Sri Veeratteswar temple Moolavar : Veeratteswar, Kruthivasar Amman / Thayar

Sri Veeratteswar temple

Moolavar : Veeratteswar, Kruthivasar
Amman / Thayar : Iangilai Nayaki
Old year : More than 2000 years old
Historical Name : Tharuka Vanam
City : Thiruvaluvoor, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Of the Atta Veera sthalas, this temple is the sixth in the rank. This is the only Shiva temple where devotees can have the Feet Darshan of Lord.

There are five wells in the holy spring-theerthas of the temple known as Pancha Mukha wells. In his celebrated hymns, Saint Tirugnana Sambandar had made special mention about this temple. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Selva Vinayaka.

Majority of the devotees seek wedding and child boons from the Lord. People use to bathe in the holy spring in Lord’s shrine on new moon days and pray for removal of evil effects on their children. Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is the special Lord of the temple. A Yantra is installed behind this shrine where people pray for total release from spells and witchcrafts and other such evil magic. People praying to presiding deity Kruthivasar are blessed with mental peace. People also pray for employment, progress in trade and profession, promotions also.

Devotees perform archanas to Lord after having a bath in the holy spring on new moon day-Amavasya. Those seeking wedding boon offer Kalyana Malai with conch and Kalasa abisheks. They also cover Lord with sandal paste. Abisheks are offered in rice flour, turmeric, cosmetic powder, oil, milk, curd, green coconut, panchamirtha, lime fruit juice, honey and sandal mixtures. Some devotees arrange Annadhana-feeding, distribute nivedhana offered to Lord to other devotees and perform usual abishek and aaradhanas.

Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi is praised as the Special Lord of the temple. The idol-sculpture is so realistic showing the tearing of the elephant (Gaja) keeping His feet on its head and wearing its skin. The idol is huge in size. Mother Uma is holding Her child Lord Muruga in fear. Lord Muruga as a child points His finger on Lord.

Pancha Brahmma Thertham (spring) is in between the Lord and Nandhi. People bathe here for child boon. Saraswathi Theertham blesses the devotees with wisdom and high education. Yantra Pratishta is behind Lord Gaja Samhara Murthi as the Rahasya Pratishta in Chidambaram. Samahara Murthi graces from the Gnana Sabha-Court of Wisdom. The feet darshan of Lord Shiva is available to devotees in this temple only.

Sani Bhagwan in the temple appears fighting with King Vikrama Raja. Defeated by Sani, the king fell in the theertha the holy spring. Bathing in the spring, the king worshipped Lord for relief. Sani Bhagwan sought the pardon of Lord. His leg got damaged. There is a separate shrine for Sani in the temple holding a bow.

The structure of the temple is different here. It begins from Nandhi followed by a tank, then the sanctum sanctorum. Of the nine dances of Lord Shiva, Gaja Samhara dance is praised as Oordhva Thandava.

48,000 sages had performed penance in this place gaining wisdom. Of the Theerthas in the temple, the one before Lord’s shrine known as Patala Ganga or Eesana Theertham is praised as the most sacred in the temple.

As the place eluded (Vazhuvudhal in Tamil) destruction by pralaya floods, the place is called Vazhuvur. The name in scriptures is Tharuka Vanam.

The sages in the Tharukavanam grew proud that no divine grace was required as every thing they get came from their penance and own power. Their wives too shared their opinion. To teach them a lesson and erase their pride, Lord Shiva came there as a Bikshadana the beggar and Lord Vishnu as an enticing woman. The sages lost themselves at the sight of the Mohini and their wives on Lord Shiva’s handsomeness. Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva created Aiyanar and disappeared. Realizing that they were cheated, they performed a yajna and brought out Fire, tiger, deer, axe snakes, demon Muyalaga to attack Lord Shiva. Failed in their attempts, they finally created a wild elephant to kill Him. Lord Bikshadana entered into the belly of the elephant. The world became dark. Mother held Lord Muruga in fear. Lord churned the belly of the elephant which cried aloud unable to bear the pain. He came out dancing tearing its belly. The sages fell at the feet of Lord and sought His pardon. As Lord Shiva killed the Gaja-elephant, He is praised as Gaja Samhara Murthi.

Parvathamalai and Temple

Parvathamalai and Temple

Parvathamalai is located near Thenmadimangalam Village, 20 kms from Polur. It is part of Javadhi Hills and accessible through Kadaladi village 25 kms north of Tiruvannamalai or through Thenmadimangalam. Parvatham means mountain and Parvatha Malai as it is called, connotes “Hill of Hills” or “Queen of Hills”. Parvathamalai presents eight different shapes from eight directions around the hill.

At the summit of the Hill is the Mouna Guruswamy Ashram and more importantly a very powerful Temple at which resides the Siva aspect in the form of Lord Mallikarjuna (i.e. White Jasmine) and the Sakthi aspect in the form of Parvatha Rani or Parvathammal. Parvathammal is also called Lordess Brahmarambika (and Maragathambika). Inside the sanctum sanctorum there are also deities dedicated to Sri Ganesha and Lord Murugan.

A Temple at this site is believed to have existed for the last 2000 years although it is not known exactly when the current Temple was constructed at the top of Parvathamalai. However a record (Malai Padu Kadaam) shows that King Maa Mannan who was ruling that area, during the year 300 A.D used to visit a Temple (at this site) frequently and worship Lord Shiva and the Goddess. It is said that 2000 years ago great yogis (Siddhas) constructed a Temple at the top of the hill for doing meditation.

Reaching the top of Parvathamalai is an arduous task. It is a vertical mountain over 4,000 feet in height that has iron rod steps, track steps, ladder steps, and sky steps (agayapadi) not found at other such sacred mountains. The Kadapaarai Padhai section of the climb up the Hill is considered to be the toughest part of the trek. This part which is punctuated by iron rods drilled into the rocks and chains to assist during the sharp ascent is also only wide enough to accommodate one-way traffic. Thus one has to raise one’s voice voice from the bottom of this section and wait for acknowledgement from the other end before starting to climb the Kadapaarai Padhai section.

One of the legends associated with Parvathamalai states that when Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevini hill to revive Laxman a piece of Sanjeevenimalai fell at this spot. For this reason this particular area is famous for various herbs and shrubs which can cure the deadliest diseases. It is not just herbs that can cure disease but it is thought that the breeze alone from the Hill wafting through the plants and shrubbery is enough to help cure illnesses.

There is a legend at Parvathamalai associated with the two saints Guru Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayam—who were to later reside on caves on Arunachala Hill. However when Guru Namasivayam and Guhai Namasivayam stayed on Parvathamalai, they accidentally cooked and ate an unknown herbal leaf (known as ‘Karunochi – Siddha Medicine’) and regained their youth forever.

Another legend associated with this sacred site recounts that when Lord Siva returned from the Himalayas to South India, He stepped on Parvathamalai on His way to Arunachala.

The history of Parvathamalai is interconnected with that of the famed Sri Mallikarjunar Temple at Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. The encompassing legend goes so:

“Sage Siladha performed severe penance on Lord Shiva seeking a boon to have children. Two sons were born to him, Nandhi and Parvathan. Sanakadhi Rishi called on the sage and said that Nandhi would live on earth only for a short while. As a result of this prophecy Siladha fell into grief. Nandhi assured his father by saying that he would win over death by his penance on Lord Shiva.

Pleased with Nandhi’s penance, Lord Shiva appeared and made the young child His vahana (vehicle) and passed the order that devotees should come to Him only after being allowed by Nandhi. Nandhi’s place of penance at the foot of the hills at Sri Mallikarjunar Temple at Srisailam is also known as “Nandiyal”. His brother Parvathan also performed penance on Lord Siva and became the hill – Parvatha Hill – i.e. Parvathamalai”.

This sacred place as it is under 30 kms from Arunachala is also infused with Arunachala’s radiating spiritual power. Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchipuram saw the hill in the shape of a Siva Lingam. Increasingly as the fame of Parvathamalai spreads, many devotees and pilgrims visit and climb the hill to worship at the Temple on the summit in order that they may attain bliss and enlightenment. One of the unique features of the Temple on Parvathamalai is that all may enter the inner shrine (sanctum sanctorum) in order to perform their own puja to Lord Shiva, His Goddess, Sri Ganesha and Lord Murugan. The busiest times at Parvathamalai are the days of full moon, no moon and new moon.

It is reputed that there are Siddhars who have made this Hill their home and who keep their presence a secret only choosing to reveal themselves to few devotees of the Divine. It is believed that these Siddhars visit the Temple on the top of Parvathamalai at midnight to worship the presiding deities there. Though no one can or have seen them in physical bodies, Villagers around ‘Parvathamalai’ down below say that they can clearly hear the sound of ringing bells, blowing conch and beating drums exactly at midnight when pujas are performed by siddhars. Devas and spiritual beings from other lokas are also believed to worship on the Hill every night.

"Siddhars have spoken volumes about Pancha Nathana Nataraja. They say that this deity is such a rarity in the Universe that even the Devas would give anything just for the chance of worshipping him. They say that on the Nataraja Abisheka days which occur in certain Tamil months (Chitra, Aani, Aavani, Purattaasi, Margazhi and Maasi), the Devas perform their worship to this deity in subtle form. This kind of worship is similar to the sookshma worship done by the Devas at the peak of the Arunachala Hill and on the Parvathamalai Hill."

It is reported by visitors that at night many paranormal activities occur on Parvathamalai. That it is possible to experience both Jyoti Darsanam at night and also to imbibe an almost other-worldly intoxicating scent of flowers. The Goddess idol at the Temple has a dazzling smile and Divine light can often be seen on her face and cheeks. When the devotee walks away from Goddess Brahmarambika in the sanctum sanctorum, the size of the deity instead of diminishing, appears to increase in size and it seems as if the Goddess steps forward and approaches the devotee.

This place is filled with stories of miracles witnessed in one form or another. Devotees often report seeing images of both the snake and trishulam when lighting camphor in front of Lord Shiva. Some devotees have seen a nine foot King Cobra visiting the Sanctum Sanctorum for the worship and others have sight of three eagles circling the top of Parvathamalai.

Sri Tirumalai Kumaraswami temple

Sri Tirumalai Kumaraswami temple

Moolavar : Kumaraswami (Lord Kartikeya)

There are 626 steps to reach the temple. The presiding deity is also called Mookkan. Tirumalai Kali graces from the top of the hill. There are 16 steps to reach Lord Vinayaka shrine. 16 steps represent 16 kinds of wealth, it is believed. 


Kumaraswami Temple situated on a hill in Panmozhi, Tirunelveli, India.

During the construction of the temple, elephants were used to carry the pillars and beams to the hill. As strong rope was not available those days, it was made of palm fibres which, sometimes would give up dropping the pillars down. When the pillars fell down with great sound, a woman ascetic Sivakami Ammaiyar would stop them with her head caring not her life. The pillars would be dragged upward again. Till such time, she would be keeping her head against the pillars preventing them from falling further down. She had such power granted by Lord Muruga. She also carried bricks on the plaintain stems to the hill top. There is a statue for Ammaiyar in the temple.

Once, there was a deity of Mother Kali at the hill. Lord Muruga appeared in the dream of the priest Poovan Pattar and said that He was among the bamboo bushes at a place called Kottai Thirattu and that ants would guide him to the spot. Lord informed the king of Pandala too of this fact. When the Pandala king came there, Poovan Pattar also accompanied him. They found the spot and dug the place to take the deity out. While doing so, the nose of the deity was slightly damaged. This is still visible on the deity, hence the Lord is also called Mookkan.

To avoid any danger to the Lord due to floods and enemy attack, the temple is built at a height of 500 feet. The temple is built according to Kerala design and style. Pandala kings have left a huge property to the temple.

Airavateshwarar temple, Kumbakonam

Airavateshwarar temple, Kumbakonam

This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings.

The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple. Periya Nayaki Amman temple
Airavateshwarar temple gopuram.

The Great Living Chola Temples. at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.

The legend is that Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshipped Lord Siva in this temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took a bath in the sacred tank and was rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham. It gets its supply of fresh water from the river Kaveri and is 228 feet in width. Pilgrims make a point to bathe in the tank. In the recent past Raja Raja Chola and Karikala Chola worshipped the Siva Lingam in this temple. Volume II of the South Indian Temple Inscriptions deals with a number of endowments of the Pandya Kings also (see pages 556 to 562). On the temple walls these inscriptions are given, from which it is seen that the temple was known in those days as Raja Rajeswararen and Raja Rajapuram. Two such inscriptions are copied here.

Inscription No. 563 at page 557. No. 23 of 1908 on the inner Gopura of the temple, right of entrance. Record dated in the 10th Year, Tai 11, of the reign of the Pandya King Maravarman alias T ribhuvana Chakravartin Srivallabhadeva registering the provision made for repairs and for celebrating festivals in the temple of XXXI Ra (ja) ra (ja) isuram Udaiyanayanar, by the residents of Uttattur-nadu, a sub-division of Kulottunga-valanadu.

Inscription No. 564 at page 558. Record dated in the 31st Year, Makara, Ba. Dvitiya, Uttarashada (probably a mistake for Uttaraphalguna) of the reign of the Chola king Tribhuvana Ghakravartin Sri RAJARAJADEVA registering the grant of land (Irandu Ma mukkani araikkani) 23/160 of a veli to meet the expenses of worship, offerings, etc., to the God by a native of Peruchchalipuram, a village in Kilar-kurram, a sub-division of Pandyakulapati-valanadu.

As originally Airavata worshipped the Lingam, the Lingam is named after him as Airavateswara. The Goddess in this temple is known as Deva Nayaki. Whatever remains of the sculptural part of the temple is on the inside wall of the outer prakaram(outer courtyard), about a foot from floor level. 'The carvings contain different poses of gymnastic feats seen in the modern circus, shown by females keeping their head at the centre and legs interwoven in such a skillful way as to form the circumference of a circle. It may be a depiction of the present-day gypsy tribe entertaining villagers with gymnastic shows and dancing poses. Such gypsies are still to be seen visiting the interior villages of the country. Very many styles of physical feats shown by both men and women have been carved in the stone.

Mangalanathaswami Temple

Mangalanathaswami Temple
(Paadal Petra Stalam)

Deities: Mangalanathar (Shiva)

The Mangalanathaswamy Temple at Thiru Uthirakosamangai is considered the Kasi of the south. The ‘sthala virutcham’ in the temple is about 3,300 years old and this was proved in a research conducted by the State government.

47 temples built by the Sethupathy Kings with no ‘sthala puarnam'.
One of the 47 temple is Mangalanathaswami Temple

Uttukuli Murugan(Lord Skanda) Temple

Uttukuli Murugan(Lord Skanda) Temple

Once the famous saint Agastiyar came to this place for meditation but was not able to find water. He prayed to Lord Murugan to help him. Soon Lord Murugan appeared before him and thrust His lance (Vel) in the sand. Soon water spring came from the spot. That place is called "Utrukuli." Later only it came to be called Uttukuli.

No one knows when the temple was build here, just they have the history. But only 200 years before some rural kings build the temple and five years before with the help of some donors the temple was rebuild and now it is the important spiritual place in Erode, Coimbatore Districts. Daily more than 200 people visit Uttukuli Murugan Temple and on special occasions like Thaipoosam more than 100,000 devotees come.

The important thing is that only in Kaithamalai that is Uttukuli. The temple chariot is in the hill and devotees pull the temple chariot in the slopes so that no place in the world where a temple car is pulled in the hill.

Then the God is called as "Vetri Velayudha Swami" and the Temple is called "Kaithamalai." The place is in Uttukuli situated in Erode District, Tamilnadu.

Uttukuli Murugan Temple is situated 40 kilometres from Erode towards Tirupur, 65 kilometres from Coimbatore Airport towards Erode, and 450 kilometres from Chennai.

Ardhanareeswarar Temple

Ardhanareeswarar Temple
Hill Temple
Temple is on the hill which is red in color. One can take on 1206 steps to reach the top of the hill to worship the Lord Shiva-Ardhanareeswarar. Cars and taxis are available to reach the temple. The Rajagopuram is five tiered; 260’ in length and 160’ east-west breath. The period of the temple dates back to sangam period and renovated during the periods of cholas, pandyas and nayak kings. A British officer, Davis, repaired some parts of temple. We can see his image in Mukkoottu Vinayagar temple.Tirugnanasambandar wrote ‘Tiruneelakanta Pathigam’ and Arunagirinathar is believed to have written ‘Tiruppugalh’ in this temple.
Ghat road and steps
If we do not prefer to take up the motorway-road up to the top, we have another choice to walk up the distance. One cannot miss the long 60’ red colored snake carved along the steps. People worship Adi Seshan-the snake. The path has 11 mandapams-providing shelters to people going up the hill.
We come across Pasuvan Swami Mandapam on way to top. The people from villages offer milk, ghee or cheese to Pasuvan Swami so that their homes could become abundant with these produce.
Ardhanareeswarar Temple
One has to enter the temple from the main entrance-Rajagopuram-from the south; sanctum sanctorum faces west. In this temple Lord Shiva appears in man-woman combination in one idol; the right part of the idol is half of Parvathi Devi and the left half is Lord Shiva’s half. There is a saying that wife is the better half; True to the saying, here Lord Shiva has given his left part of body to goddess Parvathi, his wife . It means that there is no Shiva without the Sakthi; and no sakthi without Shiva. All men and women are equal. No man without woman; no woman without man. An undeniable law of nature! So the main deity is called Umai Oru Bagan, Ammaiappan, Mangaipangan and Madhorubagan.
There is a natural fountain in sanctum sanctorum.
Tichengottuvelavar
This temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It attracts more devotees. People name their babies after lord Murugan’s name- Sengottuvelan. A common name we can come across in and around Erode and Namakkal!
Pujas
Pujas are performed as per agamas. The midday puja-Utchi kala puja-is famous. The villagers around the town could reach the temple only during the day time with fresh flowers, milk, butter and other fruits. This happened when there was no motorway or road. Still this puja is very important in this temple.
Festivals
New Moon days and Full Moon days attract more devotees to the temple. Vaikasi is important month. Ardhanareeswarar comes down to the town down below. The town wears festive look and people throng from all over Kongu region during these days for the darshan of the Lord.However all months have festivals because of the presence of other deities like Adi Kesava Perumal, Sengottuvelan, Sakthi and Pandeeswaran. Girivalam is also becoming famous.
Legends
Once Lord Adi Kesava perumal instructed Goddess Sakthi to go on penance to attain oneness with Lord Shiva. On Kedara Gowri day the wish came true. Lord Shiva appeared as Umai Oru Bagan allowing Goddess Sakthi to be the left part of him.Another story involves Vayu and Adi Seshan. Adi seshan was In the Meru Mountain ranges. A fight started between Vayu-the lord of Air and Adi Seshan-the lord’s snake. Vayu tried to blow away the mountain. In the fierce war, Vayu successfully blew a part of
Meru
This part fell in the Kongu region with Adiseshan clinging to it hurt and bleeding. That is the reason the color of 60’ feet snake is red. The hill is also red and yellow colored.
Beliefs
There is small shrine for Pandeeswarar on the hill. People offer cradles and they believe that they can have children.On the way to temple, the sixtieth step is considered as step of Honesty and truth-that is sathiyappadi. When people had problems and litigations among them, one who was ready to tell the truth from this place was believed to be the true and honest person; his evidence played vital role in delivering justice in those days.Pasuvan Swami attracts many farmers and villagers. They offer milk, butter and curd to Lord in a deep belief that this would be returned abundantly and richly.Many people who have Nagadosham offer abishegams to Adiseshan with turmeric and kumkum. It is generally believed that they are blessed with marriage soon.