Panayapuram: Panagkateeswarar Temple.



The place Thiru Panagkattoore is about 10 kms from Vizhupuram. This place is one of the Siva Devara Sthalam of Nadu Nadu. This is one of the five temples having Palm tree as Sthala Vruksham.











Main Raja Gopuram of the temple. The temple has two prakarams.








Sthala Vruksham is Panai and teertham known as Padhuma Teertham.









Main deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Panagkateesar facing east.










Goddess Puravammi / Sathyambikai here is seen in separate sanctum facing east.





The place was surrounded by Mullai forest hence the name Puravaar Panagkattore.








Other deities seen as we go around the temple prakaram are Vinayakar








Arumugar









63 Nayanmars, Sapthamadhar, Thirumaal, Rishabaroodar, Gajalakshmi, Nalwar, Dakshina murthy, Brahama, Lingothbavar, Durgai, Pichadanar, Somaskandar, Navagraham, Sani Bagawan Chandekeswarar and Natarajar. Thiru Neelakandar and wife are seen with their palms put together in the temple.









View of the temple tower as we go around the prakaram




King Daksha Prajapathy did not invite Lord Siva for the Yagnam which he was conducting. He refused to pay offerings for Lord Siva in the Yagnam and insulted Lord Siva. Every one of the Devas, who attended the Yagam performed by King Dakshan and took his offerings were punished by Akora Veerabadrar, messenger of Lord Siva.


Sooryan lost his luster, and he had to worship Lord Siva in many places to regain his luster. This is one of the place were Sooryan worshiped Lord Siva. Lord Siva blessed Sooryan and he gained his old bright form. As a mark of respect every year during the month of April/ May (from Tamil new year day) early morning Sun rays falls on Lord Siva and then on Goddess for a week




Sthala Purana says In order to protect the pigeon that surrendered to him Sibichakravarthy came forward to yield his eyes. Lord Siva was pleased by Sibichakravarthy’s dedication to his work as a ruler. He appeared before him and blessed him with eyesight which he lost. So Lord Siva of this place is also known as Kann Parithu Aruliya Kadavul.




Thiru Gyana Sambandhar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. There are stone inscriptions of first Kulothunga Cholan, Parakesari Adi Rajendra Devan and Koneranmai Kondan. As Per the inscriptions Lord Siva is known as Thirupanag kattudaya Maha Devar and the place known as Thiru Puravar Panagkatudayar temple.

Thiruvamathoor: Sri Abirameswarar Temple.



This is one of the Devara sthalam of Nadu Nadu. The place Amathoore is also known as Vanni Vanam which is about 6kms from Vizhupuram.








The temple tower is of five tiers. There are two prakarams in the temple.









As we enter into the temple we see Dwajasthambam and Bali peetam.








Here we see a big Nandi known as Maha Nandi.








Hear we see padala Nandi also.




Main Deity is Swayambu Lingam known as Abirameswarar is facing east and his consort known as Muthambikai facing west, in separate temple.



Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai and Vanni Vruksham seen inbetween the sanctum of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy.




Teertham is a well, known as Thanda Teertham, and pushkarani known as Aambalam.




Sthala Purana says long back cows were without horns. They were attacked by wild animals so the cows worshiped Lord Siva in this place. Lord was pleased and blessed them with horns. Hence the place was known as AAmathoore and Lord Siva in this place known as Abirameswarar.










Other deities seen in the temple are Maal Thuyar Teertha Vinayakar, Subramanyar, Dakshina Murthy, Lingothbavar, Natarajar, Brahma, Durgai, Pichaadanar, Sahasra Lingam, Kasi Viswanadhar, Chatta Nadhar, Arunachaleswarar, and Saptha madhar, Chandeeswarar, Navagraham, Bairavar, Nalwar and 63 Nayanmars.









Sri Rama worshiped Lord Siva in this place with Thanda Teetham to get rid of Brahmahathi dosha by killing Ravana. Lord Murugan worshiped Lord Siva and Parvathy here before he left for war against Soorapaduman. Parvathy bestowed Lord Murugan with her Sakthi Vel here in this place.




Brungi Muni worshiped Lord Siva and neglected Goddess Parvathy. Parvathy did not like his attitude, so he was cursed by Parvathy to become Vanni Vruksham. Later he worshiped both Lord Siva and Parvathy and was blessed by them.










To south west corner of temple premises we Sathya mandapam known as Vatta palagai.





Stone inscriptions of first Rajaraja Cholan, Rajendra Cholan, Veera Rajendran and first Kulothunga Cholan are seen.





Thiru Gyana Sambandhar, Thiru Navukkarasar and Sambandhar sang hymns on Lord Abirameswarar of this temple. Arunagirinadhar has sung Thirupugazh on Lord Murugan of this temple. Thiruvarutpa by Vadalore Ramalinga Swamigal and Thiruvamathur Kalpagam by Irattai Pulavar are rendered to Lord Siva of this temple.

Lord Lakshmi Narasimhar: Parikkal.



The place Parrikkal is about 3 kms from Vizhupuram to Ulunderpet Road.







Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar is seen seated facing east under Ashtakona Vimanam in this temple.



Main Deity is Lakshmi Narasimhar and Thayar known as Kanakavalli. Here in the temple we see both Narasimhar and Lakshmi Thayar are seen embracing each other which denote Lord Graces his devotees with mercy. Anjaneyar is seen in the inner sanctum.




Teertham here is known as Nagakoopam / Garuda Teertham.



We get darshan of Veera Aanjaneyar and Baktha Aanjaneyar in the temple. Sri Varadaraja Perumaal is seen facing south. Lord Vinayakar and Garuda are seen in the temple.




Sthala Purana says to rescue his devotee King Vsantharajan, Lord Narasimhar with flaming fury destroyed demon Parikalan in this place. Hence the place is known as Parikkal



King Vasantharajan requested Lord Narasimhar to stay in this place and bless his devotees. Lord obliged for his worship. The idol of Narashimar was made by Viswakarma the sculptor and installed by installed by Guru Vamadevar of King Vasantharajan.




[Lakshmi Narasimhar][Guru Vamadevar][sculpture Viswakarma][Veera Anjaneyar][Baktha Anjaneyar]

Sri. Sishta Guru Natheswarar temple: Thiru Thurayoor, Cuddlore Dt.



The place is about 8kms from Bunnrutti, and it is about 32 kms from Cuddalore. This is one of the Nadu Nadu Devara Sthalam. This is also considered as Guru Sthalam.







We see Dwajsthambam in front of he main sanctum.



Sthala Vruksham is Kondrai, and Teertham is Soorya Pushkarani.



Main Deity is Swayambu Siva Lingam known as Sishta Guru Nadeswarar / Pasupatheeswarar and his consort here known as Poongkodhai / Sivaloka Nayaki.







Other deities seen in the temple as we go around the prakaram are Nardhana Vinayakar in separate sanctum, Dakshina Moorthy as Koshta Deivam, where we see Lord Siva who blesses Sundarar as a sculpture, Subramanyar, Bairavar, Soorya Lingam, Rama Lingam, Beema Lingam, Soorya Bagawan, Adi Kesava Bakthavatchalar, Gaja Lakshmi, and Ashtabuja Kali.



Sthala Purana Says when Saint Sundarar reached this place the River Penna was flowing, so he sang Hymn on Lord Siva from the other bank of the River. At that time old couple who came there took him in their boat to cross the River. Sundarar searched for Lord Siva who disappeared from his vision. Old man told Sundarar, the person whom he was searching for is above him. Old man disappeared from there. Sundarar when he saw up, he saw Lord Siva with his consort on Rishba Vahan. Sundarar pleaded to Lord Siva to give Upadesam (teach) about Penance. Lord Siva was pleased and here in this temple as a Guru, he gave Upadesam (teach) to Sundarar about the penance. Hence he is known as Sishta Guru Nadhar / Thava Neri Aaludayar.








There is a, shrine for Thaduthu Aatkonda Eswarar as old man granting darshan for Saint Sundarar, opposite to temple. Sundarar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. Arunagiri nadhar sang Thirupugzh on Lord Subramanyar.






[thavaneri Aaludayar][Rishba Vahan][Soorya Pushkarani][River Penna]