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.

Thiru Vadhigai,   Thiru Veeratteswarar Temple.

This is one of the Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The temple is also one of Atta Veeratta Sthalam.

The temple is about 23 kms from Vizhupuram in Banruti on the bank of River Kedila.

The main Raja Gopuram of the temple is of seven tiers. There are three prakaram in the temple.

Mandapam and Dwajasthambam seen at the back

 

Sculpture to pillar in the mandapam.

We see Nandi in mandapam

Unique factor is Vimaanam of main inner sanctum is so huge; the shadow does not fall down on the ground. We see beautiful sculptures painted colorfully on the sanctum Vimanam.

Rear side of the Vimanam

There is beautiful sculpture to either side of the walls.

Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai.

Teertham is Chakkra, Soola and Garuda teertham.

 Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Arulmigu Veratteswarar and his consort known as Tripura Sundari Amman in separate sanctum facing east. Upper portion of Lingam has sixteen sides.

As we go around the inner prakaram we see sanctums of

Vinayakar sanctum, Tripuranthakar,

Dakshina Moorthy, Natarajar, Chandeesar, Sooryan, Bairavar, Naalvar,

Pancha Boodha Lingam,

Naanmuka Lingam, Thirumal, Arumugan, 63 Nayanmars, Navagraham, Tilakavathy, Thiru Navukkarasar, and 

Sekezhyar sanctum.

Samharam of Three asurars namely Vidhyunmali, Tharukashan and Kamalakshan by Veeratteswarar took place here. Brave action of Lord is known as Tripura Samharam.

Thiru Navukarasar was relived out of his ailment. Sundara Moorthy Nayanar was blessed by Lord and he acquired Thiruvadi Deeksha in this place. Tilakavadhyaar spent her time in doing service to lord.

Gopuram view, from inner premises of the temple.

Thir Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar, Sundarar, sang Hymn on Lord Siva of this place.

Arunagiri Nadhar sang Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan here.

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.