SREE VEERA ANJANEYA SWAMY, KAKKALUR (காக்களூர்)

SREE VEERA ANJANEYA SWAMY, KAKKALUR (காக்களூர்)

Kakkalur is near Tiruvallur/Chennai and at a distance of  3 kms from Tiruvallur.  The Veeera Anjaneya Swamy at Kakkalur is a small temple and adequate shops are available who sell Thulasi and flowers in front of the temple.  There is a vinayagar temple too nearby.

The temple is around 750 years old and the anjaneya here was installed Vyasa Rajar, the Raja Guru of Krishnadevaraya and hence the anjaneyar also gives darshan with the Sowganthika flower in left hand and  with a bell at the end of the tail and tail over the head as normally of all anjaneyars installed by Vyasa Rajar and face is towards north.  The right hand is with the abhaya mudhra.   He is wearing Kanganam in both the hands.   The anjaneyar is around 7 ft tall.

Sree Raghavendrar, whose unwavering Bhakthi on Anjaneya is well known, stayed here for 14 years and medidated here and also wrote prayers in praise of Lord Anjaneya and the one he sang on Kakkalur Anjaneyar has been inscribed in the wall of the temple.

Madhwas have taken special care of the temple and presently with whatever contributions come, they are maintaining this temple very well.

I had darshan here on 07 12 2018 at about 12 noon.  Rama bhajan was going on, in the adjoining room to the temple.  I went from Tiruvallur.  One can reach from Putlur too taking suburban train from Central.   

Temple Timings:

6.00 AM to 1 PM

3.00 PM to 8 PM

SREE PALLIKONDEESWARAR TEMPLE, SURUTTAPALLI

SREE PALLIKONDEESWARAR TEMPLE, SURUTTAPALLI

On 7th December 2018, I went to Surutappalli and had darshan at Pallikondeeswarar temple, Andhra Pradesh.   Surutapalli is on the Andhra side of the border between Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh.  Uthukkottai is on the Tamilnadu side and is 26 kms from Thiruvallur.  Suruttappalli is at 2km from the Uththukootai bus stand and on the Uthukottai-Nagalapuram route.   Those who would like to travel the distance of 60 kms from Chennai has to take buses on the route of Uthukottai and having destinations of Pichchaattur, Puttur, Nagari, Nagalapuram and Tirupati and can get down on the entrance to the temple.   Poondi is on the way when one takes the route of Thiruvallur, where the water from the Krishna which is let at Kandaleru is stored and branched to various canals with 15 locks.  The anaicut is known as Sathiamurthy anaicut and the road built around the water storage gives ample opportunity to enjoy the place as a tourist spot though there are no shops or restaurants around.  One has to take all time passing items along with them.  Poondi is at a distance of 18 kms from Uthukkottai. 

There are many temples around Arani River and Surutapalli is on the Northern Bank of the river.  As you enter the temple complex, on the outside itself, is the Nandhi on a big pedastal.  

The Pallikondeeswarar temple has lot of open space and there are 3 shops within the complex which sell pooja items and also books on temple.   The entrance Gopuram is a 3 tier one and one enters the temple precincts, on the left side is the sannidhi of Margathambika and Valmeekiswarar with a mandapa with 16 pillars in front. In the entrance to Maragathambika sannidhi, instead of Dwarapalakas, Sankanidi with his wife Vasundarai and Padmanidhi with his wife Vasumathi give us darshan. The vinayagar at the entry of Margathambika is made of Salagaramam. In the arthamandapa here, on the right is the Karpaga Viruksha and Kamadhenu is on the left side.  Around the Prakara of the Goddess, as we circumbulate are the Nalvars - Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar and then Vinayagar.  Opposite to Lingothbhavar is Jurahareswarar with 3 hands and 3 legs with Agni in hand, Vishnu, Bhairavar, Valmiki Maharishi with head covered, Yegapathamurthy and Swami Ayyappan. Dakshinamurthy here is very special with consort on the lap known as Dhambathya Dakshinamurthy,  On the Vayu moolai is the Valli devasena sametha Subramanyar Sannidhi.  Next is Sree Rajamathangi.   Further, as we proceed is Brahma, Chandikeswarar and Gnana Durgai.  Then is the goddess Kasi Vishalakshi and on the other side here is Sree Venugopalaswamy and Adhikara nandhi in standing posture with hands in prayers.  Then as we come out is Swayambu Lingam -Valmikiswarar and Sage Valmiki prayed here and hence the name. Opposite to him is the sannidhi of Ramalingeswar and on either side in front of this lingam are Sita, Rama, lakshmanan, Bharatha and Chathrugana. The Nandhi in front of Valmikiswarar is known as Pradhosha Nandhi and he views the Eswaran though apertures made in the sannidhi.   

In the prakara of Maragathambika, a stone with Pathams of Lava Kusa can be seen.

After having darshan of Valmikiswarar, we can go to Northern side of the temple where the Sannidhi of Pallikondeeswarar is.  Ambal sree Sarvamangala on sitting posture and Lord keeps his head on the lap of her and takes rest.  He was feeling dizzy after taking the poison while churning the Parkadal, (Surutta- feeling dizzy in Telugu) and thus takes rest by lying down. (Palli)  Around them are Brihu Maharishi, Brahma, Vishnu, Margandeyar, Narathar, Chandiran, Kuberan, Suriyan, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar, Gowthamar, Thumburar, Vashistar, Viswamitrar, Valmiki and Devendran. At a lower level are the Vinayagar and valli, devasena sametha Subramanyar.  

The hills near Surutapalli is known as Bhrammagiri and Brahma has conducted various Yagnas here.   Lord Siva who was pleased with the Yagnas appeared here and gave the boons what Brahma sought for and appeared at 5 places around Arani River and these places are known as Pancha siva sthalas or Pancha Brahma Sthalas.

They are: Surutapalli, Ramgiri, Periyapalayam, Ariyathurai and Arani.


Temple Timings:

The temple presently is gearing up for the Mahakumbabhishekam on 23 01 2019, Wednesday and HH Sree Vijayendra Saraswathi of Kanchikamakodi Peetam will be heading the functions.  Hence the balalayam is under way and only the darshan of the deities Maragathambigai, valmikiswarar and Pallikondeeswarar can be had at present.

GETWELL ANJANEYAR, TIRUNELVELI

GETWELL ANJANEYAR, TIRUNELVELI
(Sri Sanjeevi Varadha Anjaneyar temple)

This temple is inside the Arvind Eye Hospital premises and along with Getwell Anjaneyar, Danvantri Mahavishnu and Maha Lakshmi sannidhis are also in the temple.  The temple is at the raised level and around 20 steps will have to be taken and yes, it looks like a temple that has been made in the first floor of a building.  Adequate vendors are avialable selling Thulasi and flowers.  I went on the evening of 13th October 2018 and reached the place at 5.10 PM.  The bhattars started arriving only then, they open the temple only at 5.30 PM.  There were around 80 to 90 people gathered at that time and it is very popular among the local population.

Extreme left is the sannidhi of Sree Danvantri Mahavishnu and at the centre is the sannidhi of Mahalakshmi and on the extreme right is the Getwell Anjaneyar's sannidhi.  The anjaneya is around 2 1/2 feet height and always they do alankarams beautifully as I have seen many pictures before having darshan here in websites.

The picture of sree Danvantri Mahalakshmi is not available and hence not posted.

Sree Sanjeevi Varadha Anjaneyar temple is one of the beautiful temples, a must for anyone who visits Tirunelveli and the Hospital is  the bus stand.around 5 Kms from the Tirunelveli new Bus stand.

KANTHIMATHI SAMETHA NELLAIPPAR, TIRUNELVELI

KANTHIMATHI SAMETHA NELLAIPPAR, TIRUNELVELI

On the evening of 13th October 2018, went to Nellaippar temple for Darshan.  People who had gathered at Tirunelveli for The Pushkaram had turned out in large number in this temple for Darshan and there was a big queue and was told can have darshan only after 3 hours. Hence I could not have darshan at the main deities sannidhis of Kanthimathi and Nellaiappar.  Though I had come here a few years before and had darshan, it was not to be this time.  I had gone round the temple to other sannidhis.   

                                          Kanthimathi sametha Nellaiappar

Sivan here is a Swayambumurthy and known as Nellaiappar and he is also called in Tamil as Vendavalarntha Nathar (வேண்ட வளர்ந்த நாதர்).   The temple is one of the Pancha Sabhais and is represented by Tamiram.    Legend has it that the place was once bamboo forest and was hence called as a Venu Vanam.   A villager by name        was giving the milk to the palace.  Whenever he crossed the venuvanam, at a particular place, the milk spilled from his vessel.  The king was apprised about the milk being brought always was less by that man, the King asked him what was happening to him, that the milk which he supplied was always found to be less.  He told the King about the Milk being spilled at the particular place in the Venu vanam and when they dug the place, blood wa coming from the spot, where the milk used to spill and the King also in his dream that day had the vision of the Lord, who asked him to build a temple for him there.  Hence the lord was called as Venuvana nathar.   

The vinayagar here is Mukkuruni Vinayagar with mothagam in his right hand and broken thantham in his left hand, which is different from other temples.  

There is no special Margazhi matha pooja here.  But during the month of Karthigai poojas are performed to all sannidhis at 4 AM itself. On all the thirty days of Karthigai, Nellaiappar comes in procession on a Golden Palanquin.   Poojas performed to the Nandhi of Amman too during Pradosha kalam.  Similarly on the Sivarathri day, 4 jaama poojai is done both to Siva and Amman.  Kanthimathi amman also forms part of 51 sakthi peetams.  

Manjana Vadivambal, Mahishasurmardhini has a separate sannidhi and is also called as Pandasura Marthini.  Special poojas are done during Rahu kalas and Tuesday and Friday poojas are very special.

                                                     Manjana Vadivambal

A copper Natana mandapam, known as Tamira Sabha is made of wood work.   From here Lord Nataraja and Sivakami give darshan to devotees during Arudra Darisanam.   Just behind the Tamira Sabha is the Sandana Sabhapathi shrine, adorned with sandal paste.

In the prakara, there are sannidhis for Kanni Vinayagar, Nandhiillai devar and Pandiya Rajan.    Bikshadanar has been sculpted in the Pillar.  Here, at a lower level, is the Salvateesvarar, the linga prathistai done by Sage Agasthiar.   Potramarai Kulam and theppa mandapam are within the temple precincts.  There are mandapams - Unjal Mandapam, Mahamandapam, Navagraha Mandapam, Somavara Mandapam. Sangili Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam and Ayirangal Mandapam.   From the stone inscriptions, it is known that the Pollapillaiyar (பொல்லா பிள்ளையார்) had been contributed to this temple by Munthikottu Veeram Azhagiya Pandiya Thevan.  The name has come from the fact this vinayagar has not been sculpted with Uli (உளி) and a swayambu pillaiayar.  The Pollapillaiyear sannidhi has a stone window with 12 holes with each hole 12"x9" approximately.  Those who have had the blessings from this pillaiyar for progeny, come and pray and show their gratitude by giving the child through these holes and getting back through these window holes.

In the arthajama pooja, kanthimai is adorned with white saree which is changed only next morning Vila Poojai at 7 AM.  Nellaiappar and Kanthimathi have separate Raja Gopurams and their sannidhis are connected by Sangili Maindapam.  Another interesting aspect is that the 6 kala poojas of Kanthimathi follow Karana Agamam and Nellaiappar Kaameega Agamam.  Unique to this temlple also is Uchchi kala pooja neivedyams.  Since Kanthimathi amman herself serves the food to Nellaiappar, during the uchchikala pooja, the kurukkal from amman sannidhi bring the food such as Pongal, lemon rice, curd rice etc.,with music played by Nadaswaram group and the kurukkal in the swamy sannidhi after neivedyam here send it back to amman sannidhi for neivedyam.  

Govindan, Moolavar, in a separate sannidhi in anantha sayanam, performs pooja for the lingam.  The urchavar by the side is having a lingam in his chest.  By the side of the Nayanmars sannidhi, is Tamirabarani vighraha.  Before her, is Ganga and Yamuna as Dwarabalakis.  During Chithra Pournami, Avani Moolam and Thai poosam days, she is taken to Tamirabarani for theertha snanam.  

Tirunelveli once was a bamboo vanam and thus known as Venu Vanam.  Other names are: Sali nagar, Salivadi, Saliveli, Tharuka vanam, Brahmavirundhapuram and Nellur.

Legend has it that Veda Bhattar, who used to dry the paddy was getting protected from rain by the fence (veli) provided by the Lord and Lord Siva here got the name Nelvelinathar or Nellaiappar and the place Thirunelveli.  Lord is also addressed as: Venuvaneswarar and Veymuththeesar.  During abhishekam of the lord, the ambigai can be seen at the centre of the lingam.   Apart from him, there are two more lingams in the temple.  Second is the lingam for which Mahavishnu performs pooja.  The third is the one at a lower level known as Thiru Moola Mahalingam and also known as Adhi Moolavar, the pradhistai done by Sage Agasthiar.  Pooja is always performed first for this lingam only.

This temple is also known for its famous Musical Pillars and this is in Mani Mandapam.

The Thirukalyanam festival is celebrated in the tamil month of Aippasi (October-November) and this it will be on Sunday, the 4th Novemebr 2018.  Picture below is from the Thirukalyanam of 2017.

Temple Car:  The temple car (தேர்) weights 400 Tons with steel wheels and is the third largest in Tamilnadu and is a powered vehicle.

  
Sthala Vruksham: Bamboo  Theertham:  Swarna Pushkarani and Chandra Pushkarani.

Subbarama Dikshitar's composition on the Goddess Kantimathi:
(from www.rasikas.org)

P: kAntimatI karuNamIra kAntimatIni -osagumu amma|| 

O mother Kantimati, take mercy, and illuminate my mind[1]. 

A: shAntarUpamE hrdaya-nishAntamuna bhAvincEda
kAntAra-kAntAra-kAnta-shAlivATi-purI-kAnta-kAntA! vANI-kAnta-vinuta-caraNa! || 

I have enshrined your tranquil form in the mansion of my heart, 
O lover of the lord of shAlivAtipurI[2], resplendent with fields of streaked sugarcane; 
Your feet are worshipped even by the lord of speech (Brahma).

C: parAku ika nApai saluparAdu ammA - Do not neglect me now,

nE birAna mAnasamunanu ubbirAka kOritinammA|
I beseech you with a mind swelling with emotion[?], and have sought refuge in you anon,

"narAdhamula vEDitivE!" anarAdu sahimpumu ammA 
- Do not taunt me by saying “But you went and praised mortal wretches”, please bear with me;

karAmbujamula gUrci golcEdA karAna varamulimmA| 
- I am but a plaything sitting in the palm of your hand. Do bestow boons with the same hand.

murAsurAri-sOdari morAlaginca rAdA! 
O sister of ViSNu [the foe of MurAsura], won’t you heed to my entreaties? 

dharA-dhara-sutA! madhurAdhara! dhArAdhara-kaca ||
O daughter of the earth-bearing mountains, with honey-sweet lips and tresses like the raincloud.
  

Temple Timings:

5.30 AM - 12.30 Noon

4.00 PM -  09.00 PM

UCCHISHTA GANAPATHI, MANIMOORTHEESWARAM, TIRUNELVELI

UCCHISHTA GANAPATHI, MANIMOORTHEESWARAM, TIRUNELVELI

This temple is on the banks of the river Tamirabarani and at a distance of 2 kms from Tirunelveli Railway Station.   I had darshan on the evening of 13th October 2018 here and a  bhajan procession of the Maha Pushkaram reached the temple at that time. Though the initial road approach is narrow, the path to the temple is quite broad and vehicles can be parked.  Arugampul (அருகம்புல்) was available at the temple gate.  This is one of the few temples for Vinayagar exclusively, the moolavar being Uchchishta Ganapathy and the temple is having a 5-tier Rajagopuram  with 3 prakaras. The temple's kodimaram is next to the Rajagopuram. 

Uchchista Ganapathy is the 8th form of the 32 forms in which Lord Vinayagar is worshipped.   He has Neela Saraswathi in his lap.   Legend has it that Once an Asura by name Vidhyakaran was in penance on Lord Brahama.  Pleased with the penance of Vidhyakaran, Brahma appeared before him and Vidhyakaran sought a boon - that a person who can kill him should not be a man or a beast, should fight without any assistance from anyone and in front of asura and theva sabhais...should be with the sakthi with him at that time - thus he thought he could not be killed under any circumstances.  Brahma gave the boon what Vidhyakaran wanted.  That made Vidhyakaran arrogant and he gave problems to Rishis and when he became uncontrollable, rishis came for help to Mummorthees.  Mummoorthees conducted a Yagna to Parasakthi and also wanted Vinayagar to kill Vidhyakaran.  Vinayagar came from the Agnikunda of the yaga on an Ashtami.  As asked by Brahma, Pathanga muni too conducted a Yagna and from that as Brahama's daughter Neela Saraswathi appeared  The marriage of Vinayaagar to Neela Saraswathi was conducted on Navami.  Mummorthees then asked Indra to ask Vidhyakaran to come for a fight.  Vidhyakaran arrived for a war and he had to face Ganapathy with Neela Saraswathi on his left lap, with his trunk on her naval and on the hands with bow and arrow with Prakasha of a crore of Suryas.  Vidhyakaran could not face the prakasha coming out of the Ganapathy and bit his tongue and with pain and loss of blood he died.  Hence in front of the Deva Sabhai and with Sakthi in his lap and without any weapons, Vinayagar killed Vidhyakaran.  Rishis wanted Vinayagar to bless his devotees on the banks of the river Tamirabarani in the rishi theertham along with Neela Saraswathi.  He acceded to the request of the rishis and arrived in the chariot of Surya at Manimoortheeswaram and gave darshan to the rishis and devas.  Surya bhagavan requested that on the first of every tamil month Chithirai he would have his rays on the Ganapathi and that he should bless all those who pray on those days with prosperity,

Uchchista Ganapthy as depicted in a 19th century book, "Thathvaneedhi" - Pic from Wiki

There is a story regarding Kala Bhairavar here blessing Manikireevan, the son of Kubera.  Manikireevan was a great devotee of Vinyaga.   During the rule of a king named Savarnan, Manikireevan saw Chitraleka in a Nandavanam, daughter of Kandarvarajan Chitrasenan.  She wanted to marry him and Manikireevan said he would marry her only with the approval of her father.  She requested him to not to leave the place until she arrived with her father.  Chitrasenan agreed to the proposal and they Manikireevan and Chitraleka got married with the blessings of the Kandarvarajan and his entourage.  Even as they were living happily, Leelavathi, daughter of Kandharvan wanted to marry the handsome Manikireevan and she told to marry her too. When Manikireevan refused, she cursed that his beauty be gone and Manikireevan too cursed her the same,  With the beauty gone, Manikireevan prayed to Lord Ganesha and he in turn asked him to bathe in Tamirabarani at this palce and pray to the Bhairavar there and also made all the three - Manikireevan, Chitraleka and Leelavathi - to take bathe in Tamirabarani and pray Bhairavar there.  Vinayagar also asked Manikireevan to marry Leelavathi too.  They overcame the curse and as directed by Vinayagar, lived in Kubera Patnam.  

There are sannidhis for Lord Shiva, Kanthimathi amman, Kannimoolai Kanapathi,16shodasa ganapthis, valli devanai sametha Subramanyar and  Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar  Pathanjali Munivar and Vyagrabathar are installed in linga roopam.  The sthala vrukshas are: Vannai and Palmyra (பனை).  Theerthams: Rishi Theertham and Rurthrapatha theertham.  

Kumbabhishekam of the temple was done in the year 2016.

 

Temple timings:

8.00 AM - 11.30 AM

6.00 PM - 07.30 PM

SANKARANARAYANAR TEMPLE, SANKARANKOIL NEAR TIRUNELVELI

SANKARANARAYANAR TEMPLE, SANKARANKOIL NEAR TIRUNELVELI

On 13th October 2018, I had darshan at Sankarankoil.  After having darshan at Tiruchendur, I left by Road to Sankaran koil via Tirunelveli and was just in time at 12.20 noon, as the temple closes at 1 P.M.  Sankarankoil is at a distance of 57 kms from Tirunelveli and 120 kms from Madurai.

Has at entrance a 9 tier Rajagopuram where Senbaga Vinayagar blesses devotess and siddi vinayagar sannidhi is prior to Sankaralinga swamy sannidhi.  As it was Dusserah, a magnificient Golu had been kept ahead of the Dwajasthambam.    

                                                Golu in sankaran koil

Sankaralingaswamy is the main deity and the Ambal here is Gomathi amman.  The Sankaranarayanar sanndhi is in between the sankarar and gomathi sannidhis.  Dwajasthambams are in front of Sankaralingaswamy and Gomathy amman only.  Adhikaranandhi in front of Sankaralingaswamy near Dwajasthambam is with the consort Suyajadevi and he is under a Rudraksha Pandhal.   Sun rays directly fall on the Sankaralinga Swamy for 3 days around 21st of March and September. 

                                                        Sankaranarayanan

                                                  Urchavar Sankaranarayanan

Sankaranarayanan sannidhi is between Sankarar and Gomathi sannidhis.   The right side of Sankaranarayan has the Agni, Ganga, crescent moon, locks of hair, ear ring, Rudraksha on the chest and also Mazhu the weapon of Lord Siva with tiger skin on his waist.  Sangan is holding the Umbrella on the Tiruvasi.  On the left part as Vishnu, he has gem studded crown, hanging ear ring- Kundalam, Tulasi bead and Lakshmi mala in Chest and a conch and silk peethambara on the waist.  Paduma is holding the umbrella on this side.  Tulsi theertha is offered as prasadham in the morning pooja and in all other poojas Vibhuti is given as prasadham.  Deity is offered both vilva and tulasi.  Siva is abhisheka priyan and Vishnu alankara priyan.  Here the abishekam is conducted to the Spatika linga Chandramouleeswarar, given to this temple by Sringeri Mutt.  Best of the alangarams are done to Sankaranarayanan. Vaikunda Ekadasi festival is celebrated with equal fanfare and the temple has a Sorga Vasal.  Lord Vishnu gives darshan on a palanquin on this day in sayana, reclining posture. 

Vanmeeganathar sannidhi after Sankaralingaswamy sannidhi is the Puthu koil (Ant-hill) and the prasadham here is Puthuman. (Sand from ant-hill).  Vanmeegam means ant hill. 

Vanmeeganathar is sitting on a serpant with the serpant's hood above Lord Shiva's head.  While people pray to 5 naga idols before this shrine with milk abhishekam, for Vanmeeganathar, they adorn him with turmeric powder. 

                                                 Vanmeeganathar Sannidhi

Normally, Lingothbavar used to be in the Koshta of the Siva temples. Here Yoga Narasimhar blesses devotees from that place.  There is a shrine for Sarpa Vinayaka with Serpant in hand in the Kannimoolai.   In the eastern prakara, on the right side pillar the statue of Ukkira Pandiya Arasan can be seen and on the left side pillar Uma and Siva in standing posture can be seen.  In the Southern Prakara are the shrines of Nalvar, Sekkizhar, 63 Nayanmars, Mahavishnu, Juradevar and Lord Subramnaya with Valli and Deivanai.    Northern Prakara's southern side is the Vanmeeganathar shrine and by the side is the Chandikeswarar sannidhi.  On Northern side of this prakara is the shrines of Sani bhagavan, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar and Durga devi.

Serpant king Naga- Sangan was a staunch Siva devotee.  Paduman, a serpant was a Vishnu devotee.  They frequently debated on who is Supreme among the Gods and they went to Parvati for the solution.  Parvati wanted to prove that they are equal and thus had undertaken a peance for the joint darshan of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu and thus she had the darshan of Sankaranayanar, the joint form of Siva and vishnu.  As the Devas and rishis wanted to have darshan of both of them, they were also present as Punnai trees.  Sangan and Paduman, the serpants too, protrasted before Sankaranaryanan and had their blessing and stayed with Sankaranarayanan to hold the Umbrellas for siva and vishnu of Sankaranarayanan.  As both of them wanted this to be remembered they requested the Lord for that and thus came the theertham - Nagasunai theertham.  Shiva granted darshan to Parvati as Sankaralingam too. 

Gomathi amman
Go means cow and mathi means moon.  Celestial Maidens as cows came with Parvati for the penance of Parvati.  Her face radiates like the Moon and thus she is Gomathi.  In Tamil, she is addressed as Avudaiambigai.   She is adorned with flowers on Mondays and Golden kavacham on Fridays.  Those praying for their marriage and wishing the well being of their wards light up Mavilakku here.  Normally, Sri Chakra is installed under the peetam of the goddess or just in front of her.  Here Sri Chakra is installed before the Mandapam is called Agna Chakra.  

                                                           Gomathi Amman

Urchavar Gomathi Amman

Adi thapasu festival is celebrated as Parvathi was in penance on Lord Siva and Lord Narayana to have darshan as Sankaranarayanan and the festival is for 12 days.  This starts in the Tamil Month of Adi (July-August) on the Sukla Paksha Chaturthi.  On the last day of the festival, Parvati goes to the Thapas Mandapa with a bag of Vibhuti and that evening, Sree Sankaranayanan gives darshan to her arriving in elephant vahana.  While Maha-Annabhishekam takes place in all Shiva temples in Aippasi Pournami day, here it is conducted on 1st day Thula Masam, Aippasi.  

Thala vruksham is Punnai and theertham naga sunai theertham.

Temple Timings:

5.00 AM - 1.00 PM
4.00 PM - 9.00 PM

Sree SUBRAMANYAR SENTHILNATHAN, TIRUCHENDUR

Sree SUBRAMANYAR  (SENTHILNATHAN), TIRUCHENDUR

                                  Western Entrance and Rajagopuram, Tiruchendur

While going for the Pushkaram Snanam at Tirunelveli, the previous day, that is on 13th October 2018, I had early morning darshan at Tiruchendur.  

Tiruchendur, one of the Aurpadai veedu (six army camps of Lord Muruga) is on the seashore of Bay of Bengal.   All other padai veedu temples are in Hills.  A large temple with an imposing Rajagopuram on the Western Entrance with 9 tiers and a height of 137 feet is a temple where the snanam in the sea and worshipping with wet clothes also is followed by some devotees.  This temple follows the tradition of men without shirts, lungis and only dothis for entry.

                                       Urchavar thrown into sea by Dutch after theft

Dutch pirates looted this temple around 1648 A.D. and damaged the granite vighrahas and taken the Lord Murugan Panchaloga vighraha, thinking they were made of gold.  Their attempt to melt it proved futile.  Then they carried it to the sea and the sea became rough with a storm and they threw the vighrahas into the sea.  It was communicated by the temple authorities to Vadamalaiyappa Pillaiyan, the local administrator of the Nayakkan ruler of Tirunelveli.   Pillaiyan, a great devotee, was not knowing how to rescue the vigrahas from the sea and ordered for another vighraha to be made in Panchaloga.  When this was ready and to be installed in Tiruchendur in 1653, he had a dream.  As directed by the God in the dream, Pillaiyan searched in the sea where a lime fruit was floating with a Garuda flying over that place and recovered the original vighrahas and the same were installed in 1653 in Tiruchendur.  The once made in 1653 as ordered by Pillaiyan was installed in Thirupurantheeswarar Koil in the nearby Palayamkottai.  In memory of successful recovery of the vighraha from the sea, Pillaiyan erected a great mandapa in his name with inscription of the incidence in the walls of this Mandapa.

Veeramahendrapuri was ruled by the Asuran, Surapadma.   Upon meditating on Lord Shiva he got boons from Lord Shiva and he became arrogant and was giving problems to everyone.  He captured all the three worlds and the Devas could not bear the torture given by him and they complained to Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva then created Lord Subramanya in Saravana Poigai to defeat Surapadma.  Lord Shiva advised his son Subramanya when he grew up, to kill Surapadma and save people who were suffering.  Lord Subramanya came to Tiruchendur with his army and sent his lieutenant Veerabahu to Surapadma to release the Devas, a war ensued when Surapadma refused to do as asked for.  In the intense battle that followed, in the first 5 days, all the brothers of Surapadma were killed and on the sixth day, Surapadma came to war.  In the fight, Lord's lance pierced Surapadma's body and he transformed himself into a frightful mango tree and broke into two.  The two peices changed into a Peacock and a cock.   Lord Muruga took the peacock as his Vahana and the cock as his banner.  This happend on the Waxing Moon - Valar Pirai - Sukla Paksham and on the sixth day - Shasti and the event is celebrated in the temple as Surasamharam during every tamil month Puratasi (October-Novemebr) suklapaksha Shasti day as Skantha Shasti. This year it falls on 7th November 2018.

After Surasamharam, Muruga wanted to worship his father and the divine architect Mayan constructed this temple at Tiruchendur for that purpose.  Lord Subramanya, known as Senthil Nathan here is seen worshipping his father in the sanctum sanctorium.

There are the sannidhis of Jeyanthinathar and Shanmughar (Urchavar) adjacent to the main deity.  In the prakara, Kumara Vidanga Peruman the urchavar's shrine is there followed by 63 Nayanmars in the left and then Medha Dakshnamoorthy in Koorma vahana on the right bless the devotees.  Sree Dakshinamurthy had advised Lord Muruga on the war between Murugan and Surapathman.  The next three pillars in the prakara are embellished with the figures of Kasi Swami, Mauna Swami and Desikamoorthy swamy who brought about the Tiruppanis of the temple.  Next to them is the beautiful Valli shrine.  Behind Valli's shrine are the shrines of Sankaranarayanar, Visalakshi, Vedapuriswarar, Vathapuriswarar and Yekambaranathar. Further there are sannidhis for Chandikeswarar on the northern side and Natarajar (Sivagami is by the side of the Natarajar with karaikal ammaiyar enjoying the ananda thandavam),  Sanesswarar and Bhairavar are on the opposite side.

In the second prakaram, there is a small Dakshinamurthy at the southern side and on the western end is 108 lingas.  Next to Nootreetu lingas in the Soorasamhara moorthy and here Arunagirinathar is in a separate sannidhi.  

Naazhikkinaru (நாழிக்கிணறு)

This is a well in two different levels.  This is nearer to the see but the water in the smaller well inside the nazhikinaru is of very good quality.  The square well with the circumference of 14 feet square has a small well within it.  When army men of Lord Muruga wanted water after the war with Surapadma, Murugan with his Vel (Lance) created this well.

This place in the ancient tamil age was also called as Thirucheeralaivaay and Nakkeerar in his Thirumurugaatrupadai has sung on this place.

Pictures except the deities are taken from my mobile camera including the Western Entrance Gopuram.  The temple has 12 kala poojas and the table below is taken from the temple website.

Period	Time	Pooja Detail
Morning	5.10	Subrapadam - Thirupalli Eluchi
Morning	5.30	Viswaroopam Darshan
Morning	5.45	Dwajasthamba Namaskaram
Morning	6.15	Udaya Marthanda Abishegam
Morning	7.00	Udaya Marthanda Deeparadhanai
Morning	8.00 to 8.30	Kalasandhi Pooja
Morning	10.00	Kalasha Pooja
Morning	10.30	Uchikala Abishegam
Noon	12.00	Uchikala Deeparadhanai
Evening	5.00	Sayaratchai Pooja
Night	7.15	Arthasama Abishegam
Night	8.15	Arthasama Pooja
Night	8.30	Ekanda Seva
Night	8.45	Ragasia Deeparadhanai, Palliarai Pooja
Night	9.00	Nadai Thirukappiduthal

Temple timings:
5 AM to 9 PM