THIRU SIVALOGANATHAR, THIRUPUNGUR

THIRU SIVALOGANATHAR, THIRUPUNGUR

Thirupungur is just 2 kms from Vaitheeswaran koil, towards Manalmedu on the way to Kumbakonam.   The place is famous for the Darshan Lord Siva gave to Nanadanar and also the temple tank which was to have been dug by the Vinayakar here for Nandanar.  I was there on 4th October 2016, and after Darshan at Vaitheeswaran Koil, I went to Thirupungur and had darshan of Thiru Sivaloganathar.

It is better to take archanai materials from Vaitheeswaran Koil itself as at the time of going to the temple, no shops were available and I had taken pooja materials from Vaitheeswaran koil itself.  The Nandhi here is quite large and has given way for darshan of Lord Siva to Nandanar for his request to move away. (சற்றே விலகி இரும் பிள்ளாய்).    

Since the place was full of Punga trees (புங்க மரம்)  the place was known as Punganur and further came to be known Pungur.   The Lord here is Sivaloganathar and Ambal known as Sowndaranaki.  Nandanar,  a staunch devotee of Lord Siva was born in Athanoor nearer to Thirupungur.   He was working under a Brahmin landlord and was desirous of having darshan of Lord Sivaloganathar.   As the work was not completed, the landlord refused permission to go to Thirupungur and Nandanar was contemplating to have darshan every other day and thus came to be known Nalaipovar.   When he did go to Thirupungur, he could not have darshan of the lord because of the Nandhi in between and thus requested the Nandhi to move away to have darshan of the Lord.  The lord wanted to help his fervent devotee and asked Nandhi to move and the temple Nandhi can be seen away from the main path of vision to Nandanar.   There is a sannidhi outside the temple where Nanadanar was standing and from here one can see the lord.  The Vinayagar here also helped Nanadanar to compete the temple tank now known as Ganapathy theertham.   He is also known by the name - Kulam vettiya Vinayagar and is in the outer prakara.

                                                                   Nandanar

                                           
                                                   Kulam Vettiya Vinayagar

                  Nandhi leaving way for Nandanar to have darshan of Lord

On the northern side are Lord Subramanya with his consorts, Punga Maram, Brahma Lingam and Panchamuga lingam.   The lord Sivaloganathar is said to have emerged from an anthill.   Abhishekam is done for Avoodaiyar (Bottom half of the linga) and Punugu is applied on the linga portion.  Ambal Soundaryanayaki stands with four hands.   

Those who have a pilgrimage to Mayiladuthurai shall visit here and have darshan of Sivaloganathar.   

Temple Timings:
06.00 AM to 11.00 AM
04.00 PM to 08.30 PM

ADHI VAIDYANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE, MANNIPALLAM

ADHI VAIDYANATHA SWAMY TEMPLE, MANNIPALLAM

Aadhi vaidhyanathsamy temple is in Mannipallam (மண்ணிப்பள்ளம்) which is about 5 kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil.  Buses going to Kumbakonam via Manalmedu from Vaitheeswaran Koil also touch Mannipallam and Thirupungur.   However, the frequency is less and hence an Autorickshaw will help you to see both Mannipallam and Thirupungur temples and they charge Rs.200/- presently and wait at both the places.

Aadhi Vaithyanathasamy temple was existing and was not maintained well with people around misusing the place until the local people joined together to revive its past glory.  Though the work started around 15 years back, the Kumbabhishekam was done only in the year  2013.   The main entrance to the temple, though close to the main road is through a narrow lane while the temple premises is adequately big.

The temple has separate sannidhis for Adhi Vaidyanathar and Thaiyalnayaki.   Lord Ganesha, Subramanyar and Dhanvanthri also installed around the main deity in the compound.  Surya and Chandran and Bhairavar vigrahas are placed in a thatched roof outside.   The temple after the Kumbabhishekam draws devottees and the temple pooja starts only at 11 AM as shri  Paramanathan (Ph: 9444526253) who deos the pooja, does his personal duties early morning and then attends to this temp;le.   He is nearby this temple only and said he would open the temple when necessary.   The temple is maintained by a Trust.

The sannidhi of Adhi Vaidhyanathaswamy faces east and Thaiyalnayaki south. Vinayagar is in Southwest corner and adjacent to him is the sannidhi of Dhanvanthri and Subramanya.  Suryan, Chandran and Bhairavar vigrahas are kept in a thatched roof opposite to the main deity's sannidhi after Nandhi.
There are no shops to cater pooja materials nearby and it is better to get them from Vaitheeswaran Koil.  

VAITHEESWARAN KOIL NEAR MAYILADUTHURAI

VAITHEESWARAN KOIL NEAR MAYILADUTHURAI

Vaitheeswaran koil as the name implies is famous for prayers to cure all illness and the Vibhudhi Prasadam contains medicinal golis (சாந்து உருண்டை).  This place was earlier known as Pullirukkuvelur. Vaitheeswaran koil is around 17 kms  Mayiladuthurai and the way to Sirkazhi and Chidambaram.  There is a railway station also as Vaitheeswaran Koil.

The lord is Vaitheeswaran and goddess is Thaiyalnayaki.   The lord faces West and Thaiyalnayaki South.  Besides this is also one of the Navagraha sthalam, and it is for Angarakan (Sevvai- Mars).    Around the prakara of Vaidyanathswamy is Muthukumarasamy urchavar facing the east and sannidhi Dakshinamurthy and Jadayu Kundam can be seen here.   Before coming to Jatayu Kundam, one can see the Navagrahas in line and also Dhanvantri sannidhi.  Jatayu vadham by Ravana took place here and in the Kundam the vigrahas of Lord Rama, Kanva Rishi, Jatayu and      can be seen.   Further there is a Vinayagar here facing east and Angarakan facing North. However a new sannidhi has come up at the outer prakara on the south-eastern side for Angarakan near the sannidhis of Jurahareswarar and Murugan.  In the outer prakara on the Northwestern side is Shanmuganathan with consorts and on the northern side Badra Kali.  The temple tank Siddhamirtha Theertham (சித்தாமிர்த தீர்த்தம்) is on the southern side and opposite to that of Thaiyalnayaki sannidhi.   The place for offering salt, pepper and Jaggery is also in front of Thaiyalnayaki sannidhi and many who offer "Mavilakku" (made of rice flour and ghee) do it here only.  The sthala Viruksham is neem.

                                                 Siddhamirtha Kulam

                                                Muthukumaraswamy

Pul (தமிழ் - புள்) means a bird and that refers to Jatayu.   irukku (இருக்கு- ருக் வேதம்)  Rig vedham,  vel(வேல்)-Spear with the lord Subramanya - All of them are prayed here and hence the name Pullirukkuvelur (புள்ளிருக்குவேளூர்).   

Angarakan had cured his Leprosy by bathing in the Siddhamirtha Kulam and this is the parikara sthalam for Angarakaan.  Sage Siddhananda was in penance near this tank when a snake was to devour a frog and the sage cursed the snake and since that time there are no snakes around this place.

Thirunavukkuarasar in his thevaram sings in praise of the lord thus:
Those who have not understood the lords golden feet, matted hair and flowers he adorns will only be deep in the hell.

வெள்ளெ ருக்கர வம்விர வுஞ்சடைப்

புள்ளி ருக்குவே ளூரரன் பொற்கழல்

உள்ளிருக்கு முணர்ச்சியில் லாதவர்

நள்ளி ருப்பர் நரகக் குழியிலே.

Thirugnanasambandar's hymn says that Sambathi, the King of the eagles brought flowers from far off and worshipped the lord and Sambathi and Jatayu are sons of Arunan, sarathi of Sun God.

திருஞானசம்பந்தர் தேவாரப் பாடல் இது:

வாச நலம் செய்து இமையோர்
நாள் தோறும் மலர் தூவ,
ஈசன் எம் பெருமானார்
இனிதாக உறையும் இடம்,
யோசனை போய்ப் பூக் கொணர்ந்து
அங்கு ஒரு நாளும் ஒழியாமே
பூசனை செய்து இனிது இருந்தான்
புள்ளிருக்கு வேளூரே! -  

The temple comes under the Dharumapura Atheenam and has the following timings:

6AM-1PM and 4pm to9pm.    
Lot of flower shops are available and Vilva leaves for archana is being sold near the office ticket counter selling archanai tickets.

There are adequate hotels, lodges in Vaitheeswaran koil and one can stay here and visit other temples in case there are problems to stay in Mayiladuthurai.

For blog post on Adhi Vaidhyanatha Swamy, Mannipallam 5kms from Vaitheeswaran Koil, see:

http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2016/10/adhi-vaidyanatha-swamy-temple.html 
All posts of temples around Mayiladuthurai will be shortly put in the blog post on Mayiladuthurai temple visits.

Tharugavaneswarar, Thiruparaithurai near Tiruchirapalli

Tharugavaneswarar or Paraithurainathar, Thiruparaithurai near Tiruchirapalli

During my short stay in Trichy, I went to Tiruparaithurai on 5th October 2016 and had darshan of Sree Tharugavaneswarar or Paraithurainathar.   The temple is a big one with 3 prakaras and entry gopura vimana with 5 tiers.   Though very near to Trichy and just near the bus stand, reaching there is a little difficult if one wants to go by bus, either from Junction Bus stand or Chathiram bus stand.  Bus no.97 from Chathiram bus stand to Pettaivaithalai goes via Thiruparaithurai and the frequency of this bus is not satisfactory.   From Junction Bus stand, kuliyhalai/Karur buses have to be taken, which normally do not stop in Thiruparaithurai.  Some private buses stop here.  For those who go on their own vehicles, it is much easier being on the main road.  There is only one vendor selling flowers and pooja materials and it is better to take these from Trichy itself.  

                                        Paraithurainathar and Bhikshandar

   

                                                                Urchavar

The place was a forest of Parai trees (Shown as Sthala Viruksham here) and thus the linga which was found named Paraithurainathar and the entire forest was known as Tharugavanam and the deity is called as Tharugavaneswarar also.  It is said that the sages here were once very proud of their supremacy in all skills and their wives too thought they alone were most beautiful and chaste.  The sages felt that the praise of the lord is not needed as ones pain and pleasure due to Karma and their powers earned through tapas was adequate to uplift the people.  Lord Siva and Vishnu wanted to teach them a lesson.  Lord Siva took the form of a handsome beggar (Bikshandar) and Vishnu took the form of Mohini. The rishis were enticed by the beauty of Mohini and followed her and the rishi pathnis followed the beggar.  The rishis on knowing their wives following the beggar, knew there was something unsual happening and chased Bikshandar and fought with him and they were defeated.   They understood that the beggar was none other than Lord Siva and fell at his feet and begged for his pardon.   Lord Siva became their guru and appeared in this place under the parai tree.  The swayambu linga under parai tree was installed here and came to be known as Tharugavaneswarar and Paraithurainathar.   The Lord faces the east and Bikshandar is the Urchavar of this temple.   Sun rays fall on the Linga on 18th Purattasi tamil month. (September-October and this year it was 04 10 2016).

The ambigai here is known as Pasumpon Mayilambigai and faces South.  

 

Arthanareeswar of this temple on the Ghosta.

The Dakshinamurthy on the outer wall of sanctum on the second prakara is a beautifylly sculpted Vigraha.

Sree Murugan as Andi blesses devotees.

Sthala virusham Parai with the linga said to be appeared to the Rishis.

The temple is open from 06.30 AM to 11.30 AM in the morning and 4.30PM to 08.30 PM in the evening.  It is one of 275 thevara padal petra sthalams.

UTHTHAMAR KOIL, TIRUCHIRAPALLI

UTHTHAMAR KOIL, TIRUCHIRAPALLI

On 20th September 2016, I had darshan in the evening at Uthamar Koil, Tiruchirapalli.  The temple is very near to the Tolgate bus stop.  Incidentally this temple also is in the route between Tiruchy and Namakkal.  Presently Balalayam is being done for the Lord Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Siva all behind Uthamar Perumal Sannidhi.  

The temple has the distinction of having all three  Lords with their consorts. Uthamar with Mahalakshmi in separate sannidhis, Lord Siva as Bikhshadanar and Soundarya Parvathi in separate sannidhis and also Lord Brahma and Saraswathi in different sannidhis.  


                                                       Purushothaman  

                                     Entrance to the temple Uthamar Koil

                                                       Poornavalli Thayar

Perumal Sree Purushothaman is in Sayana posture and facing east here.  The Urchavar is holding the Prayoga Chakra (discus) in standing posture.   Two sannadhis are there thayars one for Poornavalli and the other Mahalakshmi. Poornavalli thayar offers food in plenty to Lord Siva as Bhikshadanar.  When Siva takes of the 5th head of Brahama, the skull did not leave his hand and also all the food offered was consumed by the skull.  Siva comes with the skull embedded in his hand here and Sree Vishnu asked thayar to serve the food in the skull. The skull filled with the food and also was overflowing and satiated the hunger of Siva.  She thus became Poornavalli, one who fulfills the requirements of the needy.
                                                             Bikshandar

           
                                                                   Sivan

                                                          Sowndara Parvathi

Brahma had the curse of not having temple for him in Bhoologa and to fullfil his wish, Vishnu made him to be born in Bhoologa and Vishnu took the form of Kadamba tree. Brahma could visualise the tree as vishnu and fervently prayed him as directed by Vishnu. Later a temple was built here for him.  Hence this place is also known as Kadambanur.  Gnana Saraswathi the consort is not having the veena in her hand and holds palm leaves and a japamala and her shrine next to Brahma.                                                 

Brahma

Brahma Urchavar

This place is also called as Sapthaguru Sthala as Gurus in the form of Dakshinamurthy/Siva, Varadarajar/Vishnu, Sowndaryanayaki/Sakthi, Guru Brahma, Gnana Guru Subramanyar, Devaguru/Jupiter-Viyazhan and Asura guru/Venus-Velli bless the devotees.  

Karthikai festival is celebrated in all the three directions for the three lords with Chokkapanai.  Theerthavari for Lord Siva is done during the tamil month of Thai -Poosam day (January-February) in Coleroon River and for Vishnu during Tamil Month of Masi- Magam day (February-March).

The temple timings are- Morning- 06.30 AM to 12.00 PM
                                        Afternoon  -04.30 PM to 08.00 PM

Adequate shops are available to get Pooja materials starting from Tolgate to the entrance of the temple.  This place also has a Tuesday vegetable market under the bridge.

PETTI KALIAMMAN, KORANATTU KARUPPUR- IN KUMBAKONAM

PETTI KALIAMMAN, KORANATTU KARUPPUR
                     IN KUMBAKONAM

SREE ABIRAMI SAMETHA SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is 3 kms from Kumbakonam on the NH 36 and main deities are Sundareswarar and Abhiramai and is about 900 years old.    Kaliamman idol reached this place in flood in the River Cauvery about 200 years back, which flows about 100 metres from this temple.  

It is a big temple with 3 praharas and one of the pancha Krosha sthalam, that is 5 Siva temples within a radius of 10 miles within Kumbakonam.  The five temples are:

1. Darasuram
2. Swamimalai
3. Koranattu Karuppur
4. Thiruvidaimaruthur
5. Thirunageswaram.

It is said that Goddess Mangalambika went in Pradakshina to these five siva sthalas before taking her place with Sree Kumbeshwarar at Kumbakonam. Legend has it that once Devas joined together and conducted Poundreegayagam.  They got a liquid substance during the yagam which would give benefits equivalent to that of Amirtham.   Five droplets from that fell within the 10 mile radius and these are the pancha krosha sthalas.


Koranattu Karuppur in earlier days was known by the name Thirupatalavanam. The place was a Pathiri trees vana and thus the area was called Patalavanam. After Sree Mahakali with reduced shape (Bust Only) came to this place floating in Cauvery, the place got the name Kuraintha Karuppu Kaliyur which later on came to be known as Koranattu Karuppur.   As the Kali came in a box, the deity was also known as Petti Kaliamman.

From the inscriptions on stones in the temple, it is said that the temple had been built during the Chola period and lot of renovations had been carried out by Kulothungan III (1186-1216AD).  The front entrance Gopuram is 5 tierd and the main deity Sree Sundareswarar faces east and Sree Abhirami Ambal Southward.   Devas Sundaram and Logasundaram worshipped the Lord and lord came to be known as Sundareswarar.  The temple tank which is on the eastern side of the temple is known as Brahma theertham.  In the second praharam, one can find deities Sree Vinayagar, Sree Dakshinamurthy, Saptha Mathas, Sree Subramanyar, Lakshmi, Durgai and on the northern side can see the Sannadhis of Sree natarajar, Bhairavar and Navagrahas.  

Lord Siva, as Sundareswarar is in the form of Linga.   Sree Abhirami ambigai is with four hands, right top hand holds the Jepamalai, left top hand has the lotus flower, right lower hand abhayamuthra and left lower hand varadha muthra. The Kaliamman is with Ashta Puja and only the top half came in the box in Cauvery and that is the one presently kept in the temple as suggested by the then Paramacharya of Sree Kanchi Mutt.  When the box was washed aside to the banks of this place and the archaka and people found the bust of kaliamman were not knowing what to do.  A small girl then started speaking in Malayalam and Prakritha languages telling the mahimai of the amman, that she had come to this place and how she should be worshipped.  As she was kept in Sundareswarar temple and she was also called as Sundara Mahakaliamman. As instructed by the Amman, even today all the annam (cooked rice) and other prasadams will be offered first and then only the box will be opened.  Presently this is done only during the Ragu Kala on Fridays and Sundays.  After the pooja is over, the box will be closed again.  As she is an Ugra Amman, curd, milk, Pongal (Curd Pallayam - in cooked rice are added pure curd from cow's milk and with no salt, onion pieces mixed and with fruits - தயிர் பள்ளயம் -குளிர்ச்சியை தரும்) offered first and box is opened and then she is offered the normal pooja offerings of flowers, javvadhu, Punugu, panneer, sandal paste, turmeric powder, Kungumam, viboothi and fruits.  None of the ones offered to the Kaliamman is given as prasadam to devotees but curd pallayam, pongal and milk offered earlier is given as prasadam.  Yearly once during Uttarayana the box will be taken around the village and the palanquin in which the box is taken, will be swung and also the carriers will run to indicate the Ugra kali's fierce nature.

Every day, according to the Agamas, both for Moolavar and Abhirami Ambigai four kala poojas are carried out.  For Sundara Maha Kaliamman as earlier described on Fridays and Sundays and also special poojas are performed on Amavasya, Pournami, Ashtami and Navami days.  Brahmothsavam is being in Chithirai Pournami.

There are also specific restrictions for offering prayers to Mahakali.   Women those on periods, Pregnant women, those who have done shave or taken Oil bath should not offer prayers and Darshan of Mahakali).

Update on 05 03 2018

Presently the temple is under r enovation and the Kumbabhishekam is proposed to be on 21st March 2018 with festivities starting from 19th onwards.  On 04th March 2018, Sunday, I was at this temple and in the morning at 0900 AM the Balalayam was done for the Petti Kaliamman and deity was taken out of the box and she has been covered and will now can have darshan of her after Kumbabhishekam only.   

A picture of the deity has been installed with due homams between 9 and 10 AM on Sunday and pooja will be performed for this picture until Kumbabhishekam.

SREE PRASANNA VENKATESWARAR, GUNASEELAM

SREE PRASANNA VENKATESWARAR, GUNASEELAM

After the visits to the temples at Thottiam and Namakkal on 09 08 2016, I had lunch at Namakkal and  on returning back to Tiruchy by bus, I got down at Gunaseelam to have darshan of Sree Prasanna venkateswara Perumal.  I reached at 04.10pm Gunaseelam and the temple normally opens at 04.30 pm. Flowers and Thulasi vendors just opened their shops.   There is no separate sannidhi for thayar here.  

The temple history is based on the Gunaseela Maharishi's darshan at Tirupathi and as he was unable to part the company of the lord, placed before the lord his request for the lord to accompany him to his Ashram at Gunaseelam.  Rishi Thalpier was the Guru of Sree Gunaseelar and they worshipped at Tirupathi after their pilgrimage to Kasi.  Thalpier's Ashram was at Neelivanam (நீலிவனம் - Thirupaingneeli) and Gunaseelar was serving with utmost devotion, as a disciple when he was there.  The lord at Tirupathi advised him to get the necessary guidelines from his Guru, as he cannot leave Tirupathi until Kalpam is over as per the sankalpam.   Gunaseelar, as advised by his Guru was in penance on the Lord to bring him and the Guru had told him that the Lord would come and bless him at his ashram on the Northern bank of River Cauvery.  The penance and thava included standing on Panchagni during summer, and with wet clothes in winter and stood in water during rainy season.  The hardships undergone by him in his penance made the Devas led by Indra to go and see Brahama. Brahma told them that Sree Gunaseelar was in penance to get none other than the Vaikunda Vasudevan to get daily darshan and advised them not to interfere in his thavam.  Vaikunda Vasudevan did come and settled on the river bank of Gunaseelam and gave darshan to Gunaseelar in his Ashrama.  As the same was known already, Brahma, Saraswathi, Siva, Parvathi, the devas, Naradha, Sanakathi rishis and Thalpier and his disciples assembled there.  It is said that it happened on Emperuman's Avirbava Kala Kurthayuga, Purattasi Saturday afternoon in Dhanur Lagna.  When the Lord asked him whether he wanted any boon, Gunaseelar replied that he did not want any boon but requested the Lord to be in the Ashram until Kalpam to give darshan to devotees and bless them.  Gunaseelar was performing the poojas as had been advised by his Guru in Krutha, Thretha and Dwabhara yugas and during Dwabhara yuga his Guru asked him to accompany him to Naimisaranya and with the blessings of the Lord did so, though he was reluctant to part the lord.  He had asked one of his disciples to carry out the daily rituals.  As the area was filled with wild beasts and also time to time there were floods in Cauvery, the disciple left the place without attending to the Lord.  An anthill was formed completely covering the Lord which was later found by the King Gnanavarman who was ruling from Nisulapuri (present Woraiyur in Tiruchirapalli).    The villagers of Bhadrachakram (nearer to Gunaseelam) informed the King that the Milk from the vessels they were bringing to the palace go missing and the Lord from the anthill told an aged yadava that he was there and the same be brought to the notice of the King.  As the King wanted to find out and proceeded to Bhadrachakram, as he neared the anthill, a Brahmana appeared before him and told the King that the anthill be washed with Milk and this would be beneficial to him.  The King washed the anthill with 6000 pots of milk and found the lord Prasanna Venkateswarar and prostrated before the lord and the lord appeared before the King and told that he would fulfill the wishes of Gunaseelar and bless the devotees until kalpam and also told he desired the Pooja be performed according to Sree Vaikasana Sastra.  The King built the temple there.  Six kala poojas are performed according the Sree Vaikasana Sastra here.

                                            Temple seen from a distance

Contact:
Sri K.R.Pichumani Iyengar,
Heridetary Executive Trustee,
Sri Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Swamy Temple,
Gunaseelam,Trichy.
Tamil Nadu PIN 621604.PHONE :  91-04326-275310

email : info@gunaseelamtemple.com,
          gunaseelamtemple@gmail.com

Gunaseelam is 21 kms from Tiruchy and all buses going to Namakkal stop as also there are town buses from Chathiram Bus Stand.