SREE VANCHINATHASWAMY, SRIVANCHIAM NEAR NANNILAM

SREE VANCHINATHASWAMY, SRIVANCHIAM NEAR NANNILAM

                                                        Sree Vanchinathar

Sree Vanchinathaswamy temple, Srivanchiam is at a distance of 18 kms from Kumbakonam and almost equidistant from Tiruvarur.  Buses from Kumbakonam to Nagore take the route to Nachiar Koil, Kudavasal.  Upto Kudavasal the road is wider and at Kudavasal, the road leading to Srivanchiam is narrow.   Naturally while calculating time for visiting temples this should be taken into account.  The bus took 1 Hr and 10 Min for the 18 kms.  The village Srivanchiam is in between the rivers Mudikondan and Puttar.

Srivanchiam temple is very big and the 5 tier Rajagopuram is 110 ft tall built by Rajendra Chozha in 850 AD.   Immediately after the entrance, to the left is the Yamadharmaraja Sannidhi, i.e, on the Southeast (Agni) corner.  Here Yamadharmarajan and Chithragupthan bless the devotees.  The temple tank Guptaganga is on the North.  Though water is not available in the tank, borewells pump water for the devotees to bathe after having darshan at Yamadharmarajan sannidhi.  Only change rooms are not available and people change their dress there itself.   Yama Dharmaraja felt accumulation of the sins while performing his duty and he wanted a solution for the same and approached Brahma and he advised yama to worship Shiva on the banks of cauvery river and also a sandalwood forest.  Yama prayed fervently Lord Siva at this place which was a sandalwood forest and Lord Siva pleased with him instructed Yama to build a temple here for him and also to be his vehicle. 

                                                        Guptha Vinayagar

Mangalambigai

Lord Vinayaga and Lord Subramanyam are in the first mandapam.  Presiding Deity Sree Vanchinathar is sturdier and tall.  He faces east and west and either side Nandhis are there.  Mangalanayaki, in standing posture is next to the inner entrance.  Next to the Arthamandapa Somaskandar blesses devotees.  Inner prakara has the deities Kanni Moolai Vennai Pillaiyar, Chandramouleeswarar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Valli devayani sametha Murugan, Panchbootha Lingas, Kailasanathar and Dharmambal, Jestadevi and Sani Bhagavan.  Then comes the Chandikeswarar sannidhi.   Further before one proceeds to finish the first circumbulation, prayers are offered in Mahishasuramardhini sannidhi.  The simha vahini is with 8 hands.  She went to Sonamalai, entered the caves and took the Mahishan by his horns and dragged and brought him to Srivanchiam.  

Mother Ganga, for cleansing the sins left by devotees, approached Lord Shiva for solution, is also connected with the temple as is the case of Mahamaham tank too. Here it is said slightly differently that Ganga was to pray in a temple in which Yama is blessed by him and River Ganga left only a small portion of powers in the original river and the rest were brought into this temple tank and is believed to reside here secretly and hence known as Gupthaganga.  Presently it is known as Muni Theertha. During Masi magam, celebrations with this theertham is carried out.

Sun god, Surya who attended the Daksha Yagna for which Lord Siva was not called had to incur the wrath of Lord Siva and lost his brightness and sunshine and he was in penance here and got back his brightness with the blessings of the Lord.  

Srivanchiam temple is kept open during eclipse too whereas other temples have a tradition of closing during eclipse.  The theerthavari is performed on the 2nd day of the Masi Magm festival from the temple tank, whereas other temples do it on the last day of the ten day festival of Brahmothsavam.   Lord Vanchinathar comes in process in the yama vahanam.   Theerthavari festival is conducted during Karthigai month Sundays too.  10 day festival also is celebrated during Aadi Pooram.  

"Vanchithu" in Tamil also has a meaning - desirous- (விரும்பி); Sree-Thirumagal sought the hand of vishnu and married and thus the place came to known as Srivanchiam. Both Yama and Surya worshipped here.  The Lord is a Swayambunathar.

Sandalwood tree is the Sthala Vruksham. 
Temple Timings:
6 am - 12 Noon
3 pm -  8 pm

SREE ABHIMUKESWARAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

SREE ABHIMUKESWARAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

Among the various temples connected with the Kumbham of Kumbakonam, this temple also is one which is on the eastern bank of the Mahamaha Kulam (Tank). A small temple, just looking like a house, legend has it that the lord was facing east earlier and only when Mahamaham started, the Navakanniga rivers including Ganges and others requested that they would like to have a glimpse of the lord from Mahamaha Kulam, the Lord acceded to the request and turned towards west.  Thus the Lord is facing West and came to be known as Abhimukeswarar.   

                                   Abimukeswarar- Amirthavalli   Urchavar

As has been the story of the Kumbham, floating during Pralaya and resting at Kumbakonam, Krathamurthy aimed the arrow and the broken Kumbham and contents of the Kumbham fell at different places namely the Uri, Neck of Kumbam, life seedings, Nectar drops, sandal past, Yagnobaveetham, Vilva leaves, Mango Leaves, flowers, coconut etc.,  The coconut broke into pieces and fell where the present temple of Abhimukeswara is, Lord Shiva from the coconut has taken the form of Linga as Abhimukeswarar. As Siva came from the coconut, he is also known as Narikesaran. This one among the twelve temples in Kumbakonam connected with the Mahamaham story.

                                           Abimukeswarar temple  

Upon entering the temple, the majestic Dwajasthambam can be seen and further proceed to the Lord's Darshan and to his right is consort Sree Amirthavalli.  The Dwarapalakas in front of the Lord are in dancing pose similar to Natarajar.  On the outer wall on the northern side is Brahma and on the east is Lingothbhavar and on the south beautiful idol of Dakshinamurthy blesses the devotees.  Yoga Dakshinamurthy is in a sitting pose with one leg folded. 

  

         

Navagraham and Dakshinamurthy

The Navagrahas are on the small petam.  Sani Bhagavan is taller than the other grahas.  Lord Ganesh and Hanuman too are in the shrine.  Bhairavar here near the Navagrahas is the tallest among the 12 temples connected with Mahamaham.  

         Brahma                                                                                                Bhairavar

                                               

A story connected with that of the temple is of Sudhaban, a brahmin from Kashmir.  A beautiful girl child was born to sudhaban and his wife Seelavathi and they named her as Sumathi.  Sumathi when she approached marriageable age, due to her karma, was inflicted by Leprosy.  The people around thus despised Sumathi and the parents were worried and prayed to Lord Siva fervently for the well being of their daughter.  Sage Naradha came in their dreams and told they had to go and take bath in Mahamahakulam during Masi Magam and pray Sree Abimukeswarar for the cure of the illness of Sumathi.   The couple did as told by Sage Naradha and Sumathi was cured of her illness.  That night, Lord Siva came in the dream of Sudhaban and told to conduct the marriage of Sumathi before him and live for sometime and they would reach Kailasa. 

The Sthala Vruksham of the temple is Gooseberry (நெல்லி மரம்).   Some of the festivals observed are:  Ten day festival during Masi Magam (Kumba Masa Maga Nakshatram), Golu and special poojas to Dakshinamurthy.   The Mahasamprokshanam of the temple was last conducted on 26th October 2015.

Temple Timings:

7 AM- 12 AM

4 PM-  8  PM

SREE KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

SREE KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM

Sree Kasi Viswanathar temple is on the northern side of the Mahamaha Kulam (Tank) - around 2 kms from the Central Bus stand. Town Bus services and Mini Buses are available and the bus stop is known Mahamahakulam or Head Post Office.  The temple is 2 kms from the Kumbakonam Raiway station too and lot of autos are available from station.  Plenty of small vendors in front of the temple sell pooja requirements.

The temple is famous for the Nava Kannigas who bless the devotees - Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswathi, Narmada, Thungabhadra, Krishna, Sarayu and Cauvery.  Problems connected with puberty, delalyed marriage proposals and couple with no issues pray to the Navakannigas here.   The Navakannigas were not knowing how to shed the sins left by people who take a holy dip and they approached Lord Siva for solution.  Lord Siva advised them to be at Kumbakonam on Mahamaham Day and take a holy dip and bathe in the Mahamaham tank to cleanse themselves of the sins set on them.  On doing so and praying the Lord Kasi Viswanathar, the Nava Kannigas requested the lord to be present here itself to help the common people.  The Lord obliged and thus the temple has the Kasi viswanathar and also the Nava Kannigas blessing the common man.  Kasi viswanathar here faces West.    The lingam has been under a Neem Tree and that is the Sthala Vruksham.  Thirugnanansambanthar has praised the lord thus:

வாரார் கொங்கை மாதோர் பாக மாக வார்சடை
நீரார் கங்கை திங்கள் சூடி நெற்றி யொற்றைக்கண்
கூரார் மழுவொன் றேந்தி யற்தண் குழகன் குடமூக்கில்
காரார் கண்டத் தெண்டோள் எந்தை
காரா ணத்தாரே – திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
                                     Kasi Viswanathar - Visalakshi  Urchavar

Navakannigas worship in this temple is a speciality as indicated earlier.

                                                  Ganga             Yamuna               Narmada

                                               Saraswathi          Kaveri            Godavari

                                                Thungabadra       Krishna          Sarayu


The entrance Gopuram facing West in of 72 feet height and has 5 tiers.   There are 2 prakarams in the temple.  Sudais depicting Lord Siva taking the Navakannigas for holy dip in Mahamaha kulam are in the Gopuram.  Immediate on entrance to the temple, to our right is Lord Vinayaga.  Saptha Mathas and Navakannigais bless in this prakara.  Kasi Viswanathar faces west and consort Visalakshi faces South.     Bhairavar, Sun and Moon are in the outer prakara and the Linga installed and worshipped by Lord Rama.

The temple is connected with the period of Lord Rama.  Lord Rama wanted to get he qualities of a warrior and be ruthless while fighting Ravana.  As suggested by Sage Agasthiya, he prayed here to get Rudramasam.  As Rama got blessed to have the qualities of Aarokanam, the place acquired the name Karonam.  The Lingam worshipped by Lord Rama is on the outer prakaram on the northeast. 

                                          Lingam worshipped by Lord Rama

This being one of the twelve temples connected with the Kumbham of the Pralaya period and legend of Navakannigas and Lord Rama is a must for Darshan for a person on a pilgrimage to Kumbakonam.

Temple Timings:
6.00 AM - 12 Noon
4.00 PM - 8.30 PM

THIRUVARUR-NAGAPATTINAM TEMPLES

THIRUVARUR-NAGAPATTINAM TEMPLES

Temples abound in the Thanjavur-Kumbakonam-Mayiladuthurai route as well as the Thiruvarur-Nagapattinam route.   I felt it is easier to present the details of temples with proximity to these places be grouped as Thiruvarur- Nagapattinam temples and for Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai with 3 separate groups.  Though Thiruvarur is only 35 kms from Kumbakonam and  54 kms from Thanjavur, the number important places surrounding Thiruvarur is many. Nannilam and Koradacheri have both small and big temples apart from temples around Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam.

Thiruvarur, the Railway Station is a walkable distance from the Central Bus Stand and very well connected to Thanjavur, Velankanni and Nagore and one can alternate between the train and bus in this area to reach faster according to the needs.  The famous Sree Thiagarajar temple of Thiruvarur is around 1.5 kms from the Bus Stand and connected by bus route.   Buses can be had for Nannilam which is 16 kms, Koradacheri which is 15 kms and Nagapattinam which is 47 kms and temples of Lord Subramanya - Ettukudi and Enkan can be reached from Tiruvarur.  Train services also can be used for reaching Needamangalam, Koradacheri, Thanjavur, Velankanni and Nagapattinam.  

As for as I could see, stay can be had at Hotel Selvies and VPK Lodge.  A few vegetarian restaurants around the Central Bus Stand including Vasan Cafe.  They also have Sweets shop.  The road adjacent to the Bus Stand is the Bazaar.  It is advisable to use mineral water in Tiruvarur and good branded ones are available in various outlets.  

Thiagarayar temple is in around 5 acres of land and lends glory to the town and the temple car (தேர்) weighs around 300 tonnes when fully decorated with a majestic 90 feet height and the temple tank - Kamalalayam -  too is famous.  Besides Muchukunda Chozhan, associated with Thiruvarur got the image of Thiagaraja from Indra, which is installed here.  Another of the Chozhas, who was closely associated with the place is Manuneedhi Chozhan.  There is a Manimandapam in is name at Thiruvarur.

As already pointed out the car of Thiagarajar temple is the one appears in every one's mind, the moment the name of Thiruvarur is mentioned.   The car festival attracts people from near and far and the people draw this decorated huge car on the four main streets of Thiruvarur.  Elaborate arrangements are made for security and driniking water and sanitation in the town during this festival.

This time I had been to Nannilam and Koradacheri to have darshan at nearby temples and details of the darshan and about the temple will be recorded as blogposts.  As and when I visit more temples, I will update the same.   Presently I had darshan in the following temples-
Nannilam
1. Madhuvaneswarar temple, Nannilam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-madhuvaneswarar-temple-nannilam.html
2. Pasupatheeswarar temple, Tirukondeeswaram
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-pasupatheeswarar-temple.html
3. Adipureeswarar temple, Keezhakudi
4. Someswarar temple, Achuthamangalam
5. Kothandaramaswamy temple, Adambar (அதம்பார்)
6. Sree Vanchinathaswamy temple, Srivanchiam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-vanchinathaswamy-srivanchiam-near.html
Koradacheri
1. Viswanathar temple, Pathur (பத்தூர்)
2. Kailasanathar, Orkudi
3. Abimuktheeswarar, Abivirutheeswaram
4. Vilvaranyeswarar, Thirukollamputhur
5. Punyakoteeswarar, Thiruvidaivasal
6. Kalahastheeswarar, Kalathur

I will be posting in this blog about the above shortly and will be updating this page to give the links for the posts on these temples.  As I have posted already on some of the temples of Nagapattinam I have given the links for the same here.

1. Sree Neelayadakshi sametha Kayarohanar temple, Nagapattinam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2016/02/neelayadakshi-sametha-kayarohanar.html
2. Sree Singaravelan, Sikkal, Nagapattinam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2016/02/sree-singaravelan-sikkal-nagapattinam.html
3. Soundararaja Perumal temple, Nagapattinam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2016/02/soundararaja-perumal-nagapattinam.html
4. Sree Thiagarajar temple, Tiruvarur
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-kamalambika-sametha-thiagarajar.html
5. Sree Madhuvaneswar Temple, Nannilam
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-madhuvaneswarar-temple-nannilam.html
6. Sree Vanchinathaswamy Temple, Srivanchiamhttp://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-vanchinathaswamy-srivanchiam-near.html
7. Sree Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Adambar
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-kothandaramaswamy-temple-adambar.html
8. Sree Vilvaranyeswarar, Thirukollamputhur near Koradacheri
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-vilvaranyeswarar-thirukollamputhur.html
9. Sree Punyakotinathar temple, Thiruvidaivasal near Koradachery
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-abhirami-sametha-punyakotinathar.html
10. SREE RAJAGOPALASWAMY TEMPLE, ANANTHAMANGALAM

DASA BUJA TRI-NETRA ANJANEYAR 

https://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.com/2019/04/sree-rajagopalaswamy-temple.html

11, Sree Lalithmbigai temple, Thirumeichur near Peralam
https://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.com/2022/02/sree-lalithambigai-ambal-temple.html

Thiruvarur
1. SREE KAMALAMBIKA SAMETHA THIAGARAJAR, THIRUVARUR
http://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.in/2017/01/sree-kamalambika-sametha-thiagarajar.html

Poonthottam:
1. SREE SWARNAVALLI AMBAL SAMETHA MUKTHEESWARAR TEMPLE, POONTHOTTAM WITH ADIVNAYAGAR SANNIDHI
https://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.com/2019/02/sree-swarnavalli-ambal-sametha.html 

Temples forming part of Thiruvarur but nearer to/have connections to Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai
1.  Sree Seshapureeswarar Temple,  Thirupampuram ஸ்ரீஸேஷபுரீஷ்வரர் - பாம்புரநாதர்

https://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.com/2022/02/sree-temple-thirupampuram-thirupamparam.html
2.  Sree Lalithambigai Ambal temple, Thirumeeyachur
https://sarayutoayodhya.blogspot.com/2022/02/sree-lalithambigai-ambal-temple.html

SREE SANGAMESWARAR, BHAVANI

SREE SANGAMESWARAR, BHAVANI

Bhavani is a small town famous for its carpets and is 15 kms from Erode and 55kms from Salem in Tamilnadu.  It is very well connected by road and buses can be taken from opposite to the Erode Raiway Station and also from the Erode Bus Stand.   Rivers Cauvery and Bhavani merge here and river Amutha the third river is supposed to run underneath. Hence this is also a Triveni Sangam and the name of the Lord in this temple is Sree Sangameswarar.  Bhavani because of the three rivers is also called as Dakshina Prayagai and Koodu thurai too.  The lord here also is known as Kooduthurai Nathar.  The consort of Sangameswarar (also called by the names- Sangamuganathar, Marundhunayagar, vanilingeswaran, Nattatreeswaran and Thirunannavudaiyar) is Sree Vedayanaki Amman and also called by the names- Sangameswari, Marundhunayaki, Pannarmozhiyammai.

                                                    Sree Sangameswarar

Sree Vedanayaki Amman

The place Bhavani is also called as "Panchagiri Madhya Pradesam" as it is centrally located to the five hills -Sankagiri, Nagagiri, Mangalgiri, Vedagiri and Padumagiri.   Sthala vruksham is Pathari- that is Ilanthai (இலந்தை)- hence this is equated the northern Bathrighashramam and is also known as Thenbathrighashramam (தென்பத்ரிகாஸ்ரமம்).     The temple also has the unique feature of Lord Sree Adhikesavaperumal with consort Goddess Soundaranayaki thayar within the temple itself.  

                                               Entrance (Northern) Gopuram

Legend has it that Kubera, son of Vishrava was gifted with a vimana to visit the various Shiva temples across the country, in  recognition of his devotion to the Lord.  While he was flying over the river Cauvery, he saw an elephant, a tiger, a cow, a deer, a rat and a snake were drinking water under an Ilandai (Badri) tree, without enmity.  To answer his doubt, a voice from the sky said this was the place where vedas visited and inhabited by Gandharvas.  He was advised to worship the Sivalingam under the Ilandai tree.  This is Bhavani and also the place of sangam of the rivers Cauvery, Bhavani and Amutha.

Though there four entrances to the temple, the main entrance is the Northern side with a 5 tiered Gopuram.  The entrance vimana sudhais depict many stories from Periya puranam and epics.  To name a few -Sivaperuman showing the olaisuvadi and stopping Sundarar, Meenkshi Kalayanam, Sambandar saving the child from crocodile, Pandian King giving Manickavasagar bag of cash etc.,  Nxt to the Gopuram on the western side is the Paramapadavasal which opens on the Vaikunda Ekadasi day.  Immediately after passing through the gopuram, are the sannidhis of Rajavinayagar and Muthukumarasamy.  There is long open space from the main entrance Gopuram to the Kottai Vinayagar Sanndihi and to the right of this open space is the Perumal Sannidhi.   Next to the Kottai Vinayagar Sannidhi is the Kottai Anjaneyar.  On the eastern side to these is the Navagrahas and there is gate which leads to the river Cauvery and Lord Sangameswarar and Sree Vedayanaki face this direction.  On the northern side of the Goddess Mandapam is the Golden Palanquin given by the British collector Garrow. Amman gives darshan from the golden palanquin on festival days.  Opposite to the Goddess Vedayanaki Amman on the eastern wall are three holes.  The then collector William Garrow (Bhavani was the joint headquarters for Coimbatore and Salem districts and Collector administered from here.   On hearing of the Amman from the locals, Collector Garrow wanted to have darshan of her but people of other religions were not allowed inside the temple.  The Thashildar who came to know about the collector's wish made these 3 openings on the eastern wall and Mr Garrow was having his darshans through these apertures. On one night, when the collector was resting in his bungalow, a lady dressed like Goddess Vedayanaki appeared to him and asked him immediately leave the Bungalow.  When the collector came out, the Bungalow collapsed in a few minutes.  Greatly overwhelmed by this, the Collector Garrow gave this Golden Palanquin to the Goddess with his name inscribed and the date on it indicates 11-1-1804.  The three openings still exist and one can see the Goddess thorugh these openings. 

                                    Sree Valli Deivanai sametha Murugan

Lord Subramnya's sannidhi is between the sannidhis of Sree Sangameswarar and Sree Vedanayaki and the Subramanya here has the greatness of Somaskandar too.   Arunagirinathar has sung in praise of this lord.  South of Murugan sannidhi is Kasi Viswanathar and Vishalakshi.  Next to it is the sannidhi of Jurahareswarar.

On the outer walls of Sangameswarar sannidhi, on the southern side is Dakshinamurthy, on the western wall is Lingothbhavar and on the northen side is Brahma.  By the side is the Vishnu Durgai and opposite to her is Chandikeswarar.

Opposite to the Murugan Sannidhi is the eastern gate leading to river cauvery and the Surya theertham.  From here, as we go towards south is the Gayathri theertham, Gayathri Sannidhi and Kooduthurai.  

                             Birds eyeview of temple with Kooduthurai

 Sree Amirthlingeswarar Sannidhi

At the Kooduthurai, underneath peepal/Neem tree is the kooduthurai vinayagar with abundance of Naga devatha idols.  Here is an Abhisheka Mandapam and to the North of it is the Sree Amirthalingeswarar.  It is said the Amutham turned as Lingam here and top portion of the lingam can be removed and placed over again on the Avudaiayar.  Sage Parasara got the pot of Amudha and he hid it from the Asuras under the ground.  After it was taken out, it was dug deeper and thus the place became Amutha theertham.  From that theertham, a spring was formed and that converged with river Cauvery and Bhavani to make triveni (முக்கூடல்).  To the east of Amirthlingeswarar is the sannidhi of Sahasralingam.  Special poojas are offered on Full Moon day to both Amirthalingeswarar and Saharalingeswarar.  Directly to the east of the Sahasralngeswarar sannidhi is the Gayathrilingeswarar sannidhi. 

                                             Urchavar, Adhi Kesava Perumal                     

After the sannidhi of Sree Vedanayki Amman on the western side are the sannidhis of Adhi kesava perumal, Lakshminarasimhar, Soundaranayaki Thayar and Rukmani, Sathyabama Sametha Santhanagopalan.  The entrance mandapam to the sannidhis have beautiful sudais of Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, Gajalakshmi and Ramar Pattabhishekam.  The Adhi Kesava Perumal temple was originally in Kalingarayan Pudur on the South of river Cauvery and was in a dilapidated condition.  As per inscriptions found in the temple, Puliyur Gounder brought the deities here and built the temple next to Vedanayaki Amman sannidhi.   The Venugopalan sannidhi forming part of the Rangamadapam was built by the King of Mysore Sri Wodeyar.

                                     An inside view of the temple with Dwajasthambam

An important temple to have darshan for people who visit Erode, Salem or Coimbatore.  Its importance being a place of triveni sangamam and also both Siva and Perumal have their sannidhis here.

Temple Timings:
5.30 AM-1.00 PM
4.00 PM-8.00 PM

SREE BRAHADHEESWARAR, GANGAIKONDACHOZHAPURAM

SREE BRAHADHEESWARAR, GANGAIKONDACHOZHAPURAM

Gangaikondachozhapuram, is one of the three massive architectural marvels of the chozha period, the premier being the Brahadheeswarar-Thanjavur, aptly called as Periya Koil in Tamil (Big Temple) and the other is the Sree Airavatheswarar temple at Darasuram.  The deity at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram too is called as Sree Brahadheeswarar and the consort is Goddess Periyanayaki. The temple was built by Rajendra Chozhan (1012-1044 AD), a great warrior, son and successor of King Rajaraja Chozhan.  Gangaikondachozhapuram was the headquarters for Chola Dynasty for about 250 years.  The Chozhas ruled over the entire region of south india from Thungabhadra in the North to Srilanka in the South.  The victories of Rajendra Chozhan and conquering of entire south india, part of Bangladesh, Kedah and Kadaram- Part of Malaysia/Indonesia and part of Cambodia culminated in a new capital at Gangaikondachozhapuram and the King himself was named as "Gangaikondan".   He also made a lake "Chola Gangam" spreading 22km for drinking and irrigation purposes.  

Sree Brahadheeswarar

Sree Periyanayaki

Sree Brahadheeswarar temple at Gangaikondachozhapuram can be reached from Kumbakonam and is 30 kms away.  This highway is to reach Jayangondam in Perambalur District and on the way is Thirupanathal and Anaikarai.  The buses from Kumbakonam to Chennai take this route and take a different route just before Gangaikondachozhapuram.   Gangaikondachozhapuram lies on the northern bank of river Kollidam and can be approached from Ariyalur also and at a distance of 47kms from there.   Even from a distance, the majestic side walls with gigantic Nandhi can be seen and one more of the UNESCO heritage site. Sree Brahadheeswarar idol is about 13 ft tall and can be seen even from a distance of 200 metres and during day time, no lighting of lamps are required to view the Lord, as the sun falls on the Nandhi and reflects on the Lord on day-to-day.  The entrance of the Gangaikonda chozhapuram Nandhi as photographed by me is shown below:

The shadow of the Khalasam does not fall on the ground and the vimana has been designed and constructed for that.   Goddess Periyanayaki is around 9 ft tall and is facing South.   His Holiness Sree Chandrasekara Saraswathi of Kanchi Mutt had installed a Srichakra at the feet of the Goddess.  Goddess Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi are known as Gnana Saraswathi and GnanaLakshmi and appear in a meditation posture.  The massive size of the deities require 25 metres of dhoti for the Lord and garland of 14 feet and 9 yards saree for the Goddess.   The sculptures of the temple on the pillars and prakara walls in this temple too are from the stories of periyapuranam, epics ramayana and mahabhratham apart from dance forms.   

Durga in the temple with 20 hands graces the devotees and is seen as a young girl killing the Mahishasuran.

When the temple was under construction, King Rajendra Chozhan asked for the accounts from his minister.  He fell at the feet of the Vinayaka here and got back his memory and started telling the accounts to the King. Hence the Vinayagar here is called "Kanakku Vinayagar".

Annabhishekam in this temple is performed on Full Moon day (Pournami- பௌர்ணமி) in the month October-November (tamil month ஐப்பசி) by Sree Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt.   Hundreds of bags of rice are cooked for this purpose and annabhishekam is performed from 9 AM to about 4 PM.  Fruits and vegetables are also offered as Nivedhanas.   The rice on the linga is later immersed in the river and not offered to devotees, as it is said that the humans cannot bear the power of it.  Rice, only on the part of Avudaiyar are offered as Prasadahm in this temple.   

 Some of the photographs taken during my trip at Gangaikondachozhapuram are shown below:

Lion well (Singa Kinaru) is believed to be an addition in the 19th century, in outside prakara and the lawns of the temple.

It is said that the British destroyed the fortified wall of this temple and took the stones for the construction of Lower Anaicut across River Kollidam, in the year 1896.

Temple timings:

6 AM- 12PM

4 PM-   8 PM

Sree AIRAVATHESWARAR, Darasuram

SREE AIRAVATHESWARAR TEMPLE, Darasuram

Sree AIRAVATHESWARAR temple is in Darasuram, which is 5kms from Kumbakonam and is in Kumbakonam-Thanjavur route.  Transportation by means of bus can be had upto Darasuram Bus Stand and further half a km by walk which will lead to Sree Periyanayaki Amman shrine, which is a separate temple by the side of the Lord Sree Airavatheswarar temple.  Deva Nayaki Amman sannidhi is in Airavatheswarar temple.    With own vehicle arrangements can reach the temple upto entrance.  The temple has an excellent garden around which is used by the people of Darasuram for the morning walk.


                                                SREE AIRAVATHESWARAR

                                                Sree Periyanayaki Amman

This temple is a UNESCO heritage site declared in the year 2004 and is full of sculptures so to say it is an "Sculptors Dream".   This was built by King Raja Rajan II (1146-1172 A.D.) and is on the lines of Periya Koil at Thanjavur.  The Chola dynasty had built large stone built temples during their rule at Thanjavur-Periya Koil, Darasuram- Airavatheswarar temple, Gangaikonda Chozhapuram-Brahadheeswarar temple. All these temples are marvels of temple architecture and larger in size and also famous for the intricate sculptures of Bharatha Natyam poses, accompanying musicians, Periya puranam stories and other great epics of Ramayana and Mahabhratham etc., on Pillars and prakara walls.  This temple also has the features of Herbal paintings.The white elephant Airavatham of Indra, incurred the curse of Sage Durvasa and thus became black.  To overcome the curse, Airavatham prayed here to the Lord and thus came out of the curse.  Thus the Lord came to be known as Airvatheswarar.  The sanctum is in a mandapam known as "Raja Gambiram" at a raised level with wheels as of a Chariot (Ratham) and looks as if elephant/horses draw it.  In this mandapam itself is the sannidhi of Goddess Deva Nayaki.  Lord Airvatheswarar's consort Sree Periyanayaki has a separate temple itself on the northern side.

The temple has raised and lower levels and one has to climb up and down several times to see the entire temple.   The massiveness of the temple can be seen by the temple meant for Chandikeswarar.   The main deity's gopuram is a 5 tiered one and is around 85 ft high.                                                      Sree Dakshinamurthy

On the outer walls of this mandapam is Dakshinamurthy.   Around the outer prakara can be seen lot of sculptures or smaller sannidhis meant for other deities totally destroyed in wars.  The actual era in which the destruction took place is not clear.

Even as you enter the temple, the Nandhi and Bali Peetam outside the temple is at a lower level and the steps foming to approach the Nandhi is of muscial steps similar to musical pillars in some of the temples.  Presently they do not make the sounds expected and is in closed enclosure.Some of the photographs taken by me are shown below.

It is said that Yama Dharmaraja had burning sensation all over his body due to a curse and he took bath in the temple tank and thus this is known as Yama Theertham. There was an Asuran by name Dharan who prayed here and got powers to defeat the Devas, thus the place came to be known as Darasuram. The temple has to be in the intinerary of those who plan to visit Kumbakonam for having darshan of Airvatheswarar and also the massive structures built during the Chola Dynasty which are marvels in construction and architecture. The sculptors would have spent years to bring it to shape with fine arts in every corner of the temple.

Temple timings:
6.30 AM to 12 PM
5.00 PM to 08.00 PM