siva here in Tamil month of Masi (Feb/ March)on Sivarathri day.
On Sivarathri day Lord Siva is worshiped four times. Thakkan performed first time pooja in Sri Nagandha swamy temple of Vilvaranya kshetram at kumbakonam, Second Kala pooja at Thiru Nageswarm temple Sri Nagandhar of Champakranya Kshetram, third kala pooja at Thirupampurm temple Sri Nagandhar of Vanni Vanam, and finally fourth kala Pooja at Sri Nganadha Swamy of Punnaga Vanam. He got rid of his curse and attained Mukthy at the feet of Sri Naganadha swamy of Punnaga Vanam, Thiru Nagoore.
Sthala purana says one who has Raghu Dosha, they can worship Kanni Raghu of this temple. By worshiping Naganaddhar here one is blessed with Gyanam. This is a prihara sthalam for Raghu.
The place Nagoore is about 5 kms from Nagapattinam. The Raja Gopuram of the temple is of five tiers and a prakaram. The temple is dates back to some 2000 years.
Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Naganadhar and his consort, known as Nagavalli Amman.
The place is known as Punnaga Vanam. Sthala vruksham is Punnai. Teertham here, known as Chandra Teertham.
In Tamil month of Vaigasi (May/ June) full moon day Sri Naganadhar emerged under the Punga Vruksham in presence of Lord Vishnu.
Brahma Indran, Chandran, Saptha Rishi, Durvasa Muni, Samudra Rajan, and a Brahmin named Rudhirasanman worshiped Sri Naganadha Swamy of this place..
To the inner prakaram, there is a separate sanctum with mandapam for Sri Raghu Bagawan. Inside the sanctum we see Sri Naga Valli, Sri Nagakanni Ambal samedha Sri Kanni Raghu Bhagwan.
Sthala purana says he was been worshiped by these persons in all four yugam. In Tamil month of Ani (June / July) full-moon day for ten days, as Brahmotsawam, Chandran worships Lord Siva and he was blessed.
In Tamil month of Masi (Feb/March) full-moon day for ten days as Brahmotsavam, Indra worshiped Lord Siva and was blessed by Sri Naganadhar.
A Brahmin known as Sambudattan with, his wife and son was living in forest. He was living in forest to penance. One day the small boy while playing in the forest happen to see the mating of Takkan (king of Serpents)with his wife. Takkan realized the boy has witnessed this action; due to his karma Takkan chased the boy. He was bitten and lost his life. In the mean time Brahmin’s wife was worried about the where about of his son. She asked her husband to go in search for the child.
When Sambudattan went in search of his son he found him dead. Brahmin with his superficial power came to know the cause of death. He cursed Takkan to abandon from Naga Lokha, and he will be alone in the forest on earth. Takkan will loose his intelegence and power. Takkan was worried and he prayed to Brahmin, for solution to get out of the curse. Brahmin said after a period 1000 years, when Takkan meets his father Kasyap, he will be out of his curse.Takkan (Naga Raja) worshiped Lord Siva here in Tamil month of Masi (Feb/ March)on Sivarathri day.
On Sivarathri day Lord Siva is worshiped four times. Thakkan performed first time pooja in Sri Nagandha swamy temple of Vilvaranya kshetram at kumbakonam, Second Kala pooja at Thiru Nageswarm temple Sri Nagandhar of Champakranya Kshetram, third kala pooja at Thirupampurm temple Sri Nagandhar of Vanni Vanam, and finally fourth kala Pooja at Sri Nganadha Swamy of Punnaga Vanam. He got rid of his curse and attained Mukthy at the feet of Sri Naganadha swamy of Punnaga Vanam, Thiru Nagoore.
Sthala purana says one who has Raghu Dosha, they can worship Kanni Raghu of this temple. By worshiping Naganaddhar here one is blessed with Gyanam. This is a prihara sthalam for Raghu.
- Antarvedi: Lakshmi Narashima Swamy.
Location: The place is located 15 kms from Sakhnitpalle mandal and 10 kms from Narasapur. The village is placed at the confluence of the bay of Bengal and Vashista Godavari, one of the seven branches of River Godavari..
It is said that Maharishi vasishta brought River Godavari, here and it is one of the most sacred bathing ghat for entire Godavari delta. The place is known as Dakshina Kasi. This is 32 kshetra of 108 Narashima kshetram.
The temple was built during 15-16 th century. The temple is called as an island temple because it’s on the tributary of Godavari and Vasishta Godavari, meeting the sea, {sagara Sangamam}
Main deity is Lord Lakshima Narashima Swamy facing west and the temple is of 5 storeyed vimana gopuram. There are also deities like Neelakanteswarar, Sri Ramar and Anjaneyar.
As we enter inside we see Garuda and Anjaneyar to either side. We see Baktha Anjaneyar to a side and Venugopala swamy
To the roof near the sanctum, we see Lord Krishna on palm leaf. The whole piece is a single stone. We see lakshmi on the lap of main deity Narashimar which is not too clear
As we go around the main sanctum, to east side Prakaram, Goddess Rajayalakshmi thayar and Venkatachalapathy is seen. To North side Prakaram, Bhoodevi, and Ranganadhar. To west side prakaram we see Santhana gopala Swamy and Kesava swamy. Finally to south side prakaram, we see Azwar sanndhi and Chaturbuja Anjaneyar
The purana says Maharishi vasishta established an ashram here. Lord Brahma performed rudra yaga and installed Lord Neelakanteswara to get rid of his sins.
Rakthavilochana son of Hiranyaksha performed penance for a long period on Lord Siva, who finally was pleased and agreed to fulfill his wishes. Rakthavilochana prayed to lord that during the war time the blood drops that fall on the sand, and as many particles of sand are there should be transformed into warriors for his force.
purana: During Kaliyug the place Antarvedi was forest and everything was lost. Kesavadas was having cows which were taken out for grazing by Nar. One day the cow showered all milk on an ant hill.
This was happening everyday and Kesavadas followed the cow and found that the milk is showered on an anthill. He had a dream to construct a temple for Narashimar there. The temple was constructed at the same place of the anthill. When they started the work they found a stone sculpture of Narashimar and it was installed in the temple
The temple fell into ruins and it was rebuilt under the patronage of Sri Narendra Lakshmi Narashima Rao as an offering to Lord for protecting his ship from drenched into the sea. The temple was reconstructed in the year 1923.
- Vasishta Devalayam
This temple is constructed in the year 2005
The Devalayam is near Narashima swamy temple. The building is in circular form and the height is 54’. They say Sri chakkram is kept to same depth down ie. 54’. We have to climb few steps to reach the first level.
Here, we see saligrahama tortoise on which Maha Meru of Emarald is installed. We are allowed to enter inside the sanctum, and as we go around we see Dasavataram sculptures of Saligrahama stone are installed.
Next we go to the second level where we have the darshan of saptha Maharishi.
[Srichakkra][Baktha Anjaneya][Mahameru][Chturbuja Anjaneya][Saligramam][Dakshina Kasi]
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