श्री उन्नथपुरीश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर तामिळनाडूमधल्या तंजावूर जिल्ह्यामध्ये तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावर पापनाशम तालुक्यातील मेलत्तूर ह्या गावामध्ये स्थित आहे. हे शिव-शक्ती पीठ मानलं जातं आणि म्हणूनच श्री शिव-शक्ती पूजेसाठी हे प्रसिद्ध आहे. इथे श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी श्री मकुटेश्वरी ह्या त्यांच्या अंगरक्षक देवीसमवेत नवरात्रीच्या नवमीला पूजा केली.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री उन्नथपुरीश्वरर

पत्नी (श्री पार्वती देवी): श्री शिवगामी, श्री शिव-प्रियांबिका

स्थान: मेलत्तूर, पापनाशम तालुका, तंजावूर जिल्हा

पौराणिक नाव: उन्नथपुरी, उन्नथपुरम, नृत्य-विनोद-वळनाडू

हे मंदिर साधारण १२०० वर्षे जुनं आहे.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

हे स्थळ श्री महाविष्णूंच्या मत्स्यावताराशी निगडित आहे. एकदा सोमक नावाच्या असुराने चार वेद चोरून तो खोल समुद्रात जाऊन लपला. श्री महाविष्णूंनी मत्स्यरूप घेऊन खोल समुद्रात जाऊन सोमक दैत्याला मारून चार वेदांचं संरक्षण केलं. सोमक दैत्याला मारताना श्री महाविष्णू त्याचं रक्त प्यायले त्यामुळे ते उन्मत्त अवस्थेत गेले. त्या अवस्थेतून त्यांना बाहेर येणं कठीण झालं. त्यांची ती परिस्थिती बघून श्री ब्रह्मादि देव भगवान शिवांकडे मदतीसाठी गेले. भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी कोळी आणि कोळिणीच्या रूपात आले. त्यांनी त्या माश्याला म्हणजेच मत्स्य रूपातल्या श्री महाविष्णूंना जाळ्यात पकडलं आणि त्याला पिळून काढलं ज्यामुळे त्या माश्यातल्या अंगातलं सर्व दूषित रक्त बाहेर पडलं. त्यानंतर श्री महाविष्णू परत आपल्या मूळ रूपात आले.

अजून एका आख्यायिकेनुसार श्री महाविष्णू आपल्या वाहनासमवेत म्हणजेच गरुडासमवेत श्री शिवांच्या स्थानांत म्हणजेच कैलाशामध्ये शिरले. श्री शिवाचे वाहन श्री नंदिंनी श्री विष्णूंना अडविण्याचा खूप प्रयत्न केला पण तो सफल झाला नाही. हे श्री शिवांना आवडलं नाही आणि त्यांनी श्री विष्णूंना पृथ्वीवर सामान्य मनुष्याच्या रूपात जन्म घेण्याचा शाप दिला आणि गरुडाला एका सामान्य पक्ष्याच्या रूपात जन्म घेण्याचा शाप दिला. श्री शिवांनी त्यांना सांगितलं कि रामावतारानंतरच त्यांना आपल्या मूळ रूपात परत येता येईल. शापाच्या काळात त्यांनी श्री विष्णू आणि श्री गरुडाला शापमोचनासाठी उन्नतपूरम येथे राहून शिवलिंगाची आराधना करण्यास सांगितले.

कल्मषपद ह्या चोळा राजाने अपत्यप्राप्तीसाठी अगस्त्य मुनींच्या सल्ल्यानुसार इथे तपश्चर्या केली.

असा समज आहे कि इथल्या तीर्थामध्ये स्नान करण्याने सात पवित्र समुद्रांमध्ये स्नान करण्याचे पुण्य प्राप्त होते.

असा समज आहे कि श्री पार्वती देवी आणि आदि-मूळ-द्वारपालकी देव्या नवरात्रीच्या दिवसांमध्ये ह्या नऊ मंदिरांना प्रदक्षिणा घालतात (ह्या लेखामधलं मंदिर आणि ह्याआधी ज्या आठ मंदिरांची माहिती प्रकाशित केली ती मंदिरे).

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री मत्स्यपुरीश्वरर कोविल

हे मंदिर तामिळनाडू राज्यातील तंजावूर जिल्ह्यामध्ये तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावर पापनाशम गावाजवळ पंडरवाडी गावामध्ये आहे. ह्या स्थळाला कोविल-देवरायण-पेट्टई असं पण म्हणतात. शैव संत श्री संबंधर यांनी ह्या मंदिरामध्ये भगवान शिवांची स्तुती गायली म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला थेवर-वैप्पू स्थळ असं पण म्हणतात.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री मत्स्यपुरीश्वरर

पत्नी (देवीचे नाव): श्री सुगंध-कुंडल अंबिका

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: वन्नी (शमीचे झाड)

पौराणिक नाव: थिरुचेलूरसेलूर, राजकेसरी चतुर्वेदी मंगलम्

हे मंदिर साधारण १५०० वर्षे जुनं आहे. इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री वज्रेश्वरी ह्या त्यांच्या अंगरक्षक देवीसमवेत नवरात्रीच्या अष्टमी दिवशी येथे पूजा केली.

मंदिराची वैशिष्ठ्य:

श्री मुरूगांचे त्यांच्या श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै पत्नींसहित इथे स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. ह्या मूर्तीमध्ये पुढील बाजूस तीन आणि मागील बाजूस तीन अशी सहा मुखे आहेत आणि त्यांच्या एका हातात शंख तर दुसऱ्या हातामध्ये चक्र आहे.

देवळाच्या मागच्या बाजूला श्री महाविष्णूंची मूर्ती आहे. मंदिराच्या प्रवेशद्वाराच्या उजव्या बाजूस श्री अंबिका देवींची उभी मूर्ती आहे. श्री अंबिका देवींच्या मूर्तीपुढे महामेरुचे प्रतीक आहे. श्री अंबिका देवींच्या देवालयामध्ये कोष्ठ मुर्त्या नाहीत. मंदिराच्या प्रवेशद्वाराच्या डाव्या बाजूस श्री गणपती आणि श्री नटराज ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. देवळाच्या मागच्या बाजूला श्री अष्टभुजा दुर्गादेवींची उत्तराभिमुख मूर्ती आहे.

मुख्य देवळाच्या प्रवेशद्वारावरील उजव्या बाजूच्या स्तंभावर भगवान शिवांची आराधना करत असलेल्या कामधेनूचे शिल्प आहे. उजव्या बाजूच्या स्तंभावर मत्स्य रूपात श्री विष्णू भगवान शिवांची आराधना करत आहेत असे शिल्प आहे. श्री विनायक आणि श्री नवग्रह ह्यांची स्वतंत्र देवालये आहेत.

गाभाऱ्यामध्ये मत्स्य रुपातले श्री विष्णू भगवान शिवांची आराधना करत आहेत अशी मूर्ती आहे. कोष्टमुर्त्यांमध्ये श्री बालविनायक, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, श्री महाविष्णू, श्री ब्रह्मदेव आणि श्री दुर्गा देवी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. पण इथे श्री लिंगोद्भवरांची मूर्ती नाही. बाहेरील परिक्रमेमध्ये सिद्धरपीठम (श्री बालाजी), सप्तमातृकादेवी, नालवर, श्री नृसिंह, श्री काशी विश्वनाथ आणि श्री विशालाक्षी, श्री नृत्य विनायक, श्री गजलक्ष्मी, श्री चंडीश्वरर, श्री सरस्वती देवी, श्री मारुती, श्री योगभैरव, श्री कालभैरव, श्री शनीश्वरर आणि श्री सूर्य ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

हे मंदिर श्री महाविष्णूंच्या मत्स्यावताराशी निगडित आहे. हयग्रीव ह्या असुराने चोरलेल्या चार वेदांना परत मिळविण्यासाठी श्री महाविष्णूंनी मत्स्यावतार धारण केला.

पुराणातील कथेनुसार श्री ब्रह्मदेव जेव्हा विश्रांती घेत होते त्यावेळी असुरांनी चार वेद चोरले आणि ते समुद्रात लपवून ठेवले. श्री ब्रह्मदेव आणि इतर देवांनी श्री महाविष्णूंना हे वेद परत आणण्यासाठी मदत मागितली. श्री महाविष्णूंनी ती मागणी मान्य केली. काही काळाने एकदा सत्यव्रत नावाचा राजा जेव्हा अर्घ्य देत होता तेव्हा त्याच्या हातामध्ये त्याला एक छोटा मासा दिसला. त्या माश्याने राजाला त्याचं संरक्षण करण्याची विनंती केली. राजा त्याला त्याच्या राजवाड्यामध्ये घेऊन गेला आणि एक छोट्या भांड्यामध्ये त्या माश्याला ठेवले. पण तो मासा खूपच वेगाने मोठा होत होता. राजाने त्याला एका तलावामध्ये ठेवले. शेवटी तलावामध्ये तो मावेना तेव्हा राजाने त्याला समुद्रात ठेवले. त्यावेळी त्या माश्याने राजाला सांगितले कि पुढल्या सात दिवसात प्रलय होईल आणि त्या प्रलयापासून राजा आणि त्याच्या प्रजेचं संरक्षण करण्यासाठी एक मोठं जहाज (नाव) येईल. त्यानंतर जेव्हा प्रलयाची वेळ आली त्यावेळेस त्या माश्याने सांगितल्याप्रमाणे जहाज आलं आणि राजा आणि त्याची प्रजा त्यामध्ये आरूढ झाले. त्यावेळी आकाशवाणी झाली कि राजा आणि त्याच्या प्रजेचं संरक्षण करण्यासाठी श्री महाविष्णूंनी मत्स्यावतार घेतला आहे. जेव्हा प्रचंड वेगाने वाहणाऱ्या वाऱ्यामुळे जहाज कोलमडायला लागलं तेव्हा अचानक तो मोठा मासा आला आणि त्याने जहाजाला आधार देऊन त्याला सुरक्षित स्थळी पोचवलं. त्यानंतर तो मासा खोल समुद्रामध्ये वेदांचं रक्षण करण्यासाठी गेला आणि हयग्रीव राक्षसाला मारून चार वेदांना आपल्या ताब्यात घेतलं आणि त्याने त्या वेदांना परत श्री ब्रह्मदेवाकडे सुपूर्त केलं. पण हयग्रीव असुराच्या हत्येमुळे श्री महाविष्णूंना पाप प्राप्त झालं आणि त्यामुळे त्यांना त्यांच्या मूळ रूपात परत येणं कठीण झालं. त्यावेळी मत्स्यावतारातल्या श्री महाविष्णूंनी ह्या ठिकाणी शिव लिंगाची स्थापना करून त्याची आराधना केली आणि श्री शिवाच्या कृपेने ते परत आपल्या मूळ रूपात आले. म्हणून इथे श्री शिवाचे नाव श्री मत्स्यपुरीश्वरर आहे.

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री आलनथुराईनाथर मंदिर

तामिळनाडूच्या तंजावूर जिल्ह्यामध्ये तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावर पापनाशम च्या जवळ थिरुपुल्लमंगाई ह्या गावामध्ये हे मंदिर स्थित आहे. २००० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध मंदिरांच्या समूहांशी निगडित आहे. नायनमारांनी ज्यांची स्तुती गायली आहे अशा २७६ शिव मंदिरांपैकी हे एक मंदिर आहे. तसेच सप्तमंगई (सात शिव मंदिरे जिथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी सप्त मातृकांदेवीसह नवरात्रीची पूजा केली) मधलं पण हे एक मंदिर आहे. आणि तसेच चक्रपळ्ळीच्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सात शिव मंदिरांपैकी, ज्यांना सप्तस्थानं म्हणतात, त्या मंदिरांपैकी पण एक आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री पशुपतीश्वरर, श्री पशुपतीनाथर, श्री ब्रह्मपुरीश्वरर, श्री अलनथुराईनाथर

देवी: श्री सौंदर्यनायकी देवी, श्री आलीयंकोथाई

क्षेत्रवृक्ष: वडाचे झाड

पवित्र तीर्थ: कावेरी, कुडमुरुट्टी

पुराणिक नाव: थिरुपुल्लमंगाई

वर्तमान नाव: पशुपती कोविल

जिल्हा: तंजावूर, तामिळनाडू

कावेरी नदीच्या कुडमुरुट्टी ह्या उपनदीच्या काठावर हे मंदिर वसलं आहे. वडाचं झाड असलेल्या नदी किनाऱ्यावर हे मंदिर वसलं आहे म्हणून ह्या स्थळ आलनथुराई असं नाव आहे. वर्तमान स्थितीमध्ये हे मंदिर थोड्या विस्कळीत स्थितीमध्ये आहे. पूर्वी ह्या मंदिराचा जीर्णोद्धार चोळा आणि मराठा साम्राज्यांच्या राजांनी केला होता.

चोळा साम्राज्यामध्ये बांधलेलं हे मंदिर मदकोविल ह्या शैलीवर आधारित आहे. येथील शिव लिंग हे स्वयंभू आहे.

श्री पार्वती देवींनी इथे चक्रवाक पक्ष्याच्या रूपामध्ये भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली. त्यांच्यासह श्री चामुंडी, सप्त मातृका देवींपैकी एक, ह्या पण होत्या. ह्या आराधनेनंतर त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या गळ्यातील दैवी सर्पाचे दर्शन झाले. म्हणून ह्या दर्शनाला शिव-नाग-भूषण दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

क्षेत्रपुराण:

पुराणांनुसार इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी चक्रवाक ह्या पक्ष्याच्या रूपामध्ये आराधना केली म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला पुल्लमंगाई असं नाव आहे. असा समज आहे कि अष्टनागांनी (आठ दैवी सर्प) इथे शिवरात्रीच्या दिवशी दहा कोटी नागलिंग (कैलासपती) पुष्पांनी भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली. म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला नागशक्ती स्थळ म्हणतात.

ह्या मंदिरामध्ये कामधेनू नावाची गाय भगवान शिवांची आराधना करत आहे असं शिल्प आहे.

एका आख्यायिकेनुसार भगवान शिवाची आराधना करून श्री ब्रह्म शापमुक्त झाले.

वैशिष्ट्य:

१. येथील श्री दुर्गादेवीचे शिल्प वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण आहे. ह्या शिल्पातील तिच्या मूर्तीचे नाव श्री महिषासुरमर्दिनी आहे. ह्या शिल्पाचे वर्णन अशा रीतीने आहे. श्री देवी एका छत्रीखाली उभी आहे. तिचा एक पाय महिषासुरावर आहे. तिच्या अष्टभुजांमध्ये शंख, चक्र, खङग, धनुष्य, गदा, त्रिशूल, अंकुश आणि खट्वांग अशी शस्त्र आहेत. तिच्या एका बाजूला हरिण आणि एका बाजूला सिंह उभ्या मुद्रेमध्ये आहेत. तिचा एक हात अभयमुद्रेत आहे. ह्याशिवाय दोन सैनिक आपले शिर प्रदान करत आहेत असं पण ह्या शिल्पामध्ये दाखवले आहे.

२. येथील नवग्रह देवालयामध्ये मध्यभागी श्री नंदि आहेत.

३. येथील राजगोपुरावर आपल्याला गरुडं दिसतात.

४. इथे चोळा, विजयनगर आणि मराठा साम्राज्यातील राजांनी केलेल्या जीर्णोद्धाराच्या कामाचे चित्रीकरण दगडांवर कोरलेले आहे. ह्यामध्ये तंजावूरचे राजा प्रतापसिंह आणि राजा परान्तक चोळा ह्यांची नावे बघायला मिळतात.

मंदिराबद्दल माहिती:

हे पूर्वाभिमुख मंदिर आहे. ह्या मंदिरामध्ये एकच प्रकारम् आहे. मंदिरामध्ये प्रदक्षिणा घालण्याच्या मार्गाला परिक्रमा किंवा प्रकारं असं म्हणतात. इथे बलीपीठ आणि नंदि आहेत पण इथे ध्वजस्तंभ नाही. मंदिराच्या भोवती ३ फूट खोल कालवा आहे.

शिव मंदिराच्या परंपरेनुसार इथे श्री चंडिकेश्वरांचं देवालय आहे. गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरच्या भिंतीवर कोष्ठ मुर्त्या आहेत. तसेच चार प्रसिद्ध शिवभक्त ज्यांना “नालवर” म्हणतात त्यांच्या पण मुर्त्या आहेत.

श्री सौंदर्यनायकी देवी ह्यांचं स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री गणेश, श्री सुब्रह्मण्य आणि त्यांच्या सोबत त्यांच्या पत्नी श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै ह्यांची स्वतंत्र देवालये आहेत. महामंडपाच्या प्रवेशाजवळ पण एक श्री गणेशांची मूर्ती आहे. त्याचबरोबर श्री सूर्य, श्री भैरव ह्यांच्या पण मुर्त्या मंदिरात बघायला मिळतात.

इथे काही चित्रपटलं आहेत ज्यांवर श्रीशिव आणि शिवगण ह्यांच्या पुराणातल्या कथा चित्रित केल्या आहेत. ह्यामध्ये शिवगणांच्या हातामध्ये संगीत वाद्य दिसतात. हे शिव मंदिर असून पण, येथील काही पटलांवर रामायण, विष्णू पुराण ह्यातील कथा तसेच कृष्ण लीला कथा पण चित्रित केल्या आहेत.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री आलनथुराईनाथर मंदिर

देवी: श्री सौंदर्यनायकी देवी, श्री आलीयंकोथाई

क्षेत्रवृक्ष: वडाचे झाड

पवित्र तीर्थ: कावेरी, कुडमुरुट्टी

पुराणिक नाव: थिरुपुल्लमंगाई

वर्तमान नाव: पशुपती कोविल

जिल्हा: तंजावूर, तामिळनाडू

क्षेत्रपुराण:

एका आख्यायिकेनुसार भगवान शिवाची आराधना करून श्री ब्रह्म शापमुक्त झाले.

वैशिष्ट्य:

२. येथील नवग्रह देवालयामध्ये मध्यभागी श्री नंदि आहेत.

३. येथील राजगोपुरावर आपल्याला गरुडं दिसतात.

मंदिराबद्दल माहिती:

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री चंद्रमौळीश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावरील पापनाशम गावाजवळ थाळमंगई गावामध्ये वसलेलं आहे. कावेरी नदीची उपनदी कुडमुरुट्टि च्या तीरावर हे मंदिर आहे. १५०० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध समूहांमध्ये समाविष्ट आहे. चक्रपळ्ळीच्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सप्तस्थानांपैकी हे एक मंदिर. तसेच सप्त-मंगई ह्या सात मंदिरांच्या समुहामधलं हे एक मंदिर आहे. सप्त-मंगई स्थानं हि सात मंदिरे आहेत जिथे श्री पार्वती देवीने सप्त मातृकांसहित शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्या सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री इंद्राणी ह्या मातृकादेवीशी हे मंदिर निगडित आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री चंद्रमौळीश्वरर

देवी: श्री राजराजेश्वरी

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: केतकी (तामिळ मध्ये थाळै)

पवित्र तीर्थ: कावेरी नदी

पुरातन नाव: थाळमंगई

तालुका: पापनाशम

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळनाडू)

हे मंदिर खूप छोटं मंदिर आहे ज्याला एकच परिक्रमा आहे. इथे बलीपीठ आहे, श्री नंदी आहे. पण इथे ध्वजस्तंभ नाही. श्री राजराजेश्वरी देवीची खूप कमी मंदिरे आहेत. त्यापैकी हे एक आहे.

मूळ मंदिर कावेरी नदीच्या पुरामध्ये उध्वस्त झालं. चोळा आणि मराठा राजांनी ह्या मंदिराचा जीर्णोद्धार केला.

एके काळी ह्या ठिकाणी केतकीची खूप झाडं होती. केतकीला तामिळ मध्ये थाळै म्हणतात. म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला थाळमंगई किंवा थाळैवन असं नाव आहे.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

असा समज आहे कि श्री पार्वती देवी आणि श्री इंद्राणी देवी, सप्त मातृकांपैकी एक, ह्यांनी इथे शरद नवरात्रीच्या सहाव्या दिवशी श्री शिवांची पूजा केली आणि त्यांना श्री शिवांच्या शिरावरील चंद्रकोरीचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला पीराईचंद्र दर्शन असं नाव आहे. तामिळ मध्ये थळै म्हणजे नमणे. श्री इंद्राणी देवी श्री शिवांच्या समोर इथे नमल्या म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला थाळमंगई नाव पडलं असा पण समज आहे.

अजून एका आख्यायिकेनुसार प्रजापती दक्ष राजाने आपल्या २७ कन्यांचा विवाह श्री चंद्राबरोबर केला. पण ह्या २७ कन्यांमध्ये चंद्र मात्र फक्त रोहिणीशीच जास्त आकर्षित झाला आणि तिच्या बरोबरच जास्तीतजास्त वेळ व्यतीत करत होता. उरलेल्या २६ पत्न्यांनी आपल्या पित्याकडे ह्याची तक्रार केली. तेव्हा राजा दक्षाने चिडून चंद्राला शाप दिला कि त्याच्या तेजाचा प्रत्येक दिवशी क्षय होईल आणि असं करत त्याचं सगळं तेज लोप पावेल. ह्या शापापासून मुक्ती मिळविण्यासाठी चंद्र आपली पत्नी रोहिणीसह थाळैवनांत आला. आणि इथे त्याने आपल्या पत्नीसह श्री शिवांची तपश्चर्या केली. रोहिणीच्या तपश्चर्येने श्री शिव प्रसन्न झाले. जरी ते पूर्ण शापापासून चंद्राची मुक्ती करू शकले नाहीत तरी त्यांनी चंद्राला वरदान दिलं कि प्रत्येक दिवसाकाठी लोप पावून पूर्ण लोप पावलेलं चंद्राचं तेज हे परत प्रत्येक दिवसाकाठी दृश्य होऊन पौर्णिमेला पूर्ण दृश्य होईल. तसेच तेज वाढत असताना तिसऱ्या दिवशीचं चंद्राचं रूप (शुक्ल पक्षातील तृतीयेची चंद्रकोर) त्यांनी आपल्या शिरावर धारण केलं. म्हणूनच इथे श्री शिवांचं नाव श्री चंद्रमौळीश्वरर आहे.

ह्या ठिकाणी श्री चंद्र आणि त्यांची पत्नी श्री रोहिणी, अगस्त्य ऋषी, चोळा साम्राज्याचा राजराज राजा ह्यांनी श्री शिवांची तपश्चर्या केली.

जेव्हा राजराज राजाला इथल्या मंदिरामध्ये श्री नंदींच्या मूर्तीची स्थापना करताना अडथळे आले तेव्हा करुवू सिद्ध मुंनींनी राजाला इथे श्री शिवांची चंदनाच्या लेपानी शतभिषा नक्षत्रावर पूजा करण्याचा सल्ला दिला. राजाने त्या सल्ल्यानुसार पूजा केल्यावर ते श्री नंदींच्या मूर्तीची स्थापना निर्विघ्नपणे करू शकले. म्हणूनच इथे असा समज आहे कि जे कोणी शतभिषा नक्षत्रावर श्री शिवांची चंदनाच्या लेपाने पूजा करतील त्यांच्या तीन पिढ्यांना समाधान आणि शाश्वत आनंदाची प्राप्ती होईल.

तसेच डोळ्यांच्या समस्यांचं परिहार स्थळ म्हणून हे ठिकाण प्रसिद्ध आहे.

श्री शिवांचे निस्सीम भक्तदांपत्य श्री नादशर्मा आणि श्री अनविद्या ह्यांना येथे श्री आदिपराशक्तीचे कुमारिका रूपात दर्शन प्राप्त झालं.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री पशुपतीश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावरील पापनाशम गावाजवळ कल्लर पशुपतिकोविल (पशुमंगई) गावामध्ये वसलेलं आहे. कावेरी नदीची उपनदी कुडमुरुट्टीच्या तीरावर हे मंदिर आहे. १८०० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध समूहांमध्ये समाविष्ट आहे. चक्रपळ्ळीच्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सप्तस्थानांपैकी हे एक मंदिर. तसेच सप्त-मंगई ह्या सात मंदिरांच्या समुहामधलं हे एक मंदिर आहे. सप्त-मंगई स्थानं हि सात मंदिरे आहेत जिथे श्री पार्वती देवीने सप्त मातृकांसहित शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्या सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री वाराही ह्या मातृकादेवीशी हे मंदिर निगडित आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री पशुपतीश्वरर

देवी: श्री पाल वल नायकी, श्री लोग नायकी (विश्वाची सम्राज्ञी)

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: बिल्व

पवित्र तीर्थ: कामधेनू तीर्थ

पुरातन नाव: पशुमंगई

तालुका: पापनाशम

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळनाडू)

इसवी सनाच्या दुसऱ्या शतकामध्ये चोळा राजाने बांधलेलं हे मंदिर ७० मद कोविल पैकी एक आहे.

ह्या मंदिराला तीन स्तरांचं राजगोपुर आहे. राजगोपुरावर मार्कंडेय ऋषी आणि शैवसंत कन्नपा नायनार ह्यांची जीवनपटले चित्रित केली आहेत. इथे भगवान शिवांची एक अद्वितीय अशी अष्टभुजा मूर्ती आहे ज्यामध्ये भगवान शिवांच्या प्रत्येक हातामध्ये एक आयुध आहे. भगवान शिवांचा गाभारा उंच स्तरावर आहे. ह्या गाभाऱ्याच्या शेजारी श्री उच्छिष्ठ गणपतींची अतिशय सुंदर मूर्ती पण उंच स्तरावर आहे.

परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री शनीश्वर, श्री भैरव, श्री दुर्गा, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती आणि श्री गजलक्ष्मी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

मंदिराच्या नैऋत्य दिशेला श्री मंथन आणि श्री मंथिनी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत तर वायव्य दिशेला श्री ब्रह्मदेवांची मूर्ती आहे.

चोळा राजघराण्याने पुजलेली श्री ज्येष्ठादेवीची मूर्तीपण इथे आहे.

मुस्लिम राजे मलिक काफूर आणि अर्कोट नवाबांनी ह्या मंदिराची नासधूस केली. तसेच कावेरी नदीच्या पुरामुळे पण ह्या मंदिराची बरीच नासधूस झाली. कालांतराने चोळा, विजयनगर आणि मराठा साम्राज्याच्या राजांनी ह्या मंदिराचा जीर्णोद्धार केला.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

असा समज आहे कि नवरात्रीच्या पाचव्या दिवशी इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री कामधेनू आणि सप्त मातृकांमधल्या श्री वाराही देवी ह्यांच्या समवेत नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या डमरूचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला शिव डमरुक दर्शन म्हणतात.

पुराणांनुसार जेंव्हा भगवान शिव डमरू वाजवतात तेव्हा त्यातून निर्माण झालेले ध्वनी हे बीजाक्षरे असतात ज्यातून सर्व जीवांना भगवान शिवांचे आशीर्वाद प्राप्त होतात.

डमरूची एक बाजू जीवात्मा म्हणजेच पशु दर्शवते तर दुसरी बाजू पशूंचा पती म्हणजेच पशुपती दर्शवते. पशु म्हणजेच बद्ध जीव, भगवान शिवांच्या प्रेमामध्ये बद्ध झालेले जीव आणि भगवान शिव हे ह्या जीवांचे पती म्हणूनच त्यांना पशुपती असे नाव आहे. म्हणून इथे भगवान शिवांचे नाव पशुपतीश्वरर असं आहे.

पशु ह्या शब्दाचा अजून एक अर्थ आहे गाय. इथे दैवी गाय म्हणजेच श्री कामधेनूंनी भगवान शिवाची आराधना केली म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला पशुमंगई असं नाव आहे.

इथे भक्तगण श्री पशुपतीश्वरर ह्यांची आराधना करतात ज्यामुळे भगवान शिवांशी एकरूपता प्राप्त होण्यासाठी लागणाऱ्या बीजवेदज्ञानाची प्राप्ती होते.

इथे अगस्त्य मुनींनी पण भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली. तसेच इथे एक कोळी आणि हत्ती ह्यांनी पण भगवान शिवाची आराधना केली.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री जंबुकेश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावरील पापनाशम गावाजवळ नल्लीचेरी (नंदिमंगई) गावामध्ये वसलेलं आहे. १२०० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध समूहांमध्ये समाविष्ट आहे. चक्रपल्लीच्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सप्तस्थानांपैकी हे एक मंदिर. तसेच सप्त-मंगई ह्या सात मंदिरांच्या समुहामधलं हे एक मंदिर आहे. सप्त-मंगई स्थानं हि सात मंदिरे आहेत जिथे श्री पार्वती देवीने सप्त मातृकांसहित शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्या सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री वैष्णवी ह्या मातृकादेवीशी हे मंदिर निगडित आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री जंबुकेश्वरर, श्री जम्बुनाथर

देवी: श्री अखिलांडेश्वरी

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: जांभूळ (जावा प्लम किंवा इंडियन ब्ल्यूबेरी)

पवित्र तीर्थ: देवकर्था तीर्थ आणि भगवान शिवाच्या देवालयाजवळची विहीर.

पुरातन नाव: नंदिमंगई

तालुका: पापनाशम

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळनाडू)

हे मंदिर जरी पश्चिमाभिमुख असलं तरी मंदिरामध्ये प्रवेश मात्र दक्षिणेकडून आहे. काशीसमान हे मुक्ती-क्षेत्र मानलं जातं आणि म्हणूनच मंदिराचं प्रवेशद्वार स्मशानभूमीच्या दिशेने आहे.

ह्या मंदिरातल्या मुर्त्या आणि देवालये:

श्री पार्वती देवींची मूर्ती दक्षिणाभिमुख. ह्या मूर्तीमध्ये श्री पार्वती देवी उभ्या असलेल्या दाखवलेल्या आहेत. श्री विष्णुदूर्गा देवींचं स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. प्रवेशद्वाराच्या जवळ श्री विनायकांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

असा समज आहे कि श्री वैष्णवी देवींनी, सप्त मातृकांपैकी एक, श्री पार्वतीदेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या चौथ्या दिवशी येथे पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या पायांचं आणि पायांपाशी श्री नंदिदेवांचं दर्शन झालं. भगवान शिवांच्या पायात त्यांना पैंजणांचं (तामिळ मध्ये कयल) दर्शन झालं. म्हणून ह्या दर्शनाला शिव-कयल दर्शन असं नाव आहे.

एकदा श्री नंदिदेवांना भगवान शिवांच्या पैंजणांचा स्पर्श झाला. त्या स्पर्शाने श्री नंदिदेव उत्तेजित झाले आणि त्यांना असं वाटलं कि नुसत्या पैंजणांच्या स्पर्शाने जर मन एवढं उत्तेजित होत असेल तर भगवान शिवांच्या प्रत्यक्ष पायांच्या स्पर्शाने केवढा आनंद होईल. तो आनंद मिळविण्यासाठी त्यांनी भगवान शिवांची १००८ वेळा प्रदोष पूजा केली. त्यांच्या भक्तीवर प्रसन्न होऊन भगवान शिवांनी त्यांचे पाय श्री नंदिदेवांच्या शिरावर ठेवले. तसेच श्री नंदिदेवांनी तपश्चर्या करून भगवान शिवांकडून पंचाक्षराचा उपदेश मिळवला जो त्यांना थिरुवारुर येथे मिळाला नाही.

विशेष वैशिष्ट्य: पंगूनी ह्या तामिळ महिन्याच्या संकटहरचतुर्थीच्या दिवशी सूर्याची किरणे श्री पार्वती देवींच्या मूर्तीवर पडतात

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री कीर्तिवागीश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर तंजावूर - कुंभकोणम मार्गावर पापनाशम गावाच्या जवळ वसलेलं आहे. १२०० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध समूहांमध्ये समाविष्ट आहे. चक्रपल्ली च्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सप्तस्थानांपकी हे एक मंदिर. तसेच सप्त-मंगई ह्या सात मंदिरांच्या समुहामधलं हे एक मंदिर आहे. सप्त-मंगई स्थानं हि सात मंदिरे आहेत जिथे श्री पार्वती देवीने सप्त मातृकांसहित शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्या सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री कौमारी ह्या मातृकादेवीशी निगडित हे मंदिर आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री कीर्तीवागीश्वरर (श्री करीउरैथ्थनायनार, देव ज्याने हत्तीचं कातडं सोलून परिधान केलं).

देवी: श्री अलंकारवल्ली

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: बिल्व

पवित्र तीर्थ: शूळतीर्थ

पुरातन नाव: शूळमंगई

तालुका: पापनाशम

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळनाडू)

ह्या मंदिराला तीन स्तरांचं राजगोपुर आहे. येथील शिवलिंग स्वयंभू आहे.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

असा समज आहे कि येथे श्री शिवांनी गजासुराचा वध केला आणि त्याचं कातडं सोलून परिधान केलं म्हणून इथे श्री शिवांना श्री कीर्तिवागीश्वरर (करीउरैथ्थ नायनार) असं नाव आहे.

देवांसाठी अस्त्र बनविणारे श्री अस्त्रदेव ह्यांनी येथे श्री शिवांची आराधना केली आणि त्यांना बरीच वरदाने मिळाली.

असा समज आहे कि शरद नवरात्रीच्या तिसऱ्या दिवशी श्री पार्वती देवींनी, सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री कौमारी ह्या मातृकादेवीसह, श्री शिवांची आराधना केली. त्यांना श्री शिवांच्या त्रिशुळाचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला त्रिशुळदर्शन असं नाव आहे. आणि त्रिशूळाला तामिळ मध्ये शूळ म्हणतात, म्हणून ह्या स्थानाला शूळमंगलम असं पण नाव आहे.

पुराणांमध्ये असा उल्लेख आहे कि तामिळ दिनमानाच्या थै ह्या महिन्याच्या अमावास्येला श्री विष्णूंनी येथे श्री शिवांची आराधना केली आणि कालनेमी ह्या राक्षसाबरोबरच्या युद्धामध्ये विजय मिळवला.

तसेच त्याच दिवशी श्री ब्रह्मांनी पण श्री शिवांची आराधना केली आणि त्यांची पोटशुळीमधून मुक्तता झाली. म्हणून येथे अमावास्येला शुळव्रत पाळलं जातं.

श्री शिवांचे निस्सीम भक्तदांपत्य श्री नादशर्मा आणि श्री अनविद्या ह्यांना येथे श्री आदिपराशक्तीचं कुमारिका रूपात दर्शन प्राप्त झालं.

ह्या मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या आणि देवालये:

श्री अलंकारवल्ली (श्री पार्वती देवी) ह्यांचं इथे स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. येथील शिवलिंग कवचाधित आहे. गजासुर वधाचं हे प्रतीक आहे.

शिवमंदिराच्या परंपरेनुसार इथे विविध कोष्टमूर्त्या आहेत. एक वैशिष्ट्य म्हणजे कोष्टमूर्त्यांमधील श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींची मूर्ती हि वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण आहे जे वैशिष्ट्य इतर मंदिरातल्या श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींच्या मूर्तीमध्ये आढळत नाही. येथे श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती जटाधारी आहेत आणि ते कल्लाळ (वडाचं झाड) झाडाखाली बसले आहेत.

प्रवेशद्वाराजवळ श्री अस्त्रदेवांची मूर्ती ते उभे असलेल्या मुद्रेमध्ये आहे आणि ते शिवांची आराधना करत आहेत.

श्री मुरुगन ह्यांचं श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै ह्या त्यांच्या पत्नींसहित स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे. त्याचबरोबर श्री नृत्यविनायक ह्यांचं पण स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री हरिमुक्तीश्वरर मंदिर

हे मंदिर अरियामंगई (हरिमंगई) गावामध्ये वसलेलं आहे. १२०० वर्षे जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर विविध समूहांमध्ये समाविष्ट आहे. चक्रपल्लीच्या आसपास असणाऱ्या सप्तस्थानांपैकी हे एक मंदिर. तसेच सप्त-मंगई ह्या सात मंदिरांच्या समुहामधलं हे एक मंदिर आहे. सप्त-मंगई स्थानं हि सात मंदिरे आहेत जिथे श्री पार्वती देवीने सप्त मातृकांसहित शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली. त्या सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री माहेश्वरी ह्या मातृकादेवीशी हे मंदिर निगडित आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री हरिमुक्तीश्वरर

देवी: श्री ज्ञानाम्बिका

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: आवळा (गुजबेरी)

पवित्र तीर्थ: सत्यगंगा तीर्थ (हरितीर्थ)

पुरातन नाव: आर्यमंगलम

तालुका: पापनाशम

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळनाडू)

ह्या मंदिरातल्या मुर्त्या आणि देवालये:

श्री ज्ञानाम्बिकांची मूर्ती दक्षिणाभिमुख आहे. एका स्वतंत्र देवालयामध्ये श्री विष्णूंची त्यांच्या पत्नी श्री भूदेवी आणि श्री श्रीदेवी ह्यांसह उत्तराभिमुख मूर्ती आहे. ह्या देवालयाजवळ अजून एका स्वतंत्र देवालयामध्ये श्री आयुर्देवी (श्री दुर्गादेवी) ह्यांची द्वादशभुजा (बारा हात असलेली) मूर्ती आहे.

श्री ज्ञानाम्बिकांच्या पाठीमागे सप्तमातृकांच्या पूर्वाभिमुख मुर्त्या आहेत.

अजून एका स्वतंत्र देवालयामध्ये श्री मुरुग ह्यांची मूर्ती त्यांच्या पत्नी श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै ह्यांसह आहे. तसेच श्री विनायकांचं पण स्वतंत्र देवालय आहे.

जुनं मंदिर विस्कळीत झाल्यामुळे अलीकडेच मंदिराचा जीर्णोद्धार केला आहे. ह्या बांधकामामुळे मंदिराकडे जाण्याच्या रस्त्यावर बरेच अडथळे असून मंदिराकडे जाणे जरा कठीण झाले आहे.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

असा समज आहे कि शरद नवरात्रीच्या दुसऱ्या दिवशी श्री पार्वती देवींनी, सप्त मातृकांपैकी श्री माहेश्वरी ह्या मातृकादेवीसह, श्री शिवांची आराधना केली. त्यांना श्री शिवांच्या जटेमध्ये श्री गंगेचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला दिव्यगंगादर्शन असं नाव आहे.

ह्या स्थानाला पूर्वी नल्लीवनं (गुजबेरीचे वन) असं नाव होतं.

श्री विष्णुंबरोबर अखंड सौभाग्यवतीत्व प्राप्त व्हावं म्हणून श्री महालक्ष्मी देवींनी इथे तपश्चर्या केली आणि श्री शिवांची आराधना केली. ह्या तपश्चर्येच्या काळांत श्री महालक्ष्मी देवी सत्यगंगा तीर्थात स्नान करायच्या आणि फक्त आवळ्याचाच (गुजबेरी) आहार घ्यायच्या.

श्री विष्णूंनी पण येथे श्री शिवाची आराधना केली. आणि म्हणूनच ह्या स्थानाला श्री हरिमुक्तीश्वरर असं नाव आहे.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री चक्रवागीश्वरर मंदिर

१५०० वर्ष जुनं असलेलं हे मंदिर तामिळनाडूमधल्या तंजावूर जिल्ह्यातील पापनाशम तालुक्यातील अय्यमपेट्टई ह्या गावाजवळ थिरुचक्रपळ्ळी गावात, ज्याला चक्रमंगई असं पण म्हणतात, वसलेलं आहे.

हे विविध मंदिरांच्या समूहांशी निगडीत आहे. पाडंळ पेथ्र स्थळं, म्हणजे अशी स्थळं किंवा मंदिरं जिथे श्रेष्ठ शिव भक्त नायनमारांनी शिव स्तुती गायली, जी एकूण २७६ आहेत, त्यांपैकी एक आहे. चक्रपळ्ळी सप्त स्थानांपैकी पण हे एक स्थान आहे. सप्तमंगई, म्हणजे अशी सात स्थानं जिथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी सप्त मातृकांसोबत शरद नवरात्रीची पूजा केली, त्या सात स्थानांपैकी पण एक आहे. ह्या स्थानामध्ये श्री पार्वती देवीने श्री ब्राह्मी देवी (सप्त मातृकांपैकी एक) समवेत नवरात्रीच्या पहिल्या दिवशी श्री शिवांची पूजा केली. त्यांना श्री शिवांच्या तिसऱ्या नेत्राचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला शिव-नेत्र-चक्र-दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री चक्रवागीश्वरर

देवी: श्री देवनायकी

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: बिल्व

पवित्र तीर्थ: कावेरी नदी, काक तीर्थ

पुरातन नाव: चक्रमंगई, अय्यमपेट्टई

शहर: चक्रपळ्ळी

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळ नाडू)

येथील शिवलिंग हे स्वयंभू आहे व ते उंच आणि आकर्षक आहे. ह्या पूर्वाभिमुख मंदिरामध्ये गाभारा पश्चिमेस आहे.

श्री गणपती, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, श्री लिंगोद्भवर, श्री ब्रह्म, श्री दुर्गा देवी आणि श्री मुरुग ह्यांची देवालये (मुर्त्या) आहेत.

महामंडपामध्ये श्री सूर्य, श्री चंद्र, श्री भैरव आणि नालवर (चार श्रेष्ठ शिव भक्त) ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

ह्या स्थळाला चक्रवागीश्वरर नाव कसं पडलं ह्याबद्दल दोन आख्यायिका आहेत.

एका आख्यायिकेनुसार श्री विष्णूंनी इथे श्री शिवांची आराधना करून सुदर्शन चक्र प्राप्त केलं म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला चक्रवागीश्वरर असं नाव प्राप्त झालं.

दुसऱ्या आख्यायिकेनुसार श्री पार्वती देवींनी इथे चक्रवाक पक्ष्याच्या रूपामध्ये श्री शिवांची आराधना केली म्हणून ह्या स्थळाला चक्रवागीश्वरर असं नाव पडलं.

ह्या स्थळी श्री इंद्रदेव आणि त्यांचा पुत्र जयंत, सप्त मातृका देवी, इतर देव ह्यांनी श्री शिवांची आराधना केली.

मंदिरामध्ये साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): सप्तस्थान उत्सव

वैकासि (मे - जून): शिवरात्रि उत्सव

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक उत्सव

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): अरुद्रदर्शन (थिरुवथीराई) उत्सव

श्री पार्वती देवीने नवरात्रीमध्ये पूजा केलेली मंदिरे

नवरात्रीच्या निमित्ताने श्री पार्वती देवीने नवरात्रीमध्ये तामिळ नाडूमधल्या ज्या मंदिरांमध्ये पूजा केली त्या मंदिरांची माहिती देण्याचा आम्ही नम्र प्रयत्न करत आहोत.

तामिळ नाडूमध्ये अशी सात (किंबहुना नऊ) मंदिरे आहेत आहेत जी प्राचीन आहेत (जवळ जवळ १५०० वर्षे जुनी) ज्या मंदिरामध्ये श्री पार्वती देवींनी सप्त मातृकांसहित नवरात्रीच्या प्रत्येक दिवशी पूजा केली. ह्या मंदिरांना एकत्रित सप्तमंगई स्थळं असं संबोधलं जातं. ह्या मंदिरांना वैदिक, पौराणिक आणि स्थापत्य शास्त्रानुसार पण महत्व आहे. ही मंदिरे तामिळ नाडू राज्यातल्या तंजावूर जिल्ह्यातील पापनाशम तालुक्यातील अय्यमपट्टई/पशुपती ह्या मंदिरांच्या क्षेत्रामध्ये वसलेली आहेत. हे क्षेत्र तंजावूर-कुंभकोणम मार्गावर आहे.

देवी भागवत पुराणानुसार चंड, मुंड, शुंभ, निशुंभ, रक्तबीज आणि इतर असुरांचा वध करण्यासाठी नवरात्रीमध्ये श्री पार्वती देवी श्री कालिका देवीच्या रूपामध्ये हिमपर्वतावर अवतरल्या. श्री कालिकादेवींना सहाय्य करण्यासाठी इतर देवांच्या शक्ती त्या त्या देवांपासून निघून श्री कालिका देवींमध्ये विलीन झाल्या. त्या शक्तींची नावे अशी

१) श्री ब्राह्मी देवी: श्री ब्रह्मदेवांची शक्ती. तिचे श्री अभिरामी असे पण नाव आहे. ती चतुर्मुख असून तिच्या हातांमध्ये अक्षमाला आणि कमंडलू आहेत. तिचे वाहन हंस आहे.

२) श्री माहेश्वरी देवी: श्री महेश्वर (भगवान शिव) ह्यांची शक्ती. तिच्या हातात त्रिशूळ आहे आणि कपाळावर चंद्रकोर धारण केली आहे.

३) श्री कौमारी देवी: श्री कुमार (श्री कार्थिकेय / श्री सुब्रमण्यम) ह्यांची शक्ती. तिच्या हातामध्ये वेल (म्हणजेच भाला) आहे.

४) श्री वैष्णवी देवी: भगवान श्री विष्णूंची शक्ती. तिच्या हातांमध्ये शंख, चक्र, गदा व कमळ आहे.

५) श्री वाराही देवी: श्री वराहांची शक्ती. तिचे मुख वराहाचे आहे. तिच्या हातांमध्ये तिची शस्त्रे म्हणजेच हल आणि मुसळ आहे.

६) श्री इंद्राणी देवी: श्री इंद्रदेवांची शक्ती. तिचे श्री माहेन्द्री असे पण नाव आहे. तिला सहस्र नयन आहेत आणि तिचे वाहन चार दंत असलेला ऐरावत (पांढरा हत्ती) आहे. तिचा रंग निळा (इंद्रनीळ) आहे. तिच्या हातांमध्ये पाश, अंकुश, कमळ आणि एक हात अभयमुद्रा दाखवत आहे. तिचे मुख्य शस्त्र वज्र आहे आणि तिच्या बरोबर वज्रसेना आहे.

७) श्री चामुंडा देवी: श्री भीषण भैरव देवांची शक्ती. तिचा रंग काळा आहे. तिने गळ्यामध्ये मुंडमाला (मानवी कवट्यांची माळ) धारण केली आहे. तिच्या हातांमध्ये डमरू, त्रिशूळ, तलवार आणि पानपात्र आहे. तिला तीन नेत्र आहेत. ती मानवी शवावर आरूढ झाली आहे.

नवरात्रीचे नऊ दिवस आणि नऊ स्थळे जिथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी सप्त मातृकांसह नवरात्रीमध्ये पूजा केली

तिथी: प्रतिपदा, स्थळ: श्री चक्रमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री ब्राह्मी देवींसह नवरात्रीच्या प्रतिपदेला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या तिसऱ्या नेत्राचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला शिवनेत्रचक्र दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: द्वितीया, स्थळ: श्री हरिमंगई (अरियामंगई)

इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री माहेश्वरी देवींसह नवरात्रीच्या द्वितीया तिथीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या जटेतील श्री गंगेचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला दिव्यगंगा दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: तृतीया, स्थळ: श्री शूळमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री कौमारीदेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या तृतीया तिथीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या त्रिशूळाचे दर्शन झाले. ह्या दर्शनाला शिवत्रिशूळ दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: चतुर्थी, स्थळ: नंदीमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री वैष्णवीदेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या चतुर्थीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या पायांचं आणि पायांपाशी श्री नंदीदेवांचं दर्शन झालं. भगवान शिवांच्या पायात त्यांना पैंजणांचं (तामिळ मध्ये कयल) दर्शन झालं. म्हणून ह्या दर्शनाला शिव-कयल दर्शन असं नाव आहे.

तिथी: पंचमी, स्थळ: पशुमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री वाराहीदेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या पंचमी तिथीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या हातातल्या डमरूचं दर्शन झालं. ह्या दर्शनाला शिव डमरुक दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: षष्ठी, स्थळ: थाळमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी श्री इंद्राणीदेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या षष्ठी तिथीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या शिरावरील चंद्रकोरीचे (तामिळ मध्ये पीराई चंद्र) दर्शन झाले. ह्या दर्शनाला पीराईचंद्र दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: सप्तमी, स्थळ: पुल्लमंगई

इथे श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी श्री चामुंडादेवींसह नवरात्रीच्या सप्तमी तिथीला पूजा केली. त्यांना भगवान शिवांच्या गळ्यातील दैवी सर्पाचे दर्शन झाले. म्हणून ह्या दर्शनाला शिव-नाग-भूषण दर्शन असे नाव आहे.

तिथी: अष्टमी, स्थळ: थिरुसेलूर

इथे श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी त्यांच्या अंगरक्षक देवी (ज्यांना आदिमूळद्वारपालकी असं पण म्हणतात) श्री वज्रेश्वरींसह नवरात्रीच्या अष्टमीला पूजा केली.

तिथी: नवमी, स्थळ: मेलत्तूर

इथे श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी त्यांच्या अंगरक्षक देवी (ज्यांना आदिमूळद्वारपालकी असं पण म्हणतात) श्री मकुटेश्वरींसह नवरात्रीच्या नवमीला पूजा केली.

असा समज आहे कि अजूनही श्री पार्वती देवी प्रत्येक नवरात्रीला सप्त मातृकांसहित ह्या स्थळांमध्ये नवरात्रीला पूजा करतात.

Shri Mayurnadar temple at Mayiladuthurai

This is one of the saptasthana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai. The temple is on the southern bank of Kaveri. This temple is considered to be one of the six temples on the bank of Kaveri which are equal to the temple at Kashi. This is also one of the Pancha Dakshinamurti kshetra around Mayiladuthurai. This is one of the Padal Pethra sthalam revered by Shaiva saint Sambandhar & Appar. Saint Arungirinadar has sung sacred hymn on Shri Muruga of this temple.

Mulavar: Shri Mayurnadar, Shri Gauritandaveeshawarar, Shri Gaurimayurnadar

Devi: Shri Abhayambika, Shri Anjalnayaki

Sacred vruksha: Mango tree, Shami tree

Sacred teertha: Rishabh teertha, Bramha teertha, Agastya teertha and river kaveri

Puranic name: Mayuram, Thirumayiladuthurai, Mayavaram, Sundarvanam, Bramhapuram, Sikandi puram, Thenmayilai

The present temple is about 300 years old. There are about 17 stone inscriptions which give an account of the work done by various Chola kings.

This is an east facing temple. Its Raja Gopuram is about 165 ft in height. The temple covers an area of about 3.5 lacs sq. ft. The temple has 5 parikramas. The entrance to the temple from North, South & West directions have no Raja Gopuram. At the entrance to the inner parikrama, there is a 3 tier Raja Gopuram. At this entrance, we come across Nandi, Balipeetham & Dhwaja stambha facing the sanctum. In the maha mandap, there is a shrine of Lord Nataraja in which the Nataraja idol is in the Gauritandav posture. This tandav is also known as Mayur tandav. The first pooja of the evening is done to Lord Nataraja.

In the sanctum, the Shiva Linga is facing the east and it is a swayambhoo linga. The sanctum is Linga shaped and the vimana (roof) over the sanctum is known as Tridala vimana.

Koshta Murti: Shri Nardan Vinayaka, Shri Nataraja, Shri Meda Dakshinamurti, Shri Aalingamurty, Shri Lingothbavar, Shri Bikshadanar, Shri Bramha, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Ganga Visarjana Murti & Shri Nandi.

Shri Dakshinamurti is seated under a banyan tree in padmasan along with his disciple. There are 2 monkeys and 2 peacocks on the banyan tree. Shri Nataraja is having jwaradeva under his foot.

Shri Durga Devi is depicted with demon Mahishasoor at Her feet and 2 other demons standing by Her side.

In the shrine of Shri Chandikeshwar, we come across the idols of Shri Shiva Chandikeshwarar and Shri Tejas Chandikeshwarar. In the inner prakara, we come across the idols and shrines of - Shri Chandra, Shri Mayilamman (Shri Parvati Devi), Shri Shaiva saint Nalvar, Saptamatrika, 63 Nayanmars, Shri Somaskandha Murti, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Ashta Laxmi, Navgrahas and Shri Surya.

Shrine of Shri Mayilamman (Shri Parvati Devi) is opposite to that of Shri Nataraja. Here we come across, idols of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi in the form of Peacock & Peahen.

In the Navagraha shrine, we find Shri Shanishwar with Agnee on his head and another idol on his (Crow) chariot. We also come across shrines and idols of Shri Sattainathar, Sage Patanjali, Sage Vyaghrapada, Shri Bhairav, a number of Shiva lingas in the parikrama. One of the great siddhas - Kuthambai siddha attained salvation at this place.

Devi is housed in an east facing shrine. She is depicted in standing posture with 4 hands. She holds a conch and a chakra on two hands with lower left hand on her thigh and she holds a parrot on lower right hand.

A nandi and balipeeth are placed facing Her shrine.

The Utsav Murthy is kept in a separate shrine. In this parikrama we come across Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Varasiddhi Vinayaka and Shri Chandikeshwarar. Shri Muruga’s shrine is known as Shri Kumarakattali.

Nadasharma merged with the Shiva linga on the left side of the sanctum. In the outer parikrama, there is an east facing shrine which houses Shri Aadimayurnathar.

Kshetra puran:

We have mentioned about Daksha yagnya in our earlier blogs. When the yagnya was being desecrated by Shri Veerbadra and Shri Kali Devi, a Peahen (which was to be used during sacrifice) sought asylum at the feet of Shri Parvati Devi. As She saved the peahen, She is known as Shri Abhayambika. Shri Shiva cursed Shri Parvati Devi for ignoring his advice to become a peahen. As an atonement for the curse, She was advised to pray at Mayilapur and then at this place for the entire Tamil month of Aippasi. Hence She took birth as peahen and did severe penance at this place. See Saptasthana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai.

Tula snan: The Tamil month of Aippasi is known as Tula masam (month) as the Sun is in Tula rashi. The rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarswati sought the advice of Kanva maharshi to get rid of the sins left behind by the people who bathed in them. He advised them to come to this place during the month of Aippasi (Tula) and take bath in the Kaveri and worship Lord Shiva. They did as per his advice and got rid of the sins. Hence it is considered to be very auspicious to take bath in Kaveri and worship Shri Shiva during the month of Tula. This is known as Tula snanam.

Kadaimugam (muzukkai) dip – Taking bath on the last day of month of Tula and worshiping Shri Shiva is known as Kadaimugam (last dip). This day is considered to be the most sacred and it is believed that one attains moksha.

Muduvan muzukku – Nadasharma and his wife, Anavidyambika were ardent devotees of Shri Shiva. They wished to lay their life at the feet of Lord Shiva. Hence they used to visit several Shiva sthalams. Finally, they reached this place for Tula snanam on the last day. By the time they reached there, the time for Kadaimugam was over. They stayed on the bank of river for the night worshiping Shri Shiva. Pleased with their devotion Shri Shiva appeared before them. He told them that, He is extending the Kadaimugam to the next day morning up to sunrise. He advised them to take bath before sunrise in the river so that they will get the full benefit of Tula snanam. Hence the 1st day of Tamil month of Kartigai is known as Mudavan muzukku. Based on this, the 1st day of Tamil month of Kartigai is also very auspicious. As Shri Shiva froze the bath, it is known as Muduvan muzukku. The couple finally merged with the Linga on the left side of Ambika’s shrine. Hence the Shiva Linga is always draped with a red saree.

Rishabh teertha: Once Shri Shiva, Shri Bramha & Shri Vishnu were on Their way to Mayiladuthurai. They were traveling on their respective mounts namely Rishabh (Nandi), Swan and Garud. Nandi was in the lead and he felt proud as he was carrying Shri Shiva ahead of others. Shri Shiva decided to remove his ego. He placed a strand from his matted hair on the head of Rishabh. Rishabh was unable to bear the weight of strand of hair, he felt crushed and then immediately he realized his mistake. Nandi asked for pardon. Shri Shiva advised him to stay in the middle of river Kaveri at Mayiladithurai and do penance at an atonement. Later He gave Nandi upadesh as Shri Meda Dakshinamurti. This particular part in the Kaveri where Nandi did penance for atonement, is known as Rishabh teertha. Later, the saptamatrikas and the sacred rivers were also directed by Shri Shiva to take bath at Rishabh tirtha.

Once Shaiva saint, Tirugyan Sambandhar was held by Shri Shiva to cross the flooded river Kaveri from the northern bank to the southern bank and worship him at Mayiladuthurai.

Those who worshiped at this place – Shri Parvati Devi, Shri Vishnu, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Bramha, Shri Indra, Shri Saraswati Devi, Saptamatrikas, Shri Bruhaspati, Shri Dharma, Sage Agastya and sacred rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kaveri, Godavari, etc.

Temple timings – 5.30 am to noon and 4 pm to 8.30 pm

Festivals:

Chitrai (Apr-May): Sapta sthana festival of Mayiladuthurai on Chaitra pornima

Vaikashi (May-June): 10 days of Bramhostav, Vishaka nakshatra festival

Aadi (July-Aug): Lakshadeepam festival on the last Friday, festival on the puram nakshatra

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Festival on the moola nakshatra

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Also known as Tula month. 30 days Tula snanam festival, Anna abhishek and Skandha shasti festival

Kartigai (Nov-Dec): Somvar pooja

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Address – Shri Mayurnathar temple, Mayiladuthurai, 609001

Phone - +91-4364222345; +91-4364223779; +91-4364223207

Saptasthana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai

Mayiladuthurai was earlier known as Mayavaram. There is a puran about religious importance of this place which gives an account of the temples and the places where the rishis, devas performed penance. There are references about the greatness of Mayiladuthurai in Skanda puran, Shiva puran, Bramhand puran and Chidambar puran. According to these puran, this place was created by Shri Bramha to worship Shri Shiva. This place got the name Mayiladuthurai as according to puran, Shri Parvati Devi performed penance in the form of a peahen. She was cursed to become a peahen as she was distracted by the dancing peacock when Shri Shiva was explaining the meaning and the importance of panchakshari mantra. Later, Shri Shiva performed the famous Gauri-tandav also known as Mayur tandav at this place on the request of Shri Parvati Devi. We had already explained about the importance of Rishabh tirtha and how the saptamatrikas got relieved of their dosha by worshiping Shri Shiva at 7 places, around Mayiladuthurai.

There are seven temples around Mayiladuthurai which form the saptashtana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai with Mayurnadar temple at the center. The temples are

Shri Mayurnadar temple at Mayiladuthurai
Shri Aiyyarappar temple at Mayiladuthurai
Shri Punugeeshwarar temple at Koorrainadu
Shri Margasahieeshwarar temple at Moovalur
Shri Azhagaiyanadar temple at Shozhampettai
Shri Kashivishwanadar temple at Thulakattam
Shri Bramhapureeshwarar temple at Siddarkadu

Shri Amravaneshwarar at Thirumanthurai

This is a Shiva temple connected with Saptasthana temples of Kanjanur. It is about 16 kms from Kumbhakonam and 23 kms from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladuthurai-Kumbhakonam highway. It is very close to Suryanar Kovil (about 1 km).

The temple finds a reference in the hymns sung by shaiva saint Sambandhar. The present temple is about 1300 years old and was renovated by Chola kings. Shaivacharya Haradatta is closely associated with the Saptasthana temples of Kanjanur.

The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga believed to be more than 3800 years old.

Mulavar: Shri ThirumanthuraiNadar, Shri Amrabaneshwarar, Shri AkshaynadSwamy

Devi (consort): Shri Yoganayaki

Sacred teertha: Chandra Teertha (Crescent moon shape), Surya Teertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Mango Tree

This is a east facing temple, it has a 3 tiered rajagopuram and two parikramas. There is an arch behind rajagopuram. At the entrance we have a sculpture which depicts Shri Vishnu and Shri UcchishthaGanapati worshiping Shri Shiva. As soon as we enter we find Shri Vinayaka under Dhwajastambha known as Dhawajastambha Vinayaka, Balipeeth and Nandi in the outer parikrama facing the sanctum. The sanctum is in the shape of a Shiva Linga.

Koshta murtis: Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwar is in a separate shrine. Shri Ambika is in a separate shrine facing the east. This shrine is to the right of sanctum. At the north western corner we come across the shrine of Shri Vishnu along with ShriDevi and Bhudevi. We also come across shrines of Shri Bhairav, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra and Shaiva saint Sambhandhar. The shrine of Haradatta Shivacharyar is facing the south. In southwest corner we come across shrine of Shri Ucchishtha Ganapati with his consorts. In a north facing shrine we come across Shri Sthala Durga. Besides this we come the shrines of Shri Ganapati, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, the four Shaiva saints (together known as Nalavar) and Manikanthan. There is no separate Navagraha shrine in this temple. The temple tank never dries. The water level in the tank rises during waxing of moon and falls during waning.

Those who worship at the temple: Shri Parvati Devi, Sage Kala, Navagraha, Shri Indra, Shri Varuna, Shri Chandra, and Pandavas.

Kshetra Purana:

Once Shri Parvati Devi was cursed by Shri Shiva to be born as a parrot on the earth. She was asked to come to this place (Amravana) and worship the Swayambhu linga at this place. She came here and did penance and was absolved of the curse. Later she married him at this place. Hence we find her shrine to the right of Shri Shiva’s shrine.

Sage Kala and the Navagrahas were affected with leprosy due to a curse. They came to know that Shri Parvati Devi was relieved of her curse at this place. They came here and worshiped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. Hence there is no shrine for Navagrahas (as Navagrahas worshiped Shri Shiva).

Once there was a severe drought in Devaloka. Shri Indra and Shri Varuna were advised to worship Shri Shiva at this place in order to get rid of drought condition. They came to this place and worshiped Shri Shiva and Devaloka was saved during the drought.

During Dakshayadnya, Shri Chandra had attended the yadnya. He was punished by Shri Shiva for attending the yadnya. He was also cursed by Daksha as he was more attached to Rohini than his 26 other daughters. Due to this curse, Chandra had lost his luster and beauty. He was advised by Shri Brihaspati (Guru) to do penance at this place. On account of this penance he was blessed by Shri Shiva and Shri Ucchishtha Ganapati. He was granted a boon by which those who worship him on Mondays will be blessed with happiness and prosperity.

Greatness of this place:

This is a parihara sthala for Chandradosha.

When people born on Rohini nakshatra worship at this place during the waxing phase of the moon, it gives them innumerable benefits.

This is a parihara sthala for those born in Vrushchik Rashi. They should pray during the waxing phase of the moon.

Temple timings:

8 to 12 in the morning and 5 to 7.30 in the evening.

Address: Shri Amravaneshwarar Temple,

Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, Tamil Nadu

Phone numbers: 9994032380

Shri Prananatheshwarar at Thirumangalakudi

This is one of the seven Saptasthana Shiva temples of Kanjanur. It is located at Thirumangalakudi which is about 17 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam Mayiladuthurai highway via Kathiramangalam. This is very near to Kanjanur. It is closely associated with Shaivacharyar Haradatta. This is one of the Padal Pethra sthalam on the northern bank of Kaveri. The present temple is about 1500 years old. Was built and renovated by the Chola kings.

Mulavar: Shri Prananatheswarar, Shri Pranavaradeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Mangalanayaki

Sacred Teertha: Mangala teertha, Surya Teertha, Chandra Teertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Mandar (Vellerukku), Kongu (Kallam in Marathi), Illavu (Kevni in Marathi).

Shaiva saint sambandhar, Thirunavakarasar (Appar) have revered this temple in their sacred hymns.

This is an east facing temple with a five tiered rajagopuram and two parikramas. The linga is a swayambhu linga. The base or pitha (avudaiyar in Tamil) is smaller than the linga (or cylindrical) portion (Bana in Tamil). Traditionally the shape of the linga is the other way round. The sanctum is in the form of linga. Shri Mangalanayaki is housed in a separate south facing shrine. This kshetra is also known as Panchamangal kshetra (Mangalakudi). We find in this place everything is Mangala. That is why the teertha is known as Mangala Teertha, Shri Vinayaka is known as Shri Mangala Vinayaka and as Ambika bestows prosperity she is known as Shri Mangalambika.

The koshta murtis are Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Rishabharudhar, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu Durga Devi. The utsav murty is Shri Chandrasekhar, Shri Muruga on peacock mount, Nalavar and Shri Pradosha Nayakar.

We come across the idols of Shri Ganesha, Shri Muruga, Shri Bhairav, Sage Agastya, Shivacharyar Haradatta and Meikandar and Shri Gajalakshmi Devi. We come across the idol of two Natarajas with Shri Shivakami Devi. A bhutagana is seen near the Shri Nataraja playing a musical instrument. There are 11 shiva lingas in a row. There is no Navagraha shine in this temple. In the Shri Nataraja shrine we come across a maragada (Emerald) linga. Abhishek is done on this Linga during midday with a right handed conch shell. There is a very rare idol of river Kaveri. At the entrance to the sanctum we come across the idols of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi in Padmasan as Dwarapalikas. But Shri Saraswati Devi is without her Veena. Behind Somaskanda shrine we come across a shrine of Shiva Durga. Thus we come across two Durga idols in this temple and in both the cases there is no Mahishasur under their feet. In this temple we come across a unique mount which is used in the procession during the festival. This mount is a mixture of a human being, a bird and an animal.

Special Feature:

This is a pancha mangala kshetra. The shikhar (viman) is also known as Mangala Viman.

Navagrahas worshiped at this place. Once Shri Brahma cursed the Navagrahas as they stopped Sage Kala from getting afflicted with leprosy as per destiny. Shri Brahma stated that Navagrahas had no right in interfering with anyone’s destiny and cursed Navagrahas to get afflicted with leprosy. The Navagrahas came to Bhulok ie. this place and worshiped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. Hence Shri Shiva is worshiped here as the Navagrahas.

About the Shiva Linga: Sage Agastya came to this place to worship Shri Shiva. At that time the Bana of Shiva Linga appeared to be taller than the normal size. It is believed that Sage Agastya worshiped the Shiva Linga by raising his hand above his head for placing the flowers on the Shiva Linga.

It is customary to worship at this temple first before worshiping the Navagrahas at Suryanar Kovil. It is believed that these two temples are one and the same and hence there is no separate Navagraha temple at this place.

The special feature of the Maragada linga is that its puja and Abhishek is done only during the midday. The abhishek is done with a right handed conch on the Shiva Linga with milk, rose water, honey and Sandalwood. It is believed that anyone partakes in this abhishek as Prasad gets cured of all diseases. During puja, betel leaves, betel nut and banana are offered as Naivedya.

It is believed that the Navagrahas offered curd rice on Mandar leaves to Shri Shiva. Hence every Sunday during midday worship curd rice without salt is offered as Naivedya to Shri Shiva. At this place those people who had not performed the rights of their ancestors offer curd rice without salt as Naivedya in this place as atonement.

About Devi Mangalambika: Goddess Mangalambika is considered as the Goddess who bestows boons especially to women. On the right hand of the idol of Ambika we always find a Mangalsutra. This is given as prasad to ladies.

Sandalwood alankar: During Navaratri in all temples different alankars are done for the Utsav murthy of Devi Ambika. At this place only sandalwood paste is applied as alankar. They prepare the sandalwood paste by mixing it with various colors. We can have darshan on the second sunday in the tamil month Thai.

Kshetra Purana:

In the eleventh century AD, there was minister named Alaivanar in the service of Chola king. He built this temple from the tax collections of the Kingdom without taking permission from the King. The King punished him for this by beheading him. As the minister had requested that his final rites should be conducted in Thirumangalkudi, his body was brought here. When the body reached borders of Thirumangalamkudi the ministers wife went to the temple and prayed to Ambika to give life to her husband. A divine voice stated that her husband will become alive. At that very instant the husband came to life. She was overjoyed and she embraced shiva linga. From that day Shiva linga came to be known as Shri Prananatheshwarar (Jiva dayagan, meaning one who gave life). The devi came to be known as Shri Mangalambika.

Greatness of temple:

Devotees worship Shri Shiva for eleven consecutive days by offering curd rice on Mandar leaf. It is believed that distributing this prasad to eleven others one will be relieved of Navagraha dosha, Kalatra dosha and Mangalya dosha. Besides this he will also be relieved of ailments.

Festivals:

Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttaram festival is held for 10 days as Brahmotsav

Ani (Jun-July): Thirumanjanam

Avani (Aug-Sept): Vinayak Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Aadi (July-August): On the 18th day of this month a festival is held in honor of river Kaveri.

Monthly pujas: Sankashta chaturthi, Karthigai nakshatra puja and Pradosha puja.

On ashtami special puja is held for Bhairav

Address: Shri Prananatheshwarar temple

Thirumangalkudi post, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, Tamil Nadu 612102

Telephone: 91-04352470480

Shri Apatsahayar Temple at Aduthurai

Aduthurai was also known as Thenkurungaduthurai in olden days. This Shiva temple located at this place is connected with the saptasthana Shiva temples of Kanjanur. It is situated at a distance of 13 kms from Kumbhakonam on Mayiladuthurai- Kumbhakonam route. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by Shaiva saints Shri Appar and Shri Sambandhar. Shaiva saint Shri Arunagirinathar has praised Shri Muruga of this temple in his hymns. The temple is situated on the southern bank of Kaveri.

Mulavar: Shri Apatsahayeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Pavalakodi Ammai

Kshetra Vruksha: Parijat tree (Pavalamalligai in Tamil).

Sacred Teertha: Sahay Teertha, Surya Teertha (in front of the Temple)

Puranik Names: Thenkurungaduthurai, Thiraimurnadu, Bhoobalakulavalli

Present Name: Aduthurai

About the temple:

This is east facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram and two Prakarams. Originally the temple was a brick structure. Later, it was renovated to a granite structure by Chola queen Shri Sambian Mahadevi. There are about 15 stone inscriptions which give an account of the work done by Chola and Pandya kings of the Temple. When we enter through the Rajagopuram we come across Nandi and Bali Peeth in their normal positions but there is no Dhwajastambha. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. The sanctum sanctorum is in a form of moat.

Koshta murtis are Shri Narthana Vinayaka, Sage Agastya, Shri Nataraja, Shri Dakshnimurty, Shri Lingodbhava, Shri Brahma, Shri Gangadeva, Shri Bhikshatanar, Shri Durga Devi. Shri Ambika Devi's shrine is south facing in the outer parikrama. Navagraha shrine is in a inner prakaram where all the Navagrahas are facing Surya.

We come across the shrines and idols of Shri Gajalakshmi, Indra linga, Kuber Linga, Shri Chandikeshwar, Shri Chandikeshwari, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Somaskanda, Nalavar, Shri Vayu, Shri Mahaganapati, and Shri Kashi Vinayaka in the corridors. In the outer prakaram we come across shrines of Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, and Shri Nataraja with Shri Shivakami Devi.

In a mandap next to Shri Nataraja’s shrine we come across shrines of Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Banalinga, Shaiva saint Haradatta and Shri Swaranaakarsha Bhairav. A stucco image depicts the sthala puran, Sugriva worshiping Shri Shiva, Shri Shiva changing Sugriva to a white Swan and his wife to a Parijatak tree. There is a sculpture which depicts Shaiva saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Queen Sambian Mahadevi worshiping Shri Apatsahayeshwarar.

The hall in which all the festivals are held is named as Appar Arangam.

Kshetra Purana:

It is believed that Shri Bhairav and Sage Agastya worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.

As Sage Agastya and other sages could not witness the cosmic dance of Shri Shiva at Chidambaram Shri Shiva performed a dance at this place on their request. This Tandav is known as Anand Tandav.

On his way while having darshan of various shiva sthalams Sage Agastya reached this place. He installed a Swarnaakarsha Bhairav at this place and obtained several boons from Shri Shiva.

Once Shri Hanuman was deeply engrossed in singing the hymns of Lord at Kailash. When Sage Narada reached that place he was mesmerized by singing and sat there to listen. He kept his musical instrument on the ground. He was so engrossed that by the time he realized Veena was covered by Snow. When he tried to retrieve it he could not as it was buried in the snow. He cursed Shri Hanuman who lost his art of singing. Shri Hanuman came to this place and by worshiping Shri Shiva got his singing again.

This is the temple from which Shaiva saint Haradatta was escorted by Shri Shiva from the rain as an old man to a temple at Kanjanur.

It is believed that if father and son worshiped together Shri Surya and Shri Shani at this place they will have a very good relation.

Every year on the 5th, 6th and 7th day of Tamil month Chitrai, the rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva linga.

Prayer:

Father and son worship together on Saturday and Sunday for good relationship

For prosperity and wisdom, the people worship Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi

On full moon day people worship Sage Agastya by applying a special oil for fulfillment of their desires.

For relief from Kalasarpa dosha people perform abhishek of Shri Shiva.

Festivals:

Avani: Vinayaki chaturthi

Aipassi: Annabhishek

Margazhi: Thiruvathurai

Maasi: Mahashivaratri

Besides this, fortnightly pradosha puja, daily regular pujas are performed.

Address: Shri Apatsahayeshwarar temple, Aduthurai post, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, Tamil Nadu 612101

Telephone numbers: 9443463119, 9442425809

Shri Masilamaneshwarar at Thiruvaduthurai

This temple is also known as Shri Gomuktishwarar Temple. It is one of the Saptasthana shiva temples of Kanjanur. It is situated on Mayiladuthurai-Kuttralam-Kumbhakonam route at a distance of 20 kms from Mayiladuthurai. It is very close to Thiruvalankadu. This is also one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The temple is revered by Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar in their hymns.

Siddha Thirumular and shaiva saint Thirumaligainayanar in this place. The old shiva math Thiruvaduthurai Adinam is situated in this place.

Mulavar: Shri Gomuktishwarar, Shri Masilamaneshwarar

Devi: Shri Oppilamuliammai, Shri Atulyakujambal, Shri Abhaygujambal

Kshetra Vruksha: Peeple tree (in Tamil Padar Arasu)

Puranik name: Nandinagar, Navakotisiddhapuram, Arasavanam, Bodhivanam, Gokazhi-Gomukhi-Puram

About the temple:

This is an east facing temple with a three parikramas and a five tiered Rajagopuram. The vimanam (tower) above the sanctum sanctorum is Dwidal (two storied). The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga facing the east. Nandi is very huge. The present temple structure is about 2000 years old and was constructed by the chola kings. The stone inscriptions give an account of the work done by the various kings. Shri Ambika Devi is housed in a west facing shrine. The second, third and fourth parikrama are separated by huge walls. In the third parikrama, there is a separate shrine for saint Thirumular. The kshetra vruksha is very old and is said to be representing the Deva. In the temple complex we have the samadhi of Thirumular.

Sthala Vinayaka is also known as Thunai (means guide or escort) Shri Vanda Ganapati (i.e. Ganapati who came as a guide or an escort for his mother Shri Parvati Devi).

In the prakara, there is an idol which depicts a cow discharging the milk on a shiva linga from its udder. The idol is known as Shri Gorupa Ambika. There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple. There is an idol of Shri Shanishwarar. There are three idols of Shri Surya at one place. To the right of Shri Shiva’s shrine we come across the shrine of Shri Tyagaraja and mother Shri Kamalambika. The processional deity is known as Shri Anaithuirundha Nayakar (Lord embracing the mother). But in idol Shri Shiva’s hands does not touch Shri Parvati Devi. The small Nandi is known as Shri Adhikar Nandi as abhishek is done for this Nandi. It is believed that Shri Shiva taught ashtamahasiddhi to Navakoti Siddhas including the siddha Bhogar at this place.

Other shrines and deities:

Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Nataraja, Shri Dandapani, Sage Agastya, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, Shri Durga Devi, Panchalingam, Chozhalingam, Shri Bhairav, Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Haradatta Shivacharyar, Shaiva saint Shri Maraidnyanasambandhar, Shri Umapati Shivam, Shri Meykandar, Shri Arul nidhi Shivam, Sixty three Nayanmars, Nalavar, Shri Adi Gomuktishwarar is in a corridor. These idols are found in the corridors and the koshtam. At the entrance of Shri Shiva’s shrine, we have Shri Vinayaka and Shri Muruga. It is stated that they escorted Shri Parvati Devi to this shrine when she was in a form of a cow.

Kshetra Purana:

Kshetra puran: Once in Kailash, Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi were playing a game of dice. Shri Shiva lost the game and Shri Parvati Devi laughed at him. He got angry and cursed her to become a cow and roam in the Bhooloka. Shri Parvati Devi became upset and felt sorry for leaving her husband. She asked for forgiveness and for atonement so she can reunite with her husband. He stated that at one place she will regain her normal form and he will join her. She came to Bhooloka and reached the southern bank of river Caveri. At Thiruvaduthurai, she found a Shiva-linga and started worshiping by performing abhishek with milk. Shri Shiva who was pleased by her devotion restored her to her original form and embraced her. This place where Shri Shiva gave mukti to the cow is known as Shri Gomuktishwaram and Shri Shiva is known as Shri Gomukteshwarar. The greatness of this place is stated in the Kshetra puran by citing a number of instances.

Once Shri Parvati Devi asked Shri Shiva "everyone worships you for getting a boon; is there anyone who worships you without expecting anything". Shri Shiva showed a Shiva-linga below a Bilva tree. A monkey on the tree was plucking leaves one by one from the tree and dropped it on the Shiva-linga playfully. The day happened to be a Shiva-ratri. The Lord who was pleased by the monkey’s act and transformed him into a Chakravarti, granting him the boon to rule all the three worlds.

The king requested that he would like to have a monkey face and would like to live with the thought of Shri Shiva. The Lord granted him his wish and the king was named as Muchugandha. Once Muchugandha went to assist Shri Indra along with his eight brothers to defeat the demon king Valasura. Shri Indra, pleased by his help, requested him to ask for anything as a token of his gratitude. During this period, Shri Indra was indulging in various enjoyments and had neglected the worship of Thyagesa idol given to him by Lord Shiva. So Shri Shiva advised Muchugandha to ask for that idol from Shri Indra. Shri Indra, who was not ready to part with it, prepared six identical idols and kept them together. Shri Shiva cautioned Muchugandha the same night about Shri Indra’s intention and instructed him how to identify the real idol. When Indra showed the seven Vidanga idols, Muchugandha identified the real idol and Indra gave all the seven idols to the king. The real Tyagesha was installed at Thiruvarur. Later, the king established them at six other locations. Later, one night, Shri Shiva appeared in the dream of Muchugandha and bade him to proceed to Thiruvaduthurai and rule the kingdom from there. The king ruled from Thiruvaduthurai and became a famous and great ruler.

The procession deity is known as Shri Anaithuerundanayakar (the Lord who embraced his wife) but we don’t find the idol embracing Mother Shri Parvati Devi.

Shaiva sage Sambandar stayed at this place with his father. He helped his father to conduct a yagna with the grace of Shri Shiva when they had no wealth (at Sirkazhi). The Balipeeth (seat) where the Lord bestowed wealth on him exists in the temples with the ganas around the peeth (seat).

One of the Nayanmars, Thirumaligaithevar was worshiping the Lord at this temple for a long time. Due to some misunderstanding, the king sent his army to arrest him. On Shri Ambika Devi’s request, Shri Shiva sent an army of Nandis from the temple and drove away the king’s army. Then all these Nandis merged to form one huge Nandi. You can find the Nandi idol in this temple today. It is considered to be very auspicious to pray to this Nandi. During pradosh kaal, abhishek is conducted on this huge Nandi idol.

One of the Shiva yogis, Sundarnadar came from Kailash to meet Sage Agastya in the South. He found a cowherd named Mulan lying dead on the ground. The cows were standing in a circle around him and were shedding tears. With his yogic powers, the Shiva yogi entered in the body of the cowherd and drove the cows back to his house. He came back to this place and did penance. Later, the Shiva yogi came to be known as Thirumoolar. He wrote three thousand divine hymns and merged with the Lord in his shrine. The shrine for Lord Tyagesha with mother Shri Kamalambika is on the right side of the Lord’s shrine. It is believed that Shri Shiva taught Ashta-Mahasiddhis to Navakoti siddhas including Bogar. There are separate shrines for Tirumalagaidewar and Namahshivayamurtiswamigal.

Special features:

Shri Shiva performed his Mahatandav at this place. It is known as Sundar Natanam.

Kshetra vruksha (peeple tree) is very old. It is revered as representing the Devas. It is believed that Shri Shiva emerged from under this tree and blessed Devas.

Shri Vinayaka escorted his mother to this place.

Shri Parvati Devi is depicted as Shri GorupaAmbika.

It is believed that the Navakotisiddhas including Bhogar performed the penance at this place. They were taught the ashtamahasiddhis by Shri Shiva. It is a unique temple where the chera king Cheraman Perumal and Chola king KochengetCholan and Pandya king Vikram Pandyan have worshiped Lord at this place.

Shri Yama worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. Shri Shiva blessed him and gave him the honor of taking the place of his mount rishabh at this place.

Prayer:

Women pray here for well being and longevity of their husbands.

Estranged couples pray here for their union.

People pray for a child boon.

People pray for removal of wedding obstacles

Festivals:

Purattasi (September-October): Brahmostav

Aipassi (October-November): Annabhishek

Margazhi (December-January): Thiruvathirai

Maasi (February-March): Mahashivaratri

Thai (January-February): Rathasaptami festival for five days

Besides this, regular pradosha puja and daily worship is done.

Temple timing: 7 to 12 and 4 to 8

Addres: Shri Gomuktihswarar Temple, Thiruvaduthurai Post, Kuttralam Taluka, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu 609803

Telephone Number: 91-4364232021, 4364232055

ज्योतिर्लिंग - प्रस्तावना

ज्योतिर्लिंग म्हणजेच लिंगस्वरूपी भगवान शंकर! ज्योतिर्लिंग म्हणजेच शंकराचे चैतन्यस्वरूप महाशक्तिमय रूप! शिवपुराणात उल्लेखलेल्या प्रमाणे आर्द्रा नक्षत्राच्या रात्री भगवान शंकर ज्योतिर्लिंगाच्या रूपात प्रकट झाले. असे म्हणतात की जेव्हा एखादा मनुष्य अध्यात्माची सर्वोच्च पातळी गाठतो तेव्हा तो लिंगासारखा म्हणजे एका पृथ्वीला भेदून जाणाऱ्या व उत्तुंग उंची गाठणाऱ्या अग्निस्तंभासारखा भासतो. ज्योतिर्लिंगाविषयी संपूर्ण माहिती शिवपुराणात सापडते.

पुराणांमध्ये असे म्हटले आहे की एकदा ब्रह्मदेव आणि विष्णू यांच्यामध्ये सर्वश्रेष्ठ निर्मिती कोणी केली आहे याबद्दल प्रचंड वाद चाललेला होता. निर्णयासाठी ते शंकराकडे गेले. त्यावेळी शंकर अंत नसलेल्या अतिप्रचंड तिन्ही लोकांना भेदून जाणाऱ्या अग्नि स्तंभाच्या स्वरूपात होते. ब्रह्मा आणि विष्णू अग्नी स्तंभाचे टोक शोधण्यास विरुद्ध दिशेला गेले. ब्रह्मदेवाने त्याला ज्योतीचे वरचे टोक सापडले असे सांगितले. ते खोटेच होते. विष्णूने मात्र मान्य केले की त्याला अग्निस्तंभाचे दुसरे टोक सापडले नाही. त्याच क्षणी शंकर ज्योतिर्लिंगाच्या रूपात प्रकट झाले व ब्रह्मदेवाला शाप दिला की त्याला कोणत्याही समारंभात कोणत्याही प्रकारचे स्थान नसेल तर विष्णूला मात्र आशिर्वाद दिला की त्याचे पूजन जगाच्या अंतापर्यंत अखंड केले जाईल.

ज्योतिर्लिंगाची सर्व स्थाने म्हणजे शंकर ज्योतिस्वरूपात जिथे प्रगट झाले त्या जागा. एकूण चौसष्ठ ज्योतिर्लिंग आहेत असा समज आहे. पण त्यातील बारा ज्योतिर्लिंगे ही अतिपवित्र, शुभ व मंगलदायक आहेत. द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग स्तोत्रांमधे खालील बारा ज्योतिर्लिंगांचा उल्लेख आहे.

१. सोमनाथ, सौराष्ट्र, गुजरात
२. मल्लिकार्जुन, श्री शैलम्, आंध्र प्रदेश
३. महाकालेश्वर, उज्जैन, मध्य प्रदेश
४. ओंकारेश्वर, मध्य प्रदेश
५. केदारनाथ, हिमालय
६. भीमाशंकर, महाराष्ट्र
७. काशी विश्वनाथ, वाराणसी, उत्तर प्रदेश
८. त्र्यंबकेश्वर, नाशिक, महाराष्ट्र
९. वैजनाथ (वैद्यनाथ), परळी, महाराष्ट्र
१०. नागेश्वर, द्वारका, गुजरात
११. रामेश्वर, तामिळनाडू
१२. घृष्णेश्वर, औरंगाबाद, महाराष्ट्र

बारा ज्योतिर्लिंगाविषयी थोडक्यात माहिती देण्याचा प्रयत्न आम्ही येणाऱ्या सप्तांहांमध्ये करणार आहोत. ज्योतिर्लिंगाच्या दर्शनाला जाणाऱ्यांना दिलेली माहिती उपयुक्त ठरावी ही अपेक्षा.

Shri Vandarkuzhali samedh Shri Vataaranyeshwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is one of the saptasthana shiva temples of Kanjanur. It is located at Thiruvalangadu (in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu). It is at a distance of about 21 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Mayiladuthurai highway. This is a medium sized temple built by the Cholas. The present structure is about 1500 years old. The prakar mandap around the sanctum sanctorum was constructed by Maratha kings.

Mulavar: Shri Vataranyeshwarar, Shri Putrakameshwarar

Devi: Shri Vandarkuzhali

Sacred Teertha: Putrakameshthi Teertham

Kshetra Vruksha: Banyan Tree

This is a west facing temple without any Rajagopuram at the entrance. There is a stucco idol of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi at the top of the entrance. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. As soon as we enter the temple we come across Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi.

The sacred teertha (the temple tank) is on the right side of the entrance. At the second level (prakara) we come across a five tiered Rajagopuram. Shri Ambika Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing the south to the right of Shri Shiva’s shrine. In the mukha mandap we come across the shrine of twin idols of Shri Vinayaka. There is also an idol of Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. Of the twin Vinayaka, one is a very old one and new one was installed by Sage Bharata and it is known as Shri Putrasantana Vinayaka.

The koshta murtis are: Shri Durga Devi, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Rishabhantikar, Shri Brahma, Shri Lingodbhavar (Annamalayar), Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Ganesha and Shri Vishnu. There is a separate Shrine for Shri Bhairav. Special prayers are offered to him on Amavasya and Ashtami. There is a shrine of Shri Saraswati Devi which is as famous as the shrine of Shri Saraswati Devi at Kothanoor.

There is a separate shrine of Shri Shanmukha on his peacock mount along with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. There is a separate shrine for Shri Jwarahareshwarar.

There are two idols of Shri Ambika Devi in this temple, of which one is in a damaged condition. When they tried to remove this after installing the new one, they could not remove it. A divine voice directed them to leave the idol alone and perform daily puja along with the new one.

In the parikrama, we have Shri Nataraja, Shri Gajalaskshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shiva Linga. The koshta murtis are Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Brahma, Shri Chandikeshwarar. We come across the idols of Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Surya, Shri Nagaraja, 63 Nayanmars, Shri Somaskanda, Shri Kashi Vishwanath along with Shri Vishalakshi, Shri Kaveri and Shri Putrakameshwarar.

Kshetra Puran:

The great advaitik scholar Shri Appaya Dikshitar spent his last days at this place. He believed to have performed lot of miracles. It is stated that he transformed his colic pain into a towel so that he could meditate without disturbance. In order to test his maturity and devotion, once he consumed juice of the poisonous Dhatura seed and was in delirium. In this condition he had dictated fifty stanzas known as Unmattar (drunken or semi-conscious state) panchasti.

According to Puran, Sage Bharata who was childless, desired to have Shri Parvati Devi as his daughter. When he prayed to Shri Shiva at Kutralum, he was directed to pray at this place and performed Putra kameshthi yadnya. Shri Parvati Devi came out of the pyre as a small child. She was brought up by Sage Bharata and his wife Subhadra.

Those who worshiped at this temple:

Sage Bharata and his wife Subhadra got divine darshan of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi and also got Shri Parvati Devi as their daughter.

Sage Kashyap and his wife Aditi worshiped at this place and got devas as their children.

Shri Indra got Jayant as his son by worshiping at this place

Prayers:

In the month of Panguni on new moon day, people perform Putrakameshti yadnya in the shrine of Shri Putrakameshwarar after taking bath in the sacred teertha. They offer cow ghee lamp in the shrine of Shri Ambal Devi.

People perform kumkumarchana at Shri Ambika Devi’s shrine on new moon, full moon and panchami for fulfillment of desires.

Parents pray at Shri Sarawasti Devi’s shrine on Punarvasu nakshatra, Panchami and Wednesdays for the education of their children. It is believed she is as generous as in Kothanoor.

People pray at Shri Jwarahareshwarar shrine for getting relief from fever and ailments.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May): Brahmotsav, Chitrai Pournima

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Vishakham, Kalyan Mahotsav

Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam

Aadi (July-August): Adipuram

Avani (August-September): Vinayak (Ganesh) Chaturthi

Purattasi (September-October): Navaratri

Aippasi (October-November): Annabhishek, Skanda Shashthi

Karthigai (November-December): Thirukarthigai, Karthigai Deepam

Margazhi (December-January): Thiruvadirai

Thai (January-February): Makar Sankranti, Pongal

Maasi (February-March): Mahashivaratri

Panguni (March-April): Panguni Uttaram. This is an important festival in this temple.

Temple timings: Morning 7 to 12, evening 5 to 8

Address: Shri Vataranyeshwarar temple, South Street, Thiruvalankadu, Kumbhakonam-Mayiladuthurai road, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu 609810

श्री थिरुनागनाथस्वामी मंदिर - केतू ग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे मंदिर केतू ग्रहाशी निगडित असल्याने ह्या स्थळाला केतूस्थळ म्हणतात. ह्या मंदिरातील मुख्य दैवत भगवान शिव आहेत.

मुलवर (मुख्य दैवत): श्री नागनादर (भगवान शिव)

उत्सव मूर्ती: श्री सोमस्कंदर

देवी: श्री सौन्दर्यनायकी

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: बांबू

गावाचे नाव: कीळ्पेरुम्पळ्ळम्

जिल्हा: नागपट्टीनं, तामिळनाडू

समुद्रमंथन चालू असताना जेव्हा वासुकी नागाने विष ओकलं, तेव्हा सर्व देव देवतांचं रक्षण करण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांनी ते विष प्यायलं. भगवान शिवांनी विष प्यायलं ह्या गोष्टीचं वासुकीला खूप वाईट वाटलं आणि त्याला खूप दुःख झालं. ह्या दुःखाचं निवारण करण्यासाठी त्याने ह्या ठिकाणी तपश्चर्या केली. त्याच्या तपश्चर्येवर प्रसन्न होऊन भगवान शिवांनी त्याला दर्शन देऊन आशीर्वाद दिला. वासुकीने भगवान शिवांना विनंती केली कि त्यांनी इथे वास्तव्य करावं. त्याच्या विनंतीला मान देऊन भगवान शिव इथे श्री नागनादर (नागाचे नाथ) ह्या नावाने राहिले.

केतू मंदिराचा इतिहास:

पुराणांनुसार ह्या स्थळाला खूप महत्व आहे. समुद्र मंथन प्रक्रियेमध्ये वासुकी नाग जेव्हा बेशुद्धावस्थेत गेला तेव्हा असुरांनी त्याच्या शरीराचे तुकडे करून ह्या प्रदेशातील बांबूच्या वनात टाकले. भगवान शंकरांच्या कृपेने वासुकी नाग परत जिवंत झाला. त्याने ह्या स्थळी तपश्चर्या केली आणि भगवान शंकरांना इथे येऊन राहण्याची आणि जे कोणी त्यांची उपासना करतील त्यांच्यावर कृपादृष्टी ठेवण्याची विनंती केली.

केतू पुराण: समुद्र मंथनामध्ये जीव गमावलेले राहू आणि केतु जेव्हा परत जिवंत झाले तेव्हा त्यांना कोणीच आपलंसं करायला तयार नव्हतं. केतुला एका ब्राह्मणाने आश्रय दिला आणि त्याला वाढवलं. केतुने आपल्या मानलेल्या पित्याकडून ज्ञान ग्रहण केलं. त्याने ह्या स्थळी तपश्चर्या केली आणि ग्रह होण्याचं वरदान मिळवलं. केतुच्या पत्नीचं नाव आहे चित्रलेखा. आणि त्यांच्या पुत्राचं नाव अवमृत. केतुचं ह्या शिवाय अजून एका ठिकाणी मंदिर आहे.

ह्या स्थळातील तीर्थे: इथे नागतीर्थ नावाचं तीर्थ आहे. असा समज आहे कि हे तीर्थ वासुकी नागाने निर्माण केलं. ह्या तीर्थाच्या पश्चिम दिशेला एकमेकात मिसळलेले पिंपळ आणि कडुलिंब वृक्ष आहेत. ह्या ठिकाणी नागपूजा केली जाते.

साधारण माहिती:

ह्या मंदिरातील विनायकाला अनुग्रह विनायक ह्या नावाने पुजलं जातं. केतू देवाचं वेगळं देऊळ आहे. येथील केतूच्या मूर्तीला मानवी शरीर आणि सर्पाचं शिर आहे. भक्तांना आशीर्वाद देऊन त्यांना तो ज्ञान प्रदान करतो. म्हणूनच केतूला अनुग्रहकेतू आणि ज्ञानकारक ह्या नावांनी पुजलं जातं. केतू हे मंदिराचं मुख्य दैवत असल्याने इथे नवग्रहांचं वेगळं मंदिर नाही.

मंदिराचे वैशिष्ठ्य:

१) राहू काळ आणि यमगंड काळ ह्या काळांत इथे केतूदेवाच्या विशेष पूजा केल्या जातात.

२) राहू आणि केतूच्या भ्रमण काळात विशेष होम हवन केलं जातं

३) जरी इथे नवग्रहांचं वेगळं मंदिर नसलं तरी इथे भगवान सूर्याच्या दोन मूर्ती आणि भगवान शनीची एक मूर्ती इथे दिसते.

मंदिरात साजरे केले जाणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी-मार्च): शिवरात्रि

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर-नोव्हेंबर): अन्नाभिषेक

पंगूनी (मार्च-एप्रिल):वासुकी उत्सव

Shri Thirukotishwarar Temple at Thirukodikkaval

This Shiva temple is situated at Thirukodikkaval on the Kumbhakonam - Kanjanur - Kathiramangalam route at a distance of 19 kms from Kumbhakonam. This is the second saptasthana Shiva temple associated with Kanjanur. This temple is one of the 276 Padal Pethra sthalam on the northern bank of river Kaveri. The present structure of the temple is about 1500 years old. There are stone inscriptions in this temple relating to the various renovation work undertaken by the Chola and Pallava kings.

Mulavar: Shri Kotishwarar, Shri Vedharavaneshwarar

Devi: Shri Tripurasundari, Shri Vadivambika

Sacred Teertha: Shringotbhava Teertha, river Kaveri and Mukkoditeertha

Kshetra Vruksha: A variety of cane (Pirambu in Tamil)

This temple was revered by Shaiva saints Shri Sambandhar and Shri Thirunaavkarassar.

The kshetra vruksha is known as Vedhara in Sanskrit meaning a type of Bamboo.

In Tamil, the word Ka means a beautiful garden. It is believed that all those sthalas whose names end with Ka are supposed to be surrounded by beautiful gardens long ago. Other such places of Shri Shiva are Thiruvainikka, Thirunallikka, Thirukurukka and Thirukolakka

About the temple:

This is a east facing temple with a five tier Rajagopuram, Balipeeth, Dhawajasthambha and Nandi in the usual positions. The mandap in which they are located has a three tier Rajagopuram. The main deity is a Swayambhu linga mounted on a square platform.

Koshta murthis are Shri Nardana Vinayaka, Shri Nataraja with Shri Shivakami Devi, Shri Dakshinamurty, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Ashtabhuja Durga, Shri Bhikshadanar, Sage Agastya, Shri Ardhanarishwarar and Shri Chandikeshwarar. The sanctum is in the form of a semicircular moat.

In the inner parikrama, we come across the shrine of Shri Karaiyetrum Vinayaka, Shri Shanmukha, Shri Nataraja, Shri Gajalakshmi, Shri Jyesthadevi, Shri Kalabhairav, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shaiva saints Naalavar, Shri Bala Shanishwarar, Sage Durvasa, Shri Vishwanath, Shri Vishalakshi Devi, Shri Ekambareshwarar, Shri Kamakshi Devi, Shaiva saint Sundar with his wives.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandap (built by Maratha kings).

There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple. In the corridors, we come across a shiva linga of the four Vedas, three shiva lingas worshiped by three crore devatas, Shri Shani and Shri Yama facing each other, Shri Chitragupta and Sage Durvasa facing each other. In a single stone carving, we come across Shri JyesthaDevi (Shri Shani’s wife) along with their son Manthi and their daughter Mantha. Shri Brahma is in a small shrine in the corridor.

On the western side of parikrama, we come across idols of Nagalinga, Shri Kashi Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi. In the next shrine, we have Shri Shanmukha seated on a peacock with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. He holds a bow, arrow and weapons in his 12 hands. We come across the idol of Shri Gajalakshmi with her legs hanging down.

Salient features:

There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple. It is believed that anyone who worships Shri Shiva in this temple is relieved of the Shukradosha to a very large extent.

3 crores of devatas responsible for various mantras were relieved of their curse by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place.

According to the 12th chapter in Shiva Purana, Shri Yama has no authority to punish anyone in this place, hence there is no burial ground here. The dead are taken, for burial and last rites, to the other bank of the river.

It is stated in Purana that Shri Shiva graced and blessed a staunch vaishnav devotee.

Shri Vinayaka is addressed here as Shri Karaiyetrum Vinayaka (one who guides and saves) as he removes the hardships and difficulties.

The practice of offering material to God equal to one spoon weight known as Tulabaram was started at this temple by the Chola queen Shri Chembian Mahadevi.

Shri Shanishwar is addressed in this temple as Shri Balashanishwarar. He has Garud as his mount and holds a Shiva Linga on his head.

Saint Arunagirinadar has sung hymns in praise of Shri Muruga in this temple.

Shakti Upasak Shri Bhaskaracharya had composed Saubhagya Bhaskaram, a book in Shri Tripurasundari Devi's shrine. This book explains the meaning and significance of Shri Lalitasahasranaam. It is believed that this book was approved by Shri Tripurasundari Devi herself.

River Kaveri at this place is a Uttaravahini i.e. she flows from south to north.

It is considered auspicious to take bath in the river at this place on a Sunday during the Tamil month of Karthigai (Nov-Dec) and worship Shri Shiva.

Since Shri Yama and Shri Chitragupta can be worshiped together at this place, it is believed that one can be relieved from the fear of death at this place.

Kshetra Purana:

According to Purana, three crores mantra devatas had misused the mantras. Hence Sage Durvasa cursed them. In order to get rid of the curse, they came to this place. By worshiping Shri Shiva at this place they got rid of the curse. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Kotishwarar and the place got the name Thirukotikka. This incidence is mentioned in detail in Shiva Purana (known also as Adi Shaiva Rudra Koti Samhita). In the Sayugya Kand, briefly in 33 chapters, it is stated that this was explained in detail at Naimisharanya to Sanakadi munis and Suta munis.

A staunch shaiva devotee named Shri Haradatta Shivacharya of Kanjanur used to visit the nearby Shiva temples. He used to return to Kanjanur to perform ArdhaJama puja. One day he had darshan of Shri Shiva at Thirukotikka temple and he was stranded due to thunderstorm and he could not reach Kanjanur for performing the ArdhaJama puja. At that time an old man appeared from nowhere in the rain and guided him to Kanjanur so that he can perform puja in time. As a token of appreciation Shri Haradatta gave the prasad to the old man. The next day, to his surprise, when he went to temple in Thrukotikka, he found the remains of the prasad he had given in front of Shri Shiva, Shri Nandi, Shri Devi, Shri Vinayaka and Shri Subramanya shrines. This indicated that the Lord himself came to guide and get the puja performed.

Some vaishnav seers (known as Alvars) went to Tirupati for the worship of Shri Venkatesha. There, a celestial voice of Shri Venkatesha directed them to Shri Tripurasundari Devi at Thirukotikka. It also told them that they will have his darshan at Thirukotikka. When they reached bank of the river Kaveri at Thirukotikka, the river was in spate. They were stranded on the back. At that time Sage Agastya appeared on the bank and he directed them to worship Shri Vinayaka for help in crossing the river. When they started worship of Shri Vinayaka, the flood waters made way for them to cross the river and reach the temple. When they reached the shrine of Shri Tripurasundari Devi, she gave them darshan as Shri Venkatesha.

Darshan for Sage Durvasa: Once Sage Durvasa reached Thirukotikka after having the darshan of Shri Nataraja at Dakshin Chidambaram known as Thirukkalar. And he desired to have darshan of Shri Nataraja on the day of Arudra Darshan at Thirukotikka. He entered the shrine of Shri Shiva to have darshan of Thirukotishwarar. As he was in a hurry to have darshan, accidentally he went past the shrine of Shri Ambika. Observing this, Shri Tripurasundari felt that Sage Durvasa may start to have the feeling, like Sage Bhringi, that Shri Shiva and Shri Shakti are different. She went and stood in front of Sage Durvasa, hence we find the shrine of Shri Tripurasundari Devi in between the idols of Sage Durvasa and the shrine of Shri Shiva.

Festivals and Pujas:

Avani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Skanda shashthi and Annabhishek

Thai (Jan-Feb): Makar Sankranti

Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai deepam.

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Maasi (Feb-March): Mahashivarati

Besides this, daily puja is performed in the shrines and Pradosha puja is performed regularly on pradosha days.

Temple timing: 7 to 12 in the morning, 4.30 to 8.30 evening

Address: Shri Kotishwarar Temple, Thirukotikkaval post, Thiruvidaimarudur Taluka, Tamil Nadu 609802

Phone number: 91-04352450595

श्री थिरुनागेश्वरम - राहू ग्रहाचे मंदिर

श्रेष्ठ ६३ शिवभक्त जे नायन्मार म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत, त्यांनी पुजलेल्या २७६ शिव मंदिरांपैकी हे एक मंदिर आहे. हे मंदिर अंदाजे २००० वर्षांपूर्वी बांधलेलं आहे. तामिळनाडू मधल्या कुंभकोणम ह्या शहरापासून ८ किलोमीटर वर असलेल्या थिरुनागेश्वरम गावात हे मंदिर आहे.

मुलवर: श्री थिरुनागेश्वर, श्री थिरूनागनाथ स्वामी, श्री शेनबाग अरण्येश्वर

देवी: श्री गिरीगुजांबिका, श्री पीराई अनिवळ नूथळ अंबिका (डोक्यावर चंद्रकोर धारण केलेली)

पवित्र तीर्थ: सूर्यतीर्थ

स्थळ वृक्ष: चंपा (शेनबाग)

येथील शिवलिंग हे स्वयंभू लिंग आहे. राहू परिहार स्थळ (म्हणजेच राहू ग्रह दोषांचा परिहार करण्याचे स्थळ) म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे. येथील वनामध्ये भरपूर चंपा वृक्षे होती म्हणूनच ह्याला चंपारण्य किंवा शेनबाग अरण्य असे नाव पडले.

मंदिराबद्दल माहिती:

पुराणांनुसार ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान विनायकांनी भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली आणि ह्या उपासनेचं फळ म्हणून त्यांना गणपती म्हणजेच सर्व गणांचा अधिपती असं नाव पडलं.

अजून एका आख्यायिकेनुसार अष्टमहासर्प (अनंत, वासुकी, कर्कोटक, संकल्प, कुलिक, पद्मन, महापद्मन आणि तक्षक) आणि आदिशेष (पांच फणे असलेला सर्प) ह्यांनी इथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली. रामायणामधल्या आख्यायिकेनुसार ह्या स्थानी श्री गौतमीला (श्री गौतम ऋषींची पत्नी), तिच्या शापातून मुक्ती मिळाली आणि ती परत श्री गौतम ऋषींना मिळाली.

श्री पार्वती देवीने ऋषी भृंगींना शाप दिला. पण त्यामुळे तिच्या कडून पाप घडलं. ह्या पापाचं क्षालन करण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांनी तिला तपश्चर्या करण्यास सांगितले. श्री पार्वती देवीने हे स्थान आपल्या तपश्चर्येसाठी निवडलं. भगवान शिवांच्या अनुज्ञेनुसार श्री लक्ष्मी देवी आणि श्री सरस्वती देवी ह्या पण श्री पार्वती देवींसह तपश्चर्या करण्यासाठी येथे आल्या. श्री पार्वती देवींच्या तपश्चर्येवर प्रसन्न होऊन भगवान शिव परत तिला कैलासस्थानी घेऊन गेले. ह्या ठिकाणी श्री पार्वती देवीचे श्री गिरीगुजांबाळ (अंबाळ म्हणजे माता) असे नाव आहे. श्री गिरिगुजांबिकेची मूर्ती स्वयंभू आहे. ह्या मूर्तीवर अभिषेक करत नाहीत.

पंचफणे असलेले श्री आदिशेष ह्यांनी पाताळ लोकांतून इथे येऊन भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली. श्री राहू देवाने पण इथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली आहे. इथली श्री राहूंची मूर्ती मनुष्यरूपामध्ये आहे आणि त्यांच्या दोन्ही बाजूंना त्याच्या दोन पत्नी आहेत - श्री नागवळ्ळी आणि श्री नागवन्नी.

स्थळ पुराणांनुसार - श्री नंदी, श्री चंद्र, श्री सूर्य, श्री नळ राजा, श्री गौतम ऋषी आणि श्री पराशर ऋषी ह्यांनी इथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली आहे. नळराजाने इथे केलेल्या त्याच्या तपश्चर्येवर प्रसन्न होऊन भगवान शिवांनी त्याचे गेलेले वैभव त्याला परत दिले असा समज आहे. तसेच पांडवांनीपण आपले गेलेले वैभव भगवान शिवांची इथे उपासना करून परत मिळवले असा समज आहे. श्री नंदीदेवाला इथे श्री नंदिकेश्वर असा मान मिळाला. श्री इंद्र देवाने इथे श्री गिरिगुजांबिकेची उपासना करून आपल्या पापांचे क्षालन केले. ऋषी भृंगींना इथे श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री लक्ष्मी देवी आणि श्री सरस्वती देवी ह्यांचे एकत्र दर्शन झाले.

येथील इतर देवस्थाने:

इथल्या भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवीच्या मुर्त्या पूर्वाभिमुख आहेत. गाभाऱ्याभोवतीच्या पहिल्या परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री विनायक, श्री मुरुगन आणि श्री चंद्रशेखर ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. पूर्वी इथे १२ पवित्र तीर्थे होती असा समज आहे. त्यांची नावे - सूर्य, हिमालय, ब्रह्म, चंद्र, अग्नी, दुर्गा, पराशर, इंद्र, भृगु, कण्व आणि वसिष्ठ. पण त्यातील फक्त सूर्यतीर्थ आता उरले आहे. मुख्य परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री नृत्य गणपती, श्री शेनबाग विनायक, श्री नंदी, श्री आदिविनायक, श्री मुरुगन आणि त्याच्या पत्नी (श्री वळ्ळी आणि श्री दैवनै), श्री नटराज, श्री सोमस्कंद, श्री सप्त मातृका, श्री महालक्ष्मी देवी आणि श्री सरस्वती देवी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

कोष्टम् मध्ये, म्हणजेच गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरच्या भिंतीमध्ये, श्री नर्तन गणपती, श्री नटराज, श्री अगस्त्य, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, श्री लिंगोद्भवर, श्री ब्रह्मा, श्री विष्णू, श्री दुर्गा देवी आणि श्री चंडिकेश्वर ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

श्री पार्वती देवीची इथे दोन देवस्थाने आहेत - १) योगमुद्रेमधील श्री गिरीगुजांबिकेची मातीची मूर्ती. मूर्ती मातीची असल्याने त्यावर अभिषेक करत नाहीत. तिच्या बाजूला श्री लक्ष्मी देवी आणि श्री सरस्वती देवी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. श्री सरस्वती देवीच्या हातात वीणा आहे तर श्री लक्ष्मी देवीच्या हातात पुष्प आहे. २) दुसरे देवस्थान श्री पीराई अनिवळ नूथळ अंबिका हिचे आहे.

मंदिराची वैशिष्ठ्ये:

१) प्रत्येक वर्षी कार्तीगई (नोव्हेंबर-डिसेंबर) ह्या तामिळ महिन्याच्या पौर्णिमेला श्री पीराई अनिवळ नूथळ अंबिकेच्या मूर्तीवर चंद्राची किरणे पडतात. २) प्रत्येक दिवशी राहू काळामध्ये¹ राहूदेवाच्या मूर्तीवर दुधाचा अभिषेक केला जातो. अभिषेक करताना राहुदेवाच्या मूर्तीवरून वाहताना दुधाचा रंग निळा होतो पण जमिनीवर पोचल्यावर परत पांढरा होतो. ३) श्री गिरिगुजांबिका देवीच्या देवस्थानामध्ये श्री राहूदेवाची एक अद्वितीय मूर्ती आहे जी श्री योगराहू या नावाने प्रसिद्ध आहे.

ह्या क्षेत्राला सर्पदोष, कळत्रदोष, पितृदोष आणि कालसर्पदोष ह्या दोषांचे परिहार क्षेत्र म्हणून मानलं जातं.

अजून एका आख्यायिकेनुसार पाताळ लोकातील सर्पांचा राजा नागराज ह्याने इथे (कुंभकोणमच्या आसपास) भगवान शिवांची उपासना करण्यासाठी चार वने निवडली आणि प्रत्येक वनात त्याने भगवान शिवांची मंदिरे बांधली. ती चार वने अशी - १) बिल्ववन, २) जास्वन्द वन, ३) वन्नी वन, ४) नागपट्टणम.

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

कार्थिगई (नोव्हेंबर-डिसेंबर): १० दिवसांचा ब्रह्मोत्सव साजरा केला जातो. नवव्या दिवशी रथयात्रा तर दहाव्या दिवशी सूर्य तीर्थ सण साजरा केला जातो.

मरगळी (डिसेंबर-जानेवारी): भगवान शिवांचा आर्द्रा सण साजरा केला जातो.

थाई (जानेवारी-फेब्रुवारी): महिन्याच्या पहिल्या दिवशी (१४ किंवा १५ जानेवारी) श्री गिरिगुजांबिका देवी सण साजरा केला जातो.

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री

चित्राई (एप्रिल-मे): भगवान मुरूगांचा चैत्र पौर्णिमा सण

वैकासि (मे -जून): भगवान सोमस्कंदांचा सण

ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर-नोव्हेंबर): स्कंदषष्टी आणि सुरसंहार सण (भगवान स्कंदांनी सुरपद्मन ह्या राक्षसाचा केलेला संहार).

^१राहू काळ (सोमवारी सकाळी ७.३० ते ९, मंगळवारी दुपारी ३ ते ४.३०, बुधवारी दुपारी १२ ते १.३०, गुरुवारी दुपारी १.३० ते ३, शुक्रवारी सकाळी १०.३० ते १२, शनिवारी सकाळी ९ ते १०.३०)

Shri Agneeshwarar Temple at Kanjanur

This Shiva temple is at about 19 kms from Kumbhakonam on Mayiladuthurai-Kumbhakonam route. This is the main Saptasthana Shiva temple around Kanjanur.

This is also one of the 276 Padal Pethra sthalam on the northern bank of Kaveri. This is the Navagraha parihar sthala for the planet Shukra. This is an east facing temple with a five tiered rajagopuram at the entrance. It has three parikramas. Shaiva saint Appar has revered this temple in his hymns. This is the birthplace for one of the Nayanmar Manakkaanchara Nayanar. He worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and attained salvation. This is also the birthplace of a staunch Shaiva devotee Shri Haradatta Shivacharyar. At this place the wedding of Kalikkama Nayanar took place.

Mulavar: Shri Agneeshwarar

Devi: Shri Karpagambika

Sacred Teertha: Agni teertha, Brahma Teertha, Manikarnika Teertha, Chandra Teertha, Anjaneya Teertha, Parashar Teertha

Sthala Vruksha: Palash (Purasu in Tamil)

Historical name: Palash vanam, Parashar Puram, Brahma puri, Agnipuran, Kamsa puram, Mukti kshetra

Stone inscriptions in the temple indicate that the present structure is about 1500 years old.

The present structure was originally built by the chola king and was later on renovated by Vijayanagar kings and the Chola kings.

About the temple:

Rajagopuram faces the south towards river kaveri. We come across Shri Vinayaka under the Dhwajasthambha, Shri Nandi and Balipeeth all facing the sanctum. At the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, there is a two tiered Gopuram.

About the idols and shrines in the temple:

The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. During abhishek with oil it absorbs the entire oil poured over it. The koshta murthis are Shri Nardana Vinayaka, Shri Brahma, Shri Dakshinamurthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Durga Devi and Shri Chandikeshwarar.

An idol of the Shri Haradatta Shivacharya is in seating position. There is no separate shrine for Shri Shukra as Shri Shiva is believed to have incarnated as Shri Shukra. Shri Ambika Devi is in a separate shrine to the right of sanctum. This shrine is facing the east. There is an idol of Shri Adi Karpambigai.

In the mukti mandap (known as Nataraja sabha) we come across Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivakami Devi. The tandav performed by Shri Shiva at this place is known as Mukti Tandav. In the corridor we come across the shrines and idols of Shri Karpaga Vinayaka. And Shri Subramanya seated on a peacock. Shri Vishwanath, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Anjaneya, Navagrahas, Shri Chandra, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Brahma.

The legend associated with Shri Haradatta Shivacharya is found in the corridor as the sculptures. Shri Nandi in this place is addressed as Shri Pullunda Nandi (Nandi who ate grass).

It is believed that uncle of Shrikrishna (Kamsa) worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. In this place a bilva tree has five leaves in its branches instead of the usual tree.

Salient features:

The idol of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivakami Devi are beautifully sculptured.

Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi granted darshan to Shri Brahma in their wedding posture at this place.

The stone idol of Shri Nandi is believed to have eaten grass from the hands of Shri Haradatta Shivacharya.

Kshetra Puran:

There are number of incidents mentioned about this place in puran

Shukra parihar sthala

This incident is associated with the Shri Vaman avatar of Shri Vishnu. When Shri Vamana had requested 3 steps of land from the asura King Mahabali, his guru Shri Shukracharya advised King Mahabali not to heed to the request. He had doubts about the intention of Shri Vamana. Shri Shukracharya took the form of a bee, blocked the hole of the Kamandalu when three drops of water were being poured during the daan. Shri Vishnu (Vamana) immediately picked up the sacred grass and pierced the hole of the Kamandalu. Due to this Shukracharya’s one eye was damaged but the daan was completed. Shri Vishnu placed his third step on the head of King Mahabali and destroyed him. Shri Shukracharya in anger cursed Shri Vishnu. Shri Vishnu prayed to Shri Shiva for relief from the curse. Shri Shiva not only relieved Shri Vishnu from the curse but also promised to help all those who came here with prayers to Shukra for favor. Hence there is no idol of Shukra at this place as Shri Shiva himself took the place of Shukra.

Shri Haradatta Shivacharya

He was born as Sudarshan in a Vaishnava family. But he became a staunch devotee of Shri Shiva. He used to pray daily at this temple. His fellow Vaishnavaites in Kanjanur did not approve of it. He did not obey even his father’s command to pray to Shri Vishnu. He was driven out of the house. He started staying at Shri Agneeshwarar temple and was praying at the temple. One day Shri Shiva appeared in front of him as Shri Dakshnimurthy. He initiated him into Shaivism and named him Shri Haradatta Shivacharya. The fellow Vaishanavaites decided to kill him and they asked him to stand on a hot iron tripod to prove his devotion to Shri Shiva. He accepted the challenge and stood on the hot iron tripod. He got the divine vision of Shri Agneeshwarar and Shri Parambika Devi who blessed him. He attained mukti on the pancham in the month of Thai.

Shri Pullunda Nandi:

Once a bundle of grass fell from the hands of a brahmin on a cow calf. The calf died on the spot. The brahmin was castigated from the brahmin community. The brahmin went to Shri Haradatta Shivacharya reciting Shiva panchakshari. Shri Haradatta told him that he was relieved of the sin because of the reciting shiva panchakshari. But the brahmin community was not ready to accept it and they wanted a proof. Shri Haradatta directed the Brahmin boy to take bath in the river Kaveri and offer grass to the stone Nandi. He told the brahmins that if the stone Nandi ate the grass they have to accept that the Brahmin was relieved of the curse. Brahmin took bath in the Kaveri and offered the grass which the stone Nandi ate.

It is believed that Shri Shiva had visited Shri Haradatta in the guise of a devotee and partook the food that was offered to him.

Shri Chandra was relieved of a curse at this place.

Shri Brahma got the divine darshan of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi in wedding attire.

On the advice of Sage Vyasa, Shri Agni worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got rid of his ailments. Hence Shri Shiva is prayed here as Shri Agneeshwarar.

Shri Shiva performed mukti tandav for Sage Parashar. Sage Parashar was relieved of his mental illness at this place.

Heeding to the advice of Sage Shukracharya, Kamsa worshiped Shri Shiva and got rid of his ailment. Hence the place is also known as Kamsapuram.

Festivals:

Thai (jan-feb): Shri Haradatta Shivacharya festival

Maasi (feb-March): Maasimagham and Shivaratri

Aadi (July-Aug): Aadipuram

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri

Margazhi (Dev-Jan): Thiruvathirai

Besides these pradosha puja and Shri Agneeshwarar festivals are held regularly.

Timings: Morning 7.30 to 12 and evening 4.30 to 8.30

Address: Sri Agneeshwarar Temple, Kanjanur Post, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluka, TamilNadu 609804

Phone: 91-04352473737

श्री दर्भारण्येश्वरर मंदिर थिरुनळ्ळारू, शनि ग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे मंदिर पॉंडिचेरी मधल्या कारैक्कल जिल्ह्यातल्या थिरुनळ्ळारू गावात आहे. श्रेष्ठ ६३ शिवभक्त जे नायन्मार म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत, त्यांनी पुजलेल्या २७५ शिव मंदिरांपैकी हे एक मंदिर आहे. हे जरी शिव मंदिर असलं तरी नवग्रहांपैकी शनि स्थळ म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे.

मुख्य दैवत: श्री दर्भारण्येश्वरर, श्री थिरुनळ्ळार-इश्वरर्

देवी: श्री प्राणांबिका, श्री भोगमार्ता - पुण्मुलैयाल, श्री प्राणेश्वरी

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: दर्भ

पवित्र तीर्थ: नळ तीर्थ, ब्रह्म तीर्थ, वाणी तीर्थ. अन्न तीर्थ आणि गंगा तीर्थ ही तीर्थे नळविनायक मंदिराच्या जवळ असलेल्या एका विहिरी मध्ये आहेत. ह्या शिवाय इथे अष्ट दिक्पालांपैकी प्रत्येक दिक्पालाचं एक अशी आठ तीर्थे आहेत.

वैशिष्ठ्य: पुराणांमध्ये उल्लेखल्याप्रमाणे हे स्वयंभू शिवलिंग दर्भ गवतामध्ये सापडलं हे दर्शवणाऱ्या दर्भ गवताच्या खुणा ह्या शिवलिंगावर दिसतात.

हे स्थळ सप्त विडंग स्थळांपैकी एक आहे. ५१ शक्तीपीठांपैकी पण हे एक पीठ समजलं जातं.

आख्यायिका:

पुराणांनुसार, सृष्टी निर्माण केल्यावर ब्रह्मा सृष्टीमध्ये भ्रमण करण्यासाठी निघाला. जेव्हां तो दर्भाच्या अरण्यामध्ये आला तेव्हा त्या अरण्याच्या सौंदर्याने मंत्रमुग्ध झाला. आणि त्या अरण्यामध्ये त्याने तपश्चर्या केली आणि स्वयंभु शिवलिंगाची उपासना केली.

शिव ब्रह्माच्या उपासनेवर प्रसन्न झाले आणि त्यांनी ब्रह्माला सर्व शास्त्रांचं ज्ञान दिलं आणि वेदांचं मर्म सांगितलं. ब्रह्माने ह्या अरण्यामध्ये बराच काळ वास्तव्य केलं आणि शिवपार्वतीची उपासना केली आणि त्यांची मंदिरे पण बांधली. ब्रह्माने ब्रह्मतीर्थ तर सरस्वतीने वाणीतीर्थ निर्माण केलं. ह्याच ठिकाणी इंद्र, अष्टदिक्पाल (आठ दिशांचे स्वामी) आणि पवित्र हंसाने पण इथे त्यांची त्यांची शिवलिंगे स्थापन करून त्यां लिंगांची तपश्चर्या केली.

ह्या ठिकाणाला विविध नावे आहेत. ती अशी. ब्रह्माने ह्या ठिकाणी तपश्चर्या केली म्हणून ह्या ठिकाणाचे नाव आदिपुरी (आदि म्हणजे सुरुवात जिथून झाली) असे पण आहे. ह्या ठिकाणी पवित्र दर्भ भरपूर प्रमाणात उपलब्ध असल्यामुळे ह्या ठिकाणाला दर्भारण्य असे पण नाव आहे. इथे नळ राजाने तपश्चर्या केली म्हणून ह्या ठिकाणाला नळ्ळार असे पण म्हणले जाते आणि म्हणूनंच इथल्या शंकराचे नाव नळ्ळेश्वर आहे.

अजून एका पुराणांतील आख्यायिकेनुसार पुत्रप्राप्तीसाठी भगवान विष्णूंनी इथे भगवान शिव आणि माता पार्वती ह्यांची उपासना केली आणि त्यांना मन्मथ हा पुत्र झाला. ह्याची परतफेड म्हणून भगवान विष्णूंनी इथे सोमस्कंद मूर्तीची (भगवान शिव आणि माता पार्वती आणि त्यांच्यामध्ये स्कंद म्हणजेच कार्तिकेय) स्थापना केली. पुढे काही काळानंतर भगवान विष्णूंनी ही मूर्ती इंद्र देवाला दिली. इंद्रदेवाने ह्या मूर्तीची उपासना केल्याने त्याला जयंत नावाचा पुत्र आणि जयंती नावाची पुत्री ह्यांची प्राप्ती झाली. इंद्रदेवाने नंतर ह्या मूर्तीच्या अजून सहा प्रतिकृती केल्या आणि त्या सर्व त्याने मुचगंद राजाला दिल्या. मुचगंद राजाने त्याला मिळालेल्या सात मुर्त्यांची सात ठिकाणी स्थापना केली आणि ह्या सर्व सात स्थळांना सप्तविडंग असं संबोधलं जातं. हे सप्त विडंगांपैकी एक आहे. ह्या विडंगाला त्यागराज विडंग असं पण संबोधलं जातं.

ह्या मंदिरातील इतर देवस्थाने:

मुख्य देवस्थानाच्या दक्षिण दिशेला मेंढपाळ, त्याची पत्नी आणि लेखापाल (अकाउंटंट) ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत. आख्यायीका अशी आहे की मंदिराला दूध पुरविण्याच्या हिशोबावरून लेखापालाने मेंढपाळाला फसविले. गावाच्या राजाकडून मेंढपाळाचं रक्षण करण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांनी राजाच्या समक्ष लेखापालाचा आपल्या त्रिशुळाने वध केला. भगवान शिवांनी लेखापालावर फेकलेल्या त्रिशुळाला मार्ग देण्यासाठी नंदी आणि बलीपीठ थोडे बाजूला झाले. म्हणूनच नंदी आणि बलीपीठ हे आजही शिवलिंगाच्या सरळ रेषेमध्ये नाहीये.

आख्यायिकेनुसार भगवान विष्णू, ब्रह्म देव, इंद्र देव, सरस्वती देवी, अष्टदिक्पाल, अगस्ती ऋषी, पुलस्ती ऋषी, हंस आणि अर्जुन ह्यांनी पण इथे शिवाची उपासना केली.

आणखी काही वैशिष्ट्ये:

राजगोपुरमला नमस्कार करून मंदिरामध्ये शिरताना प्रवेशद्वाराच्या पायरीला स्पर्श करून नमस्कार करण्याची प्रथा आहे. असा समज आहे कि प्रवेशद्वाराच्या चौकटीला शनिदेव लपलेले आहेत. आख्यायिकेनुसार शनिदेवांनी नळ राजाला त्रास दिल्याने भगवान शिव त्यांच्यावर क्रोधीत झाले आणि ह्या क्रोधापासून रक्षण करण्यासाठी म्हणून ते ह्या प्रवेशद्वारामध्ये येऊन लपले.

येथील इतर देवस्थाने:

श्री स्वर्ण गणपती, श्री मुरुगन, श्री नटराज, श्री सोमस्कंद, श्री आदिशेष, श्री नायन्मार, श्री महालक्ष्मी, श्री सूर्य आणि श्री भैरव ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या पण येथे दिसतात. नळ राजा आणि त्याने पुजलेलं शिव लिंगपण येथे आहे. शिव मंदिरामध्ये सहसा असणाऱ्या कोष्ट मुर्त्या पण इथे दिसतात. त्यागराज विडंग म्हणजे हिरव्या पाचूच्या विडंगाचे इथे स्वतंत्र देऊळ आहे.

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

१) शनी संक्रमण

२) शनिवारी येथे शनिदेवाची विशेष पूजा असते

३) पुरत्तासी (सप्टेंबर-ऑक्टोबर): हिरव्या पाचूच्या लिंगाची विशेष पूजा केली जाते

४) वैकासि (मे-जून): १० दिवस ब्रह्मोत्सव साजरा केला जातो.

Saptasthana tempels of Kanjanur

There are seven temples associated with Kanjanur near Kumbhakonam known as sapta sthana temples of Kanjanur. Shri Agneeshwarar temple at Kanjanur is considered as the main Shiva sthala and people worship in these temple. They are located in Mayiladuthurai near Kumbhakonam. Shri Agneeshwararar temple is also the navagraha temple for Shri Shukra. We will give an account of these temples in following articles that will be posted in upcoming weeks.

Shri Agneeshwarar Temple at Kanjanur
Shri Thirukotishwarar Temple at Thirukodikkaval
Shri Vataaranyeshwarar Temple at Thiruvalangadu (on Mayiladuthurai Kumbhakonam road)
Shri Masilamaneshwarar at Thiruvaduthurai
Shri Apatsahayar Temple at Aduthurai
Shri Prananatheshwarar at Thirumangalakudi
Shri Amravaneshwarar at Thirumanthurai (also known as Tenkarai Manthurai)

श्री थिरुअग्नीश्वरर - कंजनूर - शुक्र ग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे मंदिर शुक्र ग्रहाचे मंदिर आहे. श्रेष्ठ ६३ शिवभक्त जे नायन्मार म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत, त्यांनी पुजलेल्या २७५ शिव मंदिरांपैकी हे एक मंदिर आहे. हे मंदिर अंदाजे २००० वर्षांपूर्वी बांधलेलं आहे. तामिळनाडू राज्यातील तंजावूर जिल्ह्यातल्या कंजनूर गावामध्ये हे मंदिर आहे.

मुलवर: श्री अग्निश्वरर्
देवी (अम्मन): श्री कर्पगम् अम्बाळ
क्षेत्र वृक्ष: पळस, फणस
पवित्र तीर्थे: अग्नी तीर्थ, पराशर तीर्थ, ब्रह्म तीर्थ (कावेरी), चंद्र तीर्थ, अंजनेय तीर्थ आणि मणिकर्णिका तीर्थ
ऐतिहासिक / पौराणिक नांवे: पळस अरण्य, पळसापुरम, ब्रह्मपुरी, अग्निपुरम, कंसपूरम

येथील शिवलिंग स्वयंभू आहे.

ह्या क्षेत्राची वैशिष्ठ्ये:

हे नवग्रहांमधील शुक्रदेवाचं स्थळ आहे आणि शुक्रदेवाने तपश्चर्या केलेल्या स्थळांपैकी एक आहे. इथे शुक्रदेवाचे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे. ह्या मंदिराचं एक वैशिष्ठय म्हणजे इथे भगवान शिव आणि माता पार्वती ह्यांचं एकत्र देवस्थान आहे. ब्रह्मदेवाला त्यांनी वधूवरांच्या रूपात ह्या ठिकाणी दर्शन दिलं असा समज आहे. आणि म्हणूनच जसं विवाहाच्या वेळी पत्नी पतीच्या उजव्या बाजूला असते, त्याप्रमाणे पार्वती देवी भगवान शिवांच्या उजव्या बाजूला आहेत. ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान शिवांनी तांडव नृत्य करत पराशर ऋषींना मुक्ती दिली म्हणून येथील नटराजांच्या मूर्तीला मुक्ती तांडव मूर्ती म्हणतात. भगवान शुक्रांना इथे कंजन असे नाव आहे. आणि म्हणूनच ह्या गावाचे नाव कंजनूर आहे.

शुक्रदेवांना अनेक नावे आहेत. इथे त्यांना अजून दोन नावांनी ओळखले जाते - एक म्हणजे कवि आणि दुसरे म्हणजे भार्गव. ऋषी भृगु आणि देवी पुलोमजा ह्यांचे ते पुत्र म्हणून त्यांना भार्गव असे म्हणले जाते.

चंद्रदेवाला ह्या ठिकाणी त्याच्या शापातून मुक्ती मिळाली. ऋषी व्यासांच्या सल्ल्यानुसार अग्निदेवाने ह्या ठिकाणी तपश्चर्या केल्याने त्याचे रोगनिवारण झाले. म्हणूनच इथे भगवान शिवांना अग्नीश्वरर् असे नाव आहे.

मथुराधिपती कंस राजाने पण ऋषी शुक्राचार्यांच्या सल्ल्याने इथे तपश्चर्या केल्याने त्याचे पण रोगनिवारण झाले. म्हणूनच ह्या स्थळाला कंसपूरम असं पण नाव आहे.

हरदत्तशिवाचार्य ह्यांनी “ॐ नमः शिवाय” ह्या पंचाक्षरी मंत्राचं महत्व ह्याच ठिकाणी प्रस्थापित केले.

मंदिरातील मुर्त्या:

१) कोष्टम् मध्ये, म्हणजेच गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरच्या भिंतीमध्ये, श्री नर्तन गणपती, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, श्री लिंगोद्भवर, श्री दुर्गा देवी आणि श्री चंडिकेश्वर ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.
२) श्री पार्वती देवीच्या देवस्थानाच्या बाजूला श्री आदि कर्पगम्बाळ ह्यांची मूर्ती आहे.

३) परिक्रमेमध्ये श्री विनायक, श्री मयूर सुब्रह्मण्य आणि श्री महालक्ष्मी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.
४) पळस वृक्षाच्या खाली श्री अग्नीश्वरर लिंग आहे.
५) शिव लिंगा जवळ श्री मनकंचनारर, श्री कुलिकमर, श्री सुरैकाय भक्तर आणि त्याची पत्नी ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.
६) महामंडपामध्ये श्री भैरव, श्री सूर्य, श्री चंद्र, नवग्रह आणि नालवार (श्रेष्ठ शैव संत) ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत.

आख्यायिका:

१) पुराणांनुसार शुक्राचार्यांनी त्यांच्या पत्नीची हत्या केल्याबद्दल भगवान विष्णूंना शाप दिला. त्या शापापासून मुक्ती मिळविण्यासाठी भगवान विष्णूंनी ह्या ठिकाणी श्री हरदत्तशिवाचार्य नावाच्या शिवभक्ताच्या रूपात भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली.

२) कट्टर वैष्णव वासुदेवाचा सुदर्शन नावाचा पुत्र होता. वैष्णव कुटुंबात जन्म घेऊन पण सुदर्शन भगवान शिवांची भक्ती करीत होता. ह्या ठिकाणी तापलेल्या लोखंडी खुर्चीवर बसून भगवान शिवांचं नाव घेत असलेल्या सुदर्शनची मूर्ती आहे. अजून एक मूर्ती आहे जिथे श्री हरदत्तशिवाचार्य दक्षिणामूर्तींच्या रूपात आहेत.

३) एक ब्राह्मण होता ज्याला एका वासरूच्या हत्येसाठी जबाबदार धरलं गेलं होतं. बाकीच्या ब्राह्मणांनी ह्या ब्राह्मणाला गोहत्येचा आरोप लावून जातीबाहेर काढलं होतं. श्री हरदत्तशिवाचार्यांनी आरोप लावलेल्या ब्राह्मणाला निर्दोष सिद्ध करण्यासाठी आणि त्याला परत जातीमध्ये प्रवेश मिळविण्यासाठी साक्ष म्हणून एका नंदीच्या दगडी मूर्तीकडून गवताचं सेवन केलं.

४) श्री ब्रह्मदेवांनी येथे त्यांना श्री शिवपार्वतींच वधुवर रूपामध्ये दर्शन व्हावं आणि ह्या दर्शनाचा लाभ इतरांना पण व्हावा म्हणून तपश्चर्या केली. आणि म्हणूनच इथे भगवान शिवांचं देवस्थान उजव्याबाजूला (दर्शन घेणाऱ्याच्या) तर देवी पार्वतींचं देवस्थान डाव्याबाजूला आहे.

५) पुराणांनुसार शुक्र (शुक्राचार्य) हे दैत्यगुरू होते आणि त्यांना संजीवनी मंत्र अवगत होता ज्याच्या सहाय्याने ते युद्धात मृत्यू पावलेल्या दैत्यांना परत जिवंत करू शकत होते.

६) असं म्हणतात की इथे ऊस आणि मध हे भरपूर प्रमाणात उपलब्ध होते, आणि म्हणून ह्या गावाला कंजनूर नाव पडलं.

७) असा समज आहे की श्री चंद्र, श्री पराशर मुनी आणि श्री कृष्णाचा मामा कंस ह्याने इथे शिवाची उपासना केले. आणि म्हणून इथे ३ शिव लिंग आहेत.

८) ह्या मंदिराच्या आजूबाजूला ३ पवित्र तीर्थ आहेत - १. श्री ब्रह्माने निर्माण केलेलं ब्रह्मतीर्थ, २. श्री अग्नीने निर्माण केलेलं अग्नी तीर्थ (किंबहुना श्री अग्नीने इथे शिवाची उपासना केली आणि म्हणूनच इथे शिवाचे नाव श्री अग्निश्वरर् असे आहे), ३. श्री पराशर मुनींनी निर्माण केलेलं पराशरतीर्थ

शुक्र ग्रहाचा इतिहास:

पुराणांनुसार शुक्र हे भृगु ऋषी आणि त्यांची पत्नी पुलोमिषा ह्यांचे पुत्र. शुक्र हे पुढे मोठे होऊन शुक्राचार्य नावाने प्रसिद्ध झाले. हे दैत्यांचे गुरु होते. त्यांनी शिवाची उपासना करून त्याच्याकडून संजीवनी विद्या प्राप्त केली होती. ही विद्या वापरून ते युद्धामध्ये मेलेल्या दैत्यांना परत जिवंत करायचे.

शुक्राचार्यांना शुक्र हे नाव त्यांच्या रुपेरी कांतीमुळे प्राप्त झालं. जेव्हां ते संजीवनी विद्या प्राप्त करण्यासाठी तपश्चर्या करत होते त्यावेळेस इंद्र देवाची कन्या जयंतीने शुक्राचार्यांची सेवा केली. त्यांना देवयानी नावाची कन्या झाली. त्यानंतर जयंती परत देवलोकी निघून गेली.

शुक्राचार्यांकडून संजीवनी विद्या प्राप्त करून घेण्यासाठी देवांचे गुरु बृहस्पतींनी त्यांच्या कच नावाच्या पुत्राला शुक्राचार्यांकडे पाठवले. कचाने प्रामाणिकपणे शुक्राचार्यांची सेवा करून त्यांच्या हृदयात स्थान निर्माण केले. शुक्राचार्यांची कन्या देवयानी कचाच्या वर्तनावर आणि रूपावर मोहित झाली. दैत्यांना कच हा कपटाने शुक्राचार्यांना प्रसन्न करायला बघतोय हे लक्षात आलं. त्यांनी कचाला मारलं आणि त्याच्या अस्थींची पूड करून ती पाण्यात मिसळून ते पाणी त्यांनी शुक्राचार्यांना पाजलं. कच जेव्हा कुठे दिसेना तेव्हा देवयानीला अतिशय शोक झाला. कन्येचा शोक बघून शुक्राचार्यांना राहावलं नाही आणि त्यांनी आपल्या ज्ञानदृष्टीने कचाला शोधण्याचा प्रयत्न केला. त्यांना लक्षात आलं की कच आपल्या पोटामध्येच आहे. त्यांनी ते देवयानीला सांगितलं. देवयानीने त्यांना संजीवन मंत्राचा वापर करून त्याला जिवंत करण्याचा हट्ट धरला. शुक्राचार्यांनी तिला समजावलं की कचाला जिवंत केलं तर तो पोट फाडून बाहेर येईल आणि त्यांचा मृत्यू होईल. पण हट्टाला पेटलेल्या देवयानीने त्यांना आश्वासन दिलं कि ते जेव्हां संजीवनी मंत्र जपतील तेव्हा तो श्रवण करून स्मृतीत ठेवून ती तो मंत्र वापरून परत शुक्राचार्यांना जिवंत करेल. कन्येच्या हट्टाला शरण जाऊन शुक्राचार्यांनी संजीवनी मंत्र जपला आणि त्याचबरोबर कच त्यांचे पोट फाडून बाहेर आला. देवयानीने शुक्राचार्यांना जिवंत करण्यासाठी संजीवनी मंत्र जपताच कचाने तो आत्मसात केला आणि आपलं ध्येय प्राप्त केलं. पण त्यामुळे शुक्राचार्य आपली संजीवनी मंत्राची शक्ती गमावून बसले.

शुक्राचार्यांना तीन पत्नी होत्या. त्यांना एक पुत्र आणि दोन कन्या होत्या. त्यांनी एक ग्रंथ पण लिहिला आहे त्याचे नाव शुक्रनीति.

शुक्राचार्यांनी काशीला जाऊन उपासना केली. भगवान शंकरांनी त्यांच्यावर प्रसन्न होऊन त्यांना ग्रह बनण्याचं वरदान दिलं.

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

आडी (जुलै -ऑगस्ट): पुरम (पुर्वा फाल्गुनी) नक्षत्रावर इथे आडीपुरं सण साजरा केला जातो

मासी (फेब-मार्च) मासी मघा सण साजरा केला जातो.
थाई (जानेवारी-फेब्रुवारी) श्री हरदत्तशिवाचार्यांचा सण साजरा केला जातो
पुरत्तासी (सप्टेंबर-ऑक्टोबर) नवरात्री सण साजरा केला जातो.

ह्याशिवाय नियमित प्रदोष पूजा आणि अंजनेय पूजा पण इथे केली जाते

Shri Alanthurai Nathar Temple

This Shiva temple is one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This temple is associated with various groups of temples. It is also a Saptamangai Sthalam where Shri Parvati Devi, along with Shri Chamundi, and one of the Sapta Matrika, performed navaratri utsav on the “Saptami (seventh day)” of Navaratri. The temple is about 2000 years old. It is located at Thirupullamangai near Papanasam in Tanjavur district on Tanjavur-Kumbakonam route.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri Pasupathishwarar, Shri Pasupathi nathar, Shri Bramhapurishwarar, Shri Alanthurai nathar

Devi (Consort): Shri Soundaryanayaki Devi, Shri Alliyankothai

Kshetra Vruksha: Banyan tree (in Marathi “Vad”)

Sacred Teertha: Kaveri, Kudamurutti

Puranik Name: Thirupullamangai

Present Name: Pashupathi kovil

District: Tanjavur, TamilNadu

The temple is on the bank of river Kudamurutti (a tributary of river Kaveri). As the temple is located on the river bank with a Banyan tree, the place is also known as Alanthurai. At present, the temple is in a depleted condition, but renovation has been done by the Maratha kings and Chola kings.

This is a Madakovil built during the Chola empire. Shri Shiva is in the form of swayambhoo linga.

Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva at this place as a Chakravak bird (Ruddyshell Duck) along with Shri Chamundi - one of the saptamatrika. They had the darshan of the divine serpent on Lord Shiva’s neck. Hence it is known as Shiva-Nag-Bhushan darshan.

Kshetra Puran:

According to the puran, Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva as a Chakravak bird. Hence the place got the name Pullamangai. It is believed that ashtanagas (eight divine serpents) worshiped Shri Shiva with more than 10 crores nagalinga (Kailashpathi) flowers on a Shiva Ratri. Hence this place is considered to be Nagashakti shrine. In a sculpture in the temple, we come across the celestial cow Kamadhenu worshiping Lord Shiva.

Shri Brahma got rid of his curse by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place.

Salient features:

Durga idol in this temple has special feature and is known as Shri Mahishasur-mardini. She is standing under an umbrella with her leg on head of Mahishasur. She has conch, chakra, sword, bow, mace, trident, ankush and khatvanga as her weapons. On her either sides, a deer and lion are depicted in standing position. A sculpture depicts two soldiers offering their heads as an offering to her. One of her hands has abhaya mudra.

There is a shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar. In the Navagraha shrine we have Nandi at the center. There are idols of four Shaiva saints. We can observe kites (eagles) above the temple tower. There are a lot of stone carvings, depicting the relief and the renovation work done by the Chola, Vijayanagara and Maratha kings.

The name of the Tanjavur maratha king Pratapsingh and Chola king Parantaka Chola find mention in the relief works.

About the temple:

The temple faces east. The temple has only one Prakara (parikrama). Though there are Bali Peetha and Nandi, we do not find the flagstaff associated with the temple. There is a separate Ganesha shrine. A three feet deep canal is surrounding the temple. We find the Koshta murtis on the outer wall of sanctum sanctorum.

The shrine of Shri Soundaryanayaki Devi is separate. Shrines of Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai are found in the parikrama. Idols of Shri Bhairava, four Shaiva saints, Shri Surya, Shri Chandikeshwar are found in the temple. At mahamandap entrance we have the idol of Shri Ganesha. There are lot of panels which depict puranik stories of Shri Shiva and Shiva ganas which are holding various musical instruments. Besides this, there are panels depicting scenes from Ramayana and other Vaishnava purans, though this is a Shiva temple. The panels also depict Krishna-leelas.

Festivals in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

री थिरुआपत्सहायेश्वरर - आलंगुडी - श्री गुरु ग्रहाचे मंदिर

कुंभकोणम पासून मन्नारगुडीकडे जाणाऱ्या रस्त्यावर साधारण १७ किलोमीटरवर हे मंदिर आहे. नवग्रहस्थळांपैकी गुरुग्रहाचे हे स्थान आहे. साधारण २००० वर्षांपूर्वी बांधलेलं हे मंदिर आहे. श्रेष्ठ ६३ शिवभक्त जे नायनमार म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत, त्यांनी पुजलेल्या २७५ शिव मंदिरांपैकी हे एक मंदिर आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य दैवत): श्री आपत्सहायेश्वरर, श्री काशीनारायणेश्वरर

देवी (अम्मन): श्री एलवरकुळाली, श्री उमाई अम्मन

उत्सव मूर्ती: भगवान दक्षिणामूर्ती

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: रेशीमसूत (तामिळ मधे पुलै)

पवित्र तीर्थ: ब्रह्मतीर्थ, अमृत पुष्करिणी आणि १३ इतर तीर्थे

पौराणिक नाव: विरूमपुल्लै

स्थळांचं नाव: आलंगुडी

जिल्हा: तंजावूर (तामिळ नाडू)

वैशिष्ठ्ये:

हे मंदिर पूर्वाभिमुख आहे. मुख्य देवस्थान (शिवलिंग) हे स्वयंभू आहे. हे स्थळ गुरु स्थळ किंवा दक्षिणामूर्ती क्षेत्र म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे. गुरुदोषांचं परिहारस्थळ म्हणून पण प्रसिद्धआहे.

ठळक वैशिष्ठ्ये:

प्रत्येक वर्षी मासी महिना (तामिळ) (फेब-मार्च) मध्ये भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींच्या मूर्तीवर विशेष अभिषेक केला जातो. गुरु ग्रह एका राशीतून दुसऱ्या राशीत प्रवेश करतो तो दिवस शुभ मानला जातो. पण मासी महिन्यातला हा दिवस त्याहीपेक्षा शुभ मानला जातो. गुरु देवाचं प्रत्यक्ष दर्शन इथे नाही. पण भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींना इथे गुरु म्हणून मानलं जातं कारण ह्या ठिकाणी त्यांनी सनकादि मुनींना उपदेश दिला. किंबहुना गुरुपरंपरेमध्ये दक्षिणामूर्तींना आदिगुरु मानलं जातं.

दोन कारणांमुळे ह्या स्थळाला आलंगुडी म्हणलं जातं. १) काळं रेशीमसूत हे इथलं क्षेत्र वृक्ष आहे २) समुद्रमंथनातून निर्माण झालेलं विष प्राशन केल्यावर भगवान शिव इथे येऊन बसले.

हे पंचारण्य स्थळांपैकी एक आहे. थिरुवदैमुरुथुर येथील भगवान महालिंगेश्वरांचे हे परिवार स्थळ म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे. इथे एका स्वतंत्र देवस्थानामध्ये शेळीचे शिर असलेल्या दक्षाची (श्री पार्वती देवीचे पिता) मूर्ती आहे. दक्षाने केलेल्या यज्ञावेळी आपल्या पतीचा अपमान सहन न झाल्याने जेव्हा श्री सतीने (दक्षाची पुत्री) यज्ञकुंडात उडी घेऊन आपली आहुती दिली त्यावेळी भगवान शिवांचे सेनापती श्री वीरभद्र ह्यांनी दक्षाचा शिरच्छेद केला. श्री पार्वती देवीच्या विनंतीवरून भगवान शिवांनी शेळीचे शिर लावून दक्षाला जीवदान दिले.

श्री अंबिका (म्हणजेच श्री पार्वती देवी) हिचे येथे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे. शुक्रवारी येथे विशेष पूजा केली जाते.

हिंदू धर्मानुसार माणसाचा पहिला गुरु म्हणजे त्याची माता, दुसरा गुरु म्हणजे पिता आणि तिसरा गुरु म्हणजे गुरु (जो गुरुकुलात शिकवतो म्हणजेच भगवान दक्षिणामूर्ती). म्हणूनच इथे ह्याच क्रमाने पार्वती (माता), भगवान शिव (पिता) आणि भगवान दक्षिणामूर्ती (गुरु) ह्यांची देवस्थाने आहेत.

आख्यायिका:

१) अमूथोहर ह्या मुकुंद चक्रवर्ती राजाच्या मंत्र्याने हे मंदिर बांधलं, पण आपलं पुण्य मात्र त्याने आपल्याकडेच ठेवलं. राजाला हे न रुचल्याने त्याने मंत्र्याचा शिरच्छेद केला. राजसभेमध्ये मंत्र्याच्या नावाचा प्रतिसाद उमटला. राजावर ब्रह्महत्येचा दोष आला. ह्या मंदिरात उपासना करून त्याने ह्या दोषाचे निवारण केले.

२) येथील सुंदर मूर्ती नायनार ह्यांच्या मूर्तीवर चेचक रोग (स्मॉल पॉक्स) झाल्याची चिन्हं आहेत. त्याची आख्यायिका अशी आहे. अन्य मूर्तींसमवेत ही मूर्ती पण थिरुवरुर येथील राजाने आलंगुडीवरून थिरुवरुरला नेली आणि तो परत द्यायला तयार नव्हता. आलंगुडी येथील पुजाऱ्याने युक्ती लढवली. त्याने मूर्तीला एका कापडात बांधलं आणि जेव्हा द्वारपालांनी अडवलं त्यावेळी त्याने आपण चेचक रोग झालेल्या लहान मुलाला घेऊन जात आहोत असे सांगितले. आलंगुडी मध्ये आल्यावर जेव्हा त्या पुजाऱ्याने ते कापड उघडलं त्यावेळी त्या मूर्तीवर चेचक रोगाची चिन्हं दिसली.

३) संतान प्राप्ती साठी श्री महालक्ष्मी देवीने येथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली.

४) आलंगुडीच्या जवळ थिरूमनमंगला ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान शिवांशी विवाहबद्ध होण्याआधी श्री पार्वती देवीने येथे (आलांगुडीमध्ये) तपश्चर्या केली. विवाहाच्या वेळी भगवान महाविष्णू, श्री ब्रह्मदेव, श्री इंद्रदेव, श्री लक्ष्मी देवी, श्री अष्टदिक्पाल आणि श्री वीरभद्र उपस्थित होते.

५) संत सुंदरर ह्यांना येथे भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींकडून पंचाक्षर मंत्राचा उपदेश मिळाला.

६) आदि शंकराचार्यांना इथे भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींकडून महावाक्याचा उपदेश मिळाला.

७) श्री वीरभद्र, कश्यप ऋषी, विश्वामित्र ऋषी, मुचगंद राजा ह्यांनी इथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली.

८) एकदा श्री पार्वती देवी फुलांच्या चेंडूबरोबर खेळत असताना तिनें चेंडू उंच उडवला आणि तो झेलण्यासाठी तिने आपले हात वरती केले. श्री सूर्य देवाला वाटले की हा आपल्यासाठी थांबण्याचा संकेत आहे म्हणून तो थांबला. पण ह्याचा परिणाम असा झाला की पृथ्वीवरचं जीवन, जे सूर्याच्या पृथ्वीभोवतीच्या भ्रमणावर अवलंबून आहे, ते विस्कळीत झालं. जेव्हां भगवान शंकरांना हे लक्षात आलं तेव्हा त्यांनी श्री पार्वतीदेवीला पृथ्वीवर जन्म घेण्यास सांगितले. असा समज आहे की ह्या ठिकाणी श्री पार्वती देवीने भगवान शंकरांना परत प्रसन्न करून त्यांच्याबरोबर विवाह करण्यासाठी तपश्चर्या केली. आणि तो विवाह येथून जवळ असलेल्या थिरूमनमंगला ह्या ठिकाणी संपन्न झाला. ह्या विवाहाच्या वेळेस सर्व देव उपस्थित होते. हे मंदिर स्वतः श्री पार्वती देवीने निर्माण केले आहे असा समज आहे. ह्या स्थळाला पूर्वी काशीअरण्य असे म्हणत आणि म्हणूनच ह्या स्थळाला काशी इतकेच महत्व आहे.

९) गजमुख नावाचा असुर होता जो देव आणि मानवांना खूप कष्ट देत होता. भगवान शंकरांनी आपल्या पुत्राला म्हणजेच श्री गणपतीला गजमुखाला शिक्षा देण्यासाठी पाठवले. म्हणूनंच ह्या स्थळी गणपतीचे मंदिर आहे आणि इथल्या गणपतीला कात्त-विनायगर (कात्त = (रक्षणकर्ता) + विनायक (गणपती) + आकार) असे नांव आहे.

इतर देवस्थाने:

श्री विनायक, श्री वळ्ळी आणि श्री दैवनै ह्या दोन पत्नींसमवेत श्री मुरुगन, श्री शिवकामी समवेत श्री नटराज, श्री सोमस्कंद, श्री सूर्य, श्री चंद्र, विशालाक्षी समवेत श्री काशी विश्वनाथ, सप्तलिंग (सूर्येश्वरर, सोमेश्वरर, घृष्णेश्वरर, सोमनाथ, सप्तऋषीनादर, विश्वनाथ, ब्रह्मेश्वर), श्री वरदराज पेरुमल आणि श्रीदेवी, नालवर, श्री शनि, श्री भैरव, श्री सप्तमाता, ऋषी विश्वामित्र आणि ऋषी अगस्त्य ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या परिक्रमेमध्ये दिसतात.

गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरच्या भिंतीमध्ये, म्हणजेच कोष्टम् मध्ये, कोष्ट मुर्त्या आहेत. भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींचे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे आणि त्यांची गुरु म्हणून पूजा केली जाते.

मंदिरातील अजून काही वैशिष्ठ्ये:

१) इथे भगवान दक्षिणामूर्तींची रथयात्रा साजरी केली जाते. अन्य देवांची नाही.

२) इथे स्वतंत्र नागसंनिधी आहे. नागदोषाचे निवारण होण्यासाठी इथे पूजा करतात. ह्या गावी कधी नागदंशामुळे मृत्यू होत नाही.

३) इथे सायंकाळी भगवान शिवांची पूजा केली जाते.

४) भगवान मुरुगन ह्यांची पूजा करण्याआधी ऋषी अगस्त्य ह्यांची पूजा केली जाते.

५) श्री महालिंगेश्वर ह्यांच्या परिवार स्थळांमध्ये पुढील देवस्थाने आहेत: १) श्री थिरुवलमचुळी विनायक देवस्थान, २) श्री स्वामी मलय देवस्थान, ३) आलंगुडी भगवान दक्षिणामूर्ती देवस्थान, ४) श्री थिरुवडुदुराई नंदी देवस्थान, ५) श्री सूर्यनार कोविल नवग्रह स्थळ, ६) श्री थिरुवप्पडी चंडिकेश्वर देवस्थान, ७) श्री चिदंबरम नटराज देवस्थान, ८) सिरकाळी श्री भैरव देवस्थान, ९) थिरुवरुर श्री सोमस्कंद देवस्थान

हे मंदिर पवित्रतीर्थ, पवित्रस्थळ आणि मूर्ती स्थळ (देव गौरव स्थळ) म्हणून पुजलं जातं.

साजरे होणारे सण:

गुरु भ्रमण (तामिळ मध्ये गुरु पेयार्ची) -गुरु ग्रह जेव्हा एका राशी मधून दुसऱ्या राशीमध्ये प्रवेश करतो, तो दिवस इथे साजरा केला जातो

चित्राई (एप्रिल-मे): चैत्र पौर्णिमा

पंगूणी (मार्च-एप्रिल): उत्तरम् रथयात्रा

थाई (जानेवारी-फेब्रुवारी): थाई पुसम - तामिळ थाई महिन्याच्या पौर्णिमेला जेव्हा पुष्य (तामिळ मध्ये पुसम) नक्षत्र असतं त्यावेळी हा सण साजरा केला जातो.

प्रत्येक प्रदोष दिवशी प्रदोष पूजा

Shri ChandraMoulishwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is located at ThazaMangai on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.

The temple is on the banks of river Kudamurutti, which is a tributary of river Kaveri. The temple is more than 1500 years old. This is one of the Sapta-Mangai Sthala where Goddess Parvati, along with Indrani (Mahendri), one of the Sapta-Matrikas, performed Sharad NavaRatri. This temple is associated with Shri Indrani, one of the Sapta-Matrika.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri ChandraMoulishwarar.

Devi (Consort): Shri RajaRajeshwari

Kshetra Vruskha: Screw pine flower tree (Ketaki), Thazai in Tamil.

Scared Teertha: Kaveri river.

Old name: ThazaMangai

Taluka: Papanasam

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

This is a very small temple which has only one parikrama. It has Nandi and Balipeeth. But there is no flagstaff. This is a very rare temple of Shri RajaRajeshwari as there are very few Shri RajaRajeshwari temples in the south india.

The original temple was ravaged by flood water of Kaveri, the present temple was renovated by Chola Kings and Maratha generals.

Once upon a time this place was full of screw pine flower trees, hence the name ThazaMangai or Thazavanam.

Shri Parvati Devi and Shri Indrani Devi worshiped Shri Shiva on the 6th day of Sharad NavaRatri and had darshan of crescent moon on Shri Shiva's head.

This is known as PiraiChandra (crescent moon) darshan. In Tamil, Thaz means to bow down with respect. As Shri Indrani bowed to Shri Shiva, this place is known as ThazaMangai.

Legends (Kshetra Puran):

As Chandra was more attached to Rohini (daughter of Daksha) than other daughters of Daksha, he was cursed by Daksha. Along with Rohini, Chandra came to Thazavanam, which was infested with lots of snakes (due to fragrance of screw pine flower). He did penance here along with Rohini. Due to Rohini's penance, Chandra got relief by grace of Shri Shiva. As a token gesture, Shri Shiva took the third phase of the waxing moon (3rd day of shukla-paksha) and wore it on his head.

As Shri Shiva wears the crescent moon, he is known as Shri ChandraMoulishwarar.

Shri Chandra and his wife Shri Rohini, Sage Agastya and King Rajaraj Chozhan worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.

When the King had a problem in installing the Nandi at Tanjavur temple, he was advised by the Siddha Karuvu to worship Shri Shiva at this place using sandal paste. He worshiped as per the directions of siddha on Satabhisha nakshatra and was able to install the Nandi. This place is considered as Parihar-Sthal for eye related problems.

According to Siddhas, worshiping Shri Shiva, at this place on Satabhisha narshatra in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May), by applying sandal paste, gives contentment and happiness for three generations.

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti as a kumarika.

Festival in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

श्री श्वेतारण्येश्वरर मंदिर - थिरुवेंकाडू - बुध ग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे मंदिर बुध ग्रहाचे मंदिर आहे आणि नायनमारांनी प्रशंसा गायलेल्या कावेरी नदीकाठावरल्या स्थळांपैकी पण एक आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य दैवत): श्री श्वेतारण्येश्वरर
देवी: श्री ब्रह्मविद्याम्बिका
क्षेत्र वृक्ष: पीपल (वडवानल), कोंद्रेई (बहावा), बिल्व
पौराणिक नाव: थिरुवेंकाडू, आदी चिदंबरम, श्वेतारण्य
पवित्र तीर्थ: सूर्य तीर्थ, अग्नी तीर्थ, चंद्र तीर्थ
पत्ता: थिरुवेंकाडू, तामिळनाडू ६०९११४, इंडिया

वैशिष्ठ्ये:
१) येथील शिवलिंग स्वयंभू आहे
२) जशा काशीमध्ये विष्णू पादुका आहेत, त्याचप्रमाणे इथे वडवानल वृक्षाच्या खाली रुद्र पादुका आहेत. म्हणूनच इथे भगवान शंकरांना थिरुवेंकदर किंवा थिरुवेंकट्टूदेवर असं संबोधलं जातं.
३) येथील स्फटिक लिंगावर दिवसातून चार वेळा तर नटराजाच्या मूर्तीवर सहा वेळा अभिषेक केला जातो.
४) हे स्थळ म्हणजे शक्ती पीठ पण मानलं जातं. आणि येथील शक्ती पीठाचे प्रणव शक्तीपीठ असे नाव आहे.
५) काशी एवढेच पवित्र मानले जाणाऱ्या सहा क्षेत्रांपैकी हे एक क्षेत्र आहे. बाकीच्या पांच क्षेत्रांची नावे - १. थिरुवयरू, २. मैलादुथुराई, ३. छायावन, ४. थिरुवडुमैथुर, ५. थिरुवणचिअम
६) वाल्मिकी रामायणामध्ये ह्या स्थळाचा उल्लेख सापडतो

श्वेतारण्याचा अर्थ: श्वेत म्हणजे पांढरा (तामिळ मध्ये वेनमै). अरण्यम म्हणजे जंगल (तामिळ मध्ये काडू). आणि म्हणूनच ह्या स्थळाला श्वेतारण्य किंवा वेंगाडू असं म्हणलं जातं.

आख्यायिका:
१) एकदा भगवान मुरूगांनी ब्रह्मदेवाला प्रणव मंत्राचे स्पष्टीकरण देता आलं नाही म्हणून बंदिस्त केलं. पण ह्यामुळे ब्रह्मसृष्टीचं कार्य स्तंभित झालं आणि म्हणून भगवान शिवांनी मध्यस्थी करून ब्रह्मदेवाला मुक्त केलं. काही काळ बंदिस्त राहिल्यामुळे ब्रह्मदेवांना ब्रह्मज्ञानाचं विस्मरण झालं आणि ब्रह्मदेवांनी इथे येऊन तपश्चर्या केली. त्यांनी जी तपश्चर्या इथे केली त्याला समधूनीलै (तामिळ), म्हणजे श्वास राखून धरणे, असं म्हणतात. भगवान शिवांनी दक्षिणामूर्तींच्या रूपात येऊन ब्रह्मदेवांना ब्रह्मज्ञान प्रदान केलं तर देवी पार्वतींनी त्यांना ब्रह्मकलेचं ज्ञान दिलं. म्हणून इथे देवी पार्वतींना ब्रह्मज्ञानाम्बिका असं संबोधलं जातं. ही घटना दर्शविण्यासाठी इथे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे.

२) असं समजलं जातं की भगवान शिवांची ६४ रूपे आहेत आणि पांच मुखे आहेत. ती पांच मुखे अशी - ऊर्ध्वमुखी ईशान (पवित्रतेचं प्रतीक), उत्तरमुखी वामदेव (उदरनिर्वाहाचं प्रतीक), पूर्वमुखी तत्पुरुष (अध्यात्म आणि अहंकार निर्मुलनाचं प्रतीक), दक्षिणमुखी अघोर मूर्ती (संहार आणि पुनरुत्थान ह्यांचं प्रतीक), पश्चिममुखी सदाशिव (शाश्वत आनंदाचं प्रतीक).

३) एका आख्यायिकेनुसार मरुत नावाच्या दैत्याने (सालीन्द्र चा पुत्र) इथे भगवान शिवांची प्रखर तपश्चर्या करून त्यांच्याकडून वरदान म्हणून त्रिशूल प्राप्त केलं. पण ह्या प्राप्त झालेल्या त्रिशुळाने त्याने देवांना त्रास द्यायला चालू केलं. भगवान शिवांनी मरुताला शिक्षा देण्यासाठी नंदीदेवाला पाठवलं. पण नंदीदेवाबरोबरच्या युद्धात मरुताने नंदीदेवाच्या शरीरावर त्रिशुळाने वार केले आणि त्यामुळे नंदीदेवाच्या शरीरावर नऊ ठिकाणी जखमा झाल्या. भगवान शिवांना क्रोध आला आणि त्यांनी अघोरमूर्ती रूप घेऊन मरुत दैत्याला एका वृक्षाखाली मारले. (हे वृक्ष अजूनही ह्या ठिकाणी आहे असा समज आहे). येथील नंदीदेवाच्या मूर्तीवर नऊ जखमा दिसून येतात. असा उल्लेख आहे कि भगवान शिवांनी मरुत्वाला पूर्वा फाल्गुनी नक्षत्र असताना मारले आणि त्यावेळी रविवार होता.

४) एका आख्यायिकेनुसार यमदेवाला भगवान शिवांनी श्वेतकेतु राजाचा जीव हरण केल्याबद्दल शिक्षा केली. आणि ह्या ठिकाणी यमदेवाने भगवान शिवांना क्षमायाचना करण्यासाठी तपश्चर्या केली.

५) असा उल्लेख आहे की भगवान शिवांनी येथे नऊ तांडव नृत्ये केली - आनंद तांडव, कली तांडव, गौरी तांडव, मुनी तांडव, संध्या तांडव, त्रिपुर तांडव, भुजंग तांडव, संहार तांडव आणि भिक्षाटन तांडव. देवीपार्वती साठी त्यांनी आनंद तांडव केले आणि ते तांडव करताना त्यांच्या नेत्रातून अश्रुंचे तीन थेंब पडले आणि त्यातून तीन तीर्थे निर्माण झाली.

६) इंद्र, ऐरावत, महाविष्णू, सूर्य, चन्द्र आणि अग्नी ह्यांनी येथे भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली.
७) पत्तीनाथर नावाच्या संतांना येथे शिवदीक्षा प्राप्त झाली.

ह्या ठिकाणच्या इतर देवता

१) भगवान विनायक देवस्थान
२) भगवान वल्लभ गणपती आणि त्यांची पत्नी श्री वल्लभ देवी ह्यांचे देवस्थान
३) श्वेतवनपेरूमल, पंचलिंग, नागेश्वर आणि वीरभद्र ह्यांची देवस्थाने
४) काशी विश्वनाथ आणि विशालाक्षी
५) भगवान विष्णूंचे येथे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे.

ह्याशिवाय इतर देवतांच्या त्यांच्या त्यांच्या स्थानी कोष्ट मुर्त्या आहेत.

ह्या स्थळाचं एक अद्वितीय वैशिष्ठ्य असं आहे की इथे - तीन देवांच्या मुर्त्या आहेत - स्वयंभू लिंग, नटराज आणि अघोर मूर्ती. तीन देवींच्या मुर्त्या आहेत - ब्रह्मविद्याम्बिका, काली आणि दुर्गा. तीन तीर्थे आहेत - सूर्य, चंद्र आणि अग्नी, आणि तीन क्षेत्र वृक्ष आहेत - बिल्व, कोंद्रेई (बहावा), वडवानल

इथे साजरे केले जाणारे सण:

१) मासी (फेब - मार्च) महिन्यात साजरा होणारा ब्रह्मोत्सव ज्याला इंद्राचा सण असं पण म्हणतात
२) आडी (जुलै - ऑगस्ट) महिन्यात पूर्वा फाल्गुनी नक्षत्रावर साजरा होणारा दहा दिवसांचा सण
३) आवनी (ऑगस्ट - सप्टेंबर) मध्ये गणेश चतुर्थी
४) ऎप्पासी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर) मध्ये साजरे होणारे स्कंद षष्ठी आणि अन्नाभिषेक सण
५) मार्गळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी) महिन्यात आर्द्रा नक्षत्रावर साजरा होणारा आरुद्र दर्शन सण
६) पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल) महिन्यामध्ये अघोर मूर्तीवर लक्षार्चना
७) कार्थिगई (नोव्हेंबर-डिसेंबर) महिन्याच्या तिसऱ्या रविवारी अघोर पूजा
८) इंद्रदेवाच्या ऐरावत हत्तीचा वैकासि सण. ह्या ठिकाणी ऐरावताला त्याच्या शापातून मुक्ती मिळाली.
९) प्रत्येक प्रदोष दिवशी प्रदोष पूजा
१०) शरद ऋतू मध्ये दहा दिवसाचा नवरात्र सण

Shri Pasupathishwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is located at Kallar PasuPathiKovil on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.

This, 1800 years old, temple is on the banks of river Kudamurutti, which is a tributary of river Kaveri. It is associated with various groups of temples. It is one of the Sapta Sthana temples around Chakrapalli. It is also one of the Sapta-Mangai Sthala where Shri Parvati Devi along with Shri Varahi, one of the Sapta-Matrikas, performed Sharad NavaRatri.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri PasuPathishwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Paal Vala Nayaki, Shri Loga Nayaki (Empress of the Universe)

Kshetra Vruskha: Bilva

Sacred Teertha: Kamadhenu Teertha.

Old name: PasuMangai

Taluka: Papanasam

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

This temple is one of the 70 MadaKovil temples built by 2nd century Chola king. This is one of the Sapta-Mangai temples where Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva along with Shri Varahi on the 5th day of NavaRatri. They, along with divine cow KamaDhemu, had divine darshan of the small drum (Damru) in Shri Shiva's hand. This is known as ShivaDamruka darshan.

The temple has three tier RajaGopuram and has only one parikrama. On the RajaGopuram the life history of Sage Markandeya and saint Kannappa Nayanar are depicted as idols. There is a unique idol of Shri Shiva with weapons in 8 hands. The sanctum-sanctorum of Shri Shiva is on an elevated pedestal. Similarly the shrine of Shri Ucchishta Ganapati is on an elevated pedestal adjacent to Shri Shiva. Idol of Shri Ganapati is very beautiful.

We come across idols of Shri Shanishwar, Shri Bhairav, Shri Durga Devi, Shri DakshinaMurti and Shri GajaLaxmi Devi in the parikrama.

Idols of Shri Manthan and Shri Manthini are in the southwest, whereas idol of Shri Bramha is in the northwest.

There is an idol of Shri JyesthaDevi in this temple who was worshiped by Chola dynasty.

The temple was destroyed by Muslim invaders Malik Kafur and Arcot Nawabs.

The flood waters of Kaveri had destroyed this temple to a large extent and was renovated.

Later on, this temple was renovated by Chola kings, kings of Vijaynagar and Maratha generals.

Legends (Kshetra Puran):

Shri Parvati Devi, along with one of the SaptaMatrika - Shri Varahi and celestial cow KamaDhenu, worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.

A spider and an elephant worshiped Shri Shiva at this place.

According to puran, when Shri Shiva plays the damru, the sound emanating from it produces the sound waves of BeejAkshara. It is believed that lord grants blessing through these BeejAkshar waves.

One side of Damru of Shri Shiva represents the soul (jivAtma, i.e. Pasu) and the other side represents Pati, who is the lord of these bound souls who are bound to him (Shri Shiva) by love.

Hence this place is considered to be the place where the bound souls can reach the Pati (Shri Shiva). So the Lord is known as Pasupatishwarar and the place is known as PasuMangai.

People pray to Shri PasuPati at this place for Beej Veda Gyan so that they can unite with him.

As the celestial cow Kamadhenu worshiped at this place the place got the name PasuMangai.

Agastya rishi also worshiped at this place.

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti in her kumarika form.

Festivals in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

श्री थिरुवैद्यनादर कोविल - मंगळ ग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे मंगळ (अंगारक) ग्रहाचं मंदिर आहे. नायनमारांनी प्रशंसा गायलेल्या कावेरी नदीकाठावरल्या स्थळांपैकी पण एक आहे. साधारण २००० वर्षांपूर्वी हे मंदिर बांधले आहे.

मुलवर (मुख्य देवता): श्री वैथीश्वरन कोविल (वैद्य + ईश्वरन + कोविल)

स्थळ देवता : श्री वैद्यनाथ

अम्मन (देवी): श्री थैयल नायकी

गणपती: श्री कर्पग विनायक

ग्रहाचे नाव: श्री अंगारकन (तामिळ मध्ये छेवै)

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: नीम

पत्ता: श्री वैथीश्वरन कोविल, नागपट्टीनं जिल्हा, तामिळ नाडू ६०९११७, भारत

मंदिरापर्यंत पोचण्याचा मार्ग:

सिरकाळी - मैलादुथुराई मार्गावर हे मंदिर आहे.

येथील शिवलिंग स्वयंभू आहे. येथील पांच गोपुरे (टॉवर) सरळ रेषे मध्ये (संरेखित) आहेत. इथे शिवलिंगासमोर दोन दीपस्तंभ आहेत. एक सोन्याचा आहे तर दुसरा चांदीचा आहे. सहसा नवग्रह देवस्थान हे मुख्य देवस्थानाच्या समोर असते, पण इथे मात्र ते मुख्य देवस्थानाच्या (गाभाऱ्याच्या) पाठीमागे आहे. मुख्य देवस्थानाच्या पूर्वेला भैरवाचे देवस्थान आहे, पश्चिमेला वीरभद्राचे देवस्थान आहे, दक्षिण दिशेला विनायकाचे तर उत्तरेला काली देवीचे देवस्थान आहे. असा समज आहे की ही चार दिशांना असलेली देवस्थाने रक्षक म्हणून आहेत. इथे एक पाचूचे शिवलिंग आहे.

मंदिराच्या आख्यायिका:

१) सिद्ध अमृत तीर्थ: असा उल्लेख आहे की सिद्धांनी इथे अमृताचा अभिषेक करून बरीच वरदानं मिळविली. अभिषेक करताना थोडे अमृत तीर्थामध्ये सांडलं आणि म्हणून ह्या तीर्थाला सिद्ध अमृत तीर्थ असे नाव मिळाले. ऋषी सदानंद ह्यांनी दिलेल्या शापामुळे इथे साप किंवा बेडकं आढळत नाहीत.

२) असा समज आहे की वारुळाची वाळू, अभिषेक तीर्थ, नीम पाने, अभिषेक चंदन आणि अभिषेक भस्म मिसळून जो लेप तयार होतो त्यात बरेच रोग निवारण करण्याचे सामर्थ्य आहे. आणि असा समज आहे की ह्या ठिकाणी भगवान शंकरांनी स्वतः हा लेप तयार केला. आत्ता चालू काळात सुद्धा हा लेप इथे तयार होतो आणि जवळ जवळ ४०० रोग ह्या लेपाने बरे होतात असा विश्वास आहे.

क्षेत्र पुराण:

जेव्हां श्री अंगारक (मंगळ) श्वेतकुष्ठरोगग्रस्त होता तेव्हा त्याला आकाशवाणीने, ह्या स्थळाला येऊन अमृत तीर्थामध्ये स्नान करून भगवान शिवांची उपासना करण्याची आज्ञा झाली. श्री अंगारकाने आज्ञेनुसार इथे येऊन भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली आणि त्यामुळे भगवान शिव त्याच्यावर प्रसन्न झाले. त्यांनी (शिवांनी) अंगारकासाठी औषध बनवायला घेतलं आणि त्याच वेळी श्री पार्वती देवी औषधासाठी एक विशेष तेल घेऊन आल्या. म्हणूनच त्यांना इथे श्री तैलनायकी असे नाव पडले.

मंगळ ग्रह मंदिराचा इतिहास:

पुराणातील कथांनुसार ह्या गावाचं मूळ नांव पुल्लीरुक्कुवेलूर (पुल्ल - जटायूचं एक नांव, इरुक्कु - ऋग्वेद, वेल - मुरुगन/कार्तिकेय स्वामी, उर - गाव) म्हणजे १) जिथे जटायूने सीतेला रावणाच्या तावडीतून सोडविण्यासाठी युद्ध केलं २) जिथे ब्रह्माने ऋग्वेद निर्माण केले आणि ३) जिथे वेलाची (म्हणजे मुरुगन देवाच्या शस्त्राची) पूजा होते.

असं मानलं जातं की सगळे वेद हे सुरुवातीला ब्राह्मण रूपात होते. ऋग्वेदाने या जागी तपश्चर्या करून दोषनिवारण केलं.

प्रभू श्रीरामांनी या जागी जटायूच्या देहाचं दहन करून त्याला मुक्ती दिली. जटायूने या जागी रावणाच्या तावडीतून सीतेला सोडवण्यासाठी त्याच्याबरोबर युद्ध केलं. या युद्धामध्ये जटायू गंभीररीत्या जखमी झाला. जेव्हा प्रभू श्रीराम सीतेच्या शोधात असताना ह्या जागी आले त्यावेळी जटायूने श्रीरामांना रावणाने सीतेला पळवून नेल्याची बातमी सांगितली आणि मग आपला प्राण सोडला.

या जागी मुरुगन स्वामींना (कार्तिकेय स्वामी) त्यांच्या मातेकडून म्हणजेच पार्वती मातेकडून सुरपद्मन राक्षसाचा वध करण्यासाठी वेल (भाला) शस्त्र म्हणून मिळालं. असा समज आहे की मुरुगन स्वामी आणि सुरपद्मन राक्षसाच्या युद्धामध्ये जे देव जखमी झाले त्यांना भगवान शंकरांनी बरं केलं आणि माता पार्वतींनी त्या देवांची सुश्रुषा केली. श्री शंकर-पार्वतींनी इथे वैद्याची भूमिका केली म्हणून या जागेचं नाव श्री वैदीश्वरन (वैतीश्वरन) असं प्रसिद्ध झालं.

असा समज आहे की ह्या ठिकाणी १८ कुंडं (पुण्य तीर्थ) होती. ह्यापैकी सध्या माहिती असलेली तीर्थे:

१) सिद्ध अमृत तीर्थ - कामधेनूने निर्माण केलेलं पहिलं तीर्थ

२) कोदंड तीर्थ - पुराणांनुसार प्रभू श्रीरामांनी लंकेच्या वाटेवर असताना ह्या ठिकाणी स्नान घेतलं होतं

३) गौतम तीर्थ - गौतम मुनींनी निर्माण केलेलं तीर्थ

४) बिल्वतीर्थ आणि इतर

आख्यायिकांनुसार असा समज आहे की इथे उपासना करणाऱ्यांच्या सर्व इच्छा पूर्ण होतात आणि त्यांना वरदानं मिळतात. कुठले ग्रह आणि देव कुठली वरदानं देतात त्याची माहिती खाली दिली आहे.

१) श्री कर्पग विनायक सर्व इच्छा पूर्ण करतात

२) श्री अंगारक अंगारक दोषांचं (मंगळ दोषांचं निवारण) करतात

३) श्री वैद्यनादर स्वामी सर्व रोगांचं निवारण करतात

४) श्री सेल्व मुत्तू कुमारन (भगवान मुरुग) संततीचं वरदान प्रदान करतात

५) श्री तैलनायकी (श्री पार्वती देवी) संततीचं कल्याण करतात

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

थाई (जानेवारी - फेब्रुवारी): मंगळवारी भगवान सेल्वमुत्तूकुमारन ह्यांचा १० दिवसांचा उत्सव

पंगूनी (मार्च -एप्रिल): २८ दिवसांचा ब्रह्मोत्सव

ऎप्पसी (ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर): सहा दिवसांचा स्कंद षष्ठी उत्सव

वैकासि (मे-जून): कार्तिकेय अभिषेक

ह्या शिवाय प्रत्येक महिन्याच्या कार्तिक नक्षत्र दिवशी विशेष पूजा प्रत्येक प्रदोष दिवशी प्रदोष पूजा केली जाते.

श्री कैलासनादर थिंगळूर - चंद्रग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे चंद्रदेवाचे मंदिर आहे. साधारण १५०० वर्षांपूर्वी बांधलेले आहे.

मुख्य दैवत: श्री कैलासनादर

अम्मन (देवी): श्री पेरियनायकी

क्षेत्रवृक्ष: बिल्व

पवित्र तीर्थ: चंद्र पुष्करिणी

पत्ता: थिंगळूर, तंजावूर जिल्हा, तामिळनाडू

मंदिरापर्यंत पोचायचा मार्ग:

कुंभकोणम वरून थिरुवैयरुकडे जाणाऱ्या रस्त्यावर साधारण ३३ किलोमीटर्सवर हे मंदिर आहे. थिरुपळनं पासून २ किलोमीटर्सवर आहे.

ठळक वैशिष्ठ्ये:

पुरत्तासी (सप्टेंबर-ऑक्टोबर) आणि पंगूनी (मार्च-एप्रिल) ह्या महिन्यांमध्ये चंद्राची किरणे मूर्तीवर पडतात. चंद्रदेवाचे इथे स्वतंत्र देवस्थान आहे जिथे चंद्राची विशेष पूजा केली जाते. नवीन जन्मलेल्या बालकाला अन्नाचा पहिला घास भरवतात त्या संस्काराला अन्नप्राशन संस्कार म्हणतात. ह्या संस्कारासाठी हे मंदिर प्रसिद्ध आहे. इथे बालकाला आधी चंद्र आणि गायीचं साधन दाखवून मग पहिला भाताचा घास भरवतात.

चंद्र मंदिराचा इतिहास:

पुराणातील कथांनुसार चंद्र हा अतिशय सुंदर होता. त्यामुळे अर्थातच बऱ्याच मुलींना त्याच्याशी लग्न करण्याची इच्छा होती. प्रजापतीला २७ सुंदर मुली होत्या ज्या चंद्राच्या सौन्दर्यावर मोहीत झाल्या होत्या. त्या सगळ्यांनी चंद्राबरोबर लग्न केलं. त्या सर्वांमध्ये चंद्राचं रेवतीवर जास्त प्रेम जडलं. पण त्यामुळे बाकी सर्व पत्नी आणि त्यांचा पिता प्रजापती हे चंद्रावर रुष्ट झाले. प्रजापतीने चंद्राला शाप दिला कि त्याच्या सर्व १६ कला एक एक करून प्रत्येक दिवशी नाश पावतील. चंद्र शंकराला शरण गेला आणि शंकरांच्या आज्ञेनुसार त्याने तपश्चर्या केली. त्याने स्वतः एक तीर्थ बनवलं. त्या तीर्थामध्ये स्नान घेऊन त्याने भगवान शंकराची पूजा केली. भगवान शंकर चंद्रावर प्रसन्न झाले आणि त्यांनी चंद्राला वरदान दिलं कि त्याच्या कला वैकल्पिकरित्या (अल्टरनेट) विकसित (शुक्ल पक्ष) आणि अविकसित (कृष्ण पक्ष) होतील. त्यातूनच शुक्ल आणि कृष्ण पक्ष निर्माण झाले.

प्रार्थना: सहसा इथे विवाहातले अडथळे, अपत्य प्राप्ती आणि शिक्षणातील प्रगतीसाठी प्रार्थना करतात.

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

मासी (फेब्रुवारी - मार्च): महाशिवरात्री

पंगूनी (मार्च - एप्रिल): पंगूनी उत्तरं

मारगळी (डिसेंबर - जानेवारी): थिरुवाधिराई

कार्तीगै (नोव्हेंबर - डिसेंबर): थिरुकार्थिगै

अमावस्या, कृत्तिका नक्षत्र, पौर्णिमा, महाशिवरात्री आणि आर्द्रा दर्शन या दिवशी इथे विशेष अभिषेक केला जातो.

Shri KeertiVageeshwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is located on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.

This temple is part of various groups of temples. It is one of the Sapta Sthana temples around Chakrappali. This is also one of the Sapta-Mangai temples where Shri Parvati Devi along with Sapta-Matrika performed Sharad NavaRatri. The temple is more than 1200 years old.

This temple is associated with Kaumari, one of the Sapta-Matrika.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri KeertiVageeshwarar (KariUraithaNayanar - Lord who skinned the Elephant)

Devi (Consort)): Shri AlankaraValli.

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Sacred Teertha: Shoola Teertha.

Old name: ShoolaMangai

Taluka: Papanasam

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

This temple has three tier main tower (RajaGopuram). Shiva linga here is a Swayambhu-linga.

Legends (Kshetra Puran):

It is believed that Shri Shiva defeated Gajasur at this place.

After tearing the skin of Gajasur (Elephant), he wore it, hence the Lord is known as Shri KeertiVageeshwarar (KariUraithaNayanar).

AstraDeva, who makes weapons for the Gods, worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and received a number of boons.

It is believed that on the third day of NavaRatri (Tritiya) Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva along with Shri Kaumari, one of the Sapta-Matrika. They had darshan of Shri Shiva's Trishul (Trident). This is known as TrishulDarshan.

Trishul in Tamil is known as Shoolam hence the place is known as ShoolaMangalam.

It is stated in Puran that on the day of Amavasya (new moon) in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Shri Vishnu worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and won the war against demon KalaNemi.

On the same day, Shri Brahma had worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got relief from his stomach pain hence a Vrat known as ShoolVrat is observed on that day.

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti in her kumarika form.

Idols and other shrines in this temple:

There is a separate shrine for Shri AlankaraValli (Shri Parvati Devi).

The ShivaLingam is covered by a Kavach which signifies killing of Gajasur.

As per tradition we have the Koshta-Murti.

In the Koshtam, the idol of Shri DakshinaMurti is with matted hair and sitting under a Kallal (Mulberry) tree and is a unique feature of this place. This posture of Shri DakshinaMurti is not found anywhere else.

The idol of AstraDeva is in a standing position in a worshiping posture near the entrance.

There is a separate shrine of Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai and a separate shrine of Shri Nritya-Vinayaka.

Festivals in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

Shri Jambukeshwarar Temple

This Shiva temple is located at NalliCheri (NandiMangai) on Tanjavur-Kumbhakonam route near Papanasam.

This, around 1200 years old temple, is part of various groups of temples. It is one of the Sapta Sthana temples around Chakrapalli. This is also one of the Sapta-Mangai Sthala where Shri Parvati Devi along with Sapta-Matrikas performed Sharad NavaRatri puja. This temple is associated with Shri Vaishnavi, one of the Sapta-Matrika.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri Jambukeshwarar, Shri JambuNathar

Devi (Consort): Shri Akhilandeshwari

Kshetra Vruskha: Jambul tree (Java Plum or Indian blueberry)

Sacred Teertha: DevaKartha Teertha, and a well near Shri Shiva's shrine.

Old name: NandiMangai

Taluka: Papanasam

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

Though the temple is facing the west, one has to enter the temple from the south. The kshetra is believed to be mukti-kshetra like Kashi. Hence the temple faces a cremation ground.

Other shrines and deities:

Shri Parvati Devi's shrine is facing the south and her idol is in standing posture. There is a separate shrine for Shri VishnuDurga. At the entrance we have idols of Shri Vinayaka.

Legends (Kshetra Puran):

Maata Vaishnavi is believed to have visited this place along with Shri Parvati Devi on the 4th day of NavaRatri. They had darshan of lord's feet and Shri Nandidev, who was near the lord's feet. They had darshan of the anklet (Kazal in Tamil) on Shri Shiva's feet and hence the darshan is known as Shiva-Kazal darshan.

Once the anklet of Shri Shiva brushed against Shri Nandidev. By its mere touch Nandi was excited to such an extent that he thought how much he would have felt blessed if the Lord's feet were to touch him directly. In order to get that bliss, Shri Nandidev worshiped Shri Shiva with 1008 pradosha pooja at this place. Pleased with his devotion, lord placed his feet on Nandi's head. Nandi also did penance at this place and got Panchakshara Upadesh which he could not get at Thiruvarur.

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti as a kumarika.

Special feature: On SankataHaraChaturthi in the Tamil month on Panguni (March-April), the rays of the sun fall on the idol of Shri Ambika.

Festival in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

श्री सूर्यनार कोविल - सूर्यग्रहाचे मंदिर

हे सूर्य ग्रहाचे मंदिर आहे. सूर्य ग्रहदोषांचे हे परिहार स्थळ तर आहेच, त्याशिवाय हे उर्वरित ग्रहदोषांचे पण परिहार स्थळ म्हणून मानले जाते. साधारण २००० वर्षांपूर्वी हे मंदिर बांधले आहे. सर्व नवग्रहांपैकी हे एकंच नवग्रह स्थळ आहे जिथे मुख्य दैवत भगवान शिव नसून भगवान सूर्य आहे.

मुलवर: श्री शिवसूर्यन

देवी: श्री उषादेवी, श्री प्रत्युषादेवी (छायादेवी)

क्षेत्र वृक्ष: अर्घ वृक्ष (अर्घवन) (मराठी मध्ये रुई)

पवित्र तीर्थ: सूर्य तीर्थ

पत्ता: सूर्यनार कोविल, तंजावूर जिल्हा

मंदिरापर्यंत पोचण्याचा मार्ग:

मंदिराकडे जाण्यासाठी दोन मार्ग आहेत. एक म्हणजे कुंभकोणम किंवा मैलादुथुराई कडून रस्त्याने सूर्यनार कोविल कडे जाऊ शकतो किंवा अदुथुराई वरून रेल्वे करून पण जाऊ शकतो. पण रेल्वेचा मार्ग फार काही सोयीस्कर नाही. अदुथुराई रेल्वे स्टेशन पासून मंदिर उत्तरेला साधारण ३ किलोमीटर्स वर आहे.

ठळक वैशिष्ठ्ये:

हे भारतातील तीन प्रसिद्ध सूर्यमंदिरांपैकी एक आहे. येथील गाभाऱ्यात श्री सूर्यदेवांची मूर्ती पश्चिमाभिमुख आहे आणि मूर्तीच्या डाव्या बाजूला श्री उषादेवी तर उजव्याबाजूला श्री छायादेवी वधूंच्या रूपात आहेत. श्री सूर्यदेवांची मूर्ती उभी असून त्यांच्या हातामध्ये लाल कमळ आहे. मूर्तीच्या पुढे सूर्यदेवाचे वाहन म्हणजेच अश्वाची मूर्ती आहे. श्री गुरुग्रहदेवांची मूर्ती सुर्याभिमुख आहे जणू काही ते सूर्याला शांत करत आहेत. हे एकच मंदिर असं आहे की जिथे एकाच ठिकाणी सर्व नवग्रहांची स्वतंत्र देवस्थाने आढळतात. इथले सर्व नवग्रह हे अनुग्रह देण्याच्या रूपात आहेत आणि ते त्यांच्या वाहनांशिवाय आहेत.

सूर्य मंदिराचा इतिहास:

पुराणातील कथांनुसार पूर्वी कलव नावाचे ऋषी होते ज्यांनी स्वतःच्या कुंडलीचा अभ्यास केला आणि त्या अभ्यासामध्ये त्यांना आपले ग्रहदोष समजले. ह्या ग्रहदोषांचं निवारण होण्यासाठी त्यांनी तपश्चर्या केली आणि नवग्रहांना प्रसन्न केले. आणि नवग्रहांकडून त्यांनी आपल्या वंशजांना ह्या ग्रहदोषांचा त्रास होणार नाही असा आशीर्वाद प्राप्त केला. अशा रीतीने ते आणि त्यांचे वंशज पितृदोषापासून मुक्त झाले. पितृदोष हा पूर्वजांकडून त्यांच्या वंशजांकडे येतो.

जेव्हा नवग्रहांनी कलव ऋषींना दिलेल्या आशीर्वादाची माहिती त्यांच्या (नवग्रहांच्या) अधिदेवतांना - म्हणजेच भगवान शिव, श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री कार्तिक स्वामी (मुरुगन), श्री थिरुमल (विष्णू), श्री ब्रह्म, श्री वल्ली (कार्तिक स्वामींची पत्नी) ह्यांना कळली, तेव्हा अधिदेवतांना त्यांचा खूप राग आला. त्यांच्या मते नवग्रहांना ग्रहदोषांचे निवारण करण्याचा अधिकार नाही. अधिदेवतांनी नवग्रहांना कुष्ठरोग सहन करायला लागेल असा शाप दिला. नवग्रहांना आपण आपली मर्यादा ओलांडली आहे ह्याची जाणीव झाली आणि त्यांनी अधिदेवतांकडे ह्या अपराधाबद्दल क्षमार्चना केली. नवग्रहांची क्षमार्चनेच्या मागील प्रामाणिक भावना लक्षात घेऊन अधिदेवतांनी नवग्रहांना अर्घवनामध्ये जाऊन तपश्चर्या करण्यास सांगितले. ह्या तपश्चर्येचं स्वरूप असं होतं - रविवारी उपवास करून तेथील तीर्थामध्ये स्नान करून भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवींची पूजा करणे आणि सोमवारी मंदारच्या पानावर दहिभाताचं सेवन करणे. असे ११ रविवार करण्यास सांगितले. असे केल्यास त्यांची शापापासून मुक्तता होईल असे आश्वासन दिले. नवग्रहांनी भक्तिभावाने ही तपश्चर्या केली आणि त्यांचे कुष्टरोग निवारण झाले. भगवान शिवांनी नवग्रहांना इथेच राहून भक्तांवर अनुग्रह करून त्यांचे ग्रहदोष निवारण करण्याची आज्ञा केली.

मंदिरातील इतर देवस्थाने:

भगवान शिव, श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री गणेश

मंदिरात साजरे होणारे सण:

फेब्रुवारी महिन्यामध्ये १० दिवसांचा रथसप्तमी सण

प्रत्येक तामिळ महिन्याच्या पहिल्या रविवारी येथे भगवान सूर्यांवर विशेष अभिषेक आणि अर्चना केली जाते.

सूर्य आणि गुरु ग्रहांचे एका राशीतून दुसऱ्या राशीत भ्रमण होत असतांना इथे विशेष पूजा केल्या जातात.

Shri HariMukteeswarar temple

This temple is located at AriyaMangai (HariMangai).

This temple is part of various groups of temples. It is one of the Sapta Sthana temples around Chakrapalli. It is also one of the Sapta Mangai temples, seven Shiva temples in which Shri Parvati Devi along with Sapta-Matrikas performed Sharad NavRatri. The temple is more than 1200 years old.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri HariMukteeswarar

Devi (Consort): Shri GyanaAmbika

Kshetra Vruskha: Gooseberry tree (Amla or Awla)

Sacred Teertha: SatyaGanga Teertha (HariTeertha).

Old name: AriyaMangalam

Taluka: Papanasam

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

Idols and other shrines in this temple:

The shrine of Shri GyanAmbika is facing the south. Shri Vishnu is in a separate shrine facing North along with his consorts - Shri Bhudevi and Shri Sridevi. Near this shrine we have shrine of Shri AyurDevi (Durga) with twelve hands.

Behind the shrine of Shri GyanAmbika, we have the shrine of Sapta-Matrikas facing East.

As the old temple structure has crumbled, temple has been renovated recently. The path leading to the temple is difficult to traverse.

There is a separate shrine of Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai and a separate shrine of Shri Vinayaka.

Legends :

On the 2nd day of NavaRatri (Dwitiya), Shri AdiParashakti accompanied by one of the Sapta-Matrikas, Shri Maheshwari, worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. They had darshan of divine Shri Ganga on Shri Shiva's matted hair. Hence this darshan is called DivyaGanga darshan.

This place was earlier known as NalliVanam (Gooseberry forest).

Once Shri Mahalakshmi Devi did penance and worshiped Shri Shiva at this place in order to be with Shri Vishnu forever (i.e. without separation). She used to take bath in the SatyaGanga Teertha and eat only gooseberries during penance.

Shri Vishnu also worshiped Shri Shiva at this place hence Shri Shiva is known as 'HariMukteeswarar'

A staunch devoted couple Shri NadaSharma and Shri AnaVidya got the divine darshan of Shri AdiParaShakti in her kumarika form.

Festivals in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

दक्षिण भारतातील नवग्रह स्थाने

पूर्वी कलव नावाचे ऋषी होते. त्यांना कुष्ठरोग जडला होता. ह्या रोगाचं निवारण होण्यासाठी त्यांनी नवग्रहांची उपासना केली. नवग्रहांनी प्रसन्न होऊन कलव ऋषींच्या रोगाचं निवारण केलं. परंतु ब्रह्मदेवाला हे काही पटलं नाही. त्यांच्या मते नवग्रहांचं कर्तव्य हे की भगवान शंकरांच्या आज्ञेनुसार नवग्रहांनी फक्त चांगल्या वाईट कर्मांची फळें देणं. ब्रह्मदेवाच्या मते नवग्रहांनी भगवान शंकरांच्या आज्ञेचं उल्लंघन केलं होतं. ब्रह्मदेवांनी नवग्रहांना शाप दिला की त्यांना कुष्ठरोगाचे कष्ट सहन करायला लागतील. नवग्रह पृथ्वीवर आले आणि श्वेत पुष्पांच्या (पांढऱ्या पुष्पांच्या) वनामध्ये त्यांनी कुष्ठरोग निवारण होण्यासाठी तपश्चर्या केली. तमिळ मध्ये ह्या वनाला वेल्लरुक्कु वन म्हणतात. सध्या प्रचलित असलेल्या कुंभकोणम शहराजवळ हे वन आहे. नवग्रहांच्या तपश्चर्येवर भगवान शंकर प्रसन्न झाले. त्यांनी नवग्रहांना सांगितलं की ज्या स्थानावर तुम्ही तपश्चर्या केली आहे ते स्थान आता तुमचंच आहे. ह्या स्थानी राहून पृथ्वीवरील जे लोक त्यांची (नवग्रहांची) आराधना करतील त्यांच्यावर कृपादृष्टी ठेवून त्यांच्या सर्व प्रकारच्या क्लेश निवारणासाठी मदत करावी अशी आज्ञा केली. अशाप्रकारे ही दक्षिण भारतातील नवग्रह मंदिरं अस्तित्वात आली. चोला साम्राज्यामध्ये ही मंदिरं बांधली गेली असावीत. एकत्र ह्या मंदिरांना नवग्रह स्थलम् असं संबोधलं जातं. ही सर्व मंदिरे कुंभकोणमच्या जवळपास आहेत. ह्या सर्व नवग्रह मंदिरांना भेट द्यायला साधारणतः २ ते ३ दिवस लागतात. येणाऱ्या महिन्यांमध्ये ह्या प्रत्येक मंदिराची माहिती आम्ही प्रकाशित करणार आहोत.

नवग्रह मंदिरांची थोडक्यात माहिती

नवग्रह	कुठे आहे?	ह्या मंदिरातील भगवान शंकराचं नांव	भगवान शंकरांच्या पत्नीचं (पार्वतीचं) नांव	ह्या मंदिराची दुसरी प्रचलित नावे
सुर्य	सुरियानार कोविल	श्री सूर्यनादर	श्री प्रकाशाम्बिका	अर्गवनम् (दूर्वांचं वन)
चंद्र	थिंगलूर	श्री कैलाशनादर	श्री पेरियनायकी
अंगारक (मंगळ, तमिळ मध्ये सेव्वै)	वैतीश्वरन कोविल	श्री वैद्यनादर	श्री थैयलनायकी
बुध	थिरुवेंकाडू	श्री श्वेतारण्येश्वर	श्री ब्रह्मविद्याम्बिका
गुरु	आलंगुडी	श्री आपत्सहायर	श्री वेळ्ळीएलवर कूझली
शुक्र (तमिळ मध्ये वेळ्ळी)	कंजनूर	श्री अग्निपुरीश्वर	श्री कर्पगंबाळ
शनी	थिरुनळ्ळर	श्री दर्भारण्येश्वरर्	श्री प्राणाम्बिका
राहू	थिरुनागेश्वरम्	श्री सेनबागारणेश्वरर	श्री गिरीभुजांबिका
केतू	किळपेरुम्पल्लम्	श्री नागनादर	श्री नागाम्बिका

Shri Chakravageeshwarar temple

This Shiva temple is located at Thiruchakrapalli (ChakraMangai) near Ayyampettai in Papanasam taluka in Tanjavur district. It is also first of the Saptasthana temples around Chakrapalli.

This temple is one of the 276 Shiva temples on the banks of the river Kaveri revered by Shaiva saints Nayanmars.

This is one of the SaptaMangai sthalas where AdiParaShakti (i.e. Shri Parvati Devi) performed NavaRatri along with one of the SaptaMatrika (Brahmi) on the 1st day. They had divine darshan of Shri Shiva's third eye and is known as Shiva Netra Chakra darshan. Temple is about 1500 years old.

Mulavar (Main deity): Shri ChakraVageeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri DevaNayaki

Kshetra Vruskha: Bilva

Sacred Teertha: Kaveri river, Kaka Teertha.

Old name: ChakraMangai, Ayyampettai

City: Chakrapalli

District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)

The Shivalinga here is a swayambhu-linga. It is tall and attractive. The temple is east facing. Sanctum-Sanctorum is on the western side.

There are shrines of Shri Ganapati, Shri DakshinaMurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi and Shri Muruga.

In the maha-mandap, we have shrines of Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Bhairav and the four great Shaiva saints (known as Naalvars).

Legends:

There are two legends that indicate how this place got the name Chakrapalli.

According to one legend, Shri Vishnu obtained the Sudarshan Chakra (Discuss) by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place. And hence the place got the name Chakrapalli.

According to other legend, Shri Parvati Devi worshiped Shri Shiva in the form of ChakraWak (Ruddy Shelduck) bird at this place. Hence the place got the name Chakrapalli.

According to other legends, the Sapta-Matrika, Devas, Shri Indra and his son Jayant worshiped Shri Shiva here. And a staunch devoted couple NadaSharma and AnaVidya got the divine darshan of AdiParaShakti in her kumarika form.

Festivals in the temple:

Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival

Panguni (Mar-April): PanguniUthiram festival on

Uttara nakshatra, SaptaSthana festival

Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival

Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek

Marghazi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)

शिव मंदिरांचे प्रसिद्ध समूह

मागच्या अंकामध्ये तामिळ महिने आणि प्रत्येक महिन्यामध्ये साजरे होणारे प्रसिद्ध सण ह्यांची माहिती करून घेतली. आता ह्या अंकामध्ये शिव मंदिरांच्या समूहांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया. शिव मंदिरांचे काही प्रसिद्ध समूह आहेत. ऊदाहरणार्थ ६३ नायनमारांनी गायिलेल्या शिवस्तुतींमध्ये ज्या ज्या मंदिरांचा उल्लेख आहे त्या मंदिरांना एकत्रित "पाडल पेथ्र स्थळं" असं म्हणतात. तसेच जिथे जिथे नवग्रहांनी भगवान शिवांची उपासना केली त्या नऊ मंदिरांना नवग्रह स्थळं म्हणतात. अजून काही प्रसिद्ध समूहांची नावे इथे देत आहोत. ह्या समूहांतील प्रत्येक मंदिराची माहिती आम्ही पुढे देणार आहोत.

दक्षिण भारतातील नवग्रह स्थाने
ज्योतिर्लिंगे
पंचभूत स्थळे
अष्टविराट्ट्म स्थळे
सप्तस्थानं
सप्तमातृका स्थळे
सप्तमंगै स्थळे
सप्तविडंगम
पंचारण्य स्थळे
पंचमायनं स्थळे
पाडल पेथ्र स्थळे

ह्या समूहांतील प्रत्येक मंदिराची माहिती आम्ही देणार आहोत.

Saptasthana Temples around Chakrapalli

These seven temples are also known as Sapta Mangai sthalam. The Sapta Matrikas are associated with these temples. These are also known as Sapta Sthana temples of Chakrapalli, also known as Chakra Mangai. People worship these seven temples with the Shri Chakravageeswarar temple as the main shiva sthana.

Shri ChakraVageeshwarar temple, at Tanjavur
Shri HariMuktheeswarar temple, at HariMangai
Shri KeertiVageeshwarar Temple, at ShoolaMangalam
Shri Jambukeshwarar Temple, at NandiMangai
Shri Pasupathishwarar Temple, at PashuMangai
Shri ChandraMoulishwarar Temple, at ThazaMangai
Shri Alanthurai Nathar Temple, at Thirupullamangai

In upcoming weeks we will be publishing information about each of these temples.

Shri Neiyadiappar Temple at Thillaisthanam

This is the seventh Shiva’s temple of the Sapta Sthanam temples around Thiruvarur. It is one of the 276 Padal Pethra sthalam in the northern bank of river Kaveri. This is located very close to Thiruvaiyaru. Shaiva saints Shri Appar and Shri Sambandhar have sung sacred hymns at this place. The shiva linga is a swayambhu shiva linga. Abhishek is done on the shiva linga with pure ghee first and then with hot water. The temple is east facing and has seven tiered rajagopuram. It has two parikramas of which the first one is very large The temple is about 2000 year old.

Mulavar: Shri Neyyadiappar, Shri Pashupathishwarar, Shri Krutpureeshwarar (utsav murti),

Devi: Shri Balambika, Shri Elangai Amman (Young)

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Sacred Teertha: Kaveri

Puranik Name: Thiruneythanam

Present name: Thillaisthanam

District: Tanjavur

The shrine of Shri Balambika Devi is facing south. The idol of devi is very beautiful and she appears ever young. This is the only temple in which Thirunavukkuarasar has praised the devi in his sacred hymns. There are number of stone inscriptions in the temple which help us to know about the work done by various kings. One of inscriptions praises the lord as Shri Neithanamudaiyar. Shri Aiyyaarappar (comes to this temple from Thiruvaiyaru in palanquin three times in a year). This is the only place where we can have the darshan of all the seven palanquins at a time during saptasthanam festivals.

Idols and other shrines:

In the inner corridor, we have the shrines of Shri Vinayaka and Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. In the koshta, we have the koshta murtis - Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, Shri Nardana Ganapati and Shri Ardhanarishwarar. Ashtabhuja idol is in a separate shrine. Shri Dakshinamurti is in seating position. In the main corridor we have idols of Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Nagakannika Devi, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Navagraha, Shri Kalabhairav, Shri Anugrahabhairav, Shri Chandra and Shri Chandikeshwarar. Idols of Shri Shani, Shri Adi Vinayaka, and Shri Saraswati Devi are in a row. In the corridor, we have shiva linga of all sapta sthanams. The sculpture depicting a kind of lion known as Yaezhi which is a symbol of Pallava architecture indicates the work done by Pallava kings.

We have the balipeeth, dhwajasthambha and Nandi mandap in front of shiva linga. In the shrine of Devi, we have a separate Nandi facing her.

Those who worshiped here:

Kamadhenu, Sage Gautama and Srilankan king, Kayavahan. Shri Saraswati Devi. The Srilankan king arranged for number of festivals at this temple by creating an endowment and donating wealth.

Kshetra Purana:

According to Kshetra purana, it was observed that cow was shedding milk from it's udder at particular place daily. Later on, milk turned into ghee. Observing this, the cowherd tried to trace the cow. But it had disappeared. It is believed that this cow was celestial cow kamadhenu. When the villagers dug the spot they found a shiva linga. They informed king who built a temple performed praanpratishtha (consecration) and arranged for daily puja with ghee (ghee in Tamil in nei). Hence Shri Shiva is known here as Shri Neiyadiappar.

According to Kshetra puran, a devotee used to pluck spinach leaves on the way back from the temple after lighting a lamp in the temple. He sought the mercy of lord as he was aging and unable to go to temple. The lord told him that he cannot show mercy as he had taken spinach leaves as wages for lighting lamp.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May) - Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri.

Besides this the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan is also celebrated.

तामिळ महिने आणि त्यातील काही प्रमुख सण

मंदिरांच्या माहितीमध्ये तिथे साजरे केले जाणारे सण आणि उत्सव ह्यांची माहिती असते. हे सण आणि उत्सव तामिळ पंचांगानुसार साजरे केले जातात. तामिळ पंचांग हे सौर पंचांग आहे जे महाराष्ट्रामध्ये अनुसरीत होणाऱ्या चांद्र पंचांगापेक्षा वेगळं आहे म्हणून त्याबद्दल आम्ही इथे माहिती देत आहोत.

सौर पंचांग हे सूर्याच्या प्रत्येक राशीतून होणाऱ्या संक्रमणावर आधारित आहे आणि त्यांची नावे पण त्या त्या महिन्यातील राशींवर आधारित आहेत. उदाहरणार्थ पहिला महिना, जेव्हा सूर्य मेष राशीतून संक्रमण करतो त्या महिन्याला मेष असं नाव आहे. तशीच पुढे वृषभ, मिथुन, कर्क अशी बारा राशींच्या नुसार बारा महिन्यांची नावे आहेत.

सौर पंचांगातील महिन्याचा पहिला दिवस सूर्य जेव्हा एका राशीतून दुसऱ्या राशीत प्रवेश करतो तेव्हा चालू होतो. साधारणतः ग्रेगोरियन दिनमानामधल्या (कॅलेंडर) एका महिन्याचा अर्धा भाग आणि पुढील महिन्याचा अर्धा भाग मिळून तामिळ पंचांगातला एक महिना होतो.

खालील कोष्टकामध्ये तामिळ महिन्यांची नावे, त्यांचे समतुल्य इंग्लिश महिने, आणि त्या महिन्यात साधारणतः साजरे होणारे सण आणि उत्सव ह्यांची माहिती दिली आहे.

तामिळ महिना	समतुल्य इंग्लिश महिने	साधारणतः साजरे होणारे सण
चित्राई	एप्रिल - मे	ब्रह्मोत्सव, चैत्र पौर्णिमा
वैकासि	मे - जून	वैकासि विशाखं, कल्याण महोत्सव
आनी	जून - जुलै	थिरुमंजनं
आडी	जुलै - ऑगस्ट	आडीपुरं
आवनी	ऑगस्ट - सप्टेंबर	विनायक (गणेश) चतुर्थी
पुरत्तासी	सप्टेंबर - ऑक्टोबर	नवरात्री
ऎप्पासी	ऑक्टोबर - नोव्हेंबर	अन्नाभिषेक, स्कंद षष्ठी
कार्तीगै	नोव्हेंबर - डिसेंबर	थिरुकार्तीगै, कार्तीगै दीपं
मारगळी	डिसेंबर - जानेवारी	थिरुवदिराई
थै	जानेवारी - फेब्रुवारी	मकर संक्रांति, पोंगल
मासी	फेब्रुवारी - मार्च	महाशिवरात्रि
पंगूनी	मार्च - एप्रिल	पंगूनी उत्तरं

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १२

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ११ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण नायनमारांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात नायनमारांपैकी चार श्रेष्ठ नायनमार ज्यांना नालवर असं म्हणतात त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊ या.

बऱ्याचश्या शिव मंदिरांमध्ये ४ नायनमारांच्या एकत्र मुर्त्या असतात. हे चार नायनमार ६३ नायनमारांमध्ये श्रेष्ठ आणि प्रसिद्ध समजले जातात. त्यांना एकत्रित नालवर (तामिळ मध्ये चार, किंवा "ते चार") असं संबोधलं जातं. ह्या चार नायनमारांची नावे - १) श्री अप्पर ज्यांना थिरुनावूक्करसर असं पण म्हणतात, २) श्री सुंदरर ज्यांना सुंदरमूर्ती असं पण म्हणतात, ३) श्री सम्बन्धर ज्यांना थिरुज्ञानसम्बन्धर असं पण म्हणतात आणि ४) श्री माणिक्कवासगर.

ह्या चार नायनमारांना समयाचार्य (म्हणजे भक्तीचे आचार्य) असं पण संबोधलं जातं. त्यांची प्रार्थमिक शिकवण हि होती कि भगवान शिव म्हणजेच प्रेम आणि प्रेमभावनाच भगवान शिवांपर्यंत पोहोचायला मदत करते. म्हणून सर्व मानवांनी ऐहिक सुखाची लालसा न ठेवता केवळ भगवान शिवांप्रती प्रेमभावना निर्माण होऊन आपल्यावर आणि आपल्या आप्तांवर भगवान शिवांची कृपा कशी राहील ह्याचाच प्रयत्न करावा. कारण सर्वसुख मिळविण्याचा एकमेव मार्ग म्हणजे भगवान शिवांची कृपा. हि कृपा प्राप्त झाली कि मानवाला सर्व काही प्राप्त होऊन शाश्वत समाधान प्राप्त होतं.

शिवभक्तीचा प्रचार करण्यासाठी ह्या चार आचार्यांनी ठिकठिकाणी जाऊन शिवस्तुतीपर भजने गायली. त्यातील श्री सुंदरर, श्री अप्पर आणि श्री संबंधर ह्यांनी गायिलेल्या भजनांना थेवरं म्हणतात तर श्री माणिक्कवासगर ह्यांनी गायिलेल्या भजनांना थिरुवाचगं असं म्हणतात. आजही शिव मंदिरांमध्ये थेवरं आणि थिरुवाचगं ह्यामधली भजने नित्यनेमाने गायली जातात.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण तामिळ महिन्यांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊ या.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ११

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग १० वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण सनातन गुरूवरांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात भगवान शिवांचे ६३ श्रेष्ठ भक्त ज्यांना नायनमार असं म्हणतात त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊ या.

साधारण चौथ्या, पाचव्या आणि सहाव्या शतकामध्ये दक्षिण भारतामध्ये बुद्ध आणि जैन धर्माचा खूप वेगाने प्रसार झाला. आणि त्यामुळे धार्मिक विधींचं आचरण जवळजवळ थांबलंच. साधारण सातव्याशतकापासून काही श्रेष्ठ शिव भक्त जन्माला आले आणि त्यांनी शैव पंथाचं पुनरुत्थापन केलं. सातव्या ते जवळजवळ दहाव्या शतकांच्या अवधीमध्ये ६३ शिव भक्तांनी हे काम केलं आणि त्यांना एकत्रित नायनमार असं संबोधलं जातं. ह्या नायनमारांमध्ये समाजातल्या सर्व थरांचे भक्त होते. काही जण राजे होते, काही शेतकरी होते, काही ब्रह्मचारी होते, काही गृहस्थ होते तर ह्यामध्ये काही स्त्रिया पण होत्या. ह्या शिवाय ह्या भक्तांचे जीवनसाथी (पती/पत्नी) हे पण शिव भक्त होते. ह्या नायनमारांपैकी काही ज्ञानी होते तर काही निरक्षर होते. पण ह्या सगळ्यांमध्ये एक गुण किंवा कला समान होती आणि ती म्हणजे सर्वांनी शिवस्तुतीपर काव्य/भजने लिहिली. आपल्या दैनंदिन कामातून वेळ काढून त्यांनी हि भजने लिहिली आणि ती शिव मंदिरांमध्ये जाऊन गायिली पण. ह्या सर्व भजनांच्या संकलित ग्रंथांना एकत्रित थिरूमुराई असं संबोधलं जातं. ज्या ज्या मंदिरांमध्ये त्यांनी हि भजने गायिली त्या २७६ मंदिरांना पाडल पेथ्र स्थळं म्हणतात. ह्या सर्व मंदिरांमध्ये आपल्याला ह्या ६३ नायनमारांच्या मुर्त्या दिसतात. आणि त्यांच्याबरोबर त्यांच्या जन्माचे महिने आणि नक्षत्रांची माहिती पण लिहिलेली आढळते. ह्या मंदिरांच्या उत्सवांमध्ये भगवान शिव, श्री पार्वती देवी, श्री गणपती आणि श्री स्कंद ह्या देवांच्या उत्सवमूर्तींबरोबर नायनमारांच्या मुर्त्या पण मिरवणुकीमध्ये समाविष्ट केल्या जातात.

पुढच्या अंकात नायनमारांपैकी ४ नायनमार ज्यांना नालवर असं संबोधलं जातं त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊ या.

Shri Bramhashirkandishwarar temple at Thirukandiyur

This Shiva temple is one of the sapta sthanam temples. It is also the first in Ashthaviratteshwar temples. It is more than 1800 years old. It is also one of the 276 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. The temple is associated with one of the seven Shiva temples where the Saptamatrikas worshipped Shri Shiva.

Mulavar: Brahmashirkandishwarar, Virateshwarar, Bruhadnadar, Aadivilvavanadar

Uthsavar murthy: Somaskandar

Devi: Mangalambika

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

Sacred Teertha: Nandi teertha, Kudamurtti teertha (river), Daksha teertha, Brahma teertha

Puranik name: Kandapuram, Thirukandiyur, Aadivilvaranya, Viratam, Trimurtisthala

City: Kandiyur

District: Tanjavur, TN

This temple is on the bank of Kudamurrutti river. It is one of the 108 divya desams revered by Vaishnavas. In front of the Shiva temple we have a Vishnu temple known as Harashaapvimochana temple i.e. Haravimochana perumal kovil. According to scriptures this temple was built by Mahabali between Kudamurutti and Vennar river.

About the temple: This is a west facing temple with a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There is a flagpost, Nandi, Balipeetha and idol of Vinayaka near the black post. On stone inscription, the Lord is mentioned as Thiruviratmahadevar, Thirukandiyur mahadevar. The Lord is a swayambhoo linga on an high pedestal.

Other shrines and idols in the temple:

God Dandapaani is in a seperate shrine with a mandap. Ambika faces the south. She has 4 hands and abhaya mudra. In the shrine of Vinayaka, we find Shri Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. We have the idols of Mahalaxmi, Nataraja, Vishnu-Durga, Bhairava, Saptavinayaka and Ardhanarishwar in a seating position. In the koshta, we find the koshta murthys Brahma, Lingodbhavar, Bhikshadanar, Nartanavinayaka and Ardhanarishwar. Chandikeshwar is in a separate shrine. There is a separate shrine for Kalahastinadar. Near dwarpalakas, we have the idol of sage Shatapaada muni and Shivalinga of saptasthanam and Panchabhootalingams are found along-with idol of Shri Muruga. In a Navagraha sanctum, the idol of Surya with his wives is installed. Near Shiva’s sanctum sanctorium we have the idols of Shri Brahma and Saraswati. Shri Brahma is seated and is worshiping Shri Shiva. He has a rosary on one hand and lotus on other hand. There is a separate shrine of Rajaganapati under the Bilva tree. A statue of a hunter indicates the form taken by Shri Shiva (Vadugar - hunter) to cut the 5th head of Shri Brahma. It is near the entrance door to the sanctum of Shri Brahma. Near the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, we have 2 idols of Shri Muruga, one japamaal in his hand is known as Shree Gyanaskandar and other is with a lotus flower in hand. This is known as Veeraskandhar. The Navagrahas are facing the idol of Surya. On top of the 2nd entrance, we have the sculpture of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi seated at mount Kailash while Shri Brahma and Shri Saraswati Devi are worshiping them.

Those who worshiped here:

Shri Brahma, Shri Saraswati Devi, Surya, Sage Shatapada, Dronacharya, Daksha and King Bhagiratha.

Special feature:

The rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva Linga on 13th, 14th and 15th in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-March) between 5.45 pm to 6.10 pm. It is believed that the Sun worships Shri Shiva during these days. This is a parihara sthala for Brahma hatya dosha, Kalatra dosha.

Kshetra puran:

Originally, Shri Brahma had 5 heads like Shri Shiva. Mistaking Shri Brahma to be Shri Shiva, Shri Parvati Devi did padhya pooja of Shri Brahma (as an act of respect) as this was an act of deceit by Shri Brahma, Shri Shiva severed one of the heads of Shri Brahma at this place. Hence this place is known as Kandiyur or Kandanpuram. Head of Shri Brahma stuck to the hand of Shri Shiva As an atonement, Shri Shiva worshipped Shri Vishnu at Thirukarambur in the form of Bikshadanar. By this He could partially get rid of the sin at this place. Later Shiva worshipped Vishnu at this place by taking a holy dip in the temple tank known as Kamalapushakarini and got rid of the curse completely. Since Shri Vishnu relieved sin of Shri Shiva, he is known as Shaapvimochan perumal. Later Shri Shiva built a temple for Shri Vishnu at this place very close to his temple and is known as Harashaapvimochana temple. Later on Kamalapushkarini came to be known as Kapalateertha. As per another Puran, Shri Laxmi Devi requested Shri Shiva to cut one of the heads of Shri Bramha to get complete attention of Shri Vishnu. King Mahabali, Moon got relieved of their sins at this place. Sage Bhrigu got rid of the sin he got by kicking Shri Vishnu in chest. Chandra was partially releived of the sin he got for seducing the preceptor's wife. Sage Shatapada use to go to Kalahasti to worship Shri Shiva on pradosha day. To test him, Shri Shiva sent rain and thunder on his way to Kalahasti. As he could not go to Kalahasti on that day, sage Shatapada tried to kill himself by jumping into the Agnikunda at Kandiyur. Lord Shiva graced him with Darshana of Kalahasti at this place. Shri Shiva brought a bilva tree from mount Kailash for the sage to perform worship. Hence the place is also known as Aadibilva-vanam. This place has the honor of having all the three trinity. Hence this is known as Trimurthy sthalams.

Festivals at this place:

Chitrai (April-May) - Satpasthanam festival
Aani (Jun-Jul) - Thirumanjanam at Shri Vishnu’s temple
Aadi (Jul-Aug) Puram (purva falguni nakshatra) festivals
Avani (Aug-Set) Ganesha chaturthi
Purattasi (Sep-Oct) - Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Anna abhishek, Skandha shasti festival
Karthikgai (Nov-Dec) - Karthigai deepam
Margazi (Dec-Jan) - Ardra darshan
Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri
Panguni (Mar-April) - Panguniuttharam (Uttar phalguni nakshatra)

Besides this, the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan is also celebrated.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १०

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ९ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री भिक्षाटनर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात सनातन गुरूवर ज्यांना तामिळ मध्ये सनातन कुरवर असं म्हणतात त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊ या.

तामिळ मध्ये गुरुवरांना कुरवर असं म्हणतात. ह्यां कुरवरांनी शैव सिद्धांताची तत्वे सर्व विश्वात प्रचारित करण्याचं काम केलं. असं म्हणतात कि ह्या कुरवरांना साक्षात भगवान शिवांनी त्यांच्या श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती रूपामध्ये हि ह्या तत्वांचं ज्ञान दिलं. आणि त्यांना गुरुपद पण दिलं . त्यांना सनातन गुरूवर असं म्हणतात. सनातन गुरुवरांचे दोन वर्ग आहेत.

आगम सनातन गुरूवर: हे चार गुरु होते. ह्यांना मानवी रूप नव्हतं. त्यांचं मुख्य स्थान हे कैलास पर्वत आहे. ते चार गुरूवर म्हणजे

थिरु श्री नंदीदेव
श्री संतन कुमार
श्री सत्यज्ञानदर्शी
श्री परंज्योती ऋषी

असा समज आहे कि श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींपासून गुरुपरंपरा चालू झाली आणि ह्या चार गुरूवरांच्या क्रमाने ती पुढे चालू राहिली.

पूर सनातन गुरूवर: श्री परमज्योती ऋषींपासून शैव सिद्धांताचा प्रचार करण्याचं काम पुढील चार गुरुवरांनी केलं

श्री मेयकंदर
श्री अरुल नंदी शिवम
श्री मरैज्ञान सम्बन्धर
श्री उमापती शिवाचारीयार

हे मानवी रुपातले गुरुवर तामिळनाडू मध्ये स्थित होते. त्यांच्या शिष्यांनी शैव सिद्धांत प्रचाराचं काम पुढे चालू ठेवलं आणि त्याकरता त्यांनी दोन मठ बांधले. एक थिरुवडुदुराई मध्ये आणि एक धर्मपूरम मध्ये. ह्या दोन मठांना कैलास परंपरा असं म्हणतात.

हीच परंपरा ज्या महान चार संतांनी सातव्या ते बाराव्या शतकांमध्ये चालू ठेवली त्यांना समयशैवगुरूवर असं नाव आहे. त्यांना नालवर असं पण म्हणतात. त्यांची नावे अशी

थिरुज्ञानसम्बन्धर
थिरूनावुक्करसर
श्री सुंदर मूर्ती नायनार
श्री माणिक्कवाचकर

चौथ्या, पाचव्या आणि सहाव्या शतकामध्ये दक्षिण भारतामध्ये बुद्ध आणि जैन धर्मांचा प्रसार खूप वेगाने वाढत होता आणि तेथील बऱ्याच राजांनी ह्या धर्मांचं अनुसरण करायला चालू केलं. ह्यामुळे धार्मिक विधींचं आचरण खूप कमी झालं किंवा जवळजवळ थांबलंच. सातव्या शतकात शैव संतांच्या आगमनाने आणि त्यांच्या मोठ्या प्रयत्नाने ह्या स्थितीमध्ये बदल व्हायला चालू झाला आणि शैव सिद्धांताच्या आचरणाला परत चांगले दिवस आले आणि त्यामुळे बुद्ध आणि जैन धर्मांतरित झालेले राजे परत शैव सिद्धांताचं आचरण करायला लागले.

सातव्या ते बाराव्या शतकामध्ये वरील चार संतांबरोबरच जवळजवळ ५९ शैव संतांनी आपल्या भक्तीने शैव सिद्धांताचा प्रचार केला. ह्या एकूण ६३ शैव संतांनां नायनमार असा संबोधलं जातं.

ह्या नायनमारांनी जी शिवभक्तीपर भजने गायली त्या सगळ्यांना एकत्रित थिरूमुराई असं संबोधलं जातं. ह्याचे एकूण १२ खंड आहेत. आणि ज्या २७६ शिव मंदिरांची स्तुती ह्या भजनांमध्ये गायली गेली त्या शिव मंदिरांना एकत्रित पाडल पेथ्र स्थळं असं म्हणतात.

थिरूमुराईतले खंड

खंड क्रमांक	नाव	रचनाकार
१, २, ३	थिरुकडैक्कप्पू	श्री थिरु ज्ञान सम्बन्धर
४, ५, ६	थेवरम	श्री थिरूनवुक्करसर
७	थिरुपातु	श्री सुंदरर
८	थिरुवचकम आणि थिरुक्कोवैयर	श्री माणिक्कवाचकर
९	थिरुवीसैप्प आणि थिरुप्पल्लांडू	विविध रचनाकार
१०	थिरुमंथिरम	थिरूमुलर
११	विविध रचना	विविध रचनाकार
१२	पेरिया पुराण	श्री सेक्कीळर

पुढच्या अंकात आपण ६३ श्रेष्ठ शिव भक्त ज्यांना एकत्रित नायनमार असं संबोधलं जातं त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊ या.

Shri Puvananathar Temple at Thiruppoonthuruthi

This Shiva temple is the sixth in the sapta sthana temples. This is one of the 276 Padal Pethra Sthalam. Poo (pu means flower in Tamil), thuruthi (means place between the rivers in Tamil). This place is between the rivers Kaveri and Kudumurutti. Hence this place got the name Thiruppoonthuruthi.

Shri Shiva obtained flowers for Nandi’s wedding from this place. The place is on the southern bank of river Kaveri on Tanjavur Kallani route.

Mulavar: Shri Pushpavaneshwarar, Shri Adi Puranar, Shri Poyleliyar
Devi: Shri SaundaryaNayaki, Shri Azhakalamarthanayaki
Kshetra vruksha: Bilva
Sacred Teertha: Surya, Kashyap, Ganga and Agni
Puranik Name: Thiruppoonthuruthi
Present name: Melai-poonthuruthi
District: Tanjavur, Tamilnadu

The shiva linga is a swyambhu linga. The temple is very old temple, more than 1500 years old, spread over 2.5 acres. There is a huge nandi said to have been made for the shaiva saint Sambandhar.

The Rajagopuram is about 100 feet in height. The main shrine of Shri Shiva faces the east, whereas devi’s shrine faces the south. In this temple Shri Dakshinamurti is with a veena, hence he is known as Shri Veena Dakshinamurti.

Idols and other shrines:

The koshta murtis are Shri Vinayaka, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Bhikshatanar, Shri Veena Dakshinamurti, Shri Vishnu, Shri Brahma and Shri Durga Devi.

In the corridor, we have the idols of sapta matas. The history of Naalvars i.e four shaiva saints is painted on the walls. In the Somaskanda mandap, we have Nataraja sabha and the Navagrahas facing Shri Surya. We have the shrine of Shri Durga Devi and Shri Kashi Vishwanatha in the corridor.

In the outer parikrama, we have a shiva lingas and idol of Shri Kadavanamali, the place where he manifested. In this place, Shri Shiva gave darshan to Appar. Shri Durga Devi idol is depicted as doing penance on one leg as if to get rid of the sin of killing Mahishasur.

Those who worship at this place: Shri Indra, Sage Kashyap, Shri Vishnu, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Surya and Saint Appar.

Shri Shiva created 13 teerthas in a well to appreciate penance of Sage Kashyap. He granted his darshan to the sage on new moon day in the Tamil month of Adi. Girivalam on new moon day is undertaken to get rid of pitrudosha. It is believed that Sambandhar carried the palanquin of Appar on his shoulders.

Kshetra purana:

Nandi is said to have moved slightly to allow Shri Shiva to sight Appar and Sambandhar arriving together. River Kaveri was born from the kamandalu of Sage Agasthya when a crow (Shri Ganesha) toppled kamandalu. It flowed through various places including Kandiyur, Thirupazhanam, Thiruvaiyaru, Thiruneithanam and finally she became stagnant to become the sea. On the way, she submerged, Karuppur, Konerajapuram, Nadukaveri, Thiruvalampozhi and Thirupoothur. Shri Indra after worshiping Shri Ayyarappar (Shri Shiva) made her towards the east by the grace of Shri Shiva. This made land fertile and she flowed through Kandiyur and Poothur. At a higher level on the bank of the river there was a banyan tree. As the land was fertile and soft the place got the name Poonthurutti.

Indra was cursed by Sage Gautam to have thousand ugly signs on Indra's body for Indra's immoral act. In order to get rid of them Indra did penance at various Shiva sthalams. When he worshiped Shri Shiva at this place with flowers he got completely relieved of the curse.

Two angels (Vinayas) who were cursed to beome eagles got their original form by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (sept-oct) navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Kathigai (Nov-Dec), Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri.

Besides this, the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan is also celebrated

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ९

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ८ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री नंदिकेश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री भिक्षाटनर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

पुराणांनुसार एकदा श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री ब्रम्हांना भगवान शिव समजून त्यांची पाद्यपूजा केली. भगवान शिवांना हे श्री ब्रम्हांचं वर्तन आवडलं नाही. त्यांच्या मते श्री ब्रम्हांनी श्री पार्वती देवींना फसवलं आणि म्हणून क्रोधामध्ये त्यांनी श्री ब्रम्हांचं एक शिर छेदलं. पण ह्यामुळे भगवान शिवांना ब्रह्महत्येचा दोष प्राप्त झाला. ह्या दोषांचं निवारण करण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांनी एका भिक्षाटनर (भिक्षा मागणारा तपस्वी) रूपात थिरुकरम्बूर येथे श्री विष्णूंची आराधना केली. ह्या आराधनेमुळे त्यांना ह्या शापापासून थोड्या प्रमाणामध्ये मुक्ती मिळाली. पुढे त्यांनी जेव्हां कमलपुष्करिणी ह्या तीर्थात स्नान करून परत श्री विष्णूंची आराधना केली तेव्हा त्यांना ह्या शापापासून पूर्ण मुक्ती मिळाली. म्हणून येथे भगवान शिवांनी श्री विष्णूंचं मंदिर बांधलं. इथे श्री विष्णूंचं श्री हर-शाप-विमोचन असा नाव आहे.

अशी पण आख्यायिका आहे कि भगवान शिवांनी ब्रह्महत्या दोषाचं निवारण करण्यासाठी भिक्षा मागणाऱ्या तपस्वीचं रूप धारण केलं. आणि त्यांनी जेव्हा वाराणसी मधे श्री अन्नपूर्णी (श्री पार्वती देवींचं एक रूप) कडे भिक्षा मागितली तेव्हा त्यांच्या ब्रह्महत्या दोषाचं निवारण झालं.

अजून एक आख्यायिका आहे कि त्यानंतर भिक्षाटनर रूपात त्यांनी दारुकवनात जाऊन तेथील ऋषींच्या गर्वाचा नाश केला.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण सनातन कुरवर (गुरुवर) ह्यांच्या बद्दल माहिती करून घेऊ या.

Shri Vedapureeshwarar Temple at Thiruvedikudi

This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvedikudi near Thiruvaiyaru. This is one of the 276 Shiva temples revered by Naayanmars. This temple was revered by Shri Appar and Shri Sambandhar. This is the fourth of Sapta Sthanams.

Mulavar: Shri Vedapurishwarar, Shri Vazhai-madu-nadar, in Tamil - vazhai means banana plant. Madu is tank
Devi: Shri Mangaiyar-arasi
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva
Sacred teertha: Ved teertha
Present and Puranik name: Thiruvedikudi
District: Tanjavur, Tamilnadu

The shiva linga in this temple is a swayambhu linga. Shri Shiva manifested from the roots of a banana tank (madu) and hence he is known as Shri Vazhai-madu-nadar. This temple was built by Chola kings about 1500 years ago. The temple is east facing and rajagopuram is 3 tier. There are 2 parikramas. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (agazhi in Tamil). The sanctum sanctorum gopuram is completely made of granite stone and the lord is seated below it. On the four sides of the vimanam, we have four Nandis representing the four vedas. There is an idol of Shri Manonmani Ambika whose idol is found with Shri Shiva on the northern side. The idol of Shri Ardhanarishwarar is on the wall behind sanctum sanctorum and has a special feature.

The unique feature of the temple is that there are 276 shiva linga representing 276 padal pethra sthalam. By visiting this place one gets the benefit of visiting all 276 shiva temples.

The unique feature of Shri Ardhanarishwarar is that Shri Shiva generally has Shri Parvati Devi on the left. But in this place she is on the right of Shri Shiva. This is to indicate the greatness of women, in particular Shri Parvati Devi. That is why she is known as Shri Mangaiyar-arasi (queen of women). As Shri Brahma and four vedas worshiped Shri Shiva at this place, this place is known as Thiruvedikudi and Lord is known as Shri Vedapureeshwarar. Shri Brahma worshiped Shri Dakshinamurti at this place.

Idols and shrines:

In the prakaram, we have the idols of Shevi (ear) Saytha (bent) Vinayaka (ShreviSaythaVinayak). Shri Vinayaka’s head is lightly bent as if he is hearing the four vedas. So, he is known as Shri Vedavinayaka. And he is in a separate shrine. In the corridor, we have 108 Shiva Lingas, Shri Subramanya, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Nataraja and Sapta Sthana Lingams. In a stone inscription Shri Shiva is addressed as Shri Thiruvedikudimahadevar and Shri Parakeshari-chaturved-mangalam-mahadevar. The renovation work of this temple was done by the Pallava kings. As there were a lot of number of brahmins who had learnt all four vedas, the place was also known as chaturved-mangalam. The shiva linga was on the bank of a tank containing a special kind of fish known as Vazhai. Hence lord was also called Shri Vazhai-madu-nadar. As devi is depicted as the queen of all women (mangala ambika) and as she bestows boons and suhasini status to those who worship her, she is addressed as Mangalambika. There is an idol of Shri Lakshmi Narayana; the idol of Shri Anjaneya is found worshiping him and he has a crown.

Kshetra Puran:

The pranav mantra Om is considered as the peak of all vedas. Hence it is believed that vedas follow pranav mantra everywhere. As the pranav mantra worshiped Shri Shiva at this place, the vedas also followed him. It is believed that Shri Shiva gathered (collected) the priests (vedhiyars) for Nandi’s marriage from this place. The Sun’s rays fall on the Shiva Linga on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Panguni (March-April). Hence it is believed that Sun worships Shri Shiva on these days.

A demon had stolen vedas from Shri Brahma and hid them in the deep sea. Shri Vishnu recovered the vedas by killing the asura. As the vedas were handled by the asuras, they became tainted (they acquired dosha). In order to make them purify, the vedas worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. So Shri Shiva is known as Shri Vedapurishwarar.

A Chola king who was worried by the delay in the marriage of his daughter came to this place and worshiped Shri Mangaiyar-arasi seeking a boon for his daughter’s wedding. As his boon got fulfilled in a very short time, as a token of gratitude to the devi, he changed the name of his daughter to Mangaiyar-arasi.

Those who worshiped here: Shri Surya, Shri Indra, Shri Brahma, four vedas, Sage Vyasa and shaiva saints Shri Appar and Shri Sundarar.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (sept-oct) navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec), Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri. Besides this, the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan is celebrated

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ८

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ७ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री अर्धनारीश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री नंदिकेश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

श्री नंदी हे खूप महत्वाचं दैवत आहे. किंबहुना असा समज आहे शिव आणि शक्ती मधून जेव्हां विश्व निर्माण होतं त्या घटनेचे श्री नंदी हे एकमेव साक्षी आहेत. आणि म्हणूनच श्री नंदींची आराधना केल्यामुळे आपल्याला सर्व आध्यात्मिक लाभ होतात आणि आपली ईश्वरकृपेची ग्रहणक्षमता वाढते. दक्षिण भारतातल्या शिव मंदिरांमध्ये अशी प्रथा आहे की पुढे दिलेला श्री नंदीश्वरांचा श्लोक म्हणून त्यांची अनुज्ञा घेऊन मगच श्री शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवींची आराधना करता येते. तो श्लोक असा आहे.

नंदीकेश महाभाग शिवध्यान परायण ।
गौरीशंकर सेवार्थम् अनुज्ञानम् दातुमर्हसि ||

श्री नंदी हे अंतर्ज्ञान आणि अंतःप्रेरणा ह्यांचे मूर्त स्वरूप आहेत. आणि म्हणूनच भगवान शिवाच्या लिंगाचं दर्शन हे श्री नंदींच्या दोन शिंगांच्या मधून घेण्याची प्रथा आहे. त्याचा अर्थ असा आहे कि श्री नंदींचं ध्यान करून आपली अंतर्ज्ञान आणि अंतःप्रेरणा ह्यांची क्षमता वाढली की आपोआपच आपली भगवान शिवांची कृपा प्राप्त करण्याची तसंच ती जाणण्याची क्षमता पण वाढते. काही ठिकाणी अशी पण प्रथा आहे की भक्त हे आपल्या इच्छा श्री नंदीच्या कानात सांगतात ह्या विश्वासाने कि श्री नंदी आपल्या प्रामाणिक आणि न्याय्य प्रार्थना भगवान शिवांपर्यंत पोचवतील.

सर्व शिव मंदिरांमध्ये श्री नंदींची मूर्ती ही साधारणतः शिव लिंगाच्या समोर आढळते. हि रचना हे दर्शवते कि जिव म्हणजेच नंदी आणि जिवाने सतत एकांतामध्ये शिवाच्या ध्यानात असावं. श्री नंदी हे भगवान शिवाचे वाहन आहेत, सर्व शिव गणांमध्ये प्रथम आहेत आणि भगवान शिवांच्या देवालयाचे ते द्वारपाल पण आहेत. नंदी ह्या संस्कृत शब्दाचा अर्थ आनंदी व्यक्ती असा आहे. सहसा श्री नंदींचं रूप हे वृषभ रूपच असतं पण कधी कधी मानवी शरीर आणि वृषभाचे शिर असं पण रूप असतं. भारतामध्ये श्री नंदीदेवांची स्वतंत्र मंदिरे आहेत.

शैव पंथातल्या समजुतीनुसार श्री नंदी १८ सिद्ध मुनींपैकी मुख्य गुरु मानले जातात.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री नंदिकेश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

Shri Odhanavaneshwarar Temple at Thiruchotruthurai

This is the third shiva temple of the sapta sthanam. It is situated on the southern bank of river kaveri. This is one of the 276 padal pethtra sthalams revered by three Shaiva saints Shri Appar, Shri Sundarar and Shri Sambandhar. The temple is situated at Thiruchotruthurai in Thiruvaiyyaru taluka of Tanjavur district.

Mulavar: Shri Odhanavaneshwarar, Shri Chotruthurai-nadar, Shri Tholayachelvandar, Sri Oppilllachelvar
Devi: Shri Annapurni, Shri Tholayalachelvi, Shri Oppilaambika
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva, Rishyagandha (Paneer flower tree in Tamil)
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri, Kudamurutti, Surya Teertha,
Puranik Name: Thiruchotruthurai, Gautamashram

The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. The temple is facing the east. There is no rajagopuram. In it's place there is a sculpture of Shri Parvati Devi and Shri Shiva seated on Rishabh (nandi). There are two prakarams or parikramas. At the second entrance there is a three tiered gopuram. The temple is about 2000 years old built by chola kings.

Shrines and Idols:

In the main hall (artha mandap) we have Shri Muruga’s shrine. The idol is very huge with six heads and twelve hands known as Shri Shanmukha. The shrine of Shri Parvati Devi and Shri Shiva face east. Shri Parvati Devi's shrine is on the right side of Shri Shiva and she is in a wedding posture. There is a stone sculpture of sage worshiping Shri Shiva. Another stone sculpture depicts war between two groups. There is an idol of Kaal samhar murti. In the mahamandap, Shri Nandi faces the sanctum sanctorum. There is an idol of Shri Ganesha and Kashi Shiva Linga. There is an idol of a devotee couple who got a akshaya paatra from Shri Shiva. In the inner corridor, we have shrine of Shri Mahaganapati, Shri AdhikarNandi, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Navagraha, Shri Surya, Shri Bhairav, Shri Sapta Matrikas, Shri Pancha Bhuta Linga and Shri Sapta Sthana Linga and Shri AyyarAppar.

The koshtha murtis are - Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Vishnu, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi, and Shri Chandikeshwar exist in their respective places. To the right side of sanctum, we have the shrine of Shri Subramanya facing the east, Shri Mahasiddha, idol of a shiva-gana worshiping Shri Shiva, Balipeetha, Shri Nandi and Dhwajasthambha. Devi Annapurni in her wedding attire is in a separate shrine. There is also Shri Nandi facing her shrine at the entrance. We have Shri Subramanya, Shri Ganesha and Shri Mahalakshmi idols also.

Those who worshiped here:

Shri Ramlinga Vallarar, Shri Ganesha, Shri Surya, Shri Indra. Sage Gautam obtained salvation at this place. Hence the place is known as Gautamashram.

Kshetra Purana:

Shri Indra got rid of his curse which he had incurred due to Sage Gautama.

After Shri Shriram went to forest, King Dasharatha came to worship Shri Shiva at this place.

It is believed that once upon a time rice instead of unhusked rice was grown at this place due to the grace of the Shri Shiva and Shri Annapurni Devi.

It is believed that once upon a time the lake nearby was filled with rice instead of water due to the grace of Shri Shiva, so that no one in the region died of starvation without food. So Shri Shiva is known as Shri Chotruthurai-nadar (who gave not only food but also salvation to the souls).

Once there was a very severe famine. All men, women and children were starving. The priest of the temple too had stopped coming to the temple. The staunch devotee of Shri Shiva, Arulalan who was sitting in the dark corner of the temple, cried to Shri Shiva and dashed his head against the steps of the entrance to the temple requesting the Shri Shiva to save them. Suddenly there was a rain and the whole area was flooded. A bowl (patra) came floating in the flood water. At that time Arulalan heard a celestial voice stating that patra was a akshaypatra which will help him to feed the people. He did as per the command of the celestial voice and got rid of the starvation and the famine in the region. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Chotruthurai-nadar and Devi as Shri Annapurni.

As Shri Parvati Devi provided abundant food (rice) she is known as Shri Annapurni. This is one of the seven places where Shri Shiva fed his devotees.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri.

Besides this the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan is also celebrated.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ७

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ६ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री लिंगोद्भवर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री अर्धनारीश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

शिव आणि शक्ती म्हणजेच भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी हे वेगळे नाहीत, एकच आहेत हे दर्शविण्यासाठी म्हणून भगवान शिवांनी आपल्या शरीराचा अर्धा भाग श्री पार्वतीदेवींना दिला. ह्या रुपाला श्री अर्धनारीश्वरर असं म्हणतात.

पुराणांनुसार एकदा सर्व ऋषीमुनी भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी ह्यांना नमस्कार करण्यासाठी कैलास पर्वतावर आले. फक्त भगवान शिवांचीच उपासना करण्याचा निश्चय केलेल्या भृंगी ऋषींनी श्री पार्वती देवींकडे दुर्लक्ष केलं. ह्यावर श्री पार्वती देवींना खूप राग आला आणि त्यांनी भृंगी ऋषींना शाप दिला कि त्यांच्या शरीरातले सर्व मांस आणि रक्त निघून जाऊन फक्त सापळा शिल्लक राहील. भृंगी ऋषींची ही दयनीय परिस्थीती पाहून भगवान शिवांना त्यांची दया आली आणि त्यांनी भृंगी ऋषींना अजून एक पाय प्रदान केला ज्यामुळे ते व्यवस्थित उभे राहू शकतील. ह्या घटनेमुळे श्री पार्वती देवींना आपला पराभव झाला असे वाटले आणि म्हणून त्यांनी तीव्र तपश्चर्या केली. भगवान शिवांनी त्या तपश्चर्येवर प्रसन्न होऊन श्री पार्वती देवींना त्यांच्या मध्ये विलीन होण्याचं वरदान दिलं ज्यामुळे भृंगी ऋषींना अर्धनारीश्वरर रूपाची म्हणजेच भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी ह्यांची एकत्र उपासना करण्याशिवाय पर्याय उरणार नाही. पण भृंगी ऋषींनी एका भ्रमराचं रूप घेऊन अर्धनारीश्वर रूपाच्या मूर्तीला मधून छिद्र पडून फक्त भगवान शिवांनाच प्रदक्षिणा घातली. भृंगी ऋषींची हि भगवान शिवांबद्दलची विलक्षण भक्ती पाहून श्री पार्वती देवी अचंबित झाल्या आणि प्रसन्न पण झाल्या आणि त्यांनी भृंगी ऋषींवर कृपा केली.

कालिका पुराणानुसार एकदा श्री गौरी देवी म्हणजेच पार्वती देवींनी भगवान शिवांच्या हृदयामध्ये आपल्या सारख्याच स्त्रीचं प्रतिबिंब पाहून भगवान शिवांवर व्यभिचाराचा आरोप केला. दोघांमध्ये वाद निर्माण झाला. पण तो लगेच मिटला. श्री गौरी देवींना इच्छा झाली कि आपण भगवान शिवांमध्ये विलीन व्हावं आणि भगवान शिवांनी ती मान्य केली आणि त्यातूनच अर्धनारीश्वरर हे त्यांचं रूप निर्माण झालं. शिव पुराणानुसार ब्रह्मदेवांनी सृष्टी निर्माण करण्यासाठी प्रजापती उत्पन्न केले पण ते सर्व स्त्रीरहित पुरुष असल्यामुळे ते सृष्टी निर्माण करण्यास असमर्थ होते. ब्रह्मदेवांनी भगवान शिवांकडे प्रार्थना केली. त्यावेळी भगवान शिव अर्धनारीश्वर (अर्ध स्त्री आणि अर्ध पुरुष) रूपात प्रगट झाले आणि त्या रूपातून बऱ्याच स्त्रिया निर्माण होऊन सृष्टीनिर्माण कार्यात मदत झाली.

दक्षिण भारतातील आणि आशिया खंडाच्या आग्नेय भागातील सर्व शिव मंदिरांमध्ये आपल्याला श्री अर्धनारीश्वर ह्यांची मूर्ती दिसते. तामिळनाडूमधल्या नमक्कल जिल्ह्यातील थिरुचेंगोड मध्ये आणि कल्लकुरीची या गावाच्या जवळ असलेल्या ऋषीवंदिअम ह्या स्थानी श्री अर्धनारीश्वर ह्यांची स्वतंत्र मंदिरे पाहायला मिळतात.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ६

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ५ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री लिंगोद्भवर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

पुराणांनुसार एकदा श्री विष्णू आणि श्री ब्रह्मा ह्यामध्ये कोण श्रेष्ठ आहे ह्याबद्दल वाद निर्माण झाला. हा वाद मिटविण्यासाठी भगवान शिव एका ज्योतीच्या स्तंभात प्रकट झाले. आणि त्यांनी श्री विष्णू आणि श्री ब्रम्हांना ह्या स्तंभाचा उगम शोधायला सांगितलं. श्री विष्णू आणि श्री ब्रम्हा स्तंभाचा उगम शोधण्यासाठी दोन विरुद्ध दिशांना गेले. दोघांनाही शोध लागला नाही पण श्री ब्रम्हांनी खोटच कबुल केलं कि त्यांना शोध लागला पण श्री विष्णूंनी मात्र कबुल केलं कि त्यांना उगम मिळाला नाही. भगवान शिवांनी श्री ब्रम्हांना शाप दिला कि त्यांची कुठेही पूजा होणार नाही आणि श्री विष्णूंना वरदान दिलं कि त्यांची सर्व ठिकाणी पूजा होईल. भगवान शिवांच्या ह्या ज्योतिरूपाला ज्योतिर्लिंग म्हणतात आणि तेच त्यांचं लिंगोद्भवर रूप.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री अर्धनारीश्वरर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

Shri Apathsahayar temple at Thirupazhanam

This is a Shiva temple located at Thirupazhanam on Thiruvaiyaru – Kumbhakonam route. This is the second sapta sthana temple in Sapta-sthana temples around Thiruvaiyaru and is also one of the 276 padalpetra sthalam revered by Nayanmars. This temple is very close to Thingalur Navagraha (Chandra temple). The temple is about 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva collected fruits for the marriage of Shri Nandi deva. Hence this place got the name Thirupazhanam (Pazham in Tamil means fruit).

Mulavar: Shri Apathsahayar, Shri Amrutalingeshwarar, Shri Pazhanapiran, Shri Pirayana-pureeshwarar, Shri Parmeshwarar
Devi: Shri Periya-nayaki, Shri Shiva-sundari, Sundar-nayaki, Kalyani, Bogashakti-amman (ambaal/Ambika)
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri river, Devi Kupam, Amrut teertha, Kuber teertha, Muni kupam, Mangal teertha (now it is destroyed), Panchakshar teertha
Khetra vruksha: Bilva, Kadali (Banana), Punnaga
Pouranik Names: Kadali vanam, Kaushika aashram, Pirayanapuri, Palani pathi

The mulavar (Shiva linga) is swayambhoo. The temple is facing east and has 2 corridors (prakarams). The raja-gopuram is 5 tiered. There is no flagstaff in this temple. We find Nandi and Bali peetha in front of Shiva linga. Vimanam (tower) above sanctum sanctorum is made of granite. This entire place is surrounded by fertile green field.

Other shrines and idols at this place:
In the outer corridor, we have the shrine of Shri Ganesha and Shri Subramanya. On the right hand side of the mandap, we find the mounts (vahan) that are used for festivals. After worshiping Shri Ganesha, when we move towards the left we have the shrines of Shri Sapta-matrika, Shri Ganesha, Shri Venu-gopala, Shiva lingas, Nataraja sabha, Bhairavar and Navagraha shrine.

Two days before and two days after the new moon day and on the new moon day, the rays of the Moon in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-April) and Purattasi (Sept-Oct) fall on Shiva linga.

In the koshtam, we have the koshta moorthis, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti and Shri Durga Devi. In the shrine of Shri Dakshinamurti, we come across the idols of sapta-rishis, Kamadhenu pouring milk over the Shiva linga (known as Pashupatishwarar) and a devotee Appu-adigal. There is a separate shrine for Shri Parvati Devi facing the east. In the shrine of Shri Subramanya, in the outer corridor, Shri Subramanya has six faces. Shri Parvati Devi's shrine is to the right of Shri Shiva i.e. in her bridal form. At the first tier of gopuram, in the east we have Shiva Parvati, in the west we have Annamalaya, in the south we have Shri Dakshinamurti and in the north we have Shri Bramha. The linga worshiped by Shri Maha Vishnu, the idols of Shri Aadi-Vinayaka, Shri Arumuga (Murugun) with his consort Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Veerabhadra, Shri Nrutya Vinayaka, Shri Kaashi Vishwanath, Shri Gajalakshmi and Shri Chandikeshwar are found in the temple.

Outside temple premises, we have the holy jackfruit tree, the kadali (banana) tree and a holy teertha. There is a place near this jackfruit tree where people feel that Sage Agastya worshipped Shri Shiva.

Kshetra puran:
As per puran, in the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Shri Parvati Devi cannot be seen though She is present there.

Shri Lakshmi Devi worshiped Shri Shiva and got a number of boons and She went back to Her place. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Pirayana Pureeshwarar and the place is known as Pirayana Puri.

According to the kshetra puran, a bramhin boy named Susarithan was on a pilgrimage in search of peace as he had lost his parents. When he was staying at Thirupazhanam village for the night, Shri Yama appeared in his dream who informed him that he will die in 5 days. The boy sought the refuge of Shri Shiva who saved him. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Apathsahayar.

Shri Vishnu and Shri Lakshmi Devi came to this place and installed a Shiva Linga. They got rid of their curse by worshiping the Shiva Linga at this place. Therefore, there is a separate shrine for Shri Venu-gopala whose kshetra vruksha is jackfruit tree.

Sage Kaushika had kept his share of nectar at this place, safely. Asuras who came to know about the nectar, came to steal the same. Shri Shiva created, Shri Aiyanar and Shri Kali Devi to save the nectar. Sage Kaushika made Shiva linga out of the nectar and worshiped Shri Shiva. Hence the Lord is known as Shri Amruteshwarar, the place is known as Kaushik-aashram and Amrutapuree.

Others who worshiped at this place

Shri Maha Vishnu, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Kubera, Shri Budha, Shri Aaiyan (Bramha), Shri Chandra, Sage Kaushika, Sapta-rishi, Shri Ashta-dikpals, a devotee known as Dharamsharma.

Festivals:

Chittirai (Mar-April) - The sapta sthana festival is held on Vishakha nakshatra

Aani (Jun-Jul) - Thirumanjam of Lord Vishnu

Aadi (Jul-Aug) - festival known as Aadi-pooram (purva falguni nakshatra)

Aavani (Aug-Sept) - Ganesh Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skandashashthi

Kartigai (Nov-Dec) - Karthigai deep festival

Margazi (Dec-Jan) - Ardra darshan

Maasi (Feb-Mar) - Shiva Ratri

Panguni (Mar-April) - Panguni utthiram (Uttara falguni nakshtra)

In addition, pradosha pooja is held regularly besides the daily worship.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ५

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ४ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री वीरभद्रर आणि श्री चंडिकेश्वरर ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

गुरुपरंपरेमध्ये भगवान शिवांना आदिगुरू असं समजलं जातं. आणि त्यांच्या आदिगुरुरूपाला श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती असं नाव आहे. ह्या रूपात ते वटवृक्षाखाली मृगाजिनावर दक्षिणाभिमुख बसलेले आहेत, त्यांचा एक पाय घडी घातलेल्या स्थितीत आहे तर एक पाय अज्ञान दर्शविणाऱ्या अपस्मार नावाच्या राक्षसावर ठेवलेला आहे आणि आपले प्रथम शिष्य सनकादि मुनी (सनक, सनन्दन, सनातन व सनत्कुमार) हे त्यांच्या समोर बसून ते आपल्या गुरूंकडून उपदेश घेत आहेत असं त्यांचं रूपदर्शन प्रसिद्ध आहे.

पुराणांनुसार ज्यांना कोणाला गुरु प्राप्त झालेले नाहीत ते श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींना आपला गुरु मानू शकतात आणि त्यांची गुरुभक्ती जर योग्य असेल तर पुढे जाऊन त्यांना आत्मज्ञानी गुरूंची प्राप्ती होईल.

शिव मंदिरामध्ये श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींची मूर्ती हि साधारणतः गाभाऱ्याभोवतीच्या दक्षिण दिशेच्या प्रदक्षिणेच्या मार्गावर दक्षिणाभिमुख असते. दक्षिण दिशा हि मृत्यूची किंवा परिवर्तनाची दिशा मानली जाते. म्हणजेच श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती हे त्यांच्या शिष्यांना, जे उत्तरेकडे म्हणजेच श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींकडे मुख करून बसले आहेत, त्यांना मृत्यूकडून अमृताकडे, परिवर्तनशील जगतातून अपरिवर्तनशील म्हणजेच सत्याकडे नेतात.

सप्ताहामधला पांचवा दिवस हा गुरु ग्रहाचा दिवस समजला जातो. आणि म्हणून दर गुरुवारी सर्व शिव मंदिरामंध्ये श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींची विशेष पूजा केली जाते.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री लिंगोद्भवर ह्या रूपाबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

Shri Aiyar-appar temple at Thiruvaiyar

This Shiva temple is the first in sapta-sthana temples around Thiruvaiyaru. The temple is located at Thiruvaiyaru and Tanjavur district of TamilNadu on the banks of the river Kaveri. The temple is also known as Pancha-nadishwarar temple as this place is surrounded by 5 rivers namely – Arisilaru, Venna-aru, Vetta-aru, Kudumurrutti-aru and river Kaveri. In Tamil, “ai” means five (i.e. Pancha). “Aru” means river that is “nadi”. So Pancha-nadishwarar means Swami of 5 rivers. This temple is about 2000 years old.

Moolavar: Shri Aiyarappar, Shri Pancha-nadishwarar

Devi: Shri Dharma-samwardhini

Teertha: Surya pushkarini

Old name: Thiruvaiyaru

This place is as holy as Varanasi for taking holy dip. This is one of the 6 most sacred places (Shiva sthalas) on the bank of river Kaveri. The other 5 places are – Thiruvenkadu, Thiruchakkau (Chaya vanam), Mayil-adu-thurai, Thiruvidai-maruthur and Thiruvanchiam. The place is considered as Dakshin Kailash. The Shiva linga is swayambhoo.

The Dhyana mandap in the temple is built with lime and palm jaggery known as Kuruppai in Tamil. We can still come across the four pits in which above material was stored and gold, silver coins were kept as wages for the workers when the temple was being built. The temple has about 5 corridors (prakarams) and the raja-gopuram is seven tiered. The temple spans about 14-15 acres land. We come across the shrine of Somaskandha and Japesa (Kuki) mandap in the 2nd corridor. The idol of Shri Dakshinamurti in this temple is known as Shiva-yoga-dakshina-murti. He has special significance as he is only guru, worshiped by Shri Vishnu (known as Perumal in Tamil) in TamilNadu. So, Shri Dakshinamurti is also known as Hari-ooru -Shiva-yoga-Dakshina-murti. At the feet of Shri Dakshinamurti, we find a tortoise instead of the usual demon – Muyalagan (symbol of ignorance).

It is believed that when Dharma is followed by women, the benefits are double than those done by men. To indicate this fact, the Godmother here is known as Dharma Samwardhini. There is no shrine for Maha Vishnu at this place (in this area) as mother Dharma Samwardhini is praised as Shri Maha Vishnu. There is a general belief in south that ashtami tithi of new moon are not auspicious. In order to indicate that all days are auspicious and same, wedding festival of Ambika is performed on the night of Ashtami in this temple. This place is also considered as shakti peetha of Ambika.

One cannot do pradakshina around sanctum sanctorum of Shri Shiva. It is believed that Shri Shiva has his hair spread on the floor of (at the back of) sanctum sanctorum. As one cannot tread over this, the pradakshina is prohibited.

The sacred tirtha Surya Pushkarini has also a special significance. It is because, this is considered as a Surya sthala where Surya has worshiped Shri Shiva. He is facing the West.

There is a separate shrine for Kala-samhara-murti known as Aalkondar. Outside this shrine, we have a homa-kunda (sacred fire pit) installed by Adi-Shankaracharya.

There are spots in the temple which produce echos of primordial (nada-bramha) sound notes. In the 3rd prakara, if one stands in the southwest corner facing North and calls Aiyarappar loudly, the sound reverberates. The west facing temple has beautiful sculptures of deities of Ardha-narishwarar and Shri Dakshinamurti besides other koshta murtis. We also come across the shrines of Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramania, Shri Nandikeshwar and Saint Tyagaraja.

Kshetra purana: Shaiva saint Thirunavukarasar when on a pilgrimage to mount Kailash, encountered lot of difficulties on the way. Shri Shiva made him to take a dip in a pond by submerging himself. When Thirunavukarasar emerged from the tank, he found himself at Thiruvaiyarur and Swami gave him darshana of Mount Kailash at this place (Thiruvaiyarur).

A devotee named as Sucharitan was saved by Shri Shiva from untimely death like sage Markendeya by appearing as a column of light at this place. He killed Yama in the process. So Shri Shiva is known as Aalkondeshwarar. People burn benzoin (Kungiliyam in Tamil) outside the shrine under the belief that they can get rid of the fear of Yama. It is believed that the Sage Agastya got his dwarf structure at this place.

Ambika is believed to have worshiped Shri Shiva with 2 measures of grains.

According to kshetra puran the chariot of the King who ruled this place got stuck while passing through this place. While excavating the land around the wheels of chariot, the workers found Shiva Linga. When they continued excavating further, they came across idols of Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya, Goddess Dharma Samwardhini and Shri Nandi-deva. They also came across a sage who was sitting in deep meditation. When the saint came out of meditation, he ordered the king to build the temple and utilize the wealth under Nandi-dev’s hoof.

According to another kshetra puran, a priest was unable to be present for performing pooja at a particular time as he was away on a pilgrimage. It was reported to the king, who came personally to check the fact. He was surprised to find the priest performing the pooja. The priest returned to the temple next day and everyone including king were astonished. They realized that, Swami himself had come to perform the pooja as the priest for Himself.

Near this Shiva temple is one room house of Saint Tyagaraja where he composed some great works of Karnatik music. On the bank of the river his samadhi was built. A number of people converge on a particular day (samadhi) at this place and perform the music festival of the Karnatik music composed by the great saint. Nearby this samadhi, there are the samadhis of saint Shiva Prakash Swamigal and Naga-ratna-amma. She was responsible for locating and renovating the samadhi of saint Tyagaraja.

Festivals & worships at this place:

1. Daily six pujas

2. New moon festival – On every new moon the utsav murti of Aiyarappar is taken to the bank of river Kaveri for worship

3. Nandi’s marriage known as Thirukalyanam in the Tamil month of Panguni is performed at Tirumazappadi

4. In the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May) Bramhotsav is held

5. In the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May) sapta sthana utsav is held

6. In the Tamil month of Aavani (Sept-Oct) on mula nakshatra float festival is held

7. In the Tamil month of Aadi (Aug-Sept) Appar festival is held

8. Mahashivaratri festival is held in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar)

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ४

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग ३ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री सोमस्कंदर आणि श्री भैरवर ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री वीरभद्रर आणि श्री चंडिकेश्वरर ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

श्री वीरभद्रर:

श्री वीरभद्रर हे भगवान शिवांच्या गणांपैकी एक आहेत. भूतगण आणि शिवगण हे सहसा दफन आणि स्मशान भूमीमध्ये वास करतात असा समज आहे. भगवान शिवांचे ते परिचर आहेत आणि ते कैलास पर्वतावर पण त्यांची सेवा करतात.

जेव्हा राजा दक्षाने आयोजित केलेल्या यज्ञामध्ये दक्षपुत्री श्री सती म्हणजेच भगवान शिवांची पत्नी ह्यांनी आपल्या पतीचा आपल्या पित्याने केलेला अपमान सहन न होऊन यज्ञकुंडामध्ये आत्मसमर्पण केलं तेव्हा भगवान शिवांना अति क्रोध आला आणि त्यांनी क्रोधाने आपल्या जटांमधील एक केस जमिनीवर आपटला तेव्हा त्यातून श्री वीरभद्रर निर्माण झाले. भगवान शिवांनी त्यांना सेनापतीपद प्रदान केलं आणि दक्ष यज्ञ उध्वस्त करण्याचा आदेश दिला. त्यांच्या बरोबर रुद्रकाली देवी पण निर्माण झाल्या आणि त्यांनी भद्रकालीचं रूप घेऊन श्री वीरभद्ररांना दक्ष यज्ञ उध्वस्त करण्यास मदत केली. म्हणूनच श्री वीरभद्ररांना भगवान शिवांच्या क्रोधाचं मनुष्य रूप असं समजलं जातं. श्री वीरभद्ररांना वीरभद्रर स्वामि असं पण संबोधलं जातं कारण ते शिवगणांचे नायक आहेत.

असा समज आहे की दक्ष यज्ञ घटना उत्तर केरळ मधील कोट्टियूर ह्या स्थानात घडली. हे स्थान अतिशय निसर्गरम्य आहे. इथे दक्ष यज्ञामध्ये श्री सती देवींनी केलेल्याआत्म समर्पणास्मृत्यर्थ २७ दिवसांची मोठी पूजा आयोजित केली जाते. ह्या पूजेची रूपरेखा ही श्री आदि शंकराचार्यांनी आखून दिली आहे असा समज आहे.

तामिळनाडूमधील व कर्नाटकामधील पंच आचार्य आणि लिंगायत व वीरशैव ह्या समाजातील लोकं श्री वीरभद्ररांची आराधना करतात. श्री वीरभद्ररांचं मुख्य स्वतंत्र मंदिर उत्तर काशीमधल्या हृषीकेश मध्ये आहे. काही नामांकित स्थळे जिथे श्री वीरभद्रांची मूर्ती बघावयास मिळते ती अशी - १) महाराष्ट्रामध्ये जेजुरी २) तामिळनाडू मधील पुडुकोट्टाई जिल्ह्यातील वेत्तनविधूथी ३) तामिळनाडूमधील वेल्लोर जिल्ह्यामध्ये मित्तुर गावातील विलंगुप्पम ४) तामिळनाडूमधील चेंगलपेठ जिल्ह्यातील हनुमंथपुरम येथील श्री अघोर वीरभद्रर स्वामी मंदिर ५) तामिळनाडू मधील थिरुवेंगाडू येथील श्री श्वेथारण्येश्वरर मंदिर (नवग्रह स्थळांपैकी हे श्री बुध ग्रहाचे स्थान आहे). ६) तामिळनाडूमधील पेरंबलूर जिल्ह्यातील पसुमबलूर

सिलोन आणि मलेशिया देशात पण श्री वीरभद्ररांची मंदिरे आहेत.

श्री चंडिकेश्वरर:

श्रेष्ठ शिव भक्त मानल्या जाणाऱ्या ६३ नायनमारां मधले पहिले नायनमार म्हणजेच श्री चंडिकेश्वरर. श्री चंडिकेश्वरर हे बालपणापासूनच शिव भक्त होते. त्यांचं बालपणाचं नाव विचारशर्मन असं होतं. त्यांनी एकदा बघितलं कि एक गोप गाईंना चरायला नेताना गाईंना मारत होता. विचारशर्मनला हे बघवलं नाही. त्यांनी त्या गोपाला दरडावून समजावलं की गाय ही खूप पवित्र प्राणी आहे जी यज्ञासाठी लागणाऱ्या वस्तू देते. तिला मारणं म्हणजे महापाप आहे. त्यांनी गोपांकडून गायी हाकण्याचं काम स्वतः घेतलं. त्यांनी हाकण्याचं काम घेतल्यापासून गायी विचारशर्मन वर खूप प्रसन्न झाल्या आणि त्यांनी नेहमीपेक्षा अधिक दूध द्यायला चालू केलं. विचारशर्मन रोज एक मातीचं शिव लिंग तयार करायचे आणि त्यावर दुधाचा अभिषेक करायचे. गायी विचारशर्मन ह्यांच्या शिवाभिषेकासाठी पण दूध द्यायच्या आणि त्याशिवाय त्यांच्या मालकांसाठी पण त्यांच्या कामासाठी पुरून उरेल एवढं दूध द्यायच्या. एकदा एका गावकऱ्याने विचारशर्मन दूध मातीवर ओतत आहेत हे पाहून गावात तक्रार केली कि विचारशर्मन हे दुधाचा अपव्यय करत आहेत. हे जेव्हा विचारशर्मन ह्यांच्या पित्यांना कळलं तेव्हा खरी गोष्ट काय आहे हे पाहण्यासाठी ते विचारशर्मन चा पाठलाग करत आले. जेव्हा त्यांनी पाहिलं कि विचारशर्मन मातीच्या लिंगावर दूध ओतत आहेत त्यांनी रागाने त्या लिंगाला लाथ मारली. भक्ती मध्ये तल्लीन असलेल्या विचारशर्मनला समोर फक्त शिव लिंग दिसत होतं आणि शिव लिंगाच्या अभिषेकामध्ये कोणीतरी व्यत्यय आणला आहे एवढंच त्यांना जाणवलं आणि त्यांनी क्रोधामध्ये आपल्या बाजूला असलेली एक काठी भिरकावली. ती काठी त्यांच्या पित्यांच्या पायाला एका कोयत्याच्या स्वरूपात लागली आणि त्यामुळे त्यांचे पाय कापले गेले. हे ऐकून त्यांची माता त्वरित तेथे आली आणि आपल्या पुत्राचं क्रोधीत रूप बघून घाबरली आणि तिने तिच्या कुटुंबाचं रक्षण करण्यासाठी भगवान शिवांची प्रार्थना केली. भगवान शिव श्री पार्वती देवींसमवेत तेथे प्रकट झाले आणि विचारशर्मनच्या भक्तीची तल्लीनता पाहून त्यावर प्रसन्न होऊन त्यांनी त्याला कवेत घेतलं. विचारशर्मन ह्यांच्या पित्याचे पाय भगवान शिवांनी पूर्ववत केले. भगवान शिवांनी विचारशर्मन ह्यांना शिव मंदिराच्या खजिनदाराची पूर्ण जबाबदारी कायमस्वरूपी दिली आणि त्याच बरोबर त्यांना ईश्वरपद पण प्रदान केलं. आणि त्यांचं चंडिकेश्वर हे नाव प्रसिद्ध झालं. चंडिकेश्वर हे फक्त मंदिराच्या खजिन्याचंच नव्हे तर भगवान शिवांचं पण पालन करतात असा समज आहे. दक्षिण भारतातील सर्व शिव मंदिरांमध्ये अशी प्रथा आहे कि, प्रत्येक भक्त मंदिराचं दर्शन घेऊन मंदिरातून बाहेर निघण्याच्या आधी श्री चंडिकेश्वरर ह्यांच्या मूर्तीसमोर आपले हात झटकून त्यांना हे दर्शवून देतात कि मंदिरातून त्यांनी प्रसादाशिवाय इतर कुठलीही गोष्ट घेतलेली नाही.

पुढच्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती आणि श्री लिंगोद्भवर ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

Saptasthanam Temples around Thiruvaiyarur

In the last article, we mentioned about clusters of seven temples called Saptasthanam. We listed 10 such clusters in Tamil Nadu. One of those clusters is Saptasthana temples around Thiruvaiyarur.

These Saptasthana temples around Thiruvaiyarur are also referred as temples associated with Lord Nandi’s marriage which was performed by Lord Shiva. He took the divine couple to these places as a sort of Thanksgiving for the help rendered by the people for Nandi’s marriage.

Those seven temples are as follows:

Shri Aiyar-appar temple at Thiruvaiyar
Shri Apathsahyar temple at Thirupazhanam
Shri Odhanavaneshwarar Temple at Thiruchotruthurai
Shri Vedapurishwarar Temple at Thiruvedikudi
Shri Puvananathar Temple at Thiruppoonthruthi
Shri Brahmashirakandiswarar Temple at Thirukandiyur
Shri Neyyadiappar Temple at Thillaisthanam

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ३

मागच्या अंकात आपण शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग २ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवांची पांच मुखें, ज्याला पंचशिव म्हणतात, त्यांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवांच्या श्री सोमस्कंदर आणि श्री भैरवर ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

श्री सोमस्कंदर:

ह्या रूपामध्ये भगवान शिव हे गृहस्थाच्या रूपात दाखवले आहेत. सोम (म्हणजे श्री पार्वती देवी म्हणजेच उमा समवेत भगवान शिव) आणि त्यांच्या समवेत त्यांच्या मध्यभागी त्यांचा पुत्र श्री कार्थिकेय (स्कंद) अशी मूर्ती असते त्या एकत्र मूर्तीला श्री सोमस्कंदर (सोम-सह-स्कंद) असं नाव आहे. पुराणांनुसार श्री विष्णूंनी अपत्यप्राप्तीसाठी भगवान शिवांची आराधना केली तेव्हा त्यांना मन्मथ नावाचा पुत्र झाला. पण श्री पार्वती देवींना हे आवडलं नाही कारण श्री विष्णूंनी त्यांना आराधना करताना वगळलं होतं. म्हणून त्यांनी श्री विष्णूंना शाप दिला कि भगवान शिवांकडून त्यांचा पुत्र चिताभस्म होईल. श्री विष्णूंना आपली चूक लक्षात आली म्हणून त्यांनी भगवान शिव आणि त्यांच्या समवेत श्री पार्वती देवी आणि त्यांचा पुत्र कार्थिकेय अशी मूर्ती बनवून त्याची आराधना केली. त्या आराधनेवर प्रसन्न होऊन श्री पार्वती देवींनी श्री विष्णूंना वरदान दिलं की भगवान शिवांनी चिताभस्म केलेला मन्मथ (काम) पुन्हा पुनरुज्जीवित होईल आणि त्याची पत्नी रतीदेवी समवेत तो स्त्री पुरुषांमध्ये आकर्षण निर्माण करण्यास कारणीभूत होईल जेणेकरून मनुष्य जात जीवित राहील.

श्री भैरवर:

श्री भैरवर भगवान शिवांचं एक रूप आहे. भैरवर ह्यांच्याकडे काळाच्या (टाइम) व्यवस्थापनेचं काम आहे. म्हणून त्यांना काळभैरव असं पण म्हणतात. त्यांना क्षेत्रपाल असं पण म्हणतात कारण ते भगवान शिवांच्या मंदिराची देखभाल करतात. दक्षिण मंदिरांमध्ये अशी प्रथा आहे कि दिवसाकाठी जेव्हां मंदिर बंद करण्याची वेळ येते त्यावेळी औपचारिकतेने मंदिराच्या किल्ल्या श्री भैरवर ह्यांच्याकडे सोपवल्या जातात आणि परत जेव्हां दिवसाच्या सुरुवातीला मंदिर उघडण्याची वेळ येते त्यावेळी औपचारिकतेने किल्ल्या श्री भैरवरांकडून घेतल्या जातात. कारण श्री भैरवर काळाचे व्यवस्थापक आहेत, ज्या भक्तांना आध्यात्मिक उपासनेमध्ये वेळेचं योग्य नियंत्रण करायचं असतं ते उपासनेच्या आरंभी श्री काळभैरवांना प्रार्थना करतात. श्री काळ भैरवांचं वाहन कुत्रा आहे. म्हणून पुराणांमध्ये कुत्र्याला भरवणे हे दैवी कर्म मानलं जातं. श्री भैरवर ह्यांना प्रवाशांचे रक्षणकर्ते असं पण म्हणतात. म्हणून सिद्ध मुनींच्या (शैव मुनी) मते प्रवास चालू करण्यापूर्वी, मुख्यतः रात्रीचा प्रवास चालू करण्यापूर्वी, श्री भैरवरांसमोर दिवा लावून मग प्रवास चालू करावा. श्री भैरवांची आठ रूपे आहेत. ही आठ रूपे आठ दिशांचं पालन करतात. ह्यांना अष्टभैरव असं म्हणतात. त्यांची नावे अशी - असिथान्गभैरव, रुरुभैरव, चंडभैरव, क्रोधन भैरव, उन्मथभैरव, कपालभैरव, भीषणभैरव, संहारभैरव.

Saptasthanam Shiva temples in TamilNadu

According to Sthala puranas, in bygone days, there was a tradition of worshiping a cluster of seven Shiva temples. Together they were considered to be one Shiva temple. They were considered as a one Shiva sthalam having seven Shiva lingas at different places very close to each other. This practice was considered to be the Siddha way of worshiping Lord Shiva. The practice is to worship at six other shiva temples first and finally the seventh one which was considered to be the main temple. It is believed that this practice existed even before the time of Shaiva saint Sambandhar. According to Sthala puranas, he had followed this procedure when he had visited the Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore.

We are giving below a list of ten such clusters of seven temples. For each cluster there is a main temple and six temples around the main temple.

Saptasthana temples of Mylapore
Around Mylapore near Chennai we have seven temples, of which Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple is considered to be the main temple. It is believed that sapta rishis Atri, Bhrugu, Kutsa, Vashishtha, Gautama, Kashyapa, Angirasa worshiped at these seven temples.
Saptasthana temples of Thiruvaiyarur. Here Aiyarappar temple at Thiruvaiyaru is considered as the main.
Saptasthana shiva temples around Nagapattinam. Here Naganathar temple at Nagora is considered as the main temple.
Saptashatna temples around Mayiladuthurai. Here Mayuranathar temple at Mayiladuthurai is considered as the main temple.
Saptasthana temples around Kumbhakonam. Here Adikumbheshwarar temple at Kumbhakonam is considered as the main temple.
Saptasthanam temples around Kanjanur. Here Agneeswarar temple at Kanjanur (Suryanar Temple Kovil) is considered as main.
Saptasthana Shiva temples of Chakrapalli. Here Shri Chakravageeshwarar temple at Chakrapall is main temple.
Saptasthanam Shiva temple at Karanthattaangudi in Tanjavur district. Here Shri Vashishteshwarar temple at Karanthattaangudi is the main temple.
Saptasthanam temples of Thirunallur (Kumbhakonam to Valangaiman route). Here Shri Panchavarneshwarar temple at Thirunallur is the main temple.
Saptasthana Temples around Thirunilakkudi (Kumbhakonam to Kairaikkal main route). The main temple is Shri Neelakantheshwarar at Thiruneelakudi.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग २

मागच्या अंकात आपण शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या ह्या सदरातील भाग १ वाचला. त्यामध्ये आपण भगवान शिवाच्या श्री रुद्र आणि श्री एकादश रुद्र ह्या रूपांबद्दल माहिती वाचली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण भगवान शिवाच्या पांच अवतार किंवा त्यांना एकत्र पंचशिव किंवा पंचब्रह्म असं पण म्हणतात त्याबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

ह्या सृष्टीमध्ये पांच कर्म ही कायमस्वरूपी म्हणजेच सनातन आहेत. त्यांना पंचकृत्य असं म्हणतात. ती कृत्ये म्हणजे - सृष्टीची निर्मिती (उप्तत्ती), सृष्टीचं पालनपोषण (स्थिती), सृष्टीचा संहार (लय). ही तीन प्रसिद्ध कर्म आहेत. ह्याशिवाय अजून दोन कर्मे आहेत ती म्हणजे - तिरोधान आणि अनुग्रह. ह्या प्रत्येक कर्माला एक अधिष्ठान देवता आहे. ह्या देवता म्हणजे शिव-शक्तींचीच रूपे आहेत. शिव आणि शक्ती हे एकत्रच वेगवेगळ्या रूपात ही पांच कर्मे करत असतात. ह्या भगवान शिवाच्या पांच रूपांना पंचब्रह्म किंवा पंचशिव किंवा पंचानन असं म्हणतात. भगवान शंकरांच्या मराठी आरतीमध्ये पंचानन हे नाव येतं.

पांच कर्मे दर्शविणाऱ्या भगवान शिवांच्या पांच रूपांची किंवा पांच मुखांची माहिती आम्ही इथे थोडक्यात देत आहोत.

श्री सद्योजातमूर्ती:

भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप त्यांच्या सृष्टी निर्माण करणाऱ्या शक्तीचं रूप आहे. ह्या रूपाच्या मूर्तीमध्ये भगवान शिव ध्यानावस्थेत दाखवतात. हे पश्चिमाभिमुख रूप आहे. भगवान शिवांच्या ह्या रूपातून अजून काही रूपे निर्माण झाली ती अशी - श्री लिंगोद्भवर, श्री अर्धनारीश्वरर, श्री हरिहर, श्री सुखासन, श्री उमामहेश्वर

श्री वामदेवमूर्ती:

भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप त्यांच्या सृष्टीचं पालनपोषण करणाऱ्या शक्तीचं रूप आहे. हे त्यांचं उत्तराभिमुख रूप आहे. भगवान शिवांच्या ह्या रूपातून अजून काही रूपे निर्माण झाली ती अशी - श्री कंकाळ मूर्ती (ह्याला गंगाळ मूर्ती असं पण म्हणतात), श्री चक्रधर मूर्ती, श्री चंडिकेश्वरर मूर्ती, श्री गजांतीक मूर्ती, श्री एकपाद मूर्ती

श्री अघोरमूर्ती:

भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप त्यांच्या सृष्टीचा संहार करणाऱ्या शक्तीचं रूप आहे. हे त्यांचं दक्षिणाभिमुख रूप आहे. भगवान शिवांच्या ह्या रूपातून अजून काही रूपे निर्माण झाली ती अशी - श्री गजसंहार मूर्ती, श्री वीरभद्र मूर्ती, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती, श्री किराट मूर्ती, श्री नीलकंठ मूर्ती.

श्री तत्पुरुषमूर्ती:

भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप त्यांच्या तिरोधान किंवा तिरोभाव शक्तीचं रूप आहे. संस्कृत मध्ये तिरो भवती म्हणजेच एखाद्यापासून एखादी गोष्ट किंवा माहिती गुप्त ठेवणे. जिवाच्या विकासासाठी जेवढं ज्ञान असणं आवश्यक आहे तेवढंच काही ज्ञान नसणं हे पण सहाय्यक ठरतं. सगळेच जीव आपल्या भूत भविष्याचं ज्ञान पचवू शकत नाहीत आणि म्हणून हे ज्ञान सगळ्यांना उपलब्ध नसतं. प्रत्येक जीवाला त्याच्या वर्तमान स्थितीला अयोग्य असणारं ज्ञान गुप्त ठेवण्याच्या ह्या भगवान शिवांच्या शक्तीला तिरोधान असं म्हणतात. भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप पूर्वाभिमुख आहे. त्यांच्या ह्या रूपातून अजून काही रूपे निर्माण झाली ती अशी - श्री भिक्षाटनर मूर्ती, श्री कामदहन मूर्ती, श्री कालसंहार मूर्ती (ह्या रूपामध्ये त्यांनी मार्कंडेयाचं मृत्त्यूपासून रक्षण केलं), श्री जालंधरसंहार मूर्ती, श्री त्रिपुरारी मूर्ती.

श्री इशानमूर्ती:

भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप त्यांच्या अनुग्रह शक्तीचं रूप आहे. तिरोधानाच्या विरुद्ध अनुग्रह. तिरोधान शक्ती ज्ञान लपवते तर अनुग्रह शक्ती ज्ञान देते. जीव जसजसा विकास साधतो तसतसं जीवाची ज्ञान ग्रहण करण्याची शक्ती वाढते. इथे ज्ञान म्हणजे आत्मज्ञान. जेव्हा एखादा जीव तपश्चर्येने म्हणा किंवा निरंतर भक्तीने आत्मज्ञानासाठी योग्य स्थिती प्राप्त करतो तेव्हा भगवान शिवांच्या अनुग्रह शक्तीमुळे त्या जीवास आत्मज्ञानाची प्राप्ती होते. भगवान शिवांचं हे रूप ऊर्ध्वमुख आहे. त्यांच्या ह्या रूपातून अजून काही रूपे निर्माण झाली ती अशी - श्री सोमस्कंदर मूर्ती, श्री नटराज मूर्ती, श्री वृषभारूढ मूर्ती, श्री चंद्रशेखर मूर्ती, श्री कल्याणसुंदर मूर्ती.

Shri Airawateshwarar Temple at Darasuram

This Shiva temple is one of the pancha kroshi sthala of Kumbhakonam. It is also one of the SaptaSthana temples around Kumbhakonam. This temple is classified as a Kalai (Art) Kovil. The temple was built by the king Rajarajeshwara and is about 1500 years old. It is located at Darasuram in Kumbhakonam taluka of Tamilnadu. It is very close to the Kollaidum river which is a tributary of Kaveri.

Mulavar: Shri Airatwateshwarar
Devi: Shri Vedanayaki
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Kshetrapuran:
According to Purana, Airawat (the white elephant mount of Indra) due to its ego, misbehaved with Sage Durvasa by not paying any attention to him. The sage cursed the white elephant to lose all its grace, color, power and position. It became a bison and started roaming on the earth. When it heard about this place, it came here and worshiped Shri Shiva for atonement. Shri Shiva graced her and restored it to its original position in the Indra loka. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Airawateshwarar.

According to the another incidence taken in the purana, Shri Yama angered the Sages by his behavior. They cursed him so that his body became very hot and he could not bear the heat generated in the body. He roamed far and wide for relief. Finally when he heard about this sacred teertha, created by Shri Shiva with his Trident, he came here for relief. He took bath in the teertha and worshiped Shri Shiva. He was relieved from the curse of the sages.

In this temple complex as well as in the temple, there are several sculptures which are very beautiful. As this temple was built by the king Rajarajeshwara Chola, place was earlier known as Rajarajeshwaram. It is believed that the demon Dharakan worshiped Shri Shiva at this place. And place was known as Darasuram. According to Kshetra Purana, the mount of Shri Indra, worshiped Shri Shiva at this place, hence the place is known as Shri Airatwateshwaram.

About the temple:
As soon as we enter, we come across Nandi mandap. There is a staircase leading to Balipeeth. If we tap on the stones of the steps, they give out musical notes. As we enter the temple, we come across a very beautiful marriage hall with a lot of captivating and mind blowing sculptures relating to past history. This mandap is in a form of a horse drawn chariot. The mandap has 16 highly sculptured pillars with about thousand sculptures in each pillar. The sculpture of Shri Nartana Vinayaka is about 2 centimeters in height, in addition to this there are sculptures for incidents from Ramayana, Mahabharata, as well sculptures of Shiva Parvati in Kailash, Shri Muruga with Valli and Deivayani, sages performing penance, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Muruga. There are no words to describe the beauty of these sculptures. The Shiva linga is very captivating. On the outer wall of the main sanctum, we have five sculptures on each side with the middle larger than the others.

Other shrines:
In the southwest corner of the main mandap, we come across sculptures - one of them is of Shri Yama, and then we have sculptures of Sapta Matrikas as well. Devi shrine is larger than the main shrine. There are lots of stone inscriptions which give an account of the renovation work done by various kings.

We come across sculptures on the Gopurams as well. On the north face of the gopuram we have Adi Shankaracharya, Shri Ganga Devi, Shri Tanpurnaradar, Shri Vaisravana, Shri Chandra, Shri Mahashashta, Shri Nagaraja, and Shri Vayu. On the west face of the gopuram - Shri Ambika, Shri Rudrani, Shri Vaishnavi, Shri Brahmi, Shri Varunanai, Shri Nandi, Shri Periyadevar, Shri SanatDevi, Shri Vidyashakti, Shri Pratishtha Shakti, Shri Nivarti Shakti. On the south face of the gopuram - Shri Daksha Prajapati, Shri Yamuna Devi, Shri Rati Devi, Shri Kamdev. On the east face of the gopuram - Shri Agni, Shri Sridevi, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Indra, Shri Padmanidhi, Shri Surya, Shri Subramanya, Shri Kshetrapal, Shri Vishwakarma and Shri Ishandeva.

In this temple we come across, sculptures of Sage Shri Agastya, Shri Sarbheshwarar, Shri Narasimha, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Annapurni, Shri Vishnudurga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwarar, Shri Kannagi, and Shri Nardana Vinayaka. One sculpture is such that, when we view from one side, we observe an Oxen and from the other side of the same sculpture, it appears as an elephant.

Shri Vedanayaki Devi is housed at a distance away from the main shrine in a separate shrine on the right side.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Thai Thaipusam festival for 10 days, Pongal

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri

Chitrai (Apr-May) - 10 days brahmotsav

Vaikashi (May - June) - Divine marriage utsav on Vishakha nakshtra

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and 10 days Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - 10 days Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam.

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, 10 days Thiruvaduthurai, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

Besides this, pradosha puja every month, puja on full moon days and Shivaratri.

Prayers
People pray here for relief from sufferings from the past sins and for getting prosperity in life.

Timings:
7 am to 12 noon and evening 5 pm to 8 pm.
Temple address: Shri Airawateshwarar Temple, Darasuram, Kunbhakonam Taluka, Tamil Nadu.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १

मागच्या अंकात आपण शिव मंदिरातल्या मुख्य मुर्त्यांची माहिती करून घेतली. आता या अंकापासून आपण शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्यांची माहिती करून घेऊया. या अंकामध्ये श्री रुद्र आणि एकादश रुद्र ह्यांची माहिती करून घेऊया.

श्री रुद्र

हिंदू संस्कृतीच्या उत्क्रांतीमध्ये दोन महत्वपूर्ण काळ नजरेस येतात आणि ते म्हणजे वैदिक काळ आणि पौराणिक काळ. देवांची प्रतीके किंवा देव मानण्याच्या समजुतींमध्ये ह्या दोन काळांमध्ये फरक दिसतो. वैदिक काळामध्ये निसर्गाचे घटक आणि नैसर्गिक भावना ह्यांच्याशी देवांची प्रतीके आणि समजुती निगडित होत्या. उदाहरणार्थ रुद्र ही वैदिक काळातील देवता आहे. रुद्र मध्ये रु म्हणजे भीती उत्पन्न करणारा आणि द्र म्हणजे खूप मोठा, प्रचंड शक्ती असलेला असा अर्थ होतो.

निसर्ग हा क्रमबद्ध आहे. निसर्गातल्या प्रत्येक क्रियेला एक क्रम आहे. ज्याला धर्म असं म्हणतात. म्हणजेच निसर्ग आपला धर्म व्यवस्थित पाळतो. उदाहरणार्थ मानवीशरीरामध्ये पचनक्रियेची एक क्रमबद्धता आहे. शरीराला तुम्ही काहीही खायला द्या पण पचन संस्था हि आपल्या धर्माप्रमाणे क्रमबद्ध कार्य करून ते अन्न पचवते आणि त्यातील प्रथिने शरीराच्या विविध भागांमध्ये पोचविण्याचे काम करते. पचनसंस्था हे बघत नाही की अन्न योग्य आहे का अयोग्य. त्या पचनसंस्थेला काय योग्य आणि अयोग्य पुरवावं हे ठरवणे मानवाचं काम आहे. त्याने अयोग्य अन्न पचनसंस्थेला दिलं तर त्याचं फळ पण अयोग्यच मिळणार. तसेच पर्जन्य योग्य प्रमाणात पडावा म्हणून त्यासाठी पोषक स्थिती निर्माण होण्यामध्ये एक क्रमबद्धता आहे. नैसर्गिक प्रक्रिया मधून आपल्याला अनुकूलता प्राप्त करायची असेल तर आपल्याला तशी कर्मे करायला पाहिजे. म्हणजेच आपल्याला आपल्या शरीरामध्ये संतुलन राखायचं असेल तर आपण पचनसंस्थेला योग्य अन्न देणं अपेक्षित आहे. तसेच आपल्याला पर्जन्याची अनुकूलता मिळविण्यास म्हणजेच तो योग्य प्रमाणात पडावा अशी इच्छा असल्यास आपल्याला योग्य प्रमाणात झाडे लावणे आवश्यक आहे. पण जेव्हा मानव अनैसर्गिक किंवा अधर्मी कर्मे करतो तेव्हा त्यांचा परिणाम म्हणून निसर्ग प्रतिकूल फळे देतो. उदाहरणार्थ पर्जन्य अयोग्य प्रमाणात घडून वादळ, चक्रीवादळ, तुफान निर्माण होतात किंवा आरोग्यमय आहाराचं असंतुलन घडून महामारी सारख्या घटना निर्माण होऊन जीवन विस्कळीत होतं. ह्या सर्व नैसर्गिक क्रियांमधल्या असंतुलनामुळे निर्माण होणाऱ्या भीतीदायक घटना घडवून भीती निर्माण करणारी देवता म्हणजेच रुद्र. म्हणूनच आपण “निर्सगाने रौद्र रूप धारण केले आहे” अशासारखे वाक्प्रचार बघतो. ह्या सर्व भीतींमधून आपल्याला मुक्तता मिळवायची असेल म्हणजेच आपल्याला निसर्गाची अनुकूलता प्राप्त करावयाची असेल तर ह्या रुद्र शक्तीला प्रसन्न करणं आणि प्रसन्न ठेवणं आवश्यक आहे.

ह्या देवांना प्रसन्न करण्यामध्ये दोन गोष्टी कामाला येतात. त्या म्हणजे धर्माला अनुसरून केलेलं कर्म आणि योग्य ध्वनींचा उच्चार. ध्वनींच्या योग्य उच्चारामुळे नैसर्गिक संतुलन प्राप्त होण्यास मदत होते. आणि हाच वेदांमध्ये सांगितलेल्या यज्ञादी कर्मांचा पाया आहे. वेदांमधले देव म्हणजे सर्व निसर्गाचे घटक - आकाश, वायू, अग्नी, जल, पृथ्वी. आणि ह्या घटकांची अनुकूलता प्राप्त करण्यासाठी म्हणून वेदांमध्ये ह्या घटकांच्या अधिष्ठान देवतांच्या स्तुतीपर सूक्त आहेत. स म्हणजे चांगले किंवा शुभ आणि उक्त म्हणजे उच्चार. यज्ञांमध्ये अग्नि प्रज्वलित करून देवांच्या स्तुतीपर सूक्त म्हणून त्या देवतांना आवाहन केले जाते आणि परत सुक्तांच्या घोषामध्ये अग्निमध्ये आज्य म्हणजे तूप अर्पण करून त्यांना प्रसन्न केले जाते. ह्या सूक्तांच्या शास्त्रबद्ध उच्चारांमुळे ह्या देवता प्रसन्न होऊन अनुकूलता प्रदान करतात असा समज आहे.

वेदांमधला रुद्र देव म्हणजेच पुराणांमधले भगवान शिव. ब्रम्हा, विष्णू, महेश, देवी हे सगळे पौराणिक देव म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत. पौराणिक देवांना सहसा पुराणांमधली त्यांच्या स्तुतीपर स्तोत्रे म्हणून प्रसन्न केले जाते. पण ह्या देवांचा अभिषेक करताना किंवा मंत्रपुष्पांजली वाहताना वेदांमधली सूक्ते पण म्हणतात.

रुद्र देवाला म्हणजेच भगवान शिवांना प्रसन्न करण्यासाठी वेदांमध्ये रुद्रस्तुतीपर सूक्त आणि मंत्र आहेत. ह्या सर्व रुद्र स्तुतीपर सूक्तांना आणि मंत्रांना एकत्रित शतरुद्रियं असं नाव आहे. ह्यापैकी रुद्र नमक आणि रुद्र चमक ही सूक्ते प्रसिद्ध आहेत. सर्व शिव मंदिरात विशषतः सोमवारी रुद्र नमक आणि रुद्र चमक ह्यांच्या घोषामध्ये शिव लिंगावर अभिषेक केला जातो.

श्री एकादश रुद्र

विष्णू पुराणानुसार ब्रह्मदेवाच्या क्रोधातून रुद्राचा जन्म झाला. रुद्राचं रूप अर्धनारीश्वर रूप होतं म्हणजेच अर्ध पुरुष आणि अर्ध नारी.

ह्यातील पुरुष रूपाचं विभाजन होऊन त्यातून अकरा रुद्र निर्माण झाले. त्यातील काही श्वेतवर्णीय आणि मृदूभावी होते तर काही श्यामवर्णीय आणि क्रूरभावी होते. त्यांची नावे १) मन्यु २) मनू ३) म्हामस ४) महान ५) शिव ६) ऋतुध्वज ७) उग्ररेतस ८) भाव ९) काम १०) वामदेव ११) धृतव्रत

रुद्राच्या स्त्री रूपाचं पण विभाजन होऊन त्यातून अकरा रुद्राणी निर्माण झाल्या. त्यांची नावे* - १) धी २) वृत्ती ३) उसान ४) उर्ण ५) नियुत ६) सर्पिस ७) इला ८) अंबिका ९) इरावती १०) सुधा ११) दीक्षा

* ही नावे वरील रुद्रांच्या नावाच्या क्रमांशी जुळलेली नाहीत.

पुराणानुसार रुद्रर हे रुद्राचे परिचर म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहेत. त्यांची नावे - १) अज २) एकपाद ३) अहिर्बुध्न्य ४) त्वस्त ५) रुद्र ६) हर ७) शंभू ८) त्र्यम्बक ९) अपराजित १०) ईशान ११) त्रिभुवन. महाभारतानुसार हे रुद्रर म्हणजे श्री इंद्रदेवाचे सहचर दर्शवले आहेत तर श्री शिव आणि श्री स्कंद यांचे परिचर दर्शवले आहेत. मत्स्य पुराणामध्ये रुद्ररांची वेगळी नावे आहेत आणि असा समज आहे कि ते क्रूरभावी होते आणि त्यांनी श्री विष्णूंना त्यांच्या राक्षसांबरोबरच्या युद्धामध्ये साहाय्य केलं. त्या रुद्ररांची नावे - १) कपाली २) पिंगल ३) भीम ४) विरुपाक्ष ५) विलोहित ६) अजेश ७) शासन ८) शास्त ९) शंभू १०) चंड ११) दुर्व.

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या मुख्य मुर्त्या

मागच्या अंकात आपण मंदिरामध्ये दर्शन कसं घ्यायचं ह्याच्यावर विचार केला. आता ह्या अंकामध्ये आपण शिव मंदिरामध्ये मुख्य मुर्त्या कोणत्या असतात ते जाणून घेऊया.

मुलवर आणि देवी:

मंदिरातील सर्वात मुख्य देवतेला मुलवर असं म्हणतात. अर्थात शिव मंदिरामध्ये मुलवर म्हणजे शिवलिंग असतं आणि त्या बरोबर श्री पार्वती देवींची मूर्ती असते. साधारणतः ह्या शिव लिंगाला त्या त्या स्थळपुराणानुसार नाव प्राप्त होतं. उदाहरणार्थ श्री वैथिश्वरन कोविल जे मंगळ ग्रहाचं स्थान म्हणून प्रसिद्ध आहे तेथल्या स्थळ पुराणानुसार श्री मुरुगन आणि राक्षस सुरपद्मन ह्यांच्यात झालेल्या युद्धात जे देव जखमी झाले त्यांची शुश्रूषा भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी ह्या दोघांनी वैद्याची भूमिका निभावून केली. श्री शंकरांनी वैद्याची भूमिका निभावली तर श्री पार्वतीदेवींनी रुग्णांना तेल लावण्याचं काम केलं. म्हणून येथील शिव लिंगाला श्री वैद्यनाथ (श्री वैदिश्वरन किंवा श्री वैथिश्वरन) असं नाव आहे तर श्री पार्वती देवींचं श्री तैलनायकी असं नाव आहे.

कुठल्याही मंदिरात भगवान शिवांची मूर्ती कधी नसते. भगवान शिवांची पूजा ही नेहमी शिवलिंगाची पूजा करूनच केली जाते. भगवान शिवांच्या इतर रूपांच्या मुर्त्या असतात आणि त्यांची पूजा केली जाते. ह्या मुर्त्यांची माहिती आपण पुढल्या अंकात वाचू.

श्री गणेश आणि श्री मुरुगन:

पुराणांनुसार भगवान शिव, श्री पार्वती देवी आणि त्यांचे दोन पुत्र श्री गणपती आणि श्री मुरुगन असा शिव परिवार आहे. त्यामुळे प्रत्येक शिव मंदिरांमध्ये ह्या सर्वांच्या मुर्त्या असतातच. शिव मंदिरामध्ये ठिकठिकाणी आपल्याला श्री गणपती आणि श्री मुरुगन ह्यांच्या वेगवेगळ्या रूपाच्या मुर्त्या बघायला मिळतात. पण मुख्यत्वेकरून मंदिराच्या प्रवेशद्वारावर आपल्याला ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या बघायला मिळतात.

साधारणतः श्री गणपतीच्या विविध मुर्त्या असतात त्यांची नावे अशी

श्री सेल्व गणपती:

श्री गणपतींची ही मूर्ती त्यांच्या दोन पत्नी रिद्धी आणि सिद्धी ह्यांच्याबरोबर असते म्हणून त्या मूर्तीला सेल्व गणपती असं नाव आहे.

श्री कर्पग गणपती:

तामिळमध्ये कल्पतरूला कर्पग असं नाव आहे. भक्तांनी केलेल्या इच्छांची जो पूर्ती करतो त्याला कर्पग गणपती म्हणतात. आपल्या भक्तांना हा गणपती सर्व प्रकारचे ऐश्वर्य देतो.

श्री वरद गणपती:

वर देणारा गणपती म्हणून ह्या गणपतीला श्री वरद गणपती असं म्हणतात.

श्री नर्दन गणपती:

नृत्य (नर्दन) करणारा गणपती म्हणून ह्या मूर्तीला श्री नर्दन गणपती असं नाव आहे.

श्री बाल गणपती:

गणपतीच्या बाल स्वरूपातली ही मूर्ती आहे म्हणून ह्याला श्री बाल गणपती म्हणतात.

श्री कन्यामुल गणपती:

तामिळ मध्ये कोपऱ्याला मूल असं म्हणतात आणि नैऋत्य दिशेला कन्या म्हणतात. म्हणजेच नैऋत्य दिशेच्या कोपऱ्यात ज्याची मूर्ती असते म्हणून त्याला कन्यामूल गणपती म्हणतात.

साधारणतः श्री मुरुगन ह्यांच्या पण विविध मुर्त्या असतात त्यांची नावे अशी

श्री मुरुगन:

ज्यांचं मुख एवढं सुंदर आहे कि त्या मुखाकडे बघितल्यावर राग द्वेष सगळे विरघळून जातात म्हणून त्यांना मुरुगन म्हणतात.

श्री कार्तिकेय:

बाल स्वरूपामध्ये असताना श्री मुरुगन ह्यांना सहा कृत्तिका कन्यांनी वाढवलं म्हणून त्यांना श्री कार्तिकेय असं नाव प्राप्त झालं.

श्री षण्मुख:

श्री कार्तिकेयांना सहा कृत्तिका कन्यकांनी वाढवले त्यामुळे त्यांना सहा मुखं होती. देवी पार्वतीने हि सगळी मुखं एकत्र केली. सहा मुखं असल्यामुळे त्यांना षण्मुख असं नाव प्राप्त झालं. ह्या रूपामध्ये त्यांच्याबरोबर त्यांच्या दोन पत्न्या श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै पण असतात. ह्या रूपामध्ये ते मोरावर आरूढ असतात, त्यांच्या झेंड्यावर कोंबडा असतो आणि पायाजवळ नाग असतो आणि सुरपद्म असुराला मारत आहेत असं रूप असतं.

श्री मुरुगन ह्यांना श्री दंडपाणी असं पण नाव आहे. दंडपाणी म्हणजे ज्यांनी हातामध्ये दंड धारण केला आहे.

श्री बालसुब्रमण्यम:

श्री मुरुगन ह्यांचे बाल स्वरूप

श्री बाल मुरुगन:

श्री मुरुगन ह्यांचे बाल स्वरूप

श्री कुमारस्वामी:

कुमार वयात असताना श्री मुरुगन ह्यांनी आपल्या पित्याला म्हणजेच भगवान शिवांना प्रणव मंत्राचा उपदेश केला म्हणून त्यांना कुमारस्वामी असं म्हणतात.

श्री वेलन् किंवा श्री वेलमुरूगन

म्हणजे हातात भाला घेतलेले (भाल्याला वेल असं पण म्हणतात)

श्री सिंगारवेलन्:

श्री मुरुगन ह्यांची भाला म्हणजेच वेल धारण केलेली सुंदर मूर्ती

श्री सुब्रमण्यम:

ह्या मूर्तीमध्ये श्री मुरुगन ह्यांच्या बरोबर त्यांच्या दोन पत्नी श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै असतात

श्री स्कंदर:

ह्या मूर्तीमध्येपण श्री मुरुगन ह्यांच्या बरोबर त्यांच्या पत्नी श्री वल्ली आणि श्री दैवनै असतात

Shri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple at Swami Malai

This temple is popularly known as Swamimalai Swaminath Temple. This temple was built by Pandya king but the additions to the temple were later done by Cholas and Pandyas. This temple is one of the six famous temples of Shri Muruga (Karthikeya). And is also one of the Panchakroshi sthala of Kumbhakonam and one of the Saptasthana temples around Kumbhakonam as well. It is built on an artificial hill and is located very near to Kumbhakonam on the bank of river Kaveri. The temple is believed to be about 2000 years old. To reach the main shrine of Shri Muruga, one has to climb 60 steps which are supposed to represent the 60 years in a tamil calendar. The temple has three parikramas and Shri Muruga’s shrine has 3 entrances. The main entrance to the temple is to the south where we come across a five tier rajagopuram. The main temple of Shri Muruga is known as Mel Kovil. Mel (above / top). The temple at the bottom is known as Shri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Kovil. The outer prakaram is at the ground level. The second one is in the middle staircase and the innermost shrine is of Shri Muruga and is known as Swaminath Swami. There is a golden chariot which is taken in a procession. Devotees, by paying Rs 1001, can take deity in procession in golden chariot. Shaiva saint Shri Arunagirinadar has sung a hymn about the Lord in this place.

Mulavar: Shri Swaminath Swami along with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivayani.
Kshetra vruksha: Gooseberry Tree (amla)
Sacred teertha: Vajra Teertha, Saravana Teertha, Brahma Teertha, Netra Teertha, River Kaveri known as Kumar Attuthurai (river bank).
Puranik Name: Thiruveragam

Kshetra Purana:

Shri Bhumadevi came to this place as atonement for a curse given by Shri Parvati Devi. She did penance at this place and got rid of curse. After that she did not go away from this place but stayed here as Gooseberry tree.

Shri Brahma came to meet Shri Muruga with high ego as he had a feeling that he had a knowledge of everything in the universe. Shri Muruga questioned him about the meaning of Pranava mantra. As Shri Brahma could not explain the meaning, Shri Muruga struck his danda on Brahma’s head. He kicked him after making him fall at his feet and imprisoned him. He himself took over task of creation. Shri Vishnu was worried about the fate of Shri Brahma. He sought the help of Shri Shiva for the release of Shri Brahma. Shri Muruga obeyed the command of his father and released Shri Brahma. Shri Shiva took Shri Muruga on his lap in appreciation. He requested his son to explain the meaning of Pranava mantra which even Shri Brahma did not know. Shri Karthikeya told his father as this mantra should not be explained to anyone openly (as it is a secret.). He explained this mantra in the ears of his father. Hence he became the guru for his father. Hence he got the name Swaminath Swami. And the place is known as Swami Malai. As Shri Karthikeya was guru for those who worshiped him namely Shri Brahma, Shri Bhumadevi and Shri Indra, the place is known as GuruMalai and GuruGiri.

About shrines and idols in this temples

The sixty steps are believed to be that of the devatas associated with this temple. It is believed that they worshiped Shri Muruga as a steps to his shrine. Hence they are worshiped on Tamil new year days with flowers and fruits. This worship is known as Thiru padi (step) puja. There are several shrines in main Subramanya temple. At the second entrance there is an idol depicting Shri Muruga as if explaining about Omkar to Shri Shiva.

At the entrance there is an idol of Shri Netra Vinayaka who is believed to cure the diseases connected with eye. Idols of Karthaveeryarjuna, Idumbal, and the army of Shri Subramanya. As we move towards the sanctum sanctorum we come across the idol of Sabhapati (Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli), Senapati (Shri Subramanya with Shri Deivanai), Shri Subramanya with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Nataraja and saint Shri Arunagiri Nadar. There are shrines of Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Veerabhadra, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Dandayudhapani.

The idol of Shri Muruga known as Dandayudhapani, a six feet tall with Shakti vel (sphear) and a danda in his hand. He is mounted on Elephant instead of peacock. The base of idol is known as Shiva peetham. This sphear (Shakti vel) given by his mother Shri Parvati Devi is supposed to have all three shaktis namely - Icchashakti, Kriyashakti and Dnyanashakti. The netra teertha was created by him with his sphear.

Special features:

When abhishek of Shri Muruga is done with sacred ash, he appears like gyani with complete knowledge.

When abhishek is done with sandalwood paste, he is Balasubramanyam.

When we look at the Shri Swaminath Swami, the peetham looks like base of Shiva Linga known as Avudayar. And Shri Muruga appears as the cylindrical portion of Shiva Linga known as Bana.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Thai Thaipusam festival for 10 days, Pongal

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri

Chitrai (Apr-May) - 10 days brahmotsav

Vaikashi (May - June) - Divine marriage utsav on Vishakha nakshtra

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and 10 days Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - 10 days Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam.

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, 10 days Thiruvaduthurai, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festiva

Besides these special pujas on Tamil and English new year known as Thirupadi, puja on all Krittika nakshatra days, first day of every new month, full moon days, new moon days, every shashthi and on vishakha nakshatra.

Prayers: People pray here for child boon, prosperity, longevity of life, education, and for eradication of sins.

Address: Shri Swaminathar Swami temple, Swami Malai, 612302, Near Kumbhakonam Tamil Ndu

Telephone: 91-4352454421

Timing: 5 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 8 pm

श्री शिव मंदिरामधे दर्शन घेण्याची पद्धत

मागच्या अंकात आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातील मुख्य विभागांची माहिती जाणून घेतली. आता आपण शिव मंदिरांमध्ये दर्शन घेण्याची काही विशिष्ट क्रमबद्ध पद्धत आहे ती जाणून घेऊया. नेहमीच्या व्यवहारात सुद्धा आपल्याला एखादी गोष्ट साधायची असेल तर परिणामकारक क्रमच कामाला येतो. आणि हा नियम देवकृपा मिळविण्यासाठी पण लागू पडतो. म्हणूनच शास्त्रांनी देवांची पूर्ण कृपा मिळविण्यासाठी एक विशिष्ट दर्शन पद्धत आपल्याला दिली आहे.

मंदिरात आपल्याबरोबर बाकीचेच अनेक दर्शनार्थी पण असतात ह्याची जाणीव ठेवून दर्शन घेतेवेळी किंवा प्रदक्षिणा घालताना अत्यंत हळुवार बोलावं आणि चालावं जेणेकरून कोणाला व्यत्यय येणार नाही. परमाचार्य श्री चंद्रशेखरेंद्र सरस्वती ह्यांसारख्या थोर आचार्यांच्या उपन्यासांमध्येपण अशा सूचनांचा उल्लेख आढळतो.

आता आपण दर्शन पद्धत जाणून घेऊया.

सर्वप्रथम मंदिरात दर्शन घेण्यास जाण्याआधी स्नान करून स्वच्छ कपडे परिधान करावेत. पुरुषांनी शक्यतो पंचकच्च म्हणजेच धोतर आणि अंगवस्त्र परिधान करणं उत्तम. स्त्रियांनी शक्यतो साडी परिधान करणं उत्तम. देवांना आणि आपल्या संस्कृतीला आदर देणे हा ह्यामागचा उद्देश आहे.
आपल्या कपाळावर विभूती किंवा कुंकू किंवा गंध परिधान करावं. धर्मशास्त्रानुसार सर्वकाळी, आणि मुख्यतः देवाचं दर्शन घेताना, कपाळ मोकळं ठेऊ नये असं म्हणतात. ह्याशिवाय आपल्या गुरूंनी दिलेल्या उपदेशानुसार किंवा आपल्या कुळपरंपरेनुसार रुद्राक्ष किंवा स्फटिकाची माळ परिधान करावी.
आपल्या क्षमतेनुसार देवांना अर्पण करण्यासाठी नारळ, विड्याची पाने, सुपाऱ्या, फळं, फुलं, फुलांचे हार घ्यावेत.
मंदिरात प्रवेश करण्यापूर्वी गोपुराचं (किंवा राजगोपुर) दर्शन घ्यावं. आणि मग परिक्रमेकडे जावं.
पहिल्या परिक्रमेमध्ये ध्वजस्तंभ असतो. तिथे नमस्कार करावा.
त्यानंतर बलिपीठाला नमस्कार करून तिथे आपण आणलेल्या गोष्टींपैकी काही अर्पण करावं.
मंदिरामध्ये प्रवेश करण्यापूर्वीपासून ते बाहेर पडेपर्यंत आपण अति हळुवार आवाजामध्ये बोलणं आवश्यक आहे जेणेकरून मंदिरातील इतर दर्शनार्थी भक्तांना कुठल्याही प्रकारचा व्यत्यय येणार नाही.
त्यानंतर आपण मुख्य मंदिरामध्ये प्रवेश करतो जिथे अंतः परिक्रमा असते. मंदिरात प्रवेश करण्याच्या वेळी आपले दोन्ही हात डोक्याच्या वरती उभे करावेत. मंदिरात प्रवेश केल्यावर विविध देवांचं दर्शन पुढे दिलेल्या पद्धतीने करावं.

श्री गणपतींना १ किंवा ३ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात
जर शक्य असेल तर शिव लिंगाला ५ किंवा ७ किंवा ९ किंवा १५ किंवा २१ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात.
श्री विष्णूंना ४ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात
सर्व देवींना ४ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात
श्री सोमस्कंदर, श्री दक्षिणामूर्ती आणि श्री सुब्रमण्यम ह्यांना ३ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात
श्री मारुतींना ११ किंवा १६ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात
जिथे प्रदक्षिणा घालणं शक्य नसेल तिथे स्वतःभोवती ३ प्रदक्षिणा घालाव्यात

इथे एक विशष सूचना अशी आहे कि प्रदक्षिणा घालताना आपण अति हळुवार चालणं आवश्यक आहे. जणू काही आपण आपल्या डोक्यावर दुधाची कळशी घेऊन चालताना दूध सांडणार नाही ह्याची काळजी कशी घेऊ त्याच काळजीने प्रदक्षिणा घालताना पण चालावं.

त्यांनतर आरती* घेतल्यावर, आपण समजा अर्चना किंवा अभिषेकासाठी विनंती केली असेल तर त्याचा प्रसाद पुरोहितांकडून स्वीकारावा. पुरोहित किंवा आपण स्वतः पूजा, अर्चना किंवा अभिषेक करत असू तर आपलं पूर्ण लक्ष हे मूर्तीवर आहे ह्याची काळजी घ्यावी.
शिव लिंगाचं दर्शन घेण्याआधी श्री नंदीदेवांचं दर्शन घेणे आवश्यक आहे.
जर मंदिरात श्री चंडिकेश्वरर ह्यांची मूर्ती असेल तर मंदिरातून बाहेर जाण्याआधी त्यांचं दर्शन घेऊन त्यांच्यासमोर जाऊन टाळी वाजवावी (किंवा टाळी सारखे दोन्ही हात झटकावेत). श्री चंडिकेश्वरर हे शिव मंदिराचे खजिनदार आहेत त्यामुळे असं करून आपण त्यांना सांगतो कि आम्ही ह्या मंदिरातून प्रसादाशिवाय काहीही घेऊन जात नाही.
मंदिरातील सर्व देवांचं दर्शन घेऊन झालं की मंदिराच्या आवारात थोडा काळ (कमीत कमी १ ते २ मिनिटे) बसून आपल्या स्मरणात असणारा एखादा श्लोक किंवा स्तोत्र हे मनातल्या मनात म्हणावं.
सर्वात शेवटी मंदिराच्या बाहेर जाताना ध्वजस्तंभाला नमस्कार करून मग बाहेर पडावं. जर मंदिराची दिशा पूर्व-पश्चिम अशी असेल तर उत्तरेकडे मुख करून नमस्कार करावा, आणि जर मंदिराची दिशा उत्तर-दक्षिण असेल तर पूर्वेकडे मुख करून नमस्कार करावा. स्त्रियांनी आपले हात, गुढगे आणि डोकं जमिनीला टेकवून नमस्कार करावा. पुरुषांनी साष्टांग नमस्कार घालायचा असतो.

*ह्या मंदिरांमध्ये पूजा झाली कि पुरोहित आरती, म्हणजे निरंजन किंवा पंचारती, भक्तांसाठी उचलून धरतात जेणेकरून भक्त त्याला नमस्कार करू शकतात.

Shri Sundareshwar Temple at Koranattukarupur

This temple is one of the PanchaKrosha sthalam associated with Kumbhakonam. It is on the bank of river Kaveri. This is about 4 kms from Kumbhakonam on KumbhaKonam-Chennai route. This Shiva temple is popularly known as PettiAmman Kovil. The temple was built and renovated by Chola kings. It is more than 1500 years old. Shaiva saint Shri Sundarar has made reference in one of his hymns sung by him on Shri Shiva. Hence this temple is revered as Thevavaippu.

Mulavar: Shri Sundareshwarar
Devi: Shri Abhirami
Puranik Name: Patala Vanam
Kshetra Vruksha: Pathari tree (Yellow Trumpet temple flowers)
Sacred Teertha: Brahma Teertha

This is an east facing temple with five tiered Rajagopuram, and has two prakarams. The Shiva Linga is a swayambhu linga. Devi is housed in a shrine facing south. Idol of Devi has four hands. In the upper right hand she holds a garland of beads, upper left hand she holds a lotus flower, the lower hands bear Abhaya and Varada mudra. On the eastern side of the main temple, we come across a big box in which the Kali Amman known as Shri PettiKaliAmman is kept. She is named as Shri Sundara Kali amman. She has eight hands. The four right hands bear Trishul, a sickle (arrival in Tamil), a small drum (udukku in Tamil) and a parrot. On the fourth left hand she has paash (noose), shield, a bell, and a skull. She has fiery eyes, two protruding teeth (like fangs) and reddish face. She is worshiped by applying civet (punugu in Tamil) and a sacred ash.

In this temple, the articles like flowers, kumkum (vermillion), lemon etc which the devotees submit to the deity are not given back. After the naivedya like a sweet rice (pongal in Tamil) is shown to the deity, the box containing idol is opened. The deity is taken in procession only once during the uttarayana.

Other shrines:

We come across the shrines of Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Sapta Matrikas, Shri Muruga, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Bhairav, and Shri Navagrahas in the temple complex.

Kshetra Puran:

Once the villagers had gathered on the banks of river Kaveri. At that time, they saw a wooden cascade floating in the river. They recovered the box, and opened it. They found a wooden bust of Shri Kali (Devi). A divine voice informed them that it was the idol of Shri MahaKali worshipped by King Vikramaditya. They were also advised by the divine voice how to worship that idol. They followed the directions by keeping the idol in a thatched house. One night the house was destroyed in the fire, however villagers could save the cascade from the fire. They sought the advise of his holiness Shri Shankaracharya of Kanchi Peetha. He directed them to a place in a nearby Shiva Temple where there was already a place meant for this idol. He advised them to name her as Shri Sundar Mahakali. They were directed to worship her by keeping it in the cascade itself and he also stated that they should continue there earlier method of worship. This place was earlier known as Thiru Patalavanam (this was a forest of Padiri trees). Later on the place came to be known as Koranattukarupur.

It is believed that this idol was originally with King Vikramaditya.

Shri Brahma worshiped Shri Shiva daily by installing a Shiva Linga in the dense forest of Padiri trees. He received dnyana upadesha from Shri Shiva at this place.

Shri Indra worshiped Shri Shiva along with his mount Airavat on the full moon day of Chitrai. He got rid of the curse by worshiping Shri Shiva.

Sages Agastya, Kanva, and Vakilya worshiped Shri Shiva and Shri Mahakali at this place.

At this place daily pujas are performed four times in a day.

Festivals:

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Adi (July-August) - Puram festival

Avani (August - September) - Ganesh chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navratri

Aippasi (Oct - Nov) - Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Karthigai Deepam

Besides this, special pujas are performed on the full moon day, new moon day, ashtami, and navami.

Contact: Shri Sundareshwarar Temple, Koranattukarppur, Kumbhakonam Taluka, 612501. Telephone: 91-4352443460

श्री शिव मंदिरातील मुख्य विभाग

शिव मंदिरांबद्दल माहितीस्वरूप मराठी भाषेतील लेखमालेतील मागच्या अंकामध्ये आपण मंदिरांचं दर्शन घेण्याचं महत्व काय ह्यावर विचार केला. आता ह्या अंकामध्ये आपण श्री शिव मंदिरातील मुख्य विभागांबद्दल माहिती करून घेऊया.

राजगोपुर, गोपुर आणि विमान:

शिव मंदिरातील सर्वात पहिला विभाग म्हणजे अर्थातच प्रवेशद्वार. काही मंदिरांना चार प्रवेशद्वारं असतात तर काहींना दोन तर काहींना एक. पण ह्या सगळ्यांमध्ये जे मुख्य प्रवेशद्वार असतं त्याच्यावर असलेल्या शिखराला राजगोपुर असं म्हणतात. राजगोपुर हे साधारणतः तीन, पांच, सात किंवा अगदी तेरा स्तरांचे पण असतात. मुख्य प्रवेशद्वार सोडून बाकीच्या प्रवेशद्वारांवर असलेल्या शिखरांना गोपुर असं म्हणतात. ही गोपुरं पण तीन किंवा पांच स्तरांची असतात. राजगोपुर आणि गोपुर ह्यांच्या प्रत्येक स्तरावर विविध देवांच्या मुर्त्या असतात. प्रत्येक गोपुराच्या वरती अजून एक शिखर असतं आणि त्यावर एक किंवा तीन किंवा पांच किंवा सात कळस असतात. सहसा शिव मंदिरांच्या प्रवेशद्वारावर द्वारपालक किंवा श्री गणेश आणि श्री मुरुगन ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या असतात.

गाभाऱ्याच्या वरती जे शिखर असतं त्याला विमान म्हणतात.

ध्वजस्तंभ:

प्रवेशद्वारातून आत मध्ये गेलं कि दुसरा विभाग म्हणजे ध्वजस्तंभ. दक्षिण भारतातल्या मंदिरांमध्ये प्रत्यक्ष देवांच्या मूर्त्यांना नमस्कार करण्याचा अधिकार कोणाला नसतो. नमस्कार करण्यासाठी ध्वजस्तंभ असतो. जर मंदिराची दिशा पूर्व-पश्चिम अशी असेल तर ध्वजस्तंभाला उत्तरेकडे मुख करून नमस्कार करावा, आणि जर मंदिराची दिशा उत्तर-दक्षिण असेल तर पूर्वेकडे मुख करून नमस्कार करावा. स्त्रियांनी आपले हात, गुढगे आणि डोकं जमिनीला टेकवून नमस्कार करावा. पुरुषांनी साष्टांग नमस्कार घालायचा असतो. काही मंदिरांमध्ये नमस्कार करण्याच्या जागा चिन्हांकित केलेल्या (आखलेल्या) दिसतात ज्यामुळे नमस्कार करण्याची जागा शोधणं सोपं होतं.

ध्वजस्तंभाचं अजून एक महत्व म्हणजे कुठल्याही उत्सवाची सुरुवात ध्वजारोहण करून होते आणि उत्सवाच्या शेवटी ध्वजाचे अवरोहण केले जाते.

सहसा ध्वजस्तंभाच्या खाली श्री गणेशांची मुर्ती दिसते. ह्या मूर्तीला श्री ध्वजस्तंभ गणेश असं म्हणतात.

बलीपीठ:

ध्वजस्तंभाच्या बाजूला सहसा बलीपीठ असतं. बलीपीठ म्हणजे जिथे बळी देतात ती जागा. पण इथे बळीचा अर्थ आहे आपल्या काम आणि क्रोधाचा बळी. म्हणजे मंदिरामध्ये मुख्य देवांचं दर्शन घेण्याआधी आपले चित्त शुद्ध करून मग दर्शन घ्यावं असा अर्थ आहे. म्हणून दर्शन घेण्याआधी बलीपीठाला नमस्कार करून त्याला काही अर्पण करावं. बलीपिठाला मीठ (कामाचं प्रतीक) आणि काळी मिरी (क्रोधाचं प्रतीक) हे अर्पण करण्याची प्रथा आहे.

परिक्रमा किंवा प्रकारं:

प्रदक्षिणा घालण्याच्या मार्गाला परिक्रमा किंवा प्रकार असं पण म्हणतात. प्रदक्षिणा घालताना आपल्याला कोष्ठ मूर्तींचं दर्शन होतं. शिवलिंगाच्या गाभाऱ्याच्या भिंतीवर बाहेरील बाजूवर ज्या मुर्त्या असतात त्यांना कोष्ठ मूर्ती म्हणतात. गाभाऱ्याच्या दक्षिणेला सहसा दक्षिणे कडे मुख असणारी श्री दक्षिणामूर्तींची मूर्ती असते. पाठच्या बाजूला श्री ब्रम्हा, श्री विष्णू आणि श्री लिंगोद्भवर ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या किंवा छोटी देवळं असतात. उजव्या बाजूच्या भिंतीवर श्री चंडिकेश्वर व श्री दुर्गा देवी ह्यांची छोटी देवळं असतात. ह्याशिवाय श्री अर्धनारीश्वर, श्री नर्तन गणपती ह्यांच्या मुर्त्या असतात.

अर्थमंडप, महामंडप आणि नंदीमंडप:

राजगोपुर आणि मंदिराची प्रथम परिक्रमा ह्यांच्यामधला जो भाग असतो त्याला अर्थमंडप असं म्हणतात. प्रथम परिक्रमा आणि गाभारा ह्यांमधला जो भाग असतो त्याला महामंडप म्हणतात. कधी कधी महामंडप आणि गाभारा ह्यांमध्ये नंदीचा स्वतंत्र मंडप असला तर त्याला नंदीमंडप असं म्हणतात.

गाभारा:

गाभारा म्हणजेच कोष्ठ. गाभाऱ्यामध्ये मंदिराच्या मुख्य देवतेची मूर्ती असते. म्हणजेच शिव मंदिरामधल्या गाभाऱ्यात शिव लिंग असतं. गाभारा म्हणजेच मंदिराचं मुख्य स्थान. इंग्लिश मध्ये ह्याला सॅन्क्टम सँक्टोरं (Sanctum Sanctorum) म्हणतात. म्हणून त्याचं पावित्र्य राखण्यासाठी तिथे पुजाऱ्यांशिवाय बाकीच्यांना प्रवेश निषिद्ध असतो.

कोष्ठ मूर्ती:

गाभाऱ्याच्या बाहेरील भिंतीवर किंवा भिंतींच्या बाजूला ज्या मुर्त्या किंवा छोटी देवळे असतात त्यांना कोष्ठ मूर्ती म्हणतात. आणि ह्या सर्व देवतांना परिवार देवतां म्हणतात. म्हणजे भगवान शिव आणि श्री पार्वती देवी ह्यांचा परिवार.

उत्सव मूर्ती:

सहसा मंदिरातील उत्सवांमध्ये मंदिराभोवतीच्या चार रस्त्यांवरून रथयात्रा आयोजित होतात. ह्या रथयात्रांमध्ये ज्या मुर्त्या रथामध्ये किंवा पालखीमध्ये ठेवल्या जातात त्यांना उत्सव मूर्ती म्हणतात. ह्या उत्सव मूर्ती पंचधातूच्या असतात. मुख्य मूर्तीच्या तुलनेमध्ये ह्या मुर्त्या छोट्या असतात.

मंदिरांच्या गाभाऱ्यामध्ये पण छोट्या उत्सव मुर्त्या असतात. सहसा वारंवार होणाऱ्या अभिषेकासाठी उत्सव मुर्त्या वापरतात. मुख्य मूर्त्यांवर सहसा पुजा, अर्चना आणि अलंकार केले जातात.

शयनगृह:

काही मंदिरांमध्ये शयनगृह असतं जिथे देव शयन करतात असा समज असतो.

Shri Nageshwara Swamy Temple at Thirunageshwaram

This is one of the Panchakrosha Sthalam located at Thirunageshwaram near Kumbhakonam on the Kumbhakonam-Karaikkal route. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by the Shaiva Saints - Shri Appar, Shri Sundarar and Shri Sambandhar. It is on the southern bank of river Kaveri. It is also one of the Navagraha sthala for the planet Shri Rahu.

Mulavar: Shri Nageshwarar, Shri Naganathaswamy, Shri ShenbagaAranyeshwarar

Devi: Shri Girigujambika, Shri Piraiyanivaal Nuthal Ammai

Sacred Teertha: SuryaTeertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Shenbaga Tree (in marathi Sonchafa)

Puranik Name: Shenbagavanam, GirikannikaiVana

This temple is about 1600 years old. And it was constructed by Cholas. This temple was later renovated by Nayakar.

About this temple: This is an east-facing temple with five tiered Rajagopuram. There are six other gopurams in the temple complex. It has three parikramas. There are sixteen stone inscriptions inside the temple. Mainly there are exclusive shrines - one for Shri Shiva, two for Shri Parvati Devi and one for Shri Rahu Deva. The Sun’s rays fall into the temple only in the month of Chitrai, hence it is known as Suryakotam. In the third parikrama, on the northern side there is a flower garden. On the eastern entrance, we come across Balipeeth, Nandi, Dhwajastambha, shrine of Shri Ganesha, the idol and yantra in this temple of Shri Ganesha was installed by the saint Shri Sadashiv Brahmendra. There are paintings on the walls of eastern side. There is a 100 pillared hall containing exotic sculptures. The hall is designed in such a way that we get the feeling that it is placed on a chariot. In second parikrama, we come across the Rahu shrine on the Northeast corner. The path leading to the main shrine has sculptured pillars. All the halls have pillars with beautiful sculptures of Yaali and horses. On the pathway to the ninth shrine there are paintings on the wall depicting Vedanayakas, King Sambhumali and Devi doing penance.

About the shrines:

Main shrine: The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga, Sanctum Sanctorum consists of artha mandap, antarala and sanctum. There are Dwarpals at the entrance of the Sanctum.

Koshta Murti: The kostha murtis are Shri Narthan Ganapati, Shri Nataraja, Sage Agastya, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma, Shri Vishnu, and Shri Durga Devi. The shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar is in its usual position. Behind the sanctums, we find the idols of Shri Lingodbhavar with Shri Mahavishnu and Shri Brahma worshiping him.

Devi Shrine: There are two separate shrines of Shri Parvati Devi. One shrine houses idol of Shri Piraiyanivaal Nuthal Ammai ("Pirai" means crescent moon, "Anival" means wearing, "Nuthal" means forehead, Ammai means Ambika i.e. Mother). It is adjacent to the sanctum on the left hand side. On the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai, rays of the moon fall on the idol of Ambika. There is a shrine of Shri Muruga in between the shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi (known as KundramamulaiAmman). This arrangement of the shrines is similar to the Somaskanda murti. The other shrine of Devi is of Girigujambika, it is on the northern side opposite to the temple tank. This shrine faces the east. Devi in this shrine is in yogic posture. As the idol is made of special clay, no abhishek is done on the idol. Once in a while only civet (Punugu in Tamil) is applied. In this shrine we have the idols of Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi on either side of Shri Parvati Devi. Shri Saraswati Devi is with Veena in her hand and Shri Lakshmi Devi has a lotus flower on her hand. In this Devi’s shrine we come across the idols of Shri Ganesha, Shri Balamuruga, Shri Navashakti, Shri Sanganidhi, Shri Tatpurushashakti, Shri Padmanidhi, Shri Ganga Devi, Shri Vaishanavi Devi along with Sanakadi rishis, Shri Kriyashakti, Shri Dyanambika, Shri Bhairav, Shri Balashasta (In Tamil Ayyanar) and Shri Durga Devi. In a small shrine inside this shrine we have an idol of Shri Vinayaka and Shri YogaRahu. There are lots of paintings in this shrine.

Rahu’s shrine: It is in the northeast corner of the second parikrama, and we find that the Rahu’s idol has a human face instead of a serpent (hood) face. He is with his consorts Simhi and Chitralekha. Special pujas are performed on Sundays between 4.30 pm and 6 pm (Rahu kaal) with Milk. This milk turns blue during a abhishek. This place is a parihara sthala for Rahu.

Shrines of Shri Nrutya Ganapati, Shri ShenbagaVinayaka, Shri Nandi, Shri Adi Vinayaka, Shri Muruga along with his consorts, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somaskanda, The shaiva saints Shri Nalwar, Shri Sapta Matrika, Shri Mahalakshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Navagrahas, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya and Shri MahaBhairav are found in the main hall of parikrama.

There are shiva lingas worshiped by sages Agastya, Parashar, Gautama, Vyaghrapada, Patanjali, Markandeya, along with the idols of sixty three Nayanmars. There is a shrine for Shri Ganesha near the sacred teertha, known as Shri Mazhuporutha (The lord who forgives mistakes) Vinayaka. In the Navagraha, all the planets are facing Shri Surya.

Sacred Teerthas: There were 12 sacred teerthas, of which three are rivers namely Nattaru, Arisilaru, and KirtiManaru which were believed to be created by Shri Shiva with his trident. There is a teertha known as Surya Teertha which is present in the temple. Excepting this teertha all other teerthas are extinct.

Salient features:

Rahu Kaal puja
Somaskanda arrangement
Lingodhbhavar with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
100 pillared hall which is perceived to be placed on a chariot
Presence of Goddess Parvati, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati in one shrine
Worshiping Lord Shiva at Nageshwara temple at Kumbhakonam in the morning, at noon in Thirunageshwram and in the evening Thiruppampuram is auspicious
Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn on Lord Muruga at this place.
It's believed that no one can bless like Rahu or no one creates obstacles like Ketu.
In this temple Shri Parvati Devi is depicted as a child in the morning, a young girl at noon and in the evening as a fully grown woman with the knowledge of sixteen arts.

Sthala Puran:

All the eight Mahaserpents - Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkokata, Sankalpan, Kulikal, Padman and Mahapadman along with AdiShesha worshiped Shri Shiva in this place. Hence, Shri Shiva is addressed as Naganathar and the place is known as ThiruNageshwaram.

Rahu came to this place along with his wives and worshiped Shri Shiva. Shri Shiva was pleased by his worship and gave him the boon that at this place he will be worshiped for the parihara of sarpa dosha. He made him stay with his wives in human form and grace the people. Rahu graces at this place along with his wives with abhaya and varada mudra to ward off the fear of devotees.

Since Shri Indra misbehaved with Sage Gautama’s wife, he was cursed by the sage. As an atonement and to get rid of the curse, he did penance at this place. He worshiped Shri Girigujambika Devi and got rid of the curse.

Nagaraja Thakkan was once cursed by Sage Sushil as he had beaten his son. In order to get rid of the curse, he prayed to Shri Shiva at four places in the four quarters of one night as per the advice of the Sage Kashyap. The four places are Kumbhakonam Keezhkottam (Bilva forest), Thiru Nageshwaram (Hibuscus forest), Thirupampuram (Shami forest) and at Nagapattinam. At this place he was absolved of the curse.

After Samudra Manthan, Rahu prayed to Shri Shiva at this place along with his wives and got the human head and snake body.

Shri Parvati Devi did penance here along with Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi. Sage Bhrungi was punished by Shri Parvati Devi as the Sage was a great devotee of Shri Shiva and he ignored Shri Parvati Devi. Due to this Shri Parvati Devi was asked to do the penance at this place as an atonement. She was told that Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi will accompany her. She came here along with Shri Lakshmi Devi and Shri Saraswati Devi and did penance, Shri Shiva gave her darshan and took her back to Mount Kailash. She is worshiped as Shri Girigujambika Devi. Her idol is in a separate shrine.

King Sambhumali: Sage Kaalangiri was once angered to such an extent by the act of King Sambhumali and he cursed him. As an atonement King Sambhumali was asked to worship Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, at this place, after taking bath in the sacred teertha. By doing this worship he attained salvation.

Sage Gautama worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and was reunited with his wife Ahilya Devi.

Emperor Nala: He worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and got his wealth back.

King Chandravarma: He was cursed to be a dog. He worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got human form again

Shri Vinayaka got the status of the head of Ganas by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place.

Sage Bhringi got darshan of all the Devis.

Shri Shiva told Shri Uma Devi that this is best kshetra on earth.

Pandavas got their kingdom again by worshiping Shri Shiva at this place.

Prayers:

This is a parihara sthala for Rahu Ketu sarpadosha, kalathra dosha, pitru dosha, kalasarpadosha.

Marriage obstacles are removed

People pray here for child boon and education.

Festivals:

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, Mahamagham festival

Vaikashi (Mar - June) - On Pushya Nakshatra, festival for the shaiva saint - Sekkizhar.

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - 10 day brahmostava, Karthigai deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) - Thiruvarudurai in Margazhi

Panguni (Mar-April) - Panguni uttaram in Panguni.

Special worship is done during Rahu transition

Daily pujas and pradosha pujas are performed.

Those who worshiped: Pandavas, Sage Vashishtha, AdiShehsha, Daksha, Karkotaga, Sage Shaunaka and Shri Rahu, Shri Nandi, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, King Nala, Sage Gautama, Sage Parashara, Sage Bhagiratha, Shri Ganesha, Shri Indra, Sage Bhringi.

Temple timing: 6 to 12, 4 to 8.30

Address: Shri Nageshwar Swamy Temple, ThiruNageshwaram, Kumbhakonam Taluka, TamilNadu 612 204

Phone: 91-4352463354, 9443489839

मंदिरांचं दर्शन घेण्याचं महत्व

मागच्या अंकात आपण शैव संप्रदायाबद्दल माहिती वाचली. ह्या संप्रदायाच्या अनुयायांनी शिव भक्तीचा प्रसार करण्यासाठी ठिकठिकाणी शिव मंदिरे बांधली. आता ह्या अंकात आपण ह्या मंदिरांचं दर्शन का घ्यावं ह्याची माहिती वाचू या.

दक्षिण भारतातील मंदिरांना भेट देणे हा आपल्या सगळ्यांचाच कुतूहलाचा विषय असतो. इथली मंदिरे भव्य असतात, त्यांमध्ये आकर्षक कोरीव काम केलेले असते आणि ह्या मंदिरांचा इतिहास पण रंजक आहे.

ह्या मंदिरांना भेट देण्याच्या आधी त्या मंदिरांमध्ये सहसा असणाऱ्या मुर्त्या आणि त्या मंदिरांतील विभागांबद्दल आपल्याला माहिती असल्यास आपली त्या मंदिरांची भेट अधिक चित्तरंजक, संस्मरणीय आणि म्हणूनच अधिक फलदायक होऊ शकते. ह्या हेतूने आम्ही इथे हि माहिती काही भागांत विभागून देणार आहोत.

ह्या पहिल्या भागात ह्या मंदिरांचं दर्शन का घ्यावं ह्याची काही महत्वपूर्ण कारणे आहेत त्यांचा आपण विचार करूया. पुढील भागांमध्ये मंदिरातल्या साधारणत: असलेल्या मुर्त्या आणि विभागांची माहिती, मंदिरात गेल्यावर दर्शन कसं घ्यावं, तामिळ महिने आणि मंदिरात साजरे होणारे मुख्य सण ह्यांची माहिती देण्याचा प्रयत्न करणार आहोत.

मंदिरांचं दर्शन का घ्यावं?

वरती म्हणल्या प्रमाणे ह्या पुरातन मंदिरांची भव्यता आणि त्यातील आकर्षित करणारी कोरीव कामे हे ह्या मंदिरांना भेट देण्याचं एक कारण झालं. त्या कारणासाठी अवश्य ह्या मंदिरांचं दर्शन घ्यावंच. पण त्याही पलीकडे जाऊन ही मंदिरे, आणि त्यांच्या जोडीला त्यांची पुराणे, ज्यांना स्थळ पुराणे म्हणतात, हे एकत्र वैयक्तिक आणि सामाजिक स्तरावर भक्तीमार्गाला पुष्टी देण्याचं काम करतात हे आपण ध्यानात ठेवलं तर आपण वेगळ्या दृष्टिकोनातून म्हणजेच फक्त पर्यटन नव्हे तर आपली आणि आपल्या कुटुंबातील आप्तेष्टांची आध्यात्मिक प्रगती कशी होईल ह्या दृष्टिकोनातून पण ह्या मंदिरांचं दर्शन घेऊ शकतो.

आध्यात्मिक प्रगतीसाठी सर्वात महत्वाचं काय तर धर्मपालन. धर्म हा शब्द संस्कृत भाषेतील धृ ह्या धातूपासून आला आहे. ज्याचा अर्थ धरून ठेवणे किंवा उचलून धरणे असा होतो. म्हणजे ऋषी, मुनी, आपले पूर्वज ह्यांनी आध्यात्मिक प्रगती करून घेऊन मनुष्य जन्माचं परम ध्येय साधण्यासाठी जी आपल्याला शिकवण दिली त्या शिकवणीला धरून ठेवून त्याचं अनुसरण करणे आणि त्या शिकवणीला उचलून धरणे जेणेकरून आपल्या आप्तेष्टांना पण त्याचा लाभ होईल म्हणजेच धर्म.

थोर ऋषीमुनींच्या मते प्रत्येक युगामध्ये मनुष्यांची मानसिक आणि शारीरिक क्षमता भिन्न असते. सत्ययुगात ही क्षमता अधिक होती, त्रेतायुगात, द्वापारयुगात ती घटत गेली आणि कलियुगात हि क्षमता कमीत कमी असेल असा पुराणांमध्ये उल्लेख आहे. आणि म्हणूनच धर्म, म्हणजेच मानवी जीवनातील मुख्य ध्येय साधण्यासाठी करावयाची कर्मे, ही पण ह्या क्षमतेप्रमाणे भिन्न आहेत. युग धर्म हे शीर्षक असलेल्या इंग्लिश भाषेतल्या लेखामध्ये आम्ही प्रत्येक युगातल्या धर्माबद्दल माहिती दिली आहे. त्यानुसार कलियुगामध्ये भक्तिमार्ग हा मुख्य धर्म मानला जातो. आपण सध्या कलियुगात आहोत. त्यामुळे साहजिकच आपण भक्तिमार्गाचं अनुसरण केलं तर आपल्याकडून धर्म पाळला जाईल आणि धर्मामध्ये सांगितलेलं आपल्या जीवनाचं ध्येय आपल्याला सहज साध्य करता येईल. किंबहुना असं म्हणायला हरकत नाही की त्या परमदयाळू परमेश्वराने ही घटणारी क्षमता जाणून आपल्यासाठी आपल्या क्षमतेनुसार धर्मपालन करण्याचा सुकर आणि सुलभ मार्ग उपलब्ध करून ठेवला आहे.

थोर ऋषीमुनींच्यामते तीर्थयात्रा हा भक्तिमार्ग अनुसरण्यातला किंवा भक्तिमार्गामध्ये शिरण्याचा एक श्रेष्ठ मार्ग आहे. सर्व थोर ऋषी, संत, आचार्य एवढंच काय तर अगदी देव आणि देवांच्या अवतारांनी पण तीर्थयात्रा केल्या आहेत. म्हणजेच विविध पवित्र स्थळांना, ज्यांना तीर्थक्षेत्र म्हणतात, त्यांना भेट देऊन तेथे आराधना केली आहे. रामायण, महाभारत, पुराणे, संतकथा ह्या सर्वांमध्ये आपल्याला तीर्थयात्रांचा आणि मंदिरांचा उल्लेख आढळतो.

ह्या मंदिरांशी निगडित स्थळ पुराणे ही ह्या मंदिरांच्या दर्शनामध्ये फार महत्वाची भूमिका वठवतात. स्थळ पुराणे म्हणजे त्या मंदिराच्या स्थळामध्ये घडलेल्या विशेष घटनांची नोंद असलेले दस्तऐवज. थोर संत, भक्त ज्यांना त्या स्थळी काही विशिष्ट आध्यात्मिक अनुभव आले किंवा त्यांनी काही श्रेष्ठ भक्तांचे तसे अनुभव प्रत्यक्षात पाहिले किंवा त्यांच्याही पूर्वजांनी त्यांना सांगीतलेले अनुभव हे त्यांनी आपल्या पुढे येणाऱ्या पिढ्यांच्या आध्यात्मिक प्रगतीबद्दल वाटणाऱ्या आत्मीयतेमधून लिहून ठेवले. त्यांनाच स्थळ पुराणे म्हणतात. ह्या पुराणांमधे श्रेष्ठ भक्तांच्या आणि देवांच्या त्या त्या स्थळाशी/मंदिरांशी निगडित कथा आहेत. ह्या कथा धर्मपालनाची आणि त्यामुळे घडलेल्या आत्मोन्नतीची उदाहरणे आपल्यासमोर ठेवतात. उदाहरणार्थ “अमुक मंदिरामध्ये इंद्र देवाने तपश्चर्या करून त्यांना प्राप्त झालेल्या शापापासून मुक्ती करून घेतली” किंवा “अमुक ठिकाणी एका भक्ताची त्याची भक्ती बघून भगवान शिवांनी त्या भक्ताला दर्शन दिलं” अशा कथा वाचून आपल्यामध्ये निश्चितच त्या स्थळाला भेट देण्याची इच्छा प्रबळ होते आणि त्या मंदिरांच्या दर्शनातून, त्यांच्याशी निगडित असलेल्या कथा वाचून धर्मबोध पण होतो. परमाचार्य श्री चंद्रशेखरेंद्र सरस्वती ह्यांच्या उपन्यासांमध्येपण ते ह्या मंदिरांच्या स्थळ पुराणांना धर्माचं महत्व समजविण्याच्या क्षमतेमध्ये महर्षी व्यासांनी लिहिलेल्या १८ महापुराणांबरोबर समतुल्य मानतात. ह्या स्थळ पुराणांतल्या कथा वाचून आपण जर ह्या स्थळांना भेट दिली तर आपली त्या स्थळाची भेट अधिक स्मरणीय होऊन त्या स्मरणांवर आपण चिंतन मनन केलं तर निश्चितच आपली चित्तशुद्धता होऊन आपल्यातील भक्तीभावाची वृद्धी होते आणि हेच ह्या मंदिरांचं दर्शन घेण्याचं मुख्य फळ आहे.

आम्ही जेव्हां प्रत्येक मंदिराची माहिती देऊ त्यामध्ये तेथील स्थळ पुराणांची माहिती देण्याचा पण प्रयत्न करणार आहोत. किंबहुना आम्ही आधीच प्रकाशित केलेल्या इंग्लिश भाषेतील लेखांमध्ये आपण ती माहिती वाचू शकता.

पुढील अंकांमध्ये आम्ही शिव मंदिरातील मुख्य विभाग, शिव मंदिरांमध्ये दर्शन कसं घ्यायचं, मंदिरातल्या मुख्य मुर्त्या आणि इतर मुर्त्या ह्यांची माहिती, तसेच शिव मंदिरांचे प्रसिद्ध समूह ह्यांची माहिती देणार आहोत. ही माहिती वाचून आपण मंदिरांचं दर्शन घ्याल तर आपल्याला ह्या मंदिरांचं अधिक आत्मीयतेने दर्शन घेता येईल असा आमचा विश्वास आहे आणि प्रार्थना पण आहे.

Shri Mahalingeshwarar Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

This Shiva temple is one of the Panchakrosha sthalams and is located at Thiruvidaimaruthur near Kumbhakonam. This temple is on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This temple was revered by nayanmars namely Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar. The present temple is more than 2000 years old.

This temple is one of the six temples along the banks of river Kaveri which are considered equal to Kashi. The temple is considered to be ShaktiPeetha and Pancha Linga Sthala. It is also one of the Sapta Sthana Temples of Thiruneelakudi. Valuable contributions have been made by the Pandya kings, Chola Kings and Tanjavur Nayaks in maintenance and renovation of the temple. The temple is at the center of seven Shiva temples which are situated at cardinal points. The vigraha (murtis) at this temple are known as Sapta Vigrahas (murtis). This place is also known as Idaimaruthur as it is situated between two Shiva temples which have the Marut tree (Arjun tree) as the Kshetra Vruksha.

Mulavar: Shri Mahalingam, Shri Mahalingeshwarar, Shri Marutvanar, Shri Marutavaneshwarar

Devi: Shri Parumuraial, Shri Brihadsundarargujambika, Shri Naanmoolainayaki

Sacred Teertha: KarunyaAmrut, River Kaveri

Kshetra Vruksha: Marut Tree (Arjun Tree)

Puranik Name: Mathirarjunam, Shenbagaranya, Shaktipuram, Tapovanam, Muktipuram

About the temple:

The Shiva linga is a Swayambhu Linga. There are four Rajagopurams, one in each direction. The main Rajagopuram is five tier. And the western Rajagopuram is seven tier. It has three parikramas, each enclosed by huge walls. In the second parikrama we come across many sculptures. The temple complex covers an area of about 22 acres and is rectangular in shape. The temple has a very large sacred teertha (tank). There are a large number of shrines in this temple complex. We mention some of them below.

Shri Shiva Shrine: This shiva linga is facing the east. As Shri Shiva himself worshiped Linga, it is known as MahaLingam. It is on a huge pedestal with two Nandis in front. One of the Nandis is made of copper. As usual we have Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha in their usual positions. In this temple, puja is performed first to Shri Shiva then to Shri Vinayaka as it is believed that Shri Vinayaka worshiped Shri Shiva in this place.

Shrine of Shri Devi: She is facing the east. And the shrine is on the right hand side of Shri Shiva on the southern side. As she is to the right of Shri Shiva it is considered to be a wedding posture. We find a painting on the ceiling of Artha Mandap depicting the marriage of Meenakshi Sundareshwarar. We come across a number of paintings on the walls of Devis’s shrine. Besides this, we have an idol of Saiva saint Sambandhar in this shrine.

It is a practice to go out of the temple after worshiping the Ambika.

Shri Mukambika Shrine: It is situated inside the Devi’s shrine. There are only two places in India where Shri Mukambika Devi is housed in a separate shrine.

Shri Ananda Vinayaka Shrine: In the inner prakara, to the south of Shri Shiva’s shrine we come across the shrine of Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Ananda Vinayaka.

Shiva Lingas in this temple: In the parikrama we come across 27 lingas dedicated to 27 Nakshatras. According to Purana these 27 nakshatras installed these lingams and worshiped Shri Shiva. This is a nakshatra parihar sthala.

This temple is referred as a pancha linga sthala as it has four lingas at four cardinal points with the Mahalingeshwarar at the center. On the east street we have Kashi Vishwanathar temple. In the west we have Rishipurishwarar temple. In the south AtamanaEshwarar temple. And in the north Chokkanadar Temple. Besides these we come across Akash Linga, Kashyapa Linga, Romesh Linga, Chola Linga, Chera Linga, Sahasra Linga, Panchabuta Lingas in the parikrama. We come across a brass statue of a woman made of a brass holding a lamp. This statue is about 120 cm in height and was donated to the temple by the Maratha king Pratap Singh Bhosale in the eighteenth century.

There is a small shrine for Shri Balakrishna. He gave darshan to Sage Kashyap in this form in this place.

There is a shrine for Shri Vinayaka at the entrance known as PadiThurai Vinayaka.

Besides this we have shrines for Shri Muruga, Shri Aghor Veerbhadra, Shri Airawateshwarar, Shri Atmalingeshwarar are in the Parikrama.

On the eastern and western entrances, we come across the idols of Pattinathar and Bhadragiriyar. In the temple complex we come across a Shaiva Siddhanta library which contains manuscripts in Palm leaves. There are about 32 sacred teerthas associated with the temple of which 5 are in the temple and 27 outside the temple.

Special features:

According to traditional rules, at cardinal points in the space we have shrines of Shri Vinayak at Thiruvalanchuri, shrine of Shri Muruga at Swami Malai, shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar at Shayalayur, shrine of Shri Suryanar Kovil, shrine of Shri Nataraja at Chidambaram, shrine of Shri Bhairava at Sirgahzi (Sirkazhi), shrine of Nandi at Thiruvidaimarudur and the shrine of Mahalingeshwarar at the center in this place. This represents the structure of a Shiva temple according to the traditional rules.

The shrine of Shri Mukambika is a special feature as there are only two separate shrines for Mukambika in India. In this shrine, she is seated in Padmaasan and is facing the north. This temple is to the south of Devi’s shrine. The sanctum is similar to those in the North India just like in Maharashtra. In the sanctum a Sri Chakra (Mahameru) has been installed. Shri Mukambika Sevi is also addressed as a PidariParameshwariAmman. The tower of the shrine resembles the Manikarnika teertha in Kashi. She is doing penance to get rid of the Brahmahatya dosha she incurred by killing an asur.

It is believed that Shri Vinayaka in the Shri Ananda Vinayaka shrine worships Shri Shiva according to the rules of Panchayatan Puja with the help of puja materials supplied to him by the devaganas. It is believed that (according to Puran) he rules the world from here, hence he is known as Shri Ananda Vinayaka.

There are lots of stone inscriptions which detail about the donations and repair works done by various kings and other details about the temple.

There are Shri Vinayaka temples at the junction of four main streets through which the chariot procession takes place.

Ashwamedha pradakshina: When we do pradakshina around the temple in the first parikrama it is known as Ashwamedha prarikrama. For this parikrama, we have to first worship Shri Muruga. People do 7, 12, 24 or 108 pradakshinas. Those who light lamp in the month of Karthigai and pradakshina done in the month of Thai also yield benefit of Ashwamedha yadnya.

When we do pradakshina in the second parikrama it gives the benefit of doing Girivalam around Mount Kailash.

As this place lies between Shri Sailam (Shri Mallikarjuna) and Thirupadaimaruthur in Thirunelveli (known as Pudararjunam), this place got the name Thiruvidaimaruthur means Madyararjunam. Arjunam means Marutha tree. These are three places where kshtra vruksha is Marutha Tree i.e. Arjuna tree.

As Shri Mahavishnu worshiped Shri Shiva at this place, first puja is done for Shri Shiva and only then to Shri Vishnu.

Shri Shiva gave darshan to Sage Markandeya at this place as Ardhanarishwarar.

All the four Shaiva saints namely - Appar, Sundar, Samnbandhar and Manikvacharar have sung sacred hymns.

There is a jiva samadhi of Shri Sridhara Ayyarval, a great sanskrit scholar. He merged with the shiva linga in the form of a jyoti in the seventeenth century.

Kshetra Puran:

Pattinathar and Bhadragiriyar: Shaiva Saint Pattinathar is closely associated with this temple. His disciple Bhadragiriyar, who was a king, renounced his kingship and became a saint. He came to this place and stayed with his Guru Pattinathar. He always had a begging bowl and a dog with him. Once Shri Shiva came in the form of a beggar and asked for alms to saint Pattinathar. He was directed by him to Bhadragiriyar whom he addressed as a Sansari. Bhadragiriyar felt sad as his guru made him a sansari because of the begging bowl and dog with him. In anger he threw it on the dog which got killed. Shri Shiva manifested in front of him and gave him salvation and also for the dog. Hence this place is known as Naladiyar Kovil.

Brahmahatya Dosha: A chola prince killed a brahmin and was infected with Brahmahatya dosha. He came to this temple and prayed to Shri Shiva for relief. As a spirit of dead brahmin was following him, Shri Shiva advised him to leave the temple by another door as the Brahmahatti was unable to enter the temple it was waiting at the door in which the prince entered the temple. It is believed that it is still waiting to enter the temple, hence people avoid going out of that temple from that entrance. There is a sculpture of Brahmahatti on the eastern entrance.

Some people associate this kshetra puran with King Varaguna Pandian. It is stated that the king went hunting in the nearby forest. As the darkness was fast approaching he hurried back to the city on his horse at a very fast pace. He did not notice an aged Brahmin sleeping under a tree. The hooves of the horse accidentally crushed the Brahmin to death. The king came to know of the incident through his soldiers. When he enquired with the scholars they informed him that he had incurred the dosha of Brahmahatya. They advised him of remedial measures prescribed in the shastra but the king did not get any relief. He went to Shri Sundareshwarar temple in Madurai. While doing pradakshnia a celestial voice advised him that a Chola King will lead his country and the invader will be defeated. When the invading king flees from the battlefield he was asked to follow him so that he will reach Shri Mahalingeshwar temple where Shri Shiva himself worshiped the Shiva Linga. The Brahmahatya dosha will leave you when you pray there by entering through one entrance and by leaving through another. At the temple Shri Mahalingeshwarar advised him to leave the temple by western entrance as he had entered through eastern entrance. By following the directions he got rid of the Brahma hatya dosha. It is believed that the Brahmahatti is still waiting outside.

Pancha krosha sthala: After the pralay, the amrut kalash reached Kumbhakonam and settled there. Droplets of nectar are believed to have fallen at five places around Kumbhakonam namely at Thiruvidaimaruthur, Darasuram, Thiru nageshwaram, Swamimalai and Koranattukarupur. These kshetras are at a distance of five kroshas from each other, hence they are known as Panchakrosha sthala.

Jyotirmay Mahalinga: When the sages were doing penance, Sage Agastya came here along with his disciples and did penance towards Shri Uma Devi. She gave him darshan. The sages after paying due respect to her, requested her for the darshan of Shri Shiva also. She alongwith sages did penance towards Shri Shiva. In appreciation of their penance Shri Shiva gave darshan to them. After giving darshan to them, Shri Shiva scolded the sages for not worshiping the Shiva Linga first. Shri Uma Devi was astonished by the act of Shri Shiva and asked him about the reasons as Shri Brahma and Shri Indra and others are only supposed to worship her customarily. Shri Shiva stated as sages forgot to worship him first they have to undergo atonement. From that day, the sages started worshiping him first and attained salvation.

When the sages were doing penance along with Shri Parvati Devi, Shri Shiva manifested from the heart of Shri Parvati Devi in the form of a flame. As he graced the sages in the form of Jyoti he is addressed as Jyotirmay Mahalinga.

About the visit of Adi Shankaracharya to this place: When Adi Shankaracharya came to this place he desired that the Shri Shiva should declare the truth about Advaita so that the doubts about this principle will be cleared once for all. In response to this prayer Shri Mahalimngeshwarar appeared from the Linga, stated the truth three times as Satyam Advaitam, Satya Advaitam, Satyam Advaitam. At the Shankara Math in this place on the Gopuram we come across the sculpture of Shri Mahalingeshwar with a raised hand and the sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya in front of him with folded hands. In the central courtyard of the Math a devi’s shrine was constructed and the sacred paduka of Adi Shankaracharya was installed.

Those who worshiped at this place: Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Chandra, Sages Kashyap, Pattinathar, Bhadragiriyar, Arunagirinathar, Karuvur Devar, King Varaguna Pandiya, Shri Uma Devi, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Vishnu, Shri Brahma, Shri Rudra, Shri Lakshmi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Kali, Sages Vashishtha, Agastya, Romesha, Kapilaa, Markandeya and Siddha (Sridhar Ayyarwal), fifty ninth Sage of Kanchi Math HH Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi, Sukirti and Veerasena.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Thai Thaipusam festival for 10 days, Pongal

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri

Vaikashi (Mar - June) - Divine marriage festival

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam. Abhishek with 1008 conches during Karthigai Somwar, Diwali

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Thiruvaduthurai, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festiva

Tamil and English new year

Daily Pujas:

Pujas are performed six times in a day.

Weekly: Special worship on Somawar and Sukrawar

Fortnightly pujas: Pradosha Puja

Monthly puja: New Moon Full Moon, Chaturthi

Special pujas and Abhishekas are performed.

Prayers:

People pray here for removal of marriage obstacles, removal of sorrow, unhappiness and also for child boon and also for safe delivery. People pray here for relief for mental depression and psychic disorders. This is a parihara sthala for Brahmahatya dosha. And for the nakshatra Anusham (Anuradha in Marathi) (nakshtra before Jyeshtha nakshatra)

Address: Sri Mahalingeshwarar Temple, Thiruvadaimaruthur 612 104

Phone: 91-4352460660/1946, 91-9790525781

शैव संप्रदाय - शिव मंदिरांचा उगम

दक्षिण भारतातील शिव मंदिरांबद्दलच्या माहितीस्वरूप लेखांमधला हा पहिला लेख आहे. शिव मंदिरांबद्दलचे लेख साधारण २०१५-१६ पासून इंग्लिश भाषेमध्ये आम्ही प्रकाशित करत आलो आहोत. त्याच लेखांतली माहिती आम्ही आता मराठी भाषेमध्ये प्रकाशित करत आहोत.

शिव मंदिरांचा उगम हा शैव संप्रदायामधून झाला. शिव भक्ती म्हणजेच भगवान शिवांना सर्वेसर्वा मानून त्यांची भक्ती करणाच्या परंपरेला शैव संप्रदाय असं म्हणतात.

शैव संप्रदाय हा भारतात अनुसरीत केल्या जाणाऱ्या पांच मुख्य संप्रदायांपैकी एक आहे.

शैव संप्रदायाला शिवपंथ किंवा नुसतच शैव असं पण म्हणलं जातं. ह्या संप्रदायाचे अनुसरण करणारे भगवान शिवांना सर्वेसर्वा मानतात. म्हणजेच भगवान शिव हे विश्वाचे प्रमुख असं समजतात.

शैव संप्रदायाच्या अनुयायांनी शिव भक्तीचा प्रसार केला आणि त्यासाठीच त्यांनी विविध ठिकाणी भगवान शिवांची मंदिरे बांधली. दक्षिण भारतात शैव संप्रदायाचा प्रभाव सर्वात जास्त दिसतो आणि म्हणूनच दक्षिण भारतात भरपूर शिव मंदिरे दिसतात.

मुख्यत्वेकरून भारत, श्रीलंका आणि नेपाळ ह्या देशांमध्ये ह्या संप्रदायाचं अनुसरण केलं जातं. ह्याशिवाय दक्षिण-पूर्व भागात म्हणजेच जावा, बाली, कंबोडिया सारख्या देशांमध्येपण ह्या संप्रदायाचा खूप प्रसार झालेला आढळतो.

शैव संप्रदायामध्ये भरपूर साहित्य आहे. विविध तत्त्वप्रणालींचा ह्या साहित्यामध्ये समावेश आढळतो - द्वैत, अद्वैत, विशिष्टाद्वैत वगैरे. शैवसंप्रदायामध्ये विभूती धारण करणे (कपाळावर, शरीराच्या वेगवेगळ्या भागांवर विभूती/भस्म लावणे) हे शैव असल्याचं मुख्य लक्षण किंवा मुख्य खूण समजली जाते. शैवसाहित्यामध्ये विभूती धारण करताना उच्चारायचे मंत्र आणि उपचारांची माहिती स्पष्टपणे आढळते. ख्रिस्तपूर्व सुमारे २५०० वर्षांपासून भारतामध्ये (तत्कालीन सिंधू नदीच्या खोऱ्यांतील वस्ती) शिव उपासना कार्यरत आहे असे आढळते. ह्या समजुतीला आधार देणारे पुरावे (दस्त ऐवज) मोहेंजोदारो, हडप्पा आणि उत्तर भारत, उत्तर पाकिस्तान मधल्या पुरातत्व शास्त्रज्ञांनी प्रयोगासाठी/अभ्यासासाठी उत्खनन केलेल्या प्रदेशांमध्ये सापडले आहेत. शिवोपासना परंपरेची सुरुवात साधारणतः ख्रिस्तपूर्व २०० ते ख्रिस्तनंतर १०० वर्ष ह्या काळात झालेली आढळते आणि त्याचा मुख्य प्रसार हा गुप्त साम्राज्यात (ख्रिस्तनंतर ३२० ते ५०० ह्या काळामध्ये) झाला असं आढळून येतं. ह्या प्रसाराचं मुख्य श्रेय जातं ते त्या काळच्या पुराणकथनांसाठी काव्य रचणाऱ्या साहित्यिकांना आणि ते काव्य गाणाऱ्या कलाकारांना.

शैव संप्रदायाचा विकास कसा झाला:

स्मार्त:

शैव संप्रदायांतील अजून एक शाखा म्हणजे स्मार्त. ह्या शाखेमध्ये एकाच परमदेवतेला पुजण्याऐवजी देवांना समूहामध्ये पूजलं जातं. ह्याच शाखेतून पंचायतन पूजेचा उगम झाला. पंचायतन पूजेमध्ये पांच देवांच्या समूहाला पुजलं जातं. ते पांच देव म्हणजे - गणेश, सूर्य, विष्णू, शिव आणि देवी. ह्या पूजापद्धतीचा प्रसार मुख्यत्वेकरून आदि शंकराचार्यांनी केला. म्हणजे साधारण ख्रिस्तनंतर ७८८ ते ८२० ह्या मधला काळ. ह्या पूजापद्धतीचं वैशिष्ठ्य म्हणजे एक देव प्रधान मानून उरलेले देव हे त्याच, म्हणजे प्रधान मानलेल्या, देवाची रूपे आहेत असं समजून पूजा केली जाते. विशषतः तामिळनाडूमध्ये ह्यां पांच देवांबरोबर श्री सुब्रमण्यम म्हणजेच श्री षण्मुख ह्यांचीपण पूजा केली जाते.

शैवसिद्धांताचां प्रभाव जास्तकरून दक्षिण भारतात आढळतो. किंबहुना जिथे जिथे तामिळ समाज आहे, म्हणजे दक्षिण भारत, श्रीलंका, मलेशिया, सिंगापूर, अशा प्रदेशांत शैवसिद्धांत प्रसिद्ध आहे. म्हणूनच दक्षिण भारतामध्ये, मुख्यत्वेकरून तामिळनाडू राज्यातील तंजावूर जिल्ह्याच्या परिसरात, भरपूर शिव मंदिरे आहेत. हा भाग चोळा साम्राज्याचा भाग होता. चोळा साम्राज्य हे साधारण ख्रिस्तनंतर ८०० ते १२०० ह्या काळामध्ये अस्तित्वात होतं. सहाव्या आणि सातव्या शतकांमध्ये तामिळ प्रदेशांत ६३ संतकवि होऊन गेले ज्यांनी शिवभक्तीपर काव्य रचली आणि गायली. ह्या ६३ कविंना एकत्रितरित्या नायनमार असं संबोधलं जातं. त्यांच्या कवितांचे साधारण १२ संच आहेत, ज्यांना एकत्रित थिरूमुराई असं संबोधलं.

शैवसिद्धांताच्या शाखा:

वैदिक-पुराणिक शैववाद : ह्या शाखेचा उगम वेदांमध्ये आढळतो. दक्षिण आणि उत्तर भारतातील स्मार्त ब्राह्मणांनी ह्याचं अनुसरण केलं. ह्या शाखेमध्ये वैदिक धर्माचा सनातन धर्म म्हणून प्रचार झाला. ह्या मध्ये शिव पुराण हा प्रमुख ग्रंथ मानला जातो.
अपुराणिक शैववाद: ह्या शाखेचे अनुयायी दीक्षा ग्रहण करतात. ह्या शाखेच्या परत दोन उपशाखा आहेत - अतिमार्ग (ज्यामध्ये मुक्ती हे प्रधान आणि एकमेव ध्येय मानलं जातं) आणि मंत्रमार्ग (ज्यामध्ये भुक्ती म्हणजेच ऐहिक सुखं आणि मुक्ती अशी दोन ध्येय मानली जातात)
पशुपत शैववाद: ही शाखा सर्वात पुरातन आहे. तपस्वी लोकं ह्याचं अनुसरण करतात. ह्याचा प्रभाव मुख्यत्वेकरून गुजरात, काश्मीर आणि नेपाळ ह्या राज्यांमध्ये आढळतो.
शैवसिद्धांत: ह्या शाखेला शिस्तबद्ध (नियमावली असणारं) तांत्रिक शैव असं समजलं जातं. एके काळी ह्या शाखेचं अनुसरण भारतभर होत होतं. काळाच्या ओघात दक्षिण भारतात ह्याचं अनुसरण सीमित झालं आणि काही काळांनंतर ही शाखा तामिळ शैव शाखेमध्ये मिसळून गेली. आणि म्हणूनच ही शाखा दक्षिण भारतीय समजली जाते. अजूनही ह्या शाखेचं अनुसरण जीवित आहे.
काश्मीर शैववाद: कपालिकांनी लिहिलेल्या भैरव तंत्राच्या व्याख्यांवर आधारित ही शाखा आहे.
नाथसिद्धसिद्धांत: ही शाखा मच्छिन्द्रनाथांनी सुरु केली. त्यांचा काळ साधारणत: ख्रिस्तनंतर ८०० ते १००० दरम्यान होता. आणि ह्या शाखेची विस्तृती गोरखनाथांनी केली. त्यांचा काळ साधारणतः ख्रिस्तनंतर ९५० च्या दरम्यान होता. ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव नेपाळ, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार, पश्चिम बंगाल आणि महाराष्ट्राच्या काही भागांमध्ये आहे.
लिंगायत: ही शाखा बसवण्णांनी प्रसिद्ध केली. बसवण्णांचा काळ होता ख्रिस्तनंतर ११०५ ते ११६७. ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव कर्नाटक आणि आंध्र प्रदेशच्या काही भागात आढळतो.
शिव अद्वैत: ही शाखा सुरु केली श्रीकांत ह्यांनी साधारणतः ख्रिस्तनंतर १०५० ह्या काळात. ह्या शाखेचा प्रभाव मूख्यत्वेकरून कर्नाटकात आढळतो. अप्पया दीक्षित (ख्रिस्तनंतर १५५४ - १६२६) ह्यांनी ह्या शाखेबद्दलच्या समजुतींचं निराकारण केलं.

Pancha-krosha-sthala around Kumbhakonam

In ancient times there was a measure known as krosham in Tamil which denoted the distance. It is roughly around 1.3 miles or 2.08 kms in prevailing unit of measurement for distance.

In those bygone days, some temples were identified as being within the range of 5 kroshas (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) and were together known as Panchakrosha kshetras or Pancha krosha sthalam.

In India we have five places or five sets of temples identified as Panchakroshi kshetra. They are

1. Kashi

2. Ujjain

3. Kumbhakonam

4. Pazhaiyarai

5. Thirunelveli

In each of these places, the temples in the range of pancha krosha (roughly 6.5 miles or 10.4 kms) around each place are together called pancha krosha sthalas. For example, temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kashi are called Pancha Krosha Sthalam around Kashi.

Similarly temples in the range of 10.4 kms around Kumbhakonam are called Pancha Krosha Sthalas around Kumbhakonam. They are

1. Shri Mahalingaswamy Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

2. Shri Nageshwara Swamy Temple at Thirunageshwaram

3. Shri Sundareshwar Temple at Koranattukarupur (popularly known as PettiAmman Kovil)

4. Shri SwamynathSwamy temple at Swami Malai

5. Shri Airawateshwarar Temple at Darasuram

In the bygone days there was a custom to visit these pancha krosha sthalas in one day starting from early morning when temples open till closing time of temples. Even now, people follow this custom.

In upcoming weeks, we will be posting information of each of pancha krosha sthala around Kumbhakonam.

Shri Kashivishwanathar temple in Kumbhakonam

This is one of the temples that participates in Mahamagam festival. This temple is situated on the Northern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is the north facing temple with three tiered Raja gopuram and covers an area of 2 acers. There are 2 parikramas. At the entrance, we have a beautiful arch which sculptures depicting the nava-kannikas.

Mulavar: Shri Kashivishwanathar

Devi: Shri Vishalakshi

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

Sacred tank: Mahamagam tank

About the temple, Shrines and idols – 1) The Dhwajastambha, Nandi and Balipeeth are at there usual position. At the base of Dhwajastambha there is an idol of Shri Vinayaka known as Shri Kodi-mar-Vinayak. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mukh-mandap, Maha-mandap, Artha-mandap and sanctum. Shiva linga is a swaymbhoo linga. Koshta-moorthies are Shri Dakshinamurthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Durga Devi and Shri Brahma.

The Shrine of Shri Chandikeshwarar is in the usual position in the parikrama. Shri Parvati Devi is addressed here as Shri Vishalakshi. Her shrine is on the right side of sanctum. To the left of Mukta mandap we come across shrine of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivakami Devi. To the right of Mahamandap we find, shrine of Shri Muruga with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanei and also the shrine of Shri Gajalakshmi. On the left side of Mahamandap, we come across the shrine of Shri Somaskandar and utsav murthis of Shri Navakannikas. Next to Shri Navakannikas shrine, we have the shayana-gruha and shrine of Shri Nataraja. On the northeast side of prakaram, we come across the Shiva linga worshipped by Shri Shriram, known as Kshetra linga under a neem tree. It is believed that this linga grows with time. In the parikrama we come across, shrine and idols of Shri Sapta-matrikas, Shri Bhairava, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Jyeshtha Devi and Shri Aanjaneya.

Kshetra purana:

Kudanthaikaronam: When Shri Shriram was separated from Shri Sita, he was in great agony and sorrow. Shri Shriram who had a soft character had to acquire a serious rudra (anger) to fight and win over Ravana who was a Shiva bhakta. For this purpose, he approached Sage Agastya who advised him to stay at this place and worship Shri Kashivishwanath. He followed the advice of the sage and got required strength. The Shiva linga worshipped by him is kept in the northeastern side of prakaram and is known as Kshetra-maha-linga. Shri Rama acquired required additional strength (arakkonam in Tamil) at this place. Hence the place got the name Koronam. Before that this place was known as Kudanthai. Hence it became – Kudanthaikaronam.

Nava-kannikas: The 9 rivers, once went to Kailash and stated that they are unable to cleanse themselves of the sins left behind in them by the people. Shri Shiva advised them to go to Kumbhakonam and take holy dip in 3 tanks as mentioned earlier so that they will be cleansed of their burden. They did as per the Lord’s advice and worshipped Shri Kashivishwanath. They requested Him to stay there only for the sake of common people. Shri Shiva obliged them and came to this place along with Shri Vishalakshi Devi and stayed here. The temple has a shrine for Nava-kannikas at the entrance. In this temple, the idol of Shri Durga Devi is opposite to Shri Chandikeshwarar which is a very rare sight.

Prayers:

People believe that by coming to this place and worshipping Shri Kashi-Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi, they can get rid of the problem of infertility (childless-ness). It is believed that those girls who have not attained puberty even after growing up can attain puberty by worshiping the nava-kannikas at this place for 11 successive Fridays. It is believed that by worshipping navakannikas at this place along with Shri Kashivishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi Devi, marriage obstacles are removed.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival. On 9th day there is a ratha-yatra and nava-kannikas accompany Shri Shiva to the Mahamagam tank.

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram.

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

Weekly rituals on Monday and Friday special pooja;

Fortnight pradosh pooja,

Monthly poojas on new moon day, full moon day, chaturthi and Kritika nakshatra.

Daily temple timings – 6am – 12.30pm; 4 – 8.30pm

Shri Kodeeshwarar kovil at Kottaiyur

This is the 12th Shiva temple associated with Mahamagam festival. At this place some drop of Amrut from the kalash fell into a well which later on got the name Amrut Kinaru (well). This temple is situated at Kottaiyur, a village at about 4 km from Kumbhakonam on the Kumbhakonam SwamiMalai route. This is one of the saptasthana temples associated with Aadi-Kumbheshwarar temple. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by the Shaiva saint Shri Thirunavurarasar. It is on the Northern bank of the river Kaveri. Saint Arungirinathar who revered Shri Murugan of this temple by singing a hymn in praise of him.

Mulavar: Shri Kodeeshwar Swami, Shri Kailashnathar

Devi: Shri Panthadu (pandu = ball; adu = play) nayaki, Shri Kanthugageethambal

Puranik name: Koteeshwaram, Herandpuram, Vilvaranyam, Bahuraja puram, Chozheeswaram

Sacred teertha: River Kaveri, Kodi teertha, Amrut kinaru

Kshetra vruksha: Castor (oil) plant, Bilva

Kshetra purana:

The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival and maha pralay.

Prince Suruchi: He was son of the king Sathyarthi of a northern kingdom (Thiriharta). The prince was cursed by Sage Badri to become a devil as the prince had disturbed sage during his penance and disrespected him. Sage Vyasa advised the king to come to this place along with his son to worship Lord Shiva so that the son can be absolved of the curses and the sin. The prince obeyed advice of Sage Vyasa. He took a dip in the teertha and worshipped Lord Shiva. He got rid of his curse and got his original form and glory. The king renovated the temple and made endowments for its upkeep.

Kottaiyur:

It is believed that Shri Shiva appeared in the midst of castor plants (Erundum in Tamil), Ammanaka plants. The main Shiva linga seems appeared to be formed out of fruits (seeds) of castor plant. Its texture is similar to the outer appearance of jackfruit. Hence Lord is known as Shri Koteeshwarar and the place is known as Kottaiyur.

Shri Koteeshwarar: Sage Badrayogi visited many Shaiva temples in order to regain his lost spiritual power. Shri Shiva who was very much pleased with his devotion, blessed him with His darshan by showing one crore (Kodi) images of himself along with one crore images of Shri Vinayaka, one crore images of Shri Parvati Devi, one crore images of Shri Murugan and one crore images of Shri Chandikeshwarar. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Koteeshwarar. It is believed that any good deed (punya) or bad deed done at this place, gets multiplied one crore times.

Pandhadu nayaki:

As stated earlier, there is a ball under the feet of Shri Parvati Devi. Originally people believed that by coming to this place, there bad deeds (sins) gets multiplied one crore times, so people used to avoid coming to this place. Later on it became known that by worshipping the Shri Parvati Devi, their sins are kicked away just like the ball under Her feet. Hence all sorts of people come here to get rid of their sins and at the same time increase the good deeds (punya) done by them.

Manuneedhi Chozha:

The king Manuneedhi Chozha was famous for delivering the right justice. Once a calf of the cow was killed by the wheels of the chariot driven by his son. The king had installed a bell for the people to express there grievances. The cow came to the palace and rang the bell demanding justice for his son’s deed. When the king came to know about this incidence, he drove his chariot on his son’s body and killed him so that he will have the same pain as that of the cow in losing the calf. The Lord appeared and blessed him.

Heranda maharshi (Sage Atri):

Sage Atri did penance at this place under castor plants. Castor plants in Tamil is known as Heranda. Hence he is addressed as Herandar. There is a separate shrine for him in this temple. Heranda Maharshi is believed to have brought back Kaveri from patala loka. Once Aadi-Shesha came out of patala loka at Thiruvalanchuzi, he made a big hole (beela dwaram in Tamil) was formed at this place due to his act. River Kaveri who was flowing nearby started flowing through the hole into patala loka. The Chola king who was ruling the place got worried as the river stopped flowing through his land. He worshipped Lord Shiva so that she could come back from the patal loka. It is believed that Shri Shiva in his divine voice advised him that if a king or a sage sacrificed his life by entering the hole the river will come back again. The king sought the advice of Sage Heranda and confirmed that the divine voice that of Shri Shiva. When the king decided to enter the hole, in order to save the people, the Sage interrupted him and himself went into the hole as he felt that loss of king will be a great loss to the people of the kingdom. He brought back river Kaveri. Though he entered at Thiruvalnchuzhi he came out at Thiruvalampuram. He worshipped Lord Shiva at Thiruvalampuram and attained salvation.

About temple:

This temple is about 2000 years old built by Chola and Pallava kings. The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. This east facing temple has 5 tier Rajagopuram of about 60 ft in height. The temple is in a rectangular plot covering an area of 1 acre and has 2 prakarams.

Deities and shrines in this temple:

Shrines of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, Shrine of Kodi (crore) Vinayaka, Shri Kodi Muruga, Shri Gajalaxmi Devi, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somakandha, Shri Mahalaxmi Devi, Navagraha, Shri Bhairava, Shri Jwarakeshwarar, Shri Shanishwar, Shri Surya, Shri Chandra, Mahalinga, Shri Shasta, Shaiva saints Naalavar, Panchbhoota lingas, Sage Herand (Sage Aatri muni) are in the corridor and hall.

At the entrance to the sanctum we come across shrine of Shri Vinayaka on the left and Shri Dandayudhpaani (Shri Muruga) on right side. We come across Shri Nandi, Balipeeth & Dhwajastambha at there usual positions. Residing deity Shri Shiva is facing East. The Shiva linga has a texture similar to the outer surface of jackfruit. We get a feeling that it maybe made of castor seed. We find water droplets coming out from top of the lingam.

The koshtamoorthies are Shri Nardana Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Bhairava, Shri Brahma, Shri Durga Devi & Shri Chandikeshwar. Shri Parvati Devi’s shrine (Panthadunayaki) faces the south. She is depicted with a ball under her feet as if she is playing with the ball. People worship her, as there is belief that she tosses away their sins like kicking the ball at her feet. Her shrine has a separate corridor with many beautiful sculptures on the wall. There is a beautiful sculpture depicting story of Chola king – Manuneedhi Chola at the 2nd entrance. Shri Murugan is praised here as Shri Kodeesubramanya and is seen here with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. The idol of Shri Vinayaka is known as Shri Kodi Vinayaka. We come across number of small Shri Vinayaka sculptured on the idol. He is believed to be Swayambhoo. At the time of renovation of the temple, even after digging 20 ft, he could not be moved as they could not reach the base of the idol. In the Navagraha shrine, the idols are big on their mounds. Shri Surya and Shri Chandra are on the chariot pulled by horses. Idol of Shri Durga Devi is Ashta bhuja Durga and she has her right leg a step ahead of her left leg. Kodeetirtha is a well which never dries. People believe that this water will purify them from sins and will cure all their diseases. It is believed to be created by Sage Heranda for performing abhisheka of Shri Shiva. The utsav Vinayaka idol with his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi resembles that of the idol at Thiruvalanchuzhi. There is a separate shrine for Sage Heranda (Aatri muni) in the front hall. He is depicted in meditation posture. Those who worship here – Shri Shriram, Shri Bramha, Shri Indra, Sage Narada, Sage Markandeya, Sage Atri (Heranda), Prince Suruchi, King Sathyarthi

Festivals and daily rituals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram.

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Annabhishek, Navaratri, arrow festival.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

Weekly rituals on Monday and Friday special pooja;

Fortnight pradosh pooja,

Monthly poojas on new moon day, full moon day, chaturthi and Kritika nakshatra.

Prayers:

Worshipping Lord Shiva here gives the benefit of worshiping in one crore Shiva temples. Good deeds gets multiplied one crore times by worshipping here. Worshipping here benefits knowledge and education & removes evil effects. It is believed that by spilling water on the head from the Amrut kinaru (well) purifies the mind.

Temple timing: 6.30am to noon; 4.30pm to 7pm

Shri Ekambareshwarar Temple

This is the 11th of 12 Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival.

According to purana, this is the place where the remaining part of the kalash got scattered and became a Shiva linga. This temple is famous as Rahukaal-Kali kovil. It is believed that Rahu kaal pooja started from this temple. It is believed that the temple was constructed by Vishwakarma community. They worshipped Kaali as their main (community) deity. Hence they start their construction work by praying to her by placing a photograph before starting the work.

Mulavar: Shri Ekambrareshwarar

Devi: Shri Kalika Parmeshwari, Shri Kamakshi Amman

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

This is a west facing temple with a three tiered Rajagopuram. This Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga and Lord Shiva is facing the west. At the entrance of his sanctum we come across Shri Ganesha & Shri Murugan on either side. We come across Shri Nandi, Dwajastambha and balipeeth facing the sanctum in there usual position. Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing the south in standing position. Here we come across Shri Nandi in front of her instead of the usual lion. In this temple, Devi is presumed to be the Shiva-shakti rup, hence we have Nandi in front of her.

Generally during the Mahamagam festival all other 11 temples, associated with Mahamagam festival are represented by Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi, but this temple is represented by Shri Kamakshi Devi.

In a North facing shrine we come across Rahu-kaal-kaali who is addressed as Shri Kalika Parameshwari. At entrance of her shrine we come across idols of Shri Ganesha and Shri Naaga. She is ashta-bhooja Kali having different weapons on each of her hands. In front of her shrine we find the Ashta-Lakshmi mandap. In the northern side we have the shrine of a devi known as Shri Poonjolaimareri Amman. There are separate shrines for Shri Raja Ganapati, Shri Navagrahas, Shri Murugan with Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai and Shri Chandikeshwarar.

Kshetra puran:

This temple is associated with maha pralay. It was built by Vishwakarma community whose main deity is Goddess Kaali. They first worship a picture of her before starting construction work by placing a photo at side. It is stated that all temples in Kumbakonam were first build only after installing Shri Kaali. As mother Kamakshi is supreme in this place, she represents this temple at Mahamagam festival.

Daily pooja: Prayer & Rahu kaal pooja is performed daily.

About Rahu kaal pooja – First Shri Raja-Ganapati is worshiped and then pooja of Shri Kaalika Parmeshwari is performed. It is believed that by performing Shri Kaalika Parameshwari pooja all problems will be solved. In this temple young girls pray for marriage and a good husband. It is believed that, visiting this temple is equivalent to visiting the Kanchipooram Ekambareshwar temple.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram. Sumangali (Savashin) pooja on puram nakshatra. On last Friday in month of Aadi, Thiruvilakku (Samai in Marathi) is performed

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri.

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

Shri Kaalhastishwarar temple

This is the 10th of 12 temples associated with Mahamagam festival. It is located in Kumbhakonam city of TamilNadu. This is the place where Chandan applied to Kalash fell after pralay which later on became a Shiva linga. The temple is about 1800 years old and was renovated in 18th century by the Maratha king, Sarabhoji Maharaj under the guidance of His Holiness Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram. This temple is in the form of Tamil alphabet “ௐ” (which is known as Tamil Om).

Mulavar: Shri Kaalahastishwarar

Devi: Shri Dhyana-Prahal-Ambika, Shri Katyayani

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

About the temple and other shrines in this complex:

This is an East facing temple with 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The main deity is facing the east. The koshtha moorthies are Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Chandikeshwarar. Shri Dhyanambika Devi is in a separate shrine facing south. It is to the right side of Lord’s shrine. Shri Shivasurya housed in a separate shrine which is west facing. Shri Nataraja and Mother Shivagami are housed in a separate shrine. In this shrine, we come across idol of Shaiva saint Maanikvasagar. In the shrine of Shri Jwarahareshwarar, we find that he has 3 legs of which 2 are grounded and 1 is folded. This is to indicate that he cures the problems related to bones, skin and veins. Abhishek for Shri Jwarahareshwarar is performed with hot water. In another shrine we have, Shri Shiva as Shri Kalyan-Sundareshwarar with Shri Parvati Devi as Shri Katyayani in wedding attire. The unique feature is that Shri Shiva has a walking stick in his hand. This represents one of the rituals in south Indian marriage where the groom is symbolized going to Kashi before bride is given in marriage. In a separate shrine, we come across, huge idol of Shri Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga. She has 18 hands and She is Aadi-devata of Shri Rahu. There are idols of Shri SiddhiVinayaka, Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar, Shri Kaashi Vishawanath, Shri Saraswati, Shri Laxmi, Shri Ganga, Shri Navagraha, Shri Maruti and Shri Rahu in separate shrines.

Special features:

This is a Rahu Parihar sthala.
His Holiness Shri Shankaracharya of Kanchipooram used to have darshan here daily during this stay.
Just like Tirupati, where we have Kalahasti temple nearby Shri Vishnu’s temple, here also we have Shri Kalahastishwarar temple near Shri Oppiliappan (Shri Vishnu temple). Hence this place is known as Shri Dakshin-Kalahastishwarar temple as Shri Oppiliappan temple is known as Shri Dakshin-Tirupathi.
The structure of this temple is like Tamil alphabet “ௐ” (Tamil Om).
Shri Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga is considered as Durga of all Durgas.
The idol of Shri Jwarahareshwarar is of special feature.
The beauty of idol of Shri Nataraja and Shri Shivagami Devi
Shri Shiva & Shri Parvati Devi as Shri Kalyan-Sundareshwarar and Shri Meenakshi Devi

Kshetra purana:

The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival and Maha Pralay.
Once there was an argument between Shri Vaayu and Shri Aadi-Shesha about their physical strength. To test who is stronger, they decided to have a contest. In this contest, Shri Aadi-Shesha was to coil around the Meru mountain and Shri Vaayu was to blow him away. During this contest, three peaks got separated from Meru parvat and fell at 3 places in the south namely – Kalahasti, Thiruchirapalli & Trikonmala. Shri Shiva manifested at these 3 places. As Kumbhakonam was a great teertha kshetra, Shri Shiva manifested here as Shri Kalahastishwarar. As Kalahasti is a great Rahu-parihar sthala, this place also became a great Rahu-parihar sthala.

Festivals:

On the day of Makar Sankranti, wedding festival of Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi is held here. After the marriage festival, Shri Shiva will be in Neetya-kalyan attire.

Lord Shiva is taken in a procession to the Mahamagam tank during Mahamaga festival. During Rahu kaal, special poojas are held for Ashta-dasha-bhuja Maha Laxmi Durga.

Prayers:

People worship Shri Jwarahareshwarar to get rid of the incurable diseases.

Worship done at this place, gives the same benefit as when done in Kalahasti. So people worship Shri Shiva and Shri Dhyana-Prahal-Ambika Devi.

Temple timing: 6.30 am to noon; 4.30 pm to 7 pm

Shri Aadikampatta Vishwanathar temple

This is the ninth of twelve Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where the flowers from the kalash fell during the pralay and formed a Shiva linga. This temple is located in Kumbakonam city in TamilNadu on the western side of Aadikumbeshwarar temple. During the Chola period, minting of Gold and Silver coin was being carried out at this place. And hence this place got the name Kampatta. Shaiva saint Moorka-nayanar was associated with this temple, as he used to gamble around this place.

Mulavar: Shri Aadikampatta Vishawanathar, Shri Aadikampatta Vishweshwar

Devi: Shri Anantnidhi, Shri Nidhiammai

Sacred teertha: Dhumaketu teertha, Balavi teertha

Kshetra vruksha: Jasmine creeper (Malathy van)

This is an East facing temple with an arch at entrance. At the entrance itself, we come across a garden (Nandan van). The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga formed after the pralaya. A unique feature of the temple is that we come across Nandi, Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha just before the Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is 3 tiered. There is a mandap after the Rajagopuram. At the entrance of the sanctum we find an idol of Shri Dhumaketu. We come across the koshtamoorthis - Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Brahma and Shri Chandikeshwar in their usual position. Devi is housed in a separate shrine facing south. We come across the idols of Naalvar and Mangairkarasi (one of the 63 Nayanmars). She was the queen of Pandya king and daughter of Chola king.

On the western side in a mandap, we find idols of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga and Devi Mahalakshmi. In small shrine under the bilva tree we come across Shri Ganesha. Not much details are available about this temple.

Kshetra Purana: This temple is associated with the formation of Mahamagam tank and the pralay. This is the place where flowers from the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga.

Dhumaketu teertha: In older days this place was abundant with Malathy (Jasmine creepers). Hence Malathy flowers were used for worship of Lord Ganesha. In a nearby village named Udayagiri, there lived a sage named Nirasara with his son Dhumaketu. Dhumaketu was a great scholar in art and scriptures. He was always surrounded by flocks of students aspiring to learn and gain knowledge. He used to take his students to various Shiva temples and other divine places. He used to explain and educate them about their importance. During one such visit, he came to the Kampatta Vishawanath temple and worshipped the Lord. Pleased with his devotion to teach, educate the students and his righteousness, Shri Shiva along with Devi Parvati gave him darshan at this place. Dhumaketu named Shiva as Shri Aadikampatta Vishwanath and Devi Parvati as Shri Anantnidhi. Lord in appreciation of Dhumaketu’s work, named the teertha as Dhumaketu teertha.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

Panguni (Mar-April) Uttara nakshatra festival

The day on which Lord along with the Goddess visit the Mahamagam tank, is celebrated on a large scale.

Prayers: Students pray for success and excellence in examinations. Gold smiths pray for success and prosperity.

Timings – 6.30 am to noon; 4.30 to 8pm

Shri Banapureeshwarar temple

This is the 8th of 12 Shiva temples connected with Mahamagam festival. The temple is more than 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva broke the kalash by an arrow. Shaiva saint – Manikvasagar has sung a hymn on this place.

Mulavar: Shri Banapureeshwarar, Shri Somanathar

Devi: Shri Kamalambal, Shri Kamalambigai, Shri Somkamalambal

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva tree

This temple has a three tier Rajagopuram with one parikrama and is facing the east. The Shiva Linga is believed to be a swayambhoo linga. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mahamandap, Arthamandap and sanctum.

Koshta murthis are: Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Ardanareeshwarar, Shri Bramha and Devi Durga

Devi is housed in a separate shrine on the northern side in Mahamandap facing the south. The idol is in a standing posture. She has rudrakshamala in two hands and her other 2 hands show Varada and Abhaya mudra. There is a separate shrine for Shri Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The idol of Shri Hanumaan is facing the shrine of Shri Vishnu. In the NW corner we come across shrine of Devi Durga. There is a linga installed and worshipped by Sage Vyasa. There are separate Shrines for Shri Muruga with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Chandikeshwar, Devi Durga, Shri Ganesha, Shri Bhairava & Navagrahas. The idol of Goddess Durga is very big.

Kshetra purana: The temple is connected with the pralaya leading to the formation of Mahamagam tank.

This is the place where Lord Shiva as Keeratmurthy broke the kalash with an arrow.

Vyas Linga: Once Sage Vyasa was cursed by Nandi-deva. He approached Shri Vishnu for remedy who advised him to install a Shiva linga and worship Shri Shiva. He installed a Shiva linga and worshipped Shri Shiva and got rid of the curse. This linga is known as Vyasa linga in the parikrama and the story is depicted on the gopuram.

A king of Bengal known as Soorasena was advised by Maharshi Sootha to worship Shri Shiva at this place so that the queen Kantimati could be cured of an incurable disease. He followed the advice and his wife was cured. He also got a child boon. He did some renovation work at this temple. Sage Vyaghrapada also worshipped Shri Shiva at this place.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira, Arudra Darshan

In addition to this, pradosh pooja and daily rituals are conducted.

Prayers: People worship Devi here for prosperity and energetic. They worship for getting rid of decease.

Temple timing: 7am-11.30am; 5-8pm

Address: Shri Banapureeshwarar temple, Anna nagar, Kumbakonam 612001

Shri Amrutakalasnathar temple at Sakkotai

This is the seventh of twelve Shiva temples associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where middle portion of the Kalash fell and became a Shiva linga later during pralay. This is one of the saptasthana temple associated with Aadikumbeshwarar temple. It is located at Sakkotai in TamilNadu. Earlier the place was known as Kalaynallur. The temple is more than 1500 years old. The temple is also one of the 276 Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. Sakkiya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, was closely associated with this temple. The temple was also known as Kottaishivan kovil. It is believed that the temple was earlier surrounded by a big fort with canals (agazhi in tamil). But now what we come across are only the remains of fort and canal. It is stated that in good old days a lot of buddhist (known as Sakkiya) used to reside here. Hence the place got the name Sakkiakotai which during the course of time changed to Sakkotai. The temple was built and renovated by Chola kings and Nayakkars.

Mulavar: Shri Amrutakalashnathar, Shri Amrutakadeshwarar

Devi: Shri Amrutavalli

Sacred teertha: Nanguveda teertha

Puranik name: Thirukalainallur

Sacred Vruksha: Shamee (Vanni in tamil)

Kshetra Puran:

This temple is associated with the formation of Mahamagam tank and the pralay. This is the place where middle portion of the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga.

Sakkotai: Saint Sakkia was a staunch devote of Shri Shiva. He used to wear dress in Sakkia (buddhist) style and worship Shri Shiva at this temple. On his way to the temple he used to perform pooja to a stone and used stones instead of flowers. One day he forgot to do worship before taking his meals. He ran to the place where he used to worship the stone. When he reached the place, stones started falling at his feet from Kailash. Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before him and blessed him. Lord Shiva made him one of the Nayanmars, hence he is known as Sakkianayanar. As a Sakkia worshiped at this place, the place got the name Sakkotai.

Devi Parvati did penance here and married Shri Shiva at this place. Hence we have her idol in a shrine known as Tapasyaamman.

As the middle portion of the kalash reached here during pralay, the place got the name Kalaynallur.

About the temple:

This is an east facing temple with one prakara and a single tier rajagopuram. It has a sculpture of Shri Shiva and Devi Parvati flanked by their sons – Shri Ganesha and Shri Muruga. The Shiva linga is a swayambhoo linga. At the 2nd entrance, there is a 3 tiered rajagopuram. Shri Shiva is east facing. At the front, there is a walled entrance. There is a mandap known as Nayakkar mandap. To the North we have Devi shrine facing south. At the entrance of maha mandap we have an idol of Shri Dandapaani and idol of Shri Nardana Vinayaka. In front of Shiva linga we come across balipeeth and Nandi in their usual position. The mandap is in the form of a forehead of a bat (vowaal in Tamil). Hence the mandap is known as Vowaal mandap. We come across idols of Shri Shiva and Devi Parvati in their bridal attire in the mandap. The koshta murthis are Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Dakshinamurthi, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha and Devi Durga. The idol of Shri Dakshinamurthi is unique. He has four hands, in his upper right hand he has a rudraksha mala, upper left hand – Agni, Lower right hand – Mudra, lower left hand – palm leaves. There is a halo (prabhaval in Marathi) around the head. There is a big Kallal tree behind him. The idol of Shri Lingodbhavar is made of green granite. It is behind the sanctum with Shri Maha Vishnu and Shri Bramha on either side. Here we get the darshan of trimurthis in one place. The shrine of Shri Chandikeshwar is located in the usual place. There is a separate shrine of Devi doing tapascharya (penance). She is known as Tapas amman (devi). She is standing on right leg with the left leg folded on thigh, right hand above her head with left hand on the stomach. Sapta matrikas are sculptured in a single stone. There are shrines of Nalavar, Navagraha, Vaayu linga, Prithvi linga, Thuyu linga, Shri Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Shri Bhairav, Shri Bhikshadanar, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, Shri Shani, Shri Rahu and Sage Sakyanayanaar.

Those who worshipped here: Shri Bramha, Sakkianayanar & Shri Shanishwar.

Festivals:

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Visakam

Aani (Jun-Jul): Aani Thirumanjanam

Aadi (Jul-Aug): Aadi Pooram

Aavani (Aug-Sept): Vinayakar Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navarathri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Skanda Shashti and Annabhishekam

Karthikai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthikai, Karthigaideepam

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathira

Maasi (Feb-Mar): Maha Magham festival and Shivarathri

Panguni (Mar-Apr): Panguni Uthiram

Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri, Mahamagam festival

Weekly rituals on Mondays and Fridays

Fortnightly pradosha pooja

Monthly worship on new moon day, full moon day and Chaturthi

Prayers: People perform their 60th birthday (Shashtyabdha purti), 70th birthday (bhimaratha shanti) & 80th birthday (sadabhishek) at this place for blessings.

Temple timings: 9am-noon, 5pm-7pm

Address: Shri Amrutakalasnathar temple, Sakkotai, 612401 Kumbakonam

Phone number: 4352414453; Cell – 9698460984

Shri Koneshwarar Temple at Kudavasal

This is the 6th temple connected with Mahamagam festival. This is situated at Kudavasal in Thiruvarur district on the southern bank of Kaveri. The temple is more than 2000 years old. At this place, rim (mouth) of the kalash fell during the great deluge and formed a Shiva linga. Mouth of the kalash is known as Kudavayil in Tamil. Hence the place got the name Kudavasal. This is one of the 276 Padal Petra sthalam revered by Nayanmars. Shaiva saint Sambandhar got the divine darshan of Shri Shiva hence it is revered as Mini (Chinna in Tamil) Kailash. This is one of the 78 Mada-kovils built by the chola king Kochenkata Chola Nayanar, so that the elephants cannot enter the sanctum.

Mulavar: Shri Koneshwarar, Shri Suryeshwarar, Shri Bhrugunathar, Shri Konanathar, Shri Vanmeekanathar.

Devi: Shri Periyanayaki, Shri Brihannayaki

Sacred teertha: Amruta teertha

Kshetra vruksha: Plantain (banana tree) (Vaazhai in Tamil)

Puranic names: Garadadini, Kadalivanam, Vanmeekachalam

This temple is also known as Perunthirukovil

About this temple:

This is a west facing temple but without any rajagopuram. At the entrance we have beautiful sculpture of Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It has 2 prakarams. We have to climb 24 steps to reach Shri Shiva’s shrine which is a common feature in all mada-kovils. This temple finds mention in Tamil literatures between 300 BC to 300 AD. The Shiva linga in this temple is swayambhoo linga. At the entrance to the temple we find Shri Garuda worshipping Shri Shiva which is a very rare site. We have a kshetra puran about this feature which is narrated later. In the outer prakaram, we come across the idol of Anumati Vinayaka. We find Shri Kashi Vishwanath shrine opposite to the entrance. In front of the entrance we have Shri Nandi and Dhwajastambha. After entering the temple we come across the shrine of Shri Brihannayaki who is in a standing posture with Abhay and Varad mudra. She is facing the south. There is no separate Goddess Durga in this temple as Devi Brihannayaki is worshipped as Brihan-Durga devi. Inside the temple we come across 3 tiered Rajagopuram. In the outer prakaram we find shrines of Idumban, Shri Dandapani and Goddess Saraswati. In the northwest of Devi’s shrine we have the shrine of Shri Muruga with his wives Valli and Deivanai, a peacock and a maha-mandap. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn on Shri Muruga at this temple. In this prakara we come across Kshetra Vruksha, Jack-fruit tree, Shrine of Navagraha, Shri Muruga, Goddess Mahalaxmi, Thirudhyanbindu muni, Saptamatrikas, Nalvar, Shaiva Saint Sundarar and Paravai-Nachyar. The 24 steps that we have to climb to reach sanctum of Shri Shiva is in front of Sundarar. Shri Nataraja and Goddess Shivagami idols are near Shri Shiva. To reach sanctum of Shri Koneshwarar (Shri Shiva), we have to cross Mahamandap, Nandi mandap and Artha mandap. The Shiva linga is big with a square base (Avudayar in Tamil). Shri Shiva is facing the west. There is a scar on the linga caused by the sharp beak of Shri Garuda. Excepting Goddess Durga we find the usual Koshta moorthies. There is shrine of Shri Vinayaka who is first worshipped in the evening pooja known as Malaivazhipatu (worshipped in evening) Vinayaka. There is a shrine for twin Vinayakas and the Vinayaka worshipped here is Siddhi-Vinayaka. Opposite to the temple we have the sacred teertha, Amrut Teertha. On its bank we have the shrine of Aadi-Vinayaka. From the sanctum of Shri Shiva’s shrine, the tank and the gopuram of the Vinayaka temple we can have darshan. There are 2, Lord Bhairavas in this temple, one of them is without his mount the dog.

Idols in this temple: Shri Surya (in sitting position), Shri Moon (in standing position), Sage Suta worshipping Shri Shiva. There are shrines for Nalvars, Suta Maha Muni, Sundarar, Parvainachhar, Goddess Saraswati without Veena, Goddess Gajalaxmi and Saptamatrikas.

Special feature: It is believed that few drops of Amrut fell in the tank. Hence people take a dip here during Mahamagam festival.

Shri Shiva is addressed as Vaanmiknathar as he was taken out of ant-hill by garuda. We have a number of Vinayaka shrines like Siddhi-Vinayaka, Anumati Vinayaka, Aadi-Gajanathar (in the temple tank) and Malai-Vinayaka

It is believed that Shri Surya worships Shri Shiva in this temple by directing his rays on the Shiva linga for 3 days in the month of Panguni (March-April). In the Tamil month of Thai on 3 days, the Sun’s rays fall on Shri Kashi Vishwanath.

Sanctum sanctorum of Shri Shiva’s entrance is narrow so that elephant do not enter. Sambandhar praised this temple in his hymn as Ezhilkola mada kovil (extremely beautiful in Tamil). Saint Arunagiri nathar has sung a hymn on Shri Muruga at this place.

On Masi-magam day, 5 deities (Pancha-moorthies) namely Shri Koneshwarar, Goddess Periyanayaki, Shri Ganesha, Shri Muruga and Shri Chandikeshwar visit the Amrut teerth for Teertha-wari festival.

Kshetra Purana: Shri Koneshwarar – Ko in Tamil means all living beings, Eshwarar means Shri Shiva. As the Lord loves all his beings, he is known as Koneshwarar.

Shiva linga was found in the ant hill (vaanmeeka). Hence is known as Shri Vanmeeknathar.

Presence of Garuda in this temple: This is a rare sight and it is explained in the following puran.

Sage Kashyap had 2 wives, namely – Vineeta and Katru. Garuda was the son of Vineeta and was a staunch devotee of Shri Vishnu. Katru had poisonous snakes as her sons. Once Vineeta and Katru happens to see Shri Indra on his white horse named Uchhaihshravas. There was an argument between the 2 ladies about the color of the horse. There was a wager (betting) according to which if Katru proved that the tail of the horse was black then Vineeta and Garuda will be slaved to her forever. Katru approached her sons and requested to help her in winning the wager. Initially they refused but later on agreed to help her from getting cursed by their mother. One of her sons, Kargodaga (black snake) wrapped himself around the horse’s tail and breath his venom due to this the tail became black. When Vineeta saw only the black part of the tail (remaining portion was pure white), she accepted her defeat. When she told her plight to Garuda, he asked her for the remedy. Vineeta told him that his step-mother wants a pot containing nector from Devaloka so that they will be released from their bondage. Garuda went to Devaloka and defeated Devas in fierce battle. He informed Lord Indra that he will take the pot containing nector and only show it to his step mother as she does not deserve to drink the Amrut. He agreed to bring back the pot of nector safely. On the way to meet this mother, he had to fight a ferocious demon. Hence he had to keep the pot on a bush of Kusha-grass. When he came back after defeating the demon, he found that the pot sinking in a ant hill. When he cleared the ant hill with his beak, he found Shri Shiva (Amrutlingeshwarar) with pot in his hands. The Lord blessed and bade him to come back after releasing his mother from the bondage. After receiving the pot, Katru went to take bath placing it on a Kusha grass. In the meanwhile Shri Indra with help of Vaayu retrieved the pot. When Katru got back, she was disappointed as the pot was missing. She along with her sons, licked the droplets of nectar that had spilled on kusha-grass. Due to the sharpness of kusha-grass, their tongue got split (according to puran this is the reason that snakes have split tongue). Garuda came back to Shri Shiva, as per directive. Garuda constructed a temple for Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He also constructed a sacred tank, Amrut teertha and installed Shri Ganesha who is known as Aadi-Ganesha. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Amruta nathar and Parvati is known as Amruta-valli.

According to another kshetra puran, the nine sacred rivers (Ganga, Kaveri, Yamuna, Gautami, Narmada, Saraswati, Sharayu, Kanyakumari & Narmada) appealed to Shri Shiva for a solution to get rid of the sins left by the people in them. He transformed them into kumarikas and advised them to take bath in 3 sacred teertha on the southern bank of Kaveri when Sun is in Kumbha raas, Guru is in Simha raas and Moon in Magha nakshatra. They took bath in Kumbakonam (Mahamaga tank) then sacred tank Sakkottai (Kalashanallur) and finally came to this place. When they entered the sacred tank, the tank dried up. When they appealed to Shri Shiva, he told them that they should have taken dip first here then at Sakkottai and finally at Kumbakonam. Then he advised them to first worship Aadi-Ganesha at this place and Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to puran, these sacred rivers perform this ritual every 12 years i.e. Mahamaga festival day.

Those who worshipped here: Shri Garuda, Shri Agni, Shri Jatayu, Sage Suta, Sudama, Thalappiyar, Brigu rishi and Thirunapindu (he was cured of his leprosy by Shri Shiva at this place).

Prayers: People worship Shri Shiva, Shri Surya and Shri Chandra in this temple. They believe by doing so, they will be absolved of the sins for having not performed the shradha ceremony for their ancestors. Devotees worship Shri Shiva for prosperity and wisdom. People worship for the welfare of their children. People worship for not having fulfilled wishes of their mothers to Shri Shiva to get peace of mind and atonement. Those having problems in getting married light ghee lamps on lime cups during Rahu kaal in Goddess Durga’s shrine.

Important festivals:

Vaikasi (May-June): Vaikasi Visakam

Aani (Jun-Jul) Aani Thirumanganam

Aadi (Jul-Aug) Aadi Pooram

Aavani (Aug-Sept) Vinayakar Chaturthi

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) Navarathri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) Skanda Shasti and Annabhishekam

Karthikai (Nov-Dec) Thiru Karthikai

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvathira

Maasi (Feb-Mar) Maasi Maham and Shivarathri

Panguni (Mar-Apr) Panguni Uthiram

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple timing: 7am to noon; 4pm to 8.30pm

Temple address: Sri Koneshwarar Swami temple, Kudavaul (Kudavasal) Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu 612601

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Gautameshwarar (Upavedanadeshwarar) temple

This is 5th of the 12 Shiva temples connected with Mahamagam festival. This temple is on the southern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is believed to be the place where string (sacred thread) around the kalash fell and a Shiva linga was formed. This is very small temple and much details are not available.

Moolavar: Shri Gautameshwarar, Shri Upavedanadeshwarar

Devi (Consort): Shri Saundaryanayaki

Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank

The temple is more than 1800 years old.

Idols and shrines in the temple:

We come across the idols of Shri Nardhana Ganapati, Shri Maha Ganapati, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Sage Gautama, Shri Muruga with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai, Shri Gajalaxmi, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha, Shri Chandikeshwar and Shri Anjaneya. These include the koshta moorthies also. There is a separate shrine for Navagraha. There are separate idols of Shri Surya and Shri Shanishwarar. Idols of Shri Gajalaxmi and Shri Saraswati are near Shri Bhairava.

Kshetra purana:

The temple is associated with grand pralay which led to the formation of Mahamagam tank. This is the place where the string (sacred thread) fell during the pralay.

Sage Gautama was doing annadana at this place. In order to defame him, his enemies sent a magical cow into his ashram. While Sage Gautama was fondling the cow, the cow disappeared. Sage Gautama felt he was responsible for the disappearance of the cow and hence he worshiped Shri Upavedanathar. Shri Shiva blessed him and gave him a papavimochan i.e. freed him from a sin of killing a cow. As Shri Shiva removed the sin of Sage Gautama, he is known as Shri Gautameshwarar.

Prayers:

Sin of killing the cow is removed by worshipping Shri Gautameshwar after taking a bath in Mahamagam teertha. People perform pooja on Ashtami for Shri Bhairava for removal of fear. Worshiping in this temple is beneficial for persons born in the zodiac sign of Scorpio.

Festival:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

In addition daily rituals are held in this temple.

Temple timings: 6 am to noon; 4.30 pm to 8pm

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Abhimukheshwarar Temple

This is the 4th Shiva temple connected with Mahamagam festival located in Kumbakonam city. Abhimukh means looking straight ahead. This temple is on the eastern bank of Mahamagam tank. This is the place where the coconut from the kalash fell. Worshiping in this temple is beneficial for people of Zodiac sign Libra (Tula). The temple is about 1200 years old and was renovated in 16th century.

Mulavar: Shri Abhimukheshwarar

Devi: Shri Amrutvalli

Kshetra vruksha: Gooseberry tree (Avala in Marathi)

Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank

It is believed that the coconut from the kalash which fell here became a Shiva linga.

About the temple and idols:

This is a small west facing temple with a 2 tier Rajagopuram. The entrance of the temple and Shiva linga faces west. The Dwarpal at the entrance to the Lord’s shrine are in a dancing posture which is a rare sight.

Kosthamurthys: On north side we see Lord Brahma, on east side we find Shri Lingodbhavar, on south side we find Shri Dakshinamurthy. Here Shri Dakshinamurthy is known as Yoga-Dakshinamurthy. He appears in sitting position with one leg kneeled down and his head is slightly bent. Goddess Amritvalli is in a separate shrine on right side of Lord Shiva. The Navgrahas are housed on a small peetham. Here we find idol of Lord Shanishwar is taller than other idols. Then we come across idol of Lord Bhairava which is tallest in this temple when compared to the Bhairava idols in the other 11 temples associated with Mahamagam tank.

Kshetra puran:

This place is associated with the pralay, the details of which we have already mentioned.

Shri Abhimukheshwarar: According to purana, Lord Shiva was facing East when Nav-karnikas came to bathe here first time. They requested Lord to face the tank so that they can have the darshan from the tank itself. Lord acceded to their request and started facing the west. Hence he is known as Shri Abhimukheshwarar.

A girl got cured of leprosy here. A Brahmin family from Kashmir namely Sudhavan and his wife Seelavathi had a beautiful girl named Sumati. When the girl attained marriageable age, she was infected by Leprosy due to her previous karma. Then in the village, the people despised her and started avoiding her. The parents prayed to Lord Shiva for their daughters cure. Sage Narada appeared in their dream and advised them to take bath in Mahamagam tanks during Mahamagam festival and worship Lord Abhimukheshwar for the sake of their daughter. When couple did as directed by Sage Narada, the girl got rid of her decease. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Sudhavan and asked him to conduct his daughter’s marriage in front of him and stay for sometime at this place so that he can reach Kailash with his family.

Festivals:

Thai (Jan-Feb) - Makar Sankranti

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri, 10 days of Mahamagam festival

Chitrai (April-May) - Brahmotsav

Avani (August-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi,

Purattasi (Sept-Oct) - Navaratri

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam

In addition daily rituals are held in this temple.

Prayers: Parihar sthala for Shani dosh. People light ghee lamp on Saturday for relief. People pray for getting cure of their decease by offering goose berries to Lord Shiva. People pray from adverse effect of the planet by lighting ghee lamps.

Temple timing: 7am-12pm and 4-8pm

Temple address: Shri Abhimukheshwarar temple, near Mahamagam tank, Kumbakonam 612201

Phone: 4352420187

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Nageshwarar (Vilva Vaneshwarar) temple

This temple is situated in the heart of Kumbakonam city. This temple is also known as Kudanthai Keezh Kottam (Kudanthai means Kumbakonam, Keezh – east; Kottam – temple). This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is the parihar sthal for Rahu dosha. The temple is about 1300 years old and was constructed by a Chola king. This temple is 3rd temple connected with Mahamagam festival. This temple is also known as Koothandavar kovil and Suryakottam. At this place the bilva leaves from the kalash fell during the pralay and became a Shiva linga. Hence Lord is known as Shri Vilva Vaneshwarar.

Moolavar: Shri Nageshwar Swami, Shri Naganathar, Shri Vilva Vaneshwarar, Shri Patalbeejnathar, Shri Madanthainathar

Devi (Consort): Shri Periyanayaki, Shri Brihannayaki

Kshetra vruksha: Bilva

Kshetra teertha: Mahamagam tank, Singa-mukh-teertham (tank), Surya teertha, Nag teertha

Puranic name: Thirukudanthai Keezh Kottam

This is an east facing temple with 5 tiered Rajagopuram with 2 parikramas. The gopurams are on the east, west and south entrances. The Shiva linga is a Swayambhoo linga formed out of the bilva leaves fell from the kalash during pralay. When we enter the temple on the left side, we have a Nandanvan (garden) and Singa-mukh-teertha. On the right hand side we have the shrine of Periyanayaki and Nataraja. The Nataraja mandap is in a shape of chariot. We come across at the entrance of the sanctum – Nandi, Balipeeth and Dhwajastambh at there usual positions. The shrine of Lord Shiva is facing the east. The Swayambhoo linga is very broad at the base (avudyai in Tamil) and cylindrical top (bana in Tamil) is smaller in size. The koshta moorthys are Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Ardhanarishwarar, Lord Brahma & Goddess Durga. In a small shrine we come across Lord Chandikeshwarar.

Devi’s shrine: Her shrine is south facing on the right side of Rajagopuram in the outer parikrama of Nataraja shrine. The chariot is sculptured in such as if it is being pulled away by 2 horses and 4 elephants. The twelve spokes on the wheel are supposed to represent twelve zodiac signs. Lord Nataraja is also known as Anand-Koothandavar. In this shrine we find the idol of Goddess Shivakaami clapping the hands to the dance of Lord Nataraja while Lord Vishnu is playing the flute.

Gangai Vinayaka shrine: The Chola king Rajendran had made an expedition to Himalayas and the victorious army brought a beautiful Ganesh idol from there as a trophy and installed it at this place. This shrine is known as Gangai Vinayaka shrine.

In the parikrama we come across the sapta-vidangas. There is a separate shrine for Rahu. There is separate shrine for Rudra known as Pralayakaal rudra.

Other shrines and idols in the premises: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Juragara Vinayaka, Somaskandha Moorthy, Saptamatrika, Valanchuzhi (trunk curved towards right) Vinayaka, Mahakali, Agniveerabhadra, Vishnu-Durga, Padaivetti Mariamman, Lord Surya, Goddess GajaLaxmi, Aadishesha (King of serpent), Lord Aiyanar. Goddess Mahakali & Agni Veerabhadra (Urdhwa-tandav Moorthy) are opposite to each other in separate shrine. The 2 idols are sculptured in such a manner that one feels they are competing one another in a dance competition. The idols have very fearsome countenance.

Salient features of this place & temple:

The temple is associated with Mahamagam festival.

The Natraja temple:

This is the Rahu Parihar sthala

The rays of the Sun enter the sanctum sanctorum only for 3 days during the Tamil month of Chitrai i.e 11, 12, 13th day.

A Shiva devotee Padakachery Ramalinga Swamigal took a lot of pains to renovate this temple which was in a dilapidated condition. He performed consecration in 1923. For this purpose, he collected funds by tying a pot around his neck and meeting people.

It is believed if worshiped, the Lord Rahu at this temple, on Mondays & Thursdays, one is absolved of Rahu dosha, beneficial for removal of marriage obstacle and child boon.

Kshetra Purana:

The temple is associated with Maha-pralay which led to the formation of the twelve temples. At this place the bilva leaves from the kalash fell and formed a Shiva linga

According to Purana, king of Serpent (Aadi-shesha) holds the earth on his head. The weight of the earth grew due to the sins committed on earth and hence he could not bear the weight. He worshipped Lord Shiva to grant him extra energy so that he can hold the earth. Lord Shiva accepted his request and granted him the extra energy by giving him 1000 heads instead of 1. Aadi-shesha came to this place, where the bilva leaves fallen during the maha-pralay. He installed a linga and worshipped Lord Shiva. As the Nagaraja worshipped Lord Shiva at this place, Lord Shiva is known as Nageshwarar.

Surya teertha: Lord Surya worshipped Lord Shiva and regained his lost splendor. Hence the temple tank is known as Surya teertha.

It is stated in purana that the planet Rahu (serpent king) worshipped Lord Shiva in four parts of the night at four places. The places are – Shri Nageshwarar temple - Kudanthai keezh kottam (Vilva vanam), Thirunageshwaram Naganathswami in Hibiscus van (Jaswand in Marathi), Nageshwar swami at Thirupampuram in Shamee van, Naganadar at Nagapattinum in Punnag van.

Parihar sthala: If one worships in a single day at Nageshwaram in the morning, Thirunageshwaram in the noon, Thirupampuram in the evening and Naganathar at Nagapattinum at night all sarpa dosha are removed.

Festivals:

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Maasi (Feb-March): Mahamagam festival, Maasi Brahmotsavam

Panguni (March-April): Panguni uttaram.

Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navarathri

Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadarai

And other Shiva festivals.

Temple prayers – People pray here for 1) Relief from Rahu dosh (worship during Rahu kal or between 4.30-6pm daily) 2) reunion of estranged couple 3) removal of marriage obstacle 4) for a child boon 5) for relief from fever people pray to Jwarhar Ganesha.

Temple timings: 6am -12.30 pm & 4.30 pm to 9 pm

Temple address: Shri Nageshwarar Swami temple, Kumbakonam (Keezhkottam), 612001. Phone +91 4352430386

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Paying respect to Nandikeshwara and Chandikeshwara is a must

Namaskar - You visit any Lord Shiva temple in South India and you will find that there is a Nandikeshwar idol in front of Shiva linga and Chandikeshwar idol located to North East of Shiva lingam and within the wall of the temple. Dr. Gopalkrishna Sharma explains in his video about two things that you should not do when you are in Shiva temple. First - do not directly worship Shiva linga without first taking permission of Nandikeshwara and second - do not leave temple without scrubbing hands in front of Chandikeshwara.

Before worshipping Shiva linga one should first take permission of Nandikeshwara by chanting following shloka

नन्दिकेश महाभाग शिवध्यान परायण 
गौरिशन्कर सेवार्थम् अनुज्ञानम् दातुमर्हसि 
(Nandikesha MahaaBhaga, Shiva dhyaana paraayana,
Gowri Shankar sevaartham Anudnyanam daatumarhasi.)

Meaning: Oh Nandikesha, you are highly distinguished and you are ever engaged in meditating upon Lord Shiva. Please permit me to worship Lord Shiva along with his consort Mother Gauri

Also before leaving any Lord Shiva temple, one should visit Chandikeshwara and scrub hands in front of him to indicate that you are not taking anything from temple except blessings.

विजयादशमी सीमोल्लंघनाचे महत्व

अश्विन शुक्ल दशमी जाण । सायंकाळी श्रवण नक्षत्र । विजयनामाचा काल पूर्ण । तारकाउदयीं जाणावा ।। तो विजयकाल सकळिक । सर्वकार्यार्थसाधक । प्रयाणमुहूर्ती विशेषक । सर्व कामना सिद्ध होती ।। विजयकालाची म्हणोनि । विजयादशमी म्हणती जनीं । तो विजयमुहूर्त पाहूनी । निघता झाला काकुत्स्थ ।। सर्व देवांसहित जाण । करोनियां शमीपूजन । केलें शमीसीं प्रिय भाषण । मग पुष्पकीं बैसला ।। ईशान्येसी केलें गमन । आला अयोध्येलागून । सर्व सुहृदादिजनां भेटोन । राज्य करिता जाहला ।। सर्व देवऋषींसी आनंद । जाहला तुटले अवघे बंध । सीमोल्लंघन केलें प्रसिद्ध । स्वेच्छाचारें दशमीसी ।। या कारणास्तव जाण । विजयादशमीसी पूजन । करावें ईशान्येसी सीमोल्लंघन । शमीपूजने जयप्राप्ती ।।

- देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १२

विजयादशमीला म्हणजेच दसऱ्याला सायंकाळी ईशान्य दिशेला सीमोल्लंघन करण्याची प्रथा आहे. ही प्रथा प्रभू श्रीरामांनी प्रसिद्ध केली. सीमोल्लंघन म्हणजेच सीमा ओलांडून पुढे जाणे. आत्तापर्यंत आपल्यावर झालेल्या वेगवेगळ्या बऱ्यावाईट संस्कारांमुळे, बऱ्यावाईट सवयीं मुळे आपल्यामध्ये एक प्रकारचं जडत्व येतं. आपण आपल्यालाच काही सीमांमध्ये जखडून ठेवतो. मला हे कसं जमेल? ते कसं जमेल? काही वेळा प्रयत्न करून यश मिळत नाही म्हणून आपण काही गोष्टी सोडून देतो. ह्या सगळ्या गोष्टी आपल्या भोवती काही सीमा आखतात आणि त्यामुळे आपली अपेक्षित प्रगती होत नाही. ह्या सीमांना उल्लंघून जाऊ शकलो तरच आपण अपेक्षित यश मिळवून समाधानी होऊ शकतो. सीमोल्लंघन करून ईशान्य दिशेला का जायचं? ईशान्य दिशेला भगवान ईशानांचा वास असतो जे ज्ञान आणि संपत्तींचे संरक्षक आहेत. भगवान ईशानांकडे आपल्याला कोण घेऊन जाईल? देवी भगवती. देवी भगवती आपल्यावर प्रसन्न झाली तर ती आपल्याला ज्ञान आणि संपत्ती प्रदान तर करेलच पण हे टिकण्यासाठी ती आपल्याला भगवान ईशानांची पण कृपा प्राप्त व्हावयाला मदत करेल जेणेकरून आपण मिळविलेल्या ज्ञान आणि संपत्तीचा कधी विनाश होणार नाही. देवी भगवतीची प्रीती कशी मिळवावी हे स्वतः देवी भगवती देवीनेच श्री देवी माहात्म्यामध्ये सांगितले आहे.

संवत्सरें करुनि पूजन । माझी साधावी प्रीती जाण । माझें चरित्र श्रवण पठण । प्रेमभावें करावे ।। पातकांचा करी नाश । आरोग्यता पाठकास । भूतांपासूनि रक्षणास । हें माहात्म्य करीतसे ।। - श्री देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १२

निदान वर्षाकाठी नवरात्री काळामध्ये निरालस्य होऊन देवी भगवतीचे पूजन करावे, तिच्या चरित्राचे श्रवण-पठण करावें जेणेकरून आपण तिची प्रीती प्राप्त करू शकू आणि सर्व यश प्राप्ती करून अंती समाधान पावू शकू.

स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठण - सुरक्षा आणि उद्धाराचा सुलभ उपाय

देवांच्या कार्यासाठी जाण । जगदंबा होतसे उत्पन्न । एरव्हीं तरी जन्म-मरण । नाही नाही तियेसी ।।

इच्छामात्रें सर्व संहारीत । परी गुणानुवाद व्हावा निश्चित ।
आपुला या सर्व जगतांत । म्हणोनि उत्पन्न होतसे ।।

गुणांचे जें श्रवण-पठण । तेणें उद्धरती सर्व जन । म्हणोनि होतसे उत्पन्न । योगनिद्रा हरीची ।।

- श्री देवी माहात्म्य अध्याय १

"स्तुवन्ति त्रायते इति स्तोत्रः" अशी स्तोत्राची व्याख्या आहे. ज्या स्तुतीमुळे आपलं रक्षण होतं, उद्धार होतो, त्याला स्तोत्र म्हणतात. श्री देवीला एरव्ही जन्म-मरण नाही. पण आपल्या परम कारुण्य भावनेनी ती जनांच्या उद्धारासाठी दैवी अवतार घेते आणि तिच्या दैवीलीला बघून जनं तिची स्तुती करतात आणि ह्या स्तुतीमुळे जनांचा उद्धार होतो, रक्षण होतं. म्हणूनच अशा स्तुतीला स्तोत्र म्हणलं जातं.

श्री देवीमाहात्म्याला श्री देवीचं महास्तोत्र असं पण म्हणतात. स्तोत्रामध्ये गुणानुवाद असतो. स्तोत्रामध्ये किंवा शेवटी फलश्रुती असते ज्यामध्ये स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणाने काय फळं मिळतात त्याचं वर्णन असतं.

स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणाची काही महत्वाची फळं म्हणजे वाणीशुद्धी, मनाची एकाग्रता, आत्मविश्वासाची वृद्धी. आणि ह्या फळांच्या प्राप्तीमुळेच नियमित स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठण करणाऱ्यांचं आपोआपच रक्षण होतं आणि उद्धार होतो. स्तोत्र श्रवण-पठणासाठी सर्वात महत्वाचं काय तर शुद्ध भाव. स्तोत्र पठणासाठी खूप वेळेची पण गरज नाही. इच्छा आणि भाव असेल तर कुठल्याही दैनंदिन कर्तव्यामध्ये बाधा न आणता आपण हे करू शकतो. किंबहुना असंच करायला पाहिजे तरच आपण आपल्या जिवलगांना, आपल्या मुलांना पण आपण ह्या श्रवण-पठणामध्ये प्रोत्साहित करू शकू आणि त्यांना पण ह्या श्रवण-पठणामुळे मिळणाऱ्या रक्षणाचा अनुभव करून देऊ शकू.

नवरात्रीतील देवीमाहात्म्य पठण

देवी म्हणे देवांलागून । जो एकाग्रचित्त होऊन । नित्य हें माहात्म्य पठण करून । तोषवील मजलागीं ।।
तयाच्या सकल बाधेत । नि:संशय स्वयें नाशितें । इहपरत्रीं सौख्य त्यातें । देऊनियां तोषवीन ।।
- देवीमाहात्म्य अध्याय १२

देव आणि असुर ह्यामध्ये ज्या ज्या वेळी युद्ध झाले आहे त्यावेळी देवीने देवांना वेगवेगळे अवतार घेऊन रक्षिले आहे. प्रत्येक मानवामध्ये दैवी आणि राक्षसी वृत्ती नांदत असतात. ह्या दैवी आणि असुरी वृत्तींमध्ये कायम युद्ध चालू असते. जेव्हा असुरी वृत्तींचा प्रादुर्भाव होतो अर्थात असुरी वृत्ती जेव्हा दैवी वृत्तींपेक्षा वरचढ होतात तेव्हा मानवाचा अहंकार, अभिमान जागृत होऊन त्यामुळे निर्माण होणाऱ्या क्लेश, दुःख अशा निराशाजनक भावनांतुन त्याला जायला लागतं. अशावेळी पूर्वपुण्याईने जर देवीमाहात्म्य वाचायची बुद्धी होऊन एकाग्रचित्ताने ह्या माहात्म्याचं पठण केल्यास त्या मानवाच्या असुरी वृत्तींचा नाश करून त्यास सौख्याचा अनुभव करून देईन असे स्वतः देवीनेच आश्वासन दिले आहे.

देवीमाहात्म्याचं पठण कसं करावं? देवीमाहात्म्य संस्कृत मध्ये आहे तसेच प्राकृत म्हणजेच मराठी भाषेत पण आहे. संस्कृत भाषेतल्या देवीमाहात्म्याचे पठण करण्याच्या बाबतीत अनेक नियम आहेत ज्यात कुमारीपूजनाचाही भाग येतो. पण सर्वसाधारण भक्तांना हे नियम पाळणे शक्य नाही म्हणून श्री राम वर्णेकर ह्यांनी अत्यंत निस्वार्थी भावाने मराठी भाषेत देवीमाहात्म्य लिहिले ज्याच्या पठणाचे नियम सुलभ आणि सुकर आहेत.

मराठी भाषेतले देवीमाहात्म्य पठण सुरु करण्याआधी श्री चंडीकवच, श्री अर्गलास्तोत्र आणि श्री कीलकस्तोत्र ह्यांचं पठण करावं आणि नंतर नऊ दिवसात १६ अध्यायांचं पठण करावं ते असं १) तीन स्तोत्रे आणि अध्याय १ २) अध्याय २ व ३ ३) अध्याय ४ व ५ ४) अध्याय ६ व ७ ५) अध्याय ८ व ९ ६) अध्याय १० व ११ ७) अध्याय १२ ८) अध्याय १३ व १४ ९) अध्याय १५ व १६. प्रत्येक दिवशी शक्य असल्यास दुपारी १२ च्या आत त्या दिवसाचं पठण संपवावं. आणि १६ अध्यायांचं पठण पूर्ण झाल्यावर श्री शंकराचार्यकृत देवीअपराधक्षमापन स्तोत्र म्हणून देवीची क्षमा मागावी.

महालय अमावास्येचं महत्व

अमावस्या म्हणजे काय? जेव्हा सूर्य आणि चन्द्र हे एकत्र येतात त्या तिथीला अमावस्या असं म्हणतात. जन्मकुंडलीमध्ये सूर्य आणि चंद्र ग्रहांच्या स्थानाला फार महत्व आहे. कुंडलीवरून ज्योतिष फळ सांगताना ह्या ग्रहांच्या स्थानांना खूप महत्व दिलं जातं. सूर्य हा पितृकारक किंवा आत्मकारक समजला जातो तर चंद्र ग्रह मातृकारक किंवा मनोकारक समजला जातो.

अमावास्येला तिलांजली देऊन पितरांना प्रसन्न करणे हा हिंदू शास्त्राप्रमाणे एक संस्कार आहे. गृहस्थाश्रमातल्या माणसाला देव, ऋषी, बुध आणि पितृ ह्यांचे संस्कार सांगितले आहेत. गृहस्थाने ह्या चार विषयींची म्हणजेच देव, ऋषी, कुलदैवत, जिवलग कुटुंब/ नातलग आणि पितरांबद्दलची कर्तव्ये काटेकोरपणे पार पाडावीत. ह्या कर्तव्यांमध्ये पितृ कर्तव्य हे सर्वात महत्वाचे आहे. एक वेळ देवाच्या उपासनेमध्ये कमी जास्त झालं तरी ठीक आहे. पण पितरांसाठीच्या कर्तव्यामध्ये कधीही खंड पडू देऊ नये. पितरांसाठीची श्राद्ध कर्म केल्या मुळे पितंरं प्रसन्न होतात आणि ते आपल्या वंशजांना आशीर्वाद देतात ज्यामुळे वंशजांचं आयुष्य सुरळीत होण्यास मदत होते. श्राद्ध कर्मांमध्ये जेव्हा खंड पडतो तेव्हा पितृदोष निर्माण होतो आणि पितृदोषामुळे वंशजांना खूप कष्ट सहन करावयास लागतात. पितृदोषाची काही ठळक लक्षणं म्हणजे विवाह ठरण्यामध्ये विलंब होणे, वैवाहिक जीवन विस्कळीत होऊन कुटुंबामध्ये सतत कलह असणे, नोकरी किंवा व्यवसायामध्ये सतत अडचणी येऊन वृद्धी न होणे, अपत्यप्राप्ती न होणे. ह्या अडचणींना आपल्याला सामोरं जावं लागत असेल तर आपल्याला पितृदोष आहे असं समजावं. ह्या दोषांचा परिहार होण्यासाठी पितृपूजा करावी.

पितृपूजांमधली सर्वात सोपी पूजा म्हणजे अमावास्येला पितरांना तिलांजली देणे म्हणजेच तीळ आणि पाणी वापरून तर्पण करणे. ह्या पूजेला आपल्याला फार खर्च करायला लागत नाही.

सर्व अमावास्यांमध्ये तीन अमावस्या महत्वाच्या आहेत. दक्षिणायन सुरु होण्याआधीची अमावस्या, उत्तरायण सुरू होण्याआधीची अमावस्या आणि ह्या दोघांमधली म्हणजेच महालय अमावस्या. आणि ह्या तीन अमावास्यांमध्ये महालय अमावास्येचं महत्व सर्वात जास्त आहे. ह्या दिवशीची पितृपूजा कधीही विसरू नये.

पितृपूजा कोणी करावी, कशी करावी, काही नियम आणि बंधनं

ज्यांचे माता पिता दिवंगत झाले अशा स्त्री पुरुषांनी पितृपूजा करावी. पुरुषांनी अमावास्येला तीळ आणि पाणी वापरून पितरांना तर्पण करणे (तिलांजली) ही सर्वात सोपी आणि परिणामकारक पूजा आहे. ज्या स्त्रियांना मूल नाहीये आणि ज्यांचे माता पिता दिवंगत झाले आहेत त्यांनी अमावास्येला दिवसभरात व्रत करावं (सूर्यास्तापर्यंत उपवास करावा), एक पान वाढून बाहेर कावळ्यासाठी ठेवावं किंवा आपल्या पेक्षा वयस्कर जे असतील त्यांना जेवण घालावं, देवळात दान द्यावं आणि व्रताच्या शेवटी घरातल्या देवासमोर किंवा देवळात दिवा लावावा.

दर अमावास्येला कावळा किंवा गायीला घास देणे अशी पण पितृपूजेची पद्धत आहे.

पितृपूजा आपल्या घरातली देवपूजा करण्याआधी करावी. पितृपूजा करण्याआधी गंगा आणि यमुना नद्यांचं स्मरण करावं. आपल्या पित्याच्या बाजूच्या तीन पिढ्या आणि मातेच्या बाजूच्या तीन पिढ्या ह्यांची नावांची यादी जवळ ठेवावी. संकल्पासाठी आपल्या गोत्राची नोंद करावी. आपलं गोत्र माहित नसल्यास नात्यांचा उच्चार करावा. तर्पण केल्यानंतर घरी किंवा देवळात जाऊन दिवा लावावा. तर्पण केलेलं पाणी जवळपास असलेल्या पाण्यामध्ये विसर्जन करावं आणि ब्राह्मणाला दक्षिणा द्यावी.

हि पूजा आपण कुठेही करू शकतो. म्हणजे आपल्या घरी पण करू शकतो. शक्य असल्यास हि पूजा नदी काठी, समुद्राकाठी, किंवा रामेश्वरम, काशी, गया, इलाहाबाद, थिरुवेंगाडू ह्या पवित्र ठिकाणी करावी. पण ते जमत नसल्यास हि पूजा घरी केली तरी पण चालते.

Shri Someshwarar and Shri Thenarmozhiammai kovil

This is the 2nd Shiva temple associated with Mahamagam festival. This is the place where the string (uri in Tamil) which held the kalash fell and later on became a Shiva linga. The temple is more than 1500 years old and its located in the Kumbhakonam city to the south of Sarangapaani temple. Shri Someshwarar is one of the Padal Petra sthalam located on the southern bank of Kaveri, on the eastern side of Pattramaraikullam. This temple was revered by the Shaiva saint Sambandar.

Moolavar: Shri Someshwarar, Kayarohanar, Vyaah, Shri Sikkesar

Devi: Shri Thenarmozhiyal, Shri Somasundari

Sacred Teertha: Mahamaham tank, Potramarai tank, Somateertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

This is an East facing temple with a five tiered Rajagopuram. It has a single parikrama with three entrances. Facing the sanctum we have Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi deva in their usual position. Sanctum sanctorum consists of three parts namely Sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandap. The Shiva linga is swayambhoo linga. The Bana (top cylindrical portion of the linga) is a special type known as Narmada Bana. We come across the koshtamoorthys Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Brahma, Goddess Durga in their usual positions. There are eight sculptures on the sanctum wall in worshiping position. In the parikrama we have the idols of Nalvar, Shri Bhairavar, Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Navgrahas and Shri Surya. Devis housed in a separate shrine. Near her shrine in a separate shrine we come across idol of Shri Sambandhar. Shri Somakandhar is in the inner mandap. In a separate shrine, we come across Shri Nataraja and Goddess Shivakaami. Shri Nataraja is also addressed as Kananattam Udayar. Shri Ganesha is housed in a separate shrine and he is known as Kalyanasundar Vinayaka. Shri Muruga is in a separate shrine with his consorts Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. His idol is unique as he is seated on a peacock, has six faces and twelve hands but is wearing a paada-raksha on one foot. Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Shri Muruga at this place. At the main entrance to the temple, there is a shrine housing Shri Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Here they are addressed as Shri Maleesar and Shri Mangalanayaki. There is a separate Shrine for Shri Chozheeshwarar along with Goddess Tripurasundari.

Special features:

Karonam: When the navakarnikas (nine sacred rivers) came to Mahamagam tank for taking bath and absolving themselves from the sins there was chaos all around. At that time out of fear Goddess Parvati, embraced Shri Shiva. Hence this place came to be known as Shri Kaya-arohanam (Kaya means body, Arohanam means embraced). Hence Shri Shiva is known as Kaya-rohanar. The name of the place later on changed to Karonam.

Somesham: Shri Soma (Chandra) came and worshiped Shri Shiva at this place to get rid of the curse given by Brihaspati (i.e. Guru). He dug a tank for that purpose. Hence the place is known as Somesham and the tank was known as Somateertha which does not exist now.

Vyaah-someshwarar: Shri Jupiter (Guru/ Brihaspati) worshiped Shri Someshwarar. Hence Shri Shiva is addressed as Vyaah-someshwarar (Vyaahan in Tamil means Thursday or Guru)

Shri Chozheeshwarar: The Chola king – Paranthaka Chola worshiped Shri Shiva and Goddess Tripurasundari at this place. Hence Shri Shiva is known as Shri Chozheeshwarar

Maleesar: Shri Vishnu is known as Mal. He worshiped Shri Shiva at this place for a year to receive boon for destroying the demons. Hence Shri Shiva is addressed as Maleesar.

Kumbhakonam is considered more holier than Kashi.

When you enter from North entrance we can have darshan of Shri Someshwarar and Shri Someshwari. This means that even if you enter from any of the three entrances we can have darshan of both Lord and the Goddess.

Kananattam Udayar: Shri Nataraja and Shivagami are in separate shrine. Kananattam Udayar name of Shri Natraja means if a visitor to the temple goes out without visiting him, the loss is for the visitor, not for Shri Nataraja. He bestows his devotees with boon of prosperity in business and service.

If one worships Kalyansundar Vinayaka for 11 Mondays, marriage obstacles are removed.

Kshetra purana: It is attached to Mahamagam tank, Mahamagam festival and the pralay.

Festivals:

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Maasi (Feb-March): Maasimagam Brahmotsav on a huge scale. Ashwini nakshatra, flag hoisting indicating beginning of festival. 8th day special pooja for Lord and Devi. 9th day Chariot festival; 10th day festival – procession of panchamoorthis on peacock, mooshaka and rishabha.

Panguni (March-April): Float festival.

Chitrai (April-May): Saptasthanam festival

Vaikaasi (May-June): Tirukalyanam (wedding festival)

Ani (June-July): Thirumanjanum

Aadi (July-August): 18th day festival, festival on nakshatra Puram

Temple timings: 6.30am to 12.30pm; 4pm to 8pm.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Shri Aadikumbheshwarar temple

This temple is one of the temples connected with Mahamaga festival. It is situated in the heart of Kumbhakonam city. This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is a East facing temple with three parikramas. The temple has a nine-tiered Rajagopuram. The temple is more than 1500 years old. The Shaiva saints Appar and Sambandar have sung hymns about this temple. The temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Shri Mangalambika Devi is addressed here as Shri Mantrapeetheshwari. This is the place where the Amruta Kalasha reached finally during the pralaya.

Mulavar: Shri Kumbheswarar, Shri Amrudeshwarar, Shri Kuzhajar
Devi (Consort): Shri Mangalambigai and Shri Mantrapeetheshwari.
Sacred teertha: Mahamagam tank, Potramarai kulam (well) and twelve other teerthas, Kaveri river
Kshetra Vriksha: Shami (Vanni in Tamil)

According to Kshetra purana, the Nava-kumarikas (nine rivers) who take bath in the Mahamagam tank, also take bath in the Putramarai kulam.

The Shiva Linga in this temple is believed to have been made by Shri Shiva Himself after the pralaya i.e. at the beginning of new Yuga. He made this Linga by mixing sand, nectar and broken pieces of the kalash. This Shiva linga is in the same shape as a pot i.e. broad at the bottom and needle shape as it rises. This peetham is also a Vishnu shakti peeth. As Shri Shiva was responsible for protecting the seeds (beej) for creation by keeping it in a kumbha, He is known as Shri Kumbheshwarar.

Other deities and shrines:

As we enter through the Rajagopuram, we come across balipeeth, dhwaja stambha and Nandi. In the first prakara, we come across the idols of 63 Nayanmars, Sapta-Matrikas, Kamadhenu and Bhava linga, Sarva linga, Eshana linga, Pashupathi linga, Rudra linga, Ugra linga, Bheem linga and Maha linga.

Koshta-moorthies:

Shri Dakshinamoorthy, Shri Bhairava, Shri Vishnu, Shri Chandikeshwarar in their usual positions. In the same parikrama, we come across idols of Shri Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Gajalakshmi, Shri Nataraja, Shri Somaskanda, Shri Keeratmoorthy, Shri Nalawar, Shri Veerabhadra, Shri Kashi-Vishwanath and Shri Vishalakshi, Shri Saraswati and Shri Jesthadevi. In this corridor, we come across a Ganesha idol known as Shri Valam Chuzhi Vinayaka whose trunk is curved towards the right. We also come across Shri Bhikshadanar, Akshaya linga, Sahasra linga, Shri Annapurni and Shri Mahalakshmi. When we enter 2nd prakaram, we come across the shrine of Goddess Parvati. We also come across the Shayana graha. In the 2nd corridor, there are idols of Shri Sattainathar, Shri Chandra, Shri Surya, Shri Vallabha-Ganesha, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan, Shri Vanni-Vinayaka, Shri Kumbh muni siddha. The idols of Shri Ashtabhuja Durga Devi, Shri Navaneet Vinayaka, Shri Kala-Bhairva, Shri Jwarakeshwarar, Shri Shasta, Shri Mahan Govind Dikshidar and Shri Nagambal.

Special features:

In this temple the prakaram is designed in such a way that when we do pradakshina in the prakaram, we do pradakshina of both – Shri Shiva and Shri Mangalambika Devi together. This is in keeping up with purana in which Shri Ganesha went around the parents in order to go around the Universe. Hence it indicates that, the pradakshina of the parents is equivalent to doing pradakshina of the whole world i.e. they are everything that is in the world.

As the Shiva Linga is made of sand there is no Abhisheka for the Shiva Linga. They apply, only punugu (civet – a cent) once in while. As the Shiva linga is very huge it is known as Mahalingam and it is inclined to one side. Abhishek is performed only to the base of Shiva Linga. There is a sculpture of a lion in the Navaratri mandap which is very unique. People take a dip in the Mahamagam tank before taking bath in the Putramarai kulam.

Shri Mangalambika Devi is dressed in a yellow silk saree and her face is smeared with yellow turmeric paste and she has tilak of red vermillion (kunku). Shri Mangalanayaki is also known as Shri Mantrapeetheshwari. There is a separate shrine for Shri Keeratmoorthy and special abhishek is done in the evenings for Shri Mangalambika Devi. We come across Shri Muruga, seated on his mount peacock along with his consorts, Shri Valli and Shri Deivanai. He has six faces but has only 6 hands instead of twelve.

There are fourteen holy teerthas associated with this temple namely – Mahamagam tank, Putramarai tank, Varun teertha, Kashyap teertha, Chakra teertha, Matanga teertha, Bhagawat teertha, Mangala teertha, Naag teertha, Kura teertha, Chandra teertha, Surya teertha, Gautam teertha and Varaha teertha. In this temple complex, there is one unfinished gopuram (knowing in Tamil as Mottaigopuram). The temple is sacred in all the three forms namely, Moorthy, Kshetra and Teertha.

In the Navaratra mandap, 27 constellations and 12 zodiac signs are sculptured in one stone. There is a piped instrument known as Nadaswaram which is made of stone.

It is to be noted that Shri Ganesha came here ahead of his parents.

Shri Muruga got his mantra upadesha from his mother at this place.

Festivals:

Almost all festivals similar to other Shiva mandirs.

Panguni (March-April): Float festival.

Chitrai (April-May): Saptasthanam festival

Vaikaasi (May-June): Thirukalyanam (wedding festival)

Ani (June-July): Thirumanjanam

Aadi (July-August): 18th day festival, festival on nakshatra Puram

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Religious significance of Kumbhakonam

Mahamagam tank and its religious significance

This tank is at the center of the town and covers an area of 6 acres and has 16 entrances. There is a Lord Shiva shrine at each of these entrances. These shrines are collectively known as Shodasha-Mahalinga Swami.

These 16 shrines are as follows:

Brahmateertheswarar
Mukudhteertheswarar
Thaneshwarar
Vrishabheshwarar
Baaneshwarar
Koneshwarar
Bhaktikeshwarar
Bhairaveshwarar
Agastishwarar
Vyaseshwarar
Uma-Maheshwarar
Niruktishwarar
Brahmeshwarar
Gangadeshwarar
Muktishwarar
Kshetrapaleshwarar

Mahamagam teertham was known as:

Brahma teertha in Krita yuga; Papanodam during Treta yuga; Mukti teertha in Dwapara yuga and it is known as Kanya teertha in Kali yuga.

It is believed that there are 20 teerthas in the Mahamagam tank dedicated to Indra, Agni, Naag, Tirutti, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera, Eshanya, Brahma, Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Saraswati, Kaveri, Kumari, Biyoshini, Sharayu, Kanya & Deva.

When the kalash was broken by the arrow from Lord Shiva, the Amrut spread in all directions at that place and wherever it got stagnated, they became sacred teerthas. Amongst all these teerthas, the most important one is the Mahamagam tank. The importance of this can be understood by the fact that this was the creation of Lord Shiva and that too with Amrut. It is believed that the nectar from the kalash also got spilled into a golden lotus (potramarai in Tamil) tank during the pralay. Lord Brahma himself decided that the Tamil month of Maasi to be the best month for the darshan of Kumbheshwarar. Hence he is considered as the architect of starting the Maasi Maga festival. In the month of Maasi, on the day of Ashwini nakshatra in Shukla Paksha, the Maga festival was started by Him and it continued for the next ten days till the nakshatra of Maga. And it was started in the teertha in the agneya direction. This is the puran associated with Mahamaga tank and Mahamaga festival. According to the astronomy this is the day on which planet Jupiter is in the Simha raas (this happens once in twelve years) on the Maga nakshatra and full moon day with Sun in the Aquarius is considered as the auspicious Mahamaga day. As this comes once in twelve years, lakhs of people congregate towards Kumbhakonam and take bath that with the feeling that they will not have rebirth and wash all their sins at the same time. The festival is held for ten days. Twelve temples mentioned earlier are associated with this festival. The twelve temples are

Kaashivishwanathar temple, Kumbhakonam
Aadikumbeshawrar temple, Kumbhakonam
Someshwarar temple, Kumbhakonam
Naageshwarar (Bilva-vaneshwarar) temple, Kumbhakonam
Kaalhastishawarar temple, Kumbhakonam
Gautameshwar (Upaveeth nathar), Kumbhakonam
Koteeshawarar temple, Kottaiyur
Amrutkalashnathar temple, Sakkottai
Baanapurishawar temple, Kumbhakonam
Aapimukeshwarar temple, Kumbhakonam
Aadikampattanathar temple, Kumbhakonam
Ekambareshwarar temple, Kumbhakonam

At the same time five Vaishnava temples in Kumbhakonam also participate in the festival. This festival is held in the river Kaveri instead of Mahamagam tank. The five Vaishnava temples are

Shri Sarangapaani temple
Shri Chakrapaani temple
Shri Ramaswami temple
Shri Rajagopalaswami temple
Shri Aadivarah Perumal temple

There are seven temples associated with Aadikumbeshwarar temple and are together known as Saptasthanam temples of Kumbhakonam. They are:

Shri Aadikumbeshwarar temple, Kumbhakonam
Shri Amritkalashnathar temple, Sakkottai
Shri Aavudayanathar temple, Darasuram
Shri Kapartheeseshawarar temple, Thiruvalanchuri
Shri Murugan temple, Swamimalai
Shri Kailashnathar temple, Malakkaveri
Shri Kotteeshwarar temple, Sakkottai

There are five temples associated with Kumbhakonam which are known as Panchakroshi stalams.

Shri Mahalingaswaminathar temple at Thiruvidai Maruthur
Shri Sundareshwarar Shiva temple and Pettikaliamman Kovil at Koranattu Karuppur
Shri Naganathswami temple at Thirunageshwaram
Shri Swamimalai Murugan (Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar) temple
Shri Airavateshwarar temple at Darasuram

According to Puran, the Nava-Karnikaas take a dip in the golden lotus tank and bathe in Mahamaga tank during the Mahamaga festival (the main day). According to Puran, once the Nava-Karnikaas (rivers) namely Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswati, Godavari, Kaveri (Ponni), Bayohinni, Sharayu and Kanyakumari did penance towards Lord Shiva requesting Him to remove all the sins that the human beings leave in them and they are unable to bear the weight of these sins left behind by the human beings. They wanted a remedy by which they can get rid of these sins and become pure. Lord Shiva made them aware about a sacred teertha at Kumbhakonam known as Mahamaga tank for which Lord Bramha was responsible and advised them to take bath once in twelve years on the day decided by Lord Brahma to get rid of these sins. The nava-karnikaas first stayed at Kashi and then came to Kumbhakonam and took bath as per directions by Lord Shiva. But they were so enchanted by the teertha, that they were unable to leave the place and hence they stayed inside the tank as nine more teerthas. Besides these nine, there are eleven more teerthas created by the sages and the Gods so that there are total twenty sacred teerthas in the Mahamaga tank. From this we can understand the importance of the Mahamaga tank and festival.

Another important feature from the puran is that Goddess Parvati came to help Lord Shiva when he was preparing the Shiva Linga and poured water and Amrut while mixing the mud. Hence this particular place gets more importance due to the presence of Lord Kumbheswarar and Goddess Mangalambika.

Mantrapeeteshwari

Lord Shiva shared half of his body with Goddess Parvati thereby he gave half of his 72 crores of Mantra shakti i.e. 36 crores of Mantra shakti to Her. Hence She is addressed here as Mantrapeeteshwari. Hence this place is also considered as one of the Shaktipeethas.

Aadivinayaka

Lord Vinayaka arrived here well before Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Hence he is known as Aadivinayaka.

Lord Kartikeya

Lord Kartikeya received mantra upadesha from His mother, Goddess Parvati at this place before going to war with demon Surapadman.

Conical shape Linga

The Shiva Linga at this place made by Lord Shiva is formless. It is broad at the base (aavudaiyar) and the top is needle shaped i.e. conical in shape at the top.

Moorkanayanar

One of the 63 nayanmaars is believed to have offered food to the devotees before attaining salvation.

Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva at this place and obtained the disc (Chakra). Hence he is known as Chakrapaani. He also obtained a sarang (bow). Hence he is known as Sarangpaani.

Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Kamadhenu, Sage Kashyap and Hemarishi worshipped Lord Shiva at this place.

About Puranic importance of Kumbhakonam

According to an old saying a sin committed in a kshetra can be nullified by visiting and praying at another punya kshetra. A sin committed in a punya kshetra can be washed off by visiting and worshiping at Varanasi. A sin committed in Varanasi can only be washed at Kumbhakonam. But sin committed in Kumbhakonam can be washed off in Kumbhakonam itself. It means that other places, to wash off sins, we have to go to other places whereas Kumbhakonam is only place where sins committed here can be washed off only at Kumbhakonam. This indicates the greatness of Kumbhakonam. Every human being (Hindu) always prays and worships to get rid of the sins and dushkarma. Hence above statement was prevailing in those days. Similarly, when Adharma becomes maximum at the end of the Yuga, Lord Shiva creates a pralaya (a great deluge) so that a change takes place, and a new Yuga begins. But at the same time, He also helps in the new creation.

Once just before pralaya, Lord Brahma, got a doubt in His mind that if all the seeds for creation are destroyed how to start the creation. He rushed to Lord Shiva – the destroyer, for guidance. At that time Lord Shiva advised him about the manner in which the seeds for new creation can be preserved and at the same time how to start the creation after pralaya. He advised Lord Brahma to make a pot by mixing mud (sand) and amrut. Then fill it up with amrut and keep all the seeds necessary for creation inside the pot. Then he advised that he should spread the Vedas, Agamas, Puranas etc on all 4 sides in the kalash. He asked him to place a bunch of Mango leaves and a coconut at the top of the pot so that it gets the shape of the Kalash. He advised him to tie the sacred thread (upavidh) around the pot and inside the pot put flowers etc before sealing it. Then he asked him to keep it at the top of Mount Meru (which is a residence of Lord Brahma) and hang it from the ceiling by tying with a rope made of sacred grass (darbha). He asked him to worship it with bilva leaves by placing it along with flowers over the coconut. He asked him to make this Kalash sacred by sprinkling the amrut over the Kalash. He told him that during the pralay, this Kalash will flow along the water and will stop at a place. Then he will appear as hunter (Kiratmoorthy) and break the pot so that Lord Brahma can start sristi.

Lord Brahma followed the instructions to the point. When the pralay came, there was a chaos around as the nature’s fury was at the highest in all forms. The Meru parvat also was drowned in the pralay water and the Kalash along with the sacred grass tied around it started moving along the water towards the south. It reached a particular point and stayed at a place as pralaya water started receding. The sacred grass, the mango leaves, etc detached themselves and fell at that place. The place where the mango leaves fell, a Shamee tree manifested, and the sacred grass tied around the kalash became a Linga. There was a bilva tree and seven goddesses appeared stood as guard over that place. The darbha that formed the Linga is known as “Darbha Linga”. All this happened on the western side of the sea. Then kalash started moving towards North-West direction and stayed at a place. At very same time there was a celestial voice stating that this is the place where the kalash will stay finally and there is no other kshetra that will be more sacred than this place. As kalash stayed at this place, its known as Kumbhakonam.

The things around the kalash started falling off around their own. The place where the sacred thread holding the kalash stopped, a Shiva linga was formed. The temple at this place is known as Someshwarar temple. The place where sacred thread around the kalash fell, is the present Gautameshwar temple. The place where the bilva leaves fell, the Linga was formed and temple at this place is known as Nageshwar temple. The coconut became a Linga and the temple at this place is known as Nallikeshwaram and linga is known as Abimukeshwarar. In this manner the various parts of the kalash fell and all of them formed a swayambhoo Linga. In the end only kalash containing the seeds remained.

Lord Brahma started praying Lord Shiva so that he can help him in recovering the beej (seeds) from the Kalash. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a hunter (Keerat Moorthy) and broke it with His arrow. The pot broke into pieces and the articles inside the pot fell at various places. At each place a shiva linga manifested on its own and at each place a temple was constructed later on.

Aadikumbeshwarar temple – This is the place the amrut kalash stopped first. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself made a Shivalinga by mixing amrut and mud (sand). He worshipped the Shiva Linga at this place and the linga is in the shape of neck of the pot (kalash).

Someshwarar temple - The place where the sacred thread holding the kalash stopped, a Shiva linga was formed.

Nageshwarar temple – where the bilwa leaves fell.

Abimukeshwarar temple – where the coconut fell

Gautameshwarar temple – where the sacred thread (upavidha) fell

Koneshwarar temple – where the rim of the kalash fell

Amrutkalasnathar temple at Sakkottai – this is the place the middle portion of the kalash fell. The place is known as Kalayanallur as the mid portion of the pot is known as Kalayam in tamil.

Baanpurishwarar temple – the place from where Lord Shiva broke the kalash with his arrow.

Aadikampatta Vishwanadar temple – where the flowers from the kalash fell and the Linga was formed and the place became abundant with Malathy flowers and was known as Malathy vanam.

Kalahastishwarar temple – where the Chandan from the kalash fell.

Ekambareshwarar temple – where the remaining parts of the kalash fell.

Kottaiyur Kodeshwarar temple – where some drops of amrut fell.

Kumbhakonam was earlier known as Kudamukku. It was also known as Kudavayil during Tamil Sangam period more than 4000 years ago. The Kumbhakonam is known as City of temples as it contains 100s of temples and sacred teerthas around it. It contains the Shankaracharya math, a Vaishnav math, Madhavacharya math, Jain temples and Aaryavaishya temple known as Kannikaparameshwari Amman Kovil and it also has 34 of the 273 padal petra sthalams. It also has nine, Divya Kshetra temples out of 108 Vaishnava Divya Kshetras.

Sri Thyagaraja Kovil at Thiruvarur

The temple is situated at Thiruvarur in Tamilnadu. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam. This is also one of the Saptha Vidanga sthalam. As one of the Athar Sthalam, it represents Muladhar chakra. Thiruvarur is about 70 kms from Tanjavur and 42 kms from Kumbhakonam. Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikvachagar have sung glory of the lord of this temple. The temple is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The temple is about 2000 years old.

Mulavar: Thyagarajajar, Vanmikanadar
Devi: Kamalambika, Nelottapala-ambal
Sacred teertha: Kamalaalayam, Shankha Teertha, Gaya Teertha, Vani Teertha
Kshetra Vruksha: Padri Tree (Trumpet Flower Tree)
Historic or puranic name: Aaroor (Arur).

Earlier this place was also known as Kshetravarapuram, Devayagapuram, Mukundapuram etc

The name of the vidanga is Veedhividangar which is Shivalinga. The dance performed during the festival (by Shiva) is Ajabanatanam (dance without chanting resembling the dance of tyagaraja resting on Lord Vishnu’s chest)

This place represents the Muladhar Chakra and hence this place also known as Muladhara-sthalam

The present structure was built by the chola kings in the ninth century and later on additions were done by Vijayanagar kings in the thirteenth century. The temple is revered from the olden days for dance and music festivals.

The temple is spread over 30 acres. It has four gopurams and four entrances. The eastern entrance gopuram is 118 feet high and it is four tiered. In this complex we have a large number of small shrines. The most prominent shrine is that of Thyagaraja (Veedhivdangar) and Neelotpalambal. The main deity is Vanmikanadar (Lord Shiva). Totally there are nine gopurams inside the complex and five parikramas. Lord Shiva (Vanmikanadar) is an ancient structure on an anthill. In this temple all Navagrahas are in a straight line facing south in the northwest corner of the first parikrama. There are thirteen mandapas and 365 shivalingas representing the days of the year and about 100 shrines, 8 Ganesh idols. The major shrines are Neelotpal Ambal, Asaleshwarar, Adageshwarar, Kamalambal and Annamaleshwarar. The foot of Lord Thyagaraja is always kept covered with flowers. The left leg is kept uncovered on the day of uttara nakshatra in the month of Panguni Uttaram and on the night Thiruvathurai. People can have darshan of Lord’s feet in Vilamal which is 3 kilometers from this place. Here in this temple we find Nandi in a standing position. There are a large number of pillars which have stone carvings and the walls are covered by sculptures.

The temple complex is in the form of Sri Chakra. Second enclosure represents seven bases of Sri Chakra. When we leave the inner parikrama we come to the Kamalambal Sannidhi. There is a point in this shrine from where we can observe all seven gopurams.

The Kamalalayam temple tank is the largest temple tank in the country and panel of Sapta Matrika is nearby. In this temple there are separate shrines of Veedhividangar, Vinayaka and Achaleshwarar.

We have the shrines of Kamalambal, Neelotpalambal, Rudra durga, Runavimochan, Lord Dakshinamurti, Annamaleshwarar and Vottu-Thyagarajeshwarar temple where Thyagaraja worshiped. Shrines of Anandeshwarar, Siddheshwarar, are also present. In the parikrama we come across lingas worshiped by Lord Indra, Cheranatha, Pandyanatha, Adikeshwarar, Pulastya rushi, Lankeshwara. We have the linga of Bhaskareshwarar, Vishwanatheshwarar, Padaleshwar shrines. At the entrance to the Rajagopuram we have the shrine of Lord Anjaneya. It is believed that by worshiping him at this place we people can get back the things lost by them.

In Devi shrine’s inner parikrama, we have shrines of Lord Dharmashasta and Vinayaka. There is a canal near the temple. Generally in the temple facing the east the processions begin from east entrance but in this temple they begin from North East entrance. Lord Dakshinamurti in the Devi’s shrine is seen with six disciples instead of usual four. Devi Neelotpalambal is in a separate shrine where a maid holds an infant Lord muruga in her hands. Goddess Saraswati is with a Abhayamudra without Veena. And she is believed to be doing penance at this place. There is an idol of Lord Hayagriva performing Shiva Puja. Akashbhairav is the custodian deity and is found in the Gopuram of Kamalambika shrine. Lord Bhairav is addressed here as Siddhi Bhairav. On the right side of Sanctum Sanctorum of Kamalambika we have Kamalamuni Siddhar peetham. On the corridor of Lord Shiva’s shrine, we have a tall idol of Lord Surya. The shrines that are found in this temple are 1. Ganapati, 2. Adikeshwarar, 3. Chandikeshwar, Durga, Kamalambal, Achaleshwarar, Tyagaraja, Vanmikanadar, Chariot and stone carvings. In short, we observe that it will take one full day to go through this temple completely.

Special features in this temple:

In Lord Shiva sanctum we have Thyagaraja who is the king of all devas. The temple is also the greatest of all temples as well as one of the oldest. It is believed that even you go to Thirunallar for relief from Shanideva you have to go to Thiruvarur for complete relief. According to the puran, there was a king named Sadayagupta. He got affected by Shanidosh and he fought with Navagrahas. The Navagrahas out of fear complained to Lord Shiva at this place and sought his refuge. Lord Shiva saved them from the attack. Hence the Navagrahas stand in a line at this place facing Lord Shiva. We have an idol of Lord Ganesha in the Navagraha shrine. It is believed that he keeps watch over the Navagrahas so that the Navagrahs do not trouble devotees of Lord Shiva.

There are four famous Vinayaka shrines (out of 84) in this place. In Devi’s parikrama we have Nadukkam Vinayaka, near west Gopuram, Matru-Uraitha Vinayaka. He checked the purity of gold given to Sundarar by Lord Shiva. Muladhar Ganapati is in the first corridor of Lord Shiva shrine. Here he is in the middle of a coiled five headed serpent performing narthana (yoga) form. There is also Vatapi ganapati revered by Muttuswami Dikshitar. In the ashta durga shrine, Muttuswamy Dikshitar has sung hymn on Mahalakshmi and Ashta Durga. In the northwest corridor we have a stone chariot. It is believed that Lord Indra wants to get back Vidanga and hence he stands on the eastern entrance. Hence the procession of Vidanga avoids eastern entrance. King Muchukunda had installed original Vidanga he got from Indra at Thiruvarur. Indra decided to get Vidanga back and he stood at the eastern entrance to pick up the vidanga when it brought out in procession. Hence people take out vidanga’s procession in Ishanya (North east) disha. So most of the people avoid eastern entrance.

Devi Kamalambika resides in this place as mentioned in Lalitasahasranaam. Hence the sacred teertha is known as Kamalalayam. It is believed that bathing in this teertha during Panguni Uttaram one gets benefit of bathing 12 times in Mahamagha tank at Kumbhakonam during Mahamagha festival. There is a shrine of Nagadevata in the middle of this tank. People worship here for eradication of Nagasosha. At this place pradosh puja is held daily between 4.30 and 6.30 in the evening and is known as Nitya pradosha puja. It is believed that all 33 crores of devas come for darshan during this pradosha puja.

Kamalambika wears a crescent moon like Lord Shiva in her shrine. She has a flower in her right hand and left hand is on the waist sitting in yogasana and appears like a queen. This temple is considered to be older than any other temple. The chariot of the temple is the largest in Tamilnadu. Lord Shiva has performed 364 miracles at this place. It is stated that those who are born in Thiruvarur attain mukti so that Lord Yama has no work. Hence Yama is Chandikeshwrar at this place. Behind sanctum sanctorum there is believed to be a secret known as Daiva Rahasya.

About festivals and puja

Nitya puja is performed between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm. There is no daily abhishek for Thyagaraja. Abhishek of the small shiva linga worshiped by Lord Indra is done at 8.30 am and 7 pm after that it is placed in a small silver casket amongst the flower. This casket is always kept to the right of Thyagaraja. This is a Shaktipeeth known as Kamala Shakti Peeth.

Festivals:

10 day panguni uttaram festival. Flag hoisting on hasta nakshatra in the month of masi. Car festival on the tenth day signifying darshan of Lord Shiva to Sage Vyaghrapada.

Arudra Darshan (Dec)

Vansat utsav - this festival was originally performed by Manmada and Rati for Lord Tyagaraja in the month of panguni for their reunion.

Thiruvaduthurai festival in the month of Margashirsha (Dec-Jan)

Adi puram festival for 10 days - This festival is held for the utsav murti of Devi.

Masimagam festival

Chariot festival in April-May

Puja during Diwali, Pongal, Makara sankrant, Tamil and English new year

Besides this pujas are performed 6 times a day. The chariot is the largest and is about 90 feet in height. It is the second largest in asia.

Kshetra Puran for Tyagaraja Temple

Once there was an argument in devaloka about the greatness of a person or deva in delivering justice. At that time Sage Narada, king of calamity, stated that the Chola king Manuneedhi Cholan was the greatest in all three lokas. In order to test him Yama took the form of a cow and went to Thiruvarur with a calf which was the kingdom of Manuneedhi. Yama enacted a scene in which the prince accidentally kills the calf by driving his chariot over it. The calf reached the court of the king seeking justice for killing the calf. In order to have same sort of suffering as that of the cow, in losing its calf, the king drove the chariot over his son and killed him in order to experience the same suffering as that of cow which he considered as the only justice that can be done. Yama blessed the king after manifesting in true form. And accepted the king to be the greatest in delivering the justice.

Prayers:

People perform rahu kaal durga puja for obtaining boons. People pray to Lord Vanmikanadar for various boons on Purattasi Navami teethi. People worship with milk and rice for eradicating enmity. At this place people pray Thyagaraja for marriage, child boon, upliftment in education and for wealth. People worship the Nandi behind the Vanmikanadar for rain.

Sri Jambukeshwarar Temple At Thiruvanaikoil

This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvanaikoil (Jambukeshwarar) in Trichy district of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the Panchabhoota sthala representing the element water. As one of the Aathar sthalams it represents Svadhisthana chakra. It is a Padal Petra Sthalam i.e. one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars i.e. Shaiva saints.

Moolavar (Main Deity): Jambukeshwarar

Utsava moorti: Chandrashekharar, Somaskandha

Name of consort: Parvati (Akhilandeshwari)

Sthala-vruksha (Sacred tree): Safed (white) jambhool fruit

The temple is about 1700 years old and the Shivalinga is the swayanbhu linga. Other deities in the temple are Maha-Saraswati (without Veena) behind Lord Shiva’s sanctum, Chandra with wives Kritika and Rohini, Panchamukha Vinayak, Lord Shani with his wife Jyeshtha devi.

On the bank of Jamboo-teertha, there is a Kuber linga (worshiped by Lord Kubera). Abhishek is performed on a full moon day of June-July with the fruits, plantain, mango and jackfruit on the Kuber linga. It is stated in Sthala puran that Goddess Ambika performed penance in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August) at this place. Mother Parvati graces this place as Maha Lakshmi in the morning, as Parvati in the afternoon and as Saraswati in the evening. The sanctum of Jambookeshwarar lingam has an underground water stream. In spite of pumping the water under the lingam, it gets filled again and again.

Kshetra Puran:

A number of legends are associated with this place in kshetra puran.

When Lord Shiva was in deep meditation at Kailas, Parvati thought why he should seat in meditation when I am by his side. She teased him on this account. Due to this, Lord Shiva got angry and cursed her to go to Bhulok as an atonement. She asked for forgiveness and he stated that he will give her dnyanopadesh in the Bhulok and will pardon her. Parvati reached bank of Kaveri and discovered a Shiva Linga in the waters. The place where she performed penance and installed the Appu Linga (Shiva Linga in water) is Thiruvanaikaval. Lord Shiva became her Guru and gave dnyanopadesh at this place which indicates that the Guru is necessary for obtaining dnyanopadesh. There was no need for Parvati to have a Guru as she was Adi Parashakti herself but to teach the world a necessity of Guru for dnyanopadesh she must have enacted this drama. In this temple we come across the scene where Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva and this is enacted by the Shivacharya (Shaiva priest) in this temple. The water spring under the Shiva Linga is known as Hema Teertha (Pataal Ganga). The water from Hema Teertha is used for the Abhishek of Jambukeshwarar linga. It is believed that the water from this spring was used by Parvati for worshipping Shiva Linga. At this place Parvati is depicted as an unmarried girl performing penance and as a student waiting to get upadesh from the Guru.

There were 2 quarrelsome Shiva ganas namely Malyavan and Pushpadanta. During one of their fights Malyavan cursed Pushpadanta to become an elephant and in turn Pushpadanta cursed Malyavan to be a spider on the earth. The elephant and the spider came to Jambookeshwarar and continued the worship of Lord Shiva. The elephant collected water from Kaveri and did Abhishek. The spider spun a web over the Shivalinga to prevent the dry leaves falling on the lingam from the Jamboo tree. The elephant thinking the web to be the dust over the lingam, cleaned the lingam daily by pouring water. And in turn the spider spun the web everyday. Once getting angry the spider crawled into the trunk of the elephant and bit the elephant to death. In this process it also got killed. Lord Shiva, moved by their devotion, relieved them of the curse and gave moksha. As the elephant worshiped at this place, the place is known as Thiruaanaikaa (thiru means holy, aanai is elephant, kaa (kaadu) means forest). Later the name 'Thiruaanaikaa' become 'Thiruvanaikaval' and 'Thiruvanaikoil'. In the next birth, the spider was born as a King and built the Shiva sanctum so small that no elephant can enter the temple. The entrance is about 2.5 ft wide and 4 ft high.

Goddess Parvati is known as Akhilandeshwari at this temple. The idols of Shiva and Akhilandeshwari are opposite to each other. These type of temples are known as Upasana sthalams. There is no Thirukalyanam (divine marriage) conducted at this place as Parvati is a student and Lord Shiva is Guru.

Aadi-Shankara installed Prasanna (pleasant) Ganapati opposite to Akhilandeshwari and installed a pair of Srichakra (as ear rings) to reduce the anger of Parvati. The shrines of Parvati and Prasanna Ganapati are in the shape of Pranav Mantra “OM”. The image of Ekapada Trimurti (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) is similar to the one at Thyagaraja temple at Thiruvottiyur near Chennai.

Sri Arunachaleshwarar Temple

The temple of Lord Shiva (Annamalaiyar) is located at Thiruannamalai in Tamilnadu. As one of the Athara sthalam, it represents Manipura chakra. As one of the Panchabhoota Sthala it represents the element Fire. It is also one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars in their sacred hymns. At this place the Shiva linga is the mountain itself. This place is also known as Shonachalam, Shonagiri and Arunachal. As stated, the mountain forms the linga and the surrounding broad portion is the temple. It is stated in puran that the Lord exists at this place in the form of Jyoti (Flame).

Mulavar: Annamalaiyar

Devi: Parvati, Unnamali amman (Devi), Apitha Kuchambal

Sacred teertha: Agni teertha

Important festival: Lamp festival in the Tamil month of Karthik known as Karthigai deepam.

Other deities in the shrine:

Nandi, Surya. Behind the walls of sanctum sanctorum, idol of Venugopalswami (Vishnu or Lord Krishna) is found. The idols of Somaskandha, Durga, Chandikeshwar, Gajalaxmi, Arumugaswami (Sankmukha), Dakshinamurthi and Lingodbhavar are found around this sanctum. The shrine of Parvati (Unnamali amman) is depicted in the 2nd enclosure. To the north of flag staff (Kodimaram) we find Sambandha Vinayaka. There is a 1000 pillar hall and to its South, shrine of Subramanya is located. There is an underground lingam known as Patal-lingam where Raman Maharshi did penance.

The tantrik chakras personified in Shiva temples are known as Aadhar sthala. The Annamalaiyar temple represents Manipura sthalam and is associated with Manipura chakra. Following legends are associated with this place according to Puran.

Once Brahma and Vishnu had an argument regarding their superiority. They approached Lord Shiva to settle the dispute. Shiva appeared as a column of Fire and asked them to find top and bottom of the flame. Vishnu became a boar (Varaha) and sought to find the bottom while Brahma became a swan and searched for the top. With the help of the Ketaki flower, Brahma stated (lied) that he had seen the top whereas Vishnu conceded his defeat and he could not see the bottom. As punishment for lying, Brahma was cursed so that he could never be worshipped in any temple on the Earth.

In another reference in the puran, Parvati once closed the eyes of Lord Shiva in a playful manner in a garden in mount Kailash. Due to this, the whole world came to standstill. As atonement for this act, She performed penance along with the other devotees of Shiva at this place. Lord Shiva appeared as a column of Fire at the top of Annamalai mountain and blessed Her. Hence Annamalai mountain (Red mountain) which lies behind Annamalai temple is sacred and is considered as a lingam.

Festivals:

There are 4 major festivals at this place and are known as Brahmotsav.

Kartigai deepam (Light festival), Chaitra pournima, Tiruvoodal in the first week of Tamil month Thai (i.e. around Sankrant on January 15-16th). Nandi is decorated with fruits, vegetables and sweets. This day is celebrated in Tamilnadu as the festival of bullock (Mattu-pongal). Besides this, every full moon day, 10s of 1000s of pilgrims perform Girivallam i.e. circumambulate Arunachal hills. There are 8 small shrines of Lingam located along the Girivallam. Each one of them is associated with the 12 moon signs.

God	Raas	Direction
Indra	Vrishabh, Tula	East
Agni	Simha	South-east
Yama	Vrishchik	South
Nirutti	Mesha	South-west
Varuna	Makar, Kumbha	West
Vaayu	Karka	North-west
Kubera	Dhanush, Meen	North
Ishaan	Mithun, Kanya	North-east

The day on which Lord Shiva manifested first in the form of Linga i.e. column of Fire is celebrated as Mahashivaratri. In Maheshwar khanda of Skanda Puran, Sage Vyasa has described the greatness of Arunachala. A quote from Raman Maharshi on the sanctity of Arunachala is as follows –

“Holy places such as Kashi, Varanasi and Hrishikesh are sacred as they are abodes of Lord Shiva. Whereas Arunachala is Lord Shiva Himself. Arunachala is a secret kshetra. It is the place that bestows Gyana. In that place, Lord ever abides the hill of light named Arunachala.

According to Arunachala mahima, one will certainly attain liberation by seeing Chidambaram, by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Kashi and by merely thinking of Arunachala.

The great Saint Raman Maharshi meditated on the slopes on Annamalai hills. His ashram is located in the foothills of Annamalai hills. Saints like Sheshadri Swamigal and Yogi Ramsurat Kumar have been associated with this place.

Shri Dakshinamurthy - Universal teacher

Gurupournima and origin of Guru parampara:

Gurupournima is a day when you remember and pay respect to Guru. For every human being the first Guru is their father. In case of Brahmins, father initiates the son in Gayatri mantra during upanayana (munja) ceremony. And hence father becomes Guru.

Gurupournima is also known as Vyasapournima named after Maharshi Vyasa who accomplished a gigantic work of collating Vedas and Puranas for the benefit of world. Vyasa is considered as incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself. Since he collated Vedas and wrote puranas which are repositories of knowledge, he is considered as Jagadguru.

Even before Maharshi Vyasa, Guru-shishya parampara started from the first guru of the universe i.e. Lord Dakshinamurthy who is nothing but Lord Shiva. Lord Dakshinamurthy means one who is seated facing south. His shishyas are seated facing Him i.e. facing north. South direction is a direction of death or change. Means Dakshinamurthy takes his shishyas, who are facing Him i.e. north, from death to deathless state and from change to unchanging state. Hence it is recommended that when you are meditating or learning, you should sit facing north.

Worship of Lord Dakshinamurthy in temples:

Lord Dakshinamurthy, manifestation of Lord Shiva, represents him in his aspect as an universal teacher. The idol of Dakshinamurthy is found in almost all Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. The only jyotirlinga which is depicted as Dakshinamurthy is at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Most of the idols of Dakshinamurthy are found as Lord Shiva seated on a deer skin throne and surrounded by munis. He is worshiped as god of wisdom. According to puranas, anyone who is unable to get a Guru can consider and worship Dakshinamurthy as his Guru. If they are worthy, they will be blessed with a self realized Guru later. As mentioned before, Dakshinamurthy literally means one who is facing south i.e. direction of death or change. In almost all Shiva temples the idol of Dakshinamurthy is installed facing south on the southern pradakshina path around the sanctum-sanctorum. Shiva’s idol as Dakshinamurthy has the following iconograhic representation. Shiva is depicted as seating on deer skin throne, surrounded by sages, and his right foot is on the mythical Apasmara (a demon personifying ignorance) and his left foot folded on the lap. There are other representations also known as Gnyan Dakshinamurthy, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Veena Dakshinamurthy, Rishabharudha Dakshinamurthy etc. The fifth day of the week representing planet Jupiter is also the day of Dakshinamurthy hence the planet is also known as Guru and the day is known as Guruwar. Hence there is a special puja on Thursdays for Dakshinamurthy in many Shiva temples. Some of the famous temples of Dakshinamurthy are

Mahakaleshwar of Ujjain
Shiva Temple of Alangudi, Tamilnadu (which is one of the Navagraha temples)
Mahadev temple at Ettumanoor in Kerala
Pragya Dakshinamurthy at Theni in Western Tamilnadu
Thiruvotriyur near Chennai. Here Dakshinamurthy idol faces the north and the place is known as Vada Gurusthalam (north place)

Santhana Kuravars, shishyas of Lord dakshinamurthy:

It is believed Lord Dakshinamurty i.e. Lord Shiva gave Shaiva philosophy to Santhana Kuravars who then gave it to the whole world. The Kuravars may mean Gurus. The Santhana Kuravars were classified in 2 categories, namely

1) Agama Santhana Kuravars – They were 4 and they were not considered as normal human beings and are believed to be residing in Mount Kailash. They are as follows

Thiru (Shri) Nandidev
Shri Sanatakumara
Satya-gyana-darshi
Sage Paranjyoti

It is believed that the Guru-Shishya parampara started from Dakshinamurty and passed on in the order stated above.

2) Pura Santhana Kuravars – The job of spreading Shaiva Sidhanta was carried forward from Sage Paramjyoti by the following 4 kuruwars. They are namely

Meykandar
Arul Nandi Shivam
Maraigyana Sambandhar
Umapathi Shivachariyar

They resided in Tamilnadu and were responsible for spreading the Shaiva Sidhanta. Their disciples carried forward the tradition and established Mathas at Thiruvadurai and Dharmapuram. These 2 Mathas are known as Kailash parampara, as the tradition starts from Lord Dakshinamurty.

The 4 great saints who carried forward the parampara in 7th & 12th century are known as Samaya-shaiva-kuravars. They are also known as Nalwar. They are namely

Thirugyana Sambandhar
Thirunavukkarasar
Sundara Murty Nayanar
Manikka vachakar

During 4th, 5th & 6th century Budhism and Jainism were spreading very fast in south India and many rulers got converted. During this period the religious activity almost dwindled and came to a stop. But from 7th & 12th century due to the great effort of these 4, Shaiva Sidhanta attained glory again and many of the rulers came back into Shaiva Sidhanta.

Thevaram (Garland of divine songs / hymns) was sung by Nayanmars in praise of Lord Shiva. The first 3 of Nayanmars are considered foremost among the 63 Nayanmars. The Manikka Vachakar composed verses known as Thiruvasagam.

Thiruvasagam – There are 12 volumes of hymns (sacred songs) sung by the Nayanmars in praise of Lord Shiva. These were sung in 275 Shaiva Sthalams. They are collectively known as Thirumurai.

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple - part 1

This temple represents Anahata chakra in Athar sthalam. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on the sangam where rivers Varana and Assi join river Ganga. Kashi is one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers in India. There are numerous lingas at this place and stories associated with them. Hence we are dividing this article in parts. In this first part we are giving information about the main temple in Kashi i.e. Kashi Vishwanath and in subsequent part(s) we will cover information about remaining temples.

Mulavar: Shri Vishwanathar
Devi: Shri Vishalakshi (in a separate temple)
Sacred Teerthas: 64 bathing ghats along river Ganga, Dwadashaditya Teerthas, Dharmanadi Teertha (also known as Panchanadi)
Puranik Name: Kashi
Present Name: Kashi, Varanasi

It is believed that a tribe known as Kasha used to live in this place and hence the city got its name of Kashi.

About the temple:

The original date of the temple is unknown. It is believed that it was built by Lord Shiva himself some thousands of years ago. During a number of attacks on Varanasi by Mughals, this temple was demolished and a number of times it has been rebuilt during Maratha and Rajput kingdoms. The present temple was built by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar in 1777. The size of the temple is small. Devotees have to go through narrow pathway to reach the temple.

Vishwanath (also known as Vishweshwara) is the most prominent linga in Kashi. That is why Kashi is mostly referred to as Kashi Vishweshwar or Kashi Vishwanath. It is believed that it has stood all ravages of time for almost 5000 years. There are numerous stories, spanning all yugas, of great characters in association with Kashi. For example, the story of King Harishchandra who lived for the upholding the value of truth, perseverance and sacrifice.Then in Treta yuga Lord Shrirama who was himself considered as embodiment of Dharma. Then in Dwaparayuga Lord Krishna who performs all the lilas to revive Dharma. In Kali Yuga, Kashi has survived through foreign invasions.

Lord Shiva has himself commended the activities that take place in this temple right from early morning till night. Kartika month is particularly filled with all sin washing activities such as Ganga snan, Maha Nyasa, Rudra Namakam and Chamakam recitations, Veda parayanas, Shiva linga abhishek with shodashopachar and so on. It is believed that temple’s entry time (pravesha kaal) witnesses outburst of devotion when Gandharvas sing Shiva stutis, Apsaras perform dance, Nandi, Bhairav, Pramathganas, Yakshas, Pishachas, the cream of Sages go wild, Navagrahas, Lokapalas, Devas along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu go in trance while Shiva, Parvati, Vinayaka and Skanda bless all.

Shri Vishalakshi Temple

Near to Shri Vishwanath temple, is Shri Vishalakshi temple which is considered as one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. It is believed that Mother Sati's earrings fail at this place. Mother Sati is the previous incarnation of Mother Parvati. Vishalakshi means wide eyed.

There are some places (Ghats), temples and journeys (yatras within Kashi) which carry very high spiritual value.

Ghat

- Manikarnika Ghat

Temples

- Shri Vishweshwara

- Shri Bhavani temple

- Shri Harishchandreshwara

- Shri Dhundiraj

- Shri Dandapani

- Shri Bhairav

- Shri Vighneshwar

Yatra

- Antargruha Yatra

- Dakshina-manas Yatra

- Uttara-manas Yatra

- Pancha-kroshi Yatra

- Shukla-Krishna-Paksha Yatra

- Nitya Yatra

In subsequent part(s) we will cover more temples in Kashi.

Courtesy:

- Wikipedia

- kamakoti.org

Shri SriKalhasti Shiva temple

This Shiva temple is situated at Kalahasti in Chittur district of Andra Pradesh. In Athara Sthalams it represents Vishuddhi chakra. This is also one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam representing Vaayu tatva as well as one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This is about 40 km from Tirupati Balaji temple. This temple is also a Rahu-Ketu Parihar sthala where sarpadosha shanti is performed. The temple is about 2000 years old. The river Swarnamookhi flows nearby.

Mulavar: Shri SriKalHastiswarar
Devi: Parvati, Gyana Prasunambika

This is a Swayambhu Linga where Lord Shiva is worshiped as Vaayu linga. This is the only temple to remain open during Lunar and Solar eclipse.

According to Purans, Brahma worshiped at this place in all 4 yugas. During Mahabharat, Arjuna worshiped here. As per puran, Vaayu performed penance at this place for about 1000 years with a lingam. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him 3 boons. As per Vaayu’s wish, the lingam is known as Karpur (Camphor) lingam and is worshiped by all including munis, Devas, kinnars, asuras etc. Besides, there are other references also found in puran. Parvati was asked to assume the human body by Lord Shiva. To get rid of this curse, She was asked to perform penance at this place. Pleased by Her penance, Lord Shiva recreated Her with much more beauty than Her previous heavenly body. She was initiated with Panchakshari mantra and with other mantras by Lord Shiva. Hence Parvati is addressed as, Gyana Pasunambika.

Mayura, Chandra, Devendra were freed from their curses at this place by bathing in Swarnamookhi river and performing penance.

SriKalHasti gets the name according to the puran as per the following legend. During puranik days, a spider (Sri), serpent (Kal) and elephant (Hasti) worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. The spider lived in the inner sanctum and worshiped the Lord by weaving a web over Lord Shiva. Due to breeze, the web was destroyed by altar fire. Spider getting angry tried to gulp the flame and died. Appreciating its devotion it was granted moksha by Lord Shiva. This act of spider as if it was realizing the self (flame) by gulping and endangering its life i.e. its ego gave it moksha.

A cobra worshiped at this place by offering gems and valuable jewels. After sometime, an elephant came to worship and sprayed the lingam with water brought in its trunk. It placed bilva leaves over the lingam by removing gems and jewels. This process was going on for sometime. At last one day, the cobra getting angry, bit the elephant by entering into its trunk. The elephant dashed its trunk against the wall and both of them died. In appreciation of their devotion, Lord Shiva granted them moksha. At the foot of the linga we can see, the images of a spider, a five headed snake and 2 elephant tusks.

A staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, Kannappa, sacrificed his both eyes and tried to fix it on the lingam. He had found the lingam bleeding from the eyes during one of his worship. After this incident, he was given moksha in appreciation of his devotion.

A lamp burns inside the inner sanctum that constantly flickers despite the lack of air movement inside. The Vaayu linga can be seen in motion despite the doors being closed (sanctum has no windows). The Linga is a swayambhu linga and is white in color. The Linga is made of a white stone resembling the trunk of an elephant.

There is a shrine of Lord Vinayaka which is cut in a rock. It is below the ground level. The idols (images) of Vallabha Ganapati, Mahalaxmi Ganapati and Sahasra Linga are the rare ones found in this temple. There is a large shrine for Gyana Pasunambika. There are small shrines of Kashi-Vishwanath, Annapurni, Suryanarayan, Sadyog-Ganapati and Lord Subramanyam. There are 2 sacred teerthas namely Surya Pushkarni and Chandra Pushkarni.

Festivals:

Mahashivaratri is the most important festival. Bramhotsavams are celebrated along with Shivaratri for 13 days.

Karthigai deepam and Maasi festival (Feb-March) are other noteworthy festivals.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Chidambaram Shiva Temple

This Shiva temple is one of the largest Shiva temple in the world (about 40 acres). It is one of the Athara sthalam representing "Adnya" chakra. It is also the Pancha Bhoota sthala temple representing the element “Aakash” as well as one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Shaivaites Nayanmars. It is situated at Chidambaram in Kadalur district of Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the places where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Pon ambalam i.e. Golden Sabai). Chidambaram is also referred as THILLAI (a type of mangrove), as this place was abundant with these type of plants. The temple is also known as Chidambaram Nataraja temple and it is about 2000 years old.

Mulavar: Thirumulanadar, Koothanadar,
Devi (Consort): Umayambika, Shivagamsundari
Kshetra Vruksha: Thillai plant
Sacred Teertha: Shivaganga, Vyaghrapada Tirtha, Anant Tirtha, Bramha Tirtha and about a number of others totaling about 10.

The preceding deity is Thirumulanadar which is a swayambhu linga. The ruling deity is Lord Nataraja. On the Western side of Thirumulanadar Shrine, there is a tree made of stone. The shrine of Lord Vishnu (Govindraj Perumal) and the shrine of Thillai-Kali are close by. From the mandap, in front of Lord Nataraja shrine, we can have darshan of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva at the same time. This temple is also known as Chittrambalam (which is a combination of two words Chit + Ambalam) which eventually became Chidambaram.

At this temple we can have darshan of Lord Shiva in 3 forms namely in an idol form as Nataraja, formless as Aakash and as a spathika linga. Sage Vyaghrapada and Sage Patanjali did penance here for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Responding to their severe penance, He appeared here along with 3000 munis (sages) and gave darshan to them. This day, Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) on Pushya nakshatra is celebrated here. It is stated that for salvation, one should be born at Thiruvarur or live in Kanchi or think of Thiruvannamalai or die at Kashi. Similarly it is stated that if one worships Lord Nataraja or Lord Thirumulanadar, he is definite to get salvation. A Srichakra was installed by Aadi-Shankaracharya in the Ambika shrine.

Being very old temple, it has gone through many renovations done by empires of Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Viajayanagar and Chera. One of the notable renovation is gold plated gopurams.

Legends from Puran:

Sage Vashishta advised one of the sons (Maadyandinar) of his relative to worship the swayambhu lingam at Thillaivanam for getting complete wisdom. He could not pick the flowers before sunrise. They were considered as impure if picked-up after sunrise as honey in the flowers was sucked up by bees. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he was not in a position to pick the flowers in darkness and as he could not climb the tree in darkness. Lord granted him the legs of the tiger so that he could climb trees and gave sight which could see in darkness. Lord blessed him and stated that he would be known henceforth as Sage Vyaghrapada.

The main legend is that, Lord Shiva appearing in Thillai vanam to teach a lesson to the rishi who felt that they can control God by their rituals and mantras. Lord Shiva appeared there as Bhikshadanar and Lord Vishnu appeared as Mohini (a beautiful lady) as His consort. The wives of rishis were enchanted by the beauty of Bhikshadanar and Mohini. The rishis who got enraged tried various ways to destroy Lord Shiva. They invoked a fierce tiger on Him. He tore the skin of the tiger and tied it around his waist. A fierce elephant which was invoked by the sages, was also killed and hence Lord Shiva is known as Gajasamhar murti. A demon who was invoked by the rishis was immobilized by Lord Shiva’s anand-tandav. Finally the rishis, surrendered to Lord Shiva and realized the truth that he is beyond magic, rituals and mantras.

The Shrines in the temple:

Thiruadimulanadar and Umaiyala – The Linga swaroop worshiped by sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali.

The Shrines of 63 Nayanmars

Shrine of Shivagamsundari

Shrine of Vinayaka

Shrine of Lord Muruga

Besides these there are a number of smaller shrines.

The halls (sabha, ambalams) – There are 5 halls namely,

Chittrambalam – This sanctum houses Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamasundari

Ponnambalam or Kanaksabai – The rituals are conducted from here

Nrityasabai – This is the 56 pillar hall near the dhwajastambha. Here Lord Nataraja out danced Kali and established his superiority

Rajasabai – This is a 1000 pillar hall which symbolizes the yogic chakra, sashastraram. This hall is open only during festival days.

Devasabai- This houses the panchamurtis, Lord Ganesh, Lord Somaskandha, Goddess Shivanandnayaki and Lord Chandikeshwar.

Significance of the temple –

Of the 5 Pancha Bhuta sthalams, Shrikalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram stand on a straight line at exactly 79’41” East longitude. Thiruvannaikaval is located around 3’ to the South and 1’ to West of Northern tip of this axis whereas Thiruvannamalai is mid-way between these two.

The nine entrances of the temple signifies the 9 orifices in the human body.

In the Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which can be reached by the 5 steps, which represents the Panchakshari mantra - SI VA YA NA MA. The entrance to this sabai is from the side and not from the front as in usual manner. The roof of the sabai is supported by 4 pillars representing the 4 vedas.

Ponnambalam is supported by 28 pillars representing 28 agamas (methods of worship). 64 beams of the roof represents 64 forms of arts. The cross beams represents the blood vessels in the body. 21600 golden tiles of the roof represent 21600 breaths. The tiles are fixed by 72000 golden nails representing the nadis in the human body. The 9 golden kalash represents the nine forms of energy. The artha-mandap has 6 pillars representing the 6 shastras.

The hall next to artha mandap, has 18 pillars representing 18 puranas.

Festivals:

There are 6 major festivals performed in a year for Lord Natraja.

In the Tamil month of Margazi (Dec-Jan) – Thiruvaadhirai

On the 14th day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) festival is held

In the Tamil month of Chittrai (April-May) – the festival is held on Thiruvonam

In the Tamil month of Aani (June-July) – festival is held on Uttiram nakshatra

In the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) – festival is held on Chaturdashi

On Chaturdashi day of the tamil month of Protasi (Oct-Nov) festival is held

The first 2 are considered to be the most important festivals of the year.

Natyanjali is celebrated in February. Dancers gather to present Bharatnatyam to Lord Natraja as a mark of respect

It is very difficult to enumerate the greatness of these temples which we have been trying in the last few articles. With this article we conclude the summary of Pancha Bhuta Sthalams.

Courtesy: Following sites

1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

3. http://www.indAiatemples.in/

Introduction to Athara Sthalam

Athara sthalams are the abodes of Lord Shiva in various manifestations. They are considered to be the guardians of particular chakra.

Athara sthalam indicates the places which are considered to be divine impersonification of Tantric chakras associated with human anatomy. For example Annamalaiyar temple is called the Manipooraga sthalam associated with Manipura, the human anatomical cause for the spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness and sadness. Athara sthalam are six temples, out of which four temples are located in Tamil Nadu, one in Andhra Pradesh and one at Varanasi.

In upcoming weeks, we will post the information about each of these sthalas.

Tantric Chakra	Description	Temple	Location	Symbol
Anthagam (Sanskrit आज्ञा, ājňā)	Brain directly behind eyebrow	Natarajar Temple	Chidambaram
Visuthi (Sanskrit विशुद्ध, Viśuddha)	Neck region near spine	Sri Kalahastheeswara Swami Temple	Kalahasthi
Anahata (Sanskrit अनाहत, Anāhata)	Central Channel behind spine	Kashi Vishwanath Temple	Varanasi
Manipooragam (Sanskrit मणिपूर, Manipūra)	Spine directly behind navel	Arunachaleshwarar Temple	Thiruvannamalai
Swasthistanam (Sanskrit स्वाधिष्ठान, Svādhişthāna)	One’s own abode	Thiruvanaikaval	Trichy
Moolatharam (Sanskrit मूलाधार Mūlādhāra)	Basal end of the spinal column	Thyagaraja Swamy Temple	Tiruvarur

Sri Thirukutralnadar at Courtrallam

This temple is one of the 276 Padal Petra Sthalams. It is also one of the Pancha Sabhai Sthalam and represents Chitra Sabhai. Thirunavukkuarsar, Sambandhar, Manikavachagar have sung sacred hymns at this place.

Mulavar: Kutralanadar

Devi: Parashakti, Kuzalvaimozi. They are housed in two separate shrines

Kshetra Vruksha: Wild Jack tree (in Tamil Kurumpala)

Kshetra Tirtha: Shivamadhuganga, River Chitra, Vadaaruvi

Puranik Name: Trikutamalai, Kuttralam

The present temple structure which is more than 1500 years old was constructed by Rajarajar Cholan. Later on renovation and additional structures were carried out by Pandya and Nayakars. According to archeologists there was originally a vishnu temple by the side of mulavar.

Rajagopuram is three tiered. As we enter, we come across Vasant Mandap which has three kalashas on the top with a lot of sculpture. Next to this mandapam, we have a mandapam with dhwajasthambha, Nandi and Balipeeth. The temple is conch shaped known as sangukonam (conch represents power of Lakshmi). Lord Shiva is in the form of a swayambhu linga. We can observe the fingerprints of Sage Agastya on the Shiva Linga. Parashakti shrine is one of the 64 shakti peethas. Parashakti is on a Shri Chakra. It is also known as Parashakti Peetham. Also known as Dharani Peetham (because of Bhumadevi). Navashakti puja is performed on full moon night in honor of nine Ambikas (as the peetham is supposed to represent grace and power of Ambika).

Special features:

There are five entrances to the temple representing four vedas and one for Pilavandhan who came to witness Lord Shiva’s dance in Manakolamnadar shine (wedding posture).

As Devi is supposed to be in a furious mood, to calm her down, a Shiva linga known as Kamakotishwara is installed in front of her. In front of the Parashakti shrine, we have peethams of Annaavipillai and other deities. On the southern side, we have the shrine of Kailashnadar. And on the northern side we come across Shri Durga shrine and Shri Vallabha Ganapati. Lord Muruga with a bow in his hand is housed in the shrine with his consorts Valli and Deivanai facing each other. We come across Shiva Linga and a shrine of Sage Agastya. Under the feet of Sage Agastya we have the idol of his shishya Shivalayamuni.

In the prakara, Lord Shiva is in wedding posture. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi are kanyadaan of Ambika (as Lord Vishnu is the brother of Ambika), Lord Brahma is depicted as priest, Sage Agastya, Sage Bhrungi are the witness to this wedding. We come across the shrines of Lord Vishnu as Nannaagama Perumal and Lord Krishna. The kurumpala (wild jack) fruits are in the form of Shiva Linga. The wild jack fruit tree in the prakara is very old (1000 years) and revered by Lord Shiva himself. Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the shrine are depicted as if they are in conversation. We can have darshan of all five Pancha Bhuta Lingas at this place. Lord Nataraja graces at this sabha in the form of a painting. Arjuna had lost the casket containing his Shiva Linga. He used to worship this Shiva Linga daily and lost it at Kashi. When he reached this place, he found a casket containing Shiva Linga. After performing this puja, he left the same at this place. It is kept in a separate shrine in a prakara. We can observe west facing Vinayaka, Kailash Kutrala Nadar, Trikuta Malai and Kutralam waterfall from a point very close to the shrine.

Chitra sabhai: This is housed north of the Kutralnadar temple in a separate shrine. Its interior has a large number of murals depicting the epics. The roof of the sabha is made of copper sheet. Lord Nataraja is painted as performing Tripura Tandava. Besides this, we come across paintings depicting Sage Agastya pressing his hand on Lord Vishnu, who becomes a Shiva Linga, miracles performed by Lord Shiva at Madurai and Lord Dakshinamurti in various forms. The paintings were actually painted by colors made from medicinal plants, herbs etc. At the entrance to the Chitra Sabhai, we come across wooden carvings of Shakti Peetham, Goddess Parvati in feeding posture, Lord Krishna playing flute, Lord of south known as Ekapadmurti, Lord Veerabhadra, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Meenakshi, Rishabh Arudhar, Kangalar, Ravana Anugraha Murti and Lord Shiva kicking Lord Yama. At the center of the temple pond, there is a mandap with a gopuram. There are 8 kalashas on the top of a water roof. Carved wooden planks serve as doors, beams and roof structure for the Chitra Sabhai. The festival of Lord Nataraja takes place in the month of Margazhi (Thiruvadurudai) for 10 days, including a chariot festival. At this time a special puja is performed both in the morning and evening in which a lamp is moved up and down depicting the dance of Lord Nataraja. This is known as Pandava Deeparadhana. This Pandava Deeparadhana is also performed during the Brahmostav in the month of Chitrai. Ku stands for the sins committed in the past and present lives. Tralam stands for getting rid of. By praying Shri Kutralanadar we can get rid of our past and present sins.

Kshetra Puran:

Sages, Munis, Devas and others assembled at Kailash for the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Due to this, the north started going down and south started moving up, i.e. there was a tilt. Lord Shiva requested Agastya to move south so that the balance will be maintained. He stated that when you reach Kutralam, you can revive me from the form of Lord Vishnu. When you reach south you will change the idol of Lord Vishnu into Shiva Linga by placing your hand on the head of Lord Vishnu. Then from that point you can witness our marriage. When Sage Agastya reached Kutralam he was not allowed to enter the Vishnu temple by the temple guards (dwarapalakas). He left that place and reached a temple in the nearby village he made a Shiva Linga of white sand and worshiped Lord Shiva. He begged to Lord Shiva to help him gain entry into the Vishnu temple. Lord Muruga appeared before him and advised him to enter the Vishnu temple in the disguise of a Vishnu devotee. Agastya entered Lod Vishnu temple as directed by Lord Muruga. He worshiped at the temple and at that very instance the conch, tulasi garland and other alankars of Lord Vishnu changed into alankars of Lord Shiva like rudraksha mala, crescent moon, serpent, small drum, trishul etc. When Sage Agastya placed his hand on Lord Vishnu’s head the idol became a Shiva Linga. At that very instant the Sage Agastya witnessed the marriage ceremony. Even today we can see fingerprints on Shiva Linga indicating Sage Agastya placing hand on Lod Vishnu’s head. It is believed that even today the Devas worship Lord Shiva during the day and Sage Agastya during the night.

People first visit the temple where Sage Agastya worshiped Lord Shiva with a Shiva Linga made of white sand and then come to Kailash nadar temple.

Festivals:

Tamil month Chithirai. 10 days Vishnu festival
Aippasi vishnu festival for 10 days
Aippasi Thirukalyanam (wedding) for 1 day
Margazhi (Margashirsha) festival for 10 days and Thiruvarudrai festival
10 days Navratri festival for Parashakti
Aippasi Brahmotsavam
Panguni Uthiram festival - 1 day
Panguni Brahmotsavam
In the month of Aadi - on new moon day, lamp festival is held with 1 lakh lamps. On the same day 1008 lamps are lit all over the temple known as Patradeep festival
In the month of Thai, float festival is held on Magha nakshatra and 1 mahadeep puja is also held
In the month of Avani on mula nakshatra, a special worship is done.

Besides this Skanda Shashti, Karthika Deepam and Shiva Ratri are celebrated.

Daily Makut puja is performed 8 times

Address: Shri Kutralnadar Temple, Courtallam, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu 627802

Phone number: 91-4633-283-138/398, 91-9488-37-40-77

Courtesy: Following sites https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Sri Thirunellaiappar Kovil at Thirunelvelli

This Shiva temple is located in the Thirunelvelli city in Tamil Nadu and is the largest in Tamil Nadu. It is located on the northern bank of river Thamira Barani. This Padal Petra Sthalam is revered by the Nayanmars - Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar. This is one of the Pancha Sabhai sthalams where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance. This sabhai (ambalam) represents the Thamira (copper) sabhai. The temple is more than 1500 years old. There were originally two separate temples for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. In the seventeenth century a mandap known as sangili (chain mandap) was built. There are five temple chariots in this temple one each for Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga and Lord Chandikeshwar. Lord Shiva (Nellaiappar) chariot is the third largest in Tamil Nadu. In the connecting hall (sangili mandap) there are life size sculptures adoring the pillars. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. The nandi in the nandi mandap is huge like in Rameshwaram and Thanjavur. In the mandap near the main mandap we come across two giant pillars each having forty eight sub pillars. There is a mandap known as oonjal mandap (swing mandap) and a thousand pillared mandap where the celestial wedding festival of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is held every year. The temple is spread over about 14 acres.

Mulavar: Nellaiappar, Veluvananadar, Vaimuthanadar, Nilvellinadar, Chalivadeeshwar, Vendavalarnadar

Devi: Kanthimathi, Vadiudaiamman

Kshetra Vruksha: Bambu

Sacred Teertha: Swarnapushkarini, Karumari Teertha, Sindupundurai Teertha

Special features:

The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. During abhishek we can have the darshan of Ambika at the center of Shiva linga. Lord Ganesha at this place is known as Mukkuruni Vinayaka. He has a modak on the right hand and a tusk on the left hand.

In the navagraha shrine we come across an idol of Budha (Mercury) facing the north instead of the usual east direction.

Near the sanctum sanctorum the utsav murti of Lord Shiva is found to be carrying the Shiva Linga on his chest. During the pradosh, the pradosh puja is also performed for Nandi in the devi shrine.

At midnight on the day of Shiva ratri, puja is performed for the Ambika along with Lord Shiva four times. This temple is considered to be one of the 51 shakti peeth known as Kanti peeth.

About the temple:

In south prakara of Lord Shiva’s temple we find the idols of Nayakar kings who have helped in constructing this temple.

In the eastern prakara we have to pass through a large number of halls to reach the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Shiva. From the south we can reach the Kanthimathi Amman shrine. There is a shrine of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that he came here to perform the divine marriage.

There is a beautiful flower garden set up in the temple complex in 1756.

According to legend, there is a tunnel behind Ravana’s statue which connects to Madurai.

There are three circular parts (prakarams) around Nellaiappar temple. In the first prakaram we come across Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Bhikshadanar, Lord Bhairav, Lord Chandikeshwar, Lord Brahma and Govinda (Lord Vishnu). There is a shrine for Durga and Mahishasuramardini. In the second prakaram, we have 63 Nayanmars, |Ashta Lakshmi, Lord Shanishwarar and Shasta Linga. In the third prakara, we have the shrine of Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai. As in Madurai and Kanchipuram, we have to worship Kanthimati Amman first. Devi’s idol is very beautiful. She has flowers in one hand. She is also known Vadivannai. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared in this temple tank and Lord Brahma as a Lotus. We have the Dhwajastambha and sculpture of Arjuna, Karna and Veerabhadra in the temple. There is a separate shrine for Shri Mulanadar, Anantashayanam (Lord Vishnu). Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagami. The last two idols are of copper.

There is a shrine known as Chandanasabhapati Shrine near Thamira Sabha. Nataraja is known as Periyasabhapati. In the main prakara we come across shrines of Kanni Vinayaka, Nandi Dev, and Pandya Raja.

In the Nellaiappar Temple, we find the golden lotus pond with a mandap at the center.

Mandaps in this temple.

Oonjal Mandap which has 96 pillars
Mahamandap
Navagraha Mandap
Somawar Mandap
Sangili Mandap
Vasant Mandap
1000 pillar Mandap

Besides this we come across a lot of sculptures. The chariot in this temple is the third largest in India.

Lord Vinayaka idol is known as Pillathandupillayar which was sculpted by a Pandya king. He is also known as Pollapilliyar. There is a stone window in this temple with twelve holes. People pray here for the child boon through this window.

About the shrines:

Nellaiappar temple: It is at the main entrance and has rajagopuram. At the entrance we come across the idols of Pavazhakodi, Alli. Manmada and Rati in the Somawar Mandap. In the Somwara Mandap we have a huge Dhwajastambha and white Nandi.

We come across the sculptures of Veerabhadra, Arjuna, Bhima, Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga.

Nandi Mandap: In this mandap we have idols of sixty Nayanmars, Tamil poet Sekkizhar and Lord Surya. In the main mandap we come across musical pillars and each of these pillars is surrounded by 48 small pillars. They produce musical notes when struck. The shiva linga is found in the bamboo forest and it has a cut on its surface. Hence Lord Nellaiappar is known as Veluvananadar.

Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are at the entrance. In a separate shrine we come across Lord Vishnu (as Nellai Govindan) in a reclining position.

There is a small shrine of Thirumulandar (Lord Shiva) which is older than Nellaiappar temple. In the prakara we come across utsav murtis of Nellaiappar, Kanthimathi, Durga, Bhairava, Sapta Kannika, Sapta Rishi, Sixty Three Nayanmars and Ganapati. In a shrine we have an idol depicting Ravana lifting the Kailash. On the head of Ravana there is a Lord Shiva’s shrine. On the prakara, we have the idols of Ashta Lakshmi, Lord Shanishwar, Chakra Linga (Shiva Linga with thousand lingas), Kuber Linga, Lord Nataraja. And the idol of a devotee Ramakona.

Kanthimathi shrine: It has a rajagopuram. There is a small shrine of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga at the entrance. It has a Dhwajasthambha and Nandi. On the left side we find a thousand pillared hall. Kanthimati amman is in a standing posture with Lotus in her hand. At the entrance to a shrine we have Ganga and Kaveri idols. In the prakara we come across Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga and Lord Chandikeshwar and Shanmukha.

The Karumari Teertha is in a big corridor. A king became an elephant due to the curse of Sage Durvasa. The elephant got rid of the curse to become a king again by bathing in this tank. There is a small shrine of Lord Ganesha near this tank.

The Thamira Ambala has intricate wooden artwork. There is a separate shrine for Lord Dakshinamurti. Lord Muruga shrine is known as Shanmukha (Arumugam in Tamil). Lord Kubera is in a separate shrine in the form of a linga. The entire sanctum sanctorum is of gold.

Special features:

During ArdhaJam puja, KanthiMati amman is dressed in a white saree. In this attire she graces the devotees till 7 am next day. It is believed that this is done so that one and all reach her after death.

In this temple there is a separate Rajagopuram for Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Pujas are performed separately at both places.

Wedding presents: As per the custom in India KanthiMathi Amman carries the presents to be given to the bride groom from the bride’s side after the divine wedding to her husband’s house.

In the month of Aippasi the first days of the 10 days brahmotsav, KanthiMathi amman does penance for getting married to Lord Shiva. On the tenth day she goes to the river bank. On the 11th day Lord Vishnu requests NellaiAppar to marry his sister. From the 12th day Oonjal festival is held for 3 days.

It is believed that Devi serves food to her husband NellaiAppar in the mid noon. This ritual is enacted by carrying various varieties of foods to Lord Shiva’s shrine to the accompaniment of musical instruments. After submitting to the Lord, the food articles are taken back to the KanthiMathi amman shrine for her naivedya.

In this temple there is no Margazhi puja.

In this temple Goddess Vanadurga is mounted on a deer.

Kshetra Purana:

This place was known as Venuvalam during puranic days. Lord Shiva, to test the devotion of one of his staunch devotees named Vedapattar, made him lose all his wealth. But Vedapattar still continued his devoted worship of Lord Shiva. One day Vedapattar left some paddy in the sanctum of Lord Shiva and went for a bath in the river. Meanwhile it started raining and hence Vedapattar rushed back to save the paddy. To his surprise there was no rain around the paddy spread in the sanctum. The Lord had put a fence (cover) around it. He ran to inform the king about the miracle. From that day the place came to be known as Nelveli (i.e. in Tamil Nel means paddy and veli means fence). As time passed on, the name became Thirunelveli.

Anavarta Khan: At the southeast corner of parikrama there is a Shiva Linga which is known as Anavarta Khan. One of the wives of the Nawab who worshiped NellaiAppar performed some religious ceremonies in order to get rid of some incurable disease, as per the advice of a brahmin. She not only recovered but also gave birth to a male child. The boy was named as Anavarta Khan. She built a shrine with a shiva linga and named it as Anavarta Khan. An opening in the outer wall was made in the parikrama so that the Nawab and the son can take darshan from outside.

Veluvananadar: Lord Shiva once took the form of a linga and came here. He made this palace his abode. The four vedas became Veluvanam (bamboo forest) around the shiva linga to protect and give shade to it. Hence Lord is known as Veluvananadar. Sage Agastya witnessed the celestial wedding of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva at this place. It is believed that the divine couple also gave darshan to Sage Agastya in their wedding glory in some other places like Thirumaraikadu, Thirunallur, Papanasham etc.

Lord Vishnu as NellaiGovinda visited this place to officiate the divine marriage of NellaiAppar and KanthiMathi. Some 18 kilometers from this place at a village known as Manoor it is believed that Lord Rama killed demon Maricha and then worshiped Lord NellaiAppar. He also worshiped NellaiAppar to get Pashupatastra to fight demon Ravana.

Festivals:

Chithirai – Vasanth Mahotsavam (16 days)
Vaikasi – Visakath Thiruvila (1 day)
Ani – Bramotsavam (Ani Car Festival) (10 days)
Adi – Pooram Thiruvilam (10 days)
Avani – Moolathiruvila (11 days)
Puratasi – Navarathiri Vila (15 days with Laksha Archanai)
Aippasi – Thirukkalyanam (15 days)
Karthikai – Karthikai Deepam and Somavara Thiruvila (1 day)
Margali – Thiruvathirai Festival (10 days)
Thai – Thai Poosam Thiruvila (10 days)
Masi – Masi Maha Shivarathiri (1 day)
Panguni – Panguni Uthira Thiruvila (10 days)

Courtesy: Following sites

1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/

2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

3. http://www.indAiatemples.in/

Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai - Part 2

In last article, we covered first part of Shri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, third temple in Pancha Sabhai temple series. In this article we are covering second part.

About the temple complex and the shrines in it:

The temple has four layered concentric closed courtyards (parikrama). There are two separate shrines for Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi. Each of them has two parikramas, Mahamandap. The shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi are surrounded by three enclosures and four minor towers. Goddess Meenakshi holds a green parrot in her right hand. The parrot is supposed to symbolize Andal, a vaishnava saint. Surrounding the sanctum sanctorum we have a mandap known as Kheeli Koonda (Kheeli - parrot, koonda - cage) Mandap or a parrot cage mandap.

The rajagopurams are five tiered. At every entrance to the shrine we have shrines of Vinayaka and Subramanya. As the idol is of Emerald, Goddess Meenakshi is also known as Maragadavalli. The eyes of Goddess Meenakshi are large and beautiful and resemble the fish. Her other names are Pankajavalli, Kalyanasundari, Periyanayaki, Gnanambika.

Lord Sundaresha shrine is at the center of the complex. It also has a gold plated shikhar (tower of sanctum). Lord Shiva shrine has five gopurams which are either 4 or 5 tiers on the outer wall and one 3 tiers at center of the sanctum sanctorum. There four sculptures of Lord Shiva have episodes from various puranas. Inside this complex we have the shrine of Nataraja. This mandap is known as Rajata Sabha (velliy-ambalam i.e. silver sabha). Goddess Meenakshi shrine is to the southwest of Lord Shiva shrine. There is a lingam of Sundareshwarar which is swayambhu. The lingam got the name during the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. There is a tall idol of Ganesha outside Sundareshwarar shrine. It is known as Mukkuruni Vinayaka. This deity was found during the 17th century excavation in a nearby temple tank.

Mandaps in temple complex:

1. Kheeli koonda (parrot cage) mandap.

2. Kambatadi: It has a seated Nandi inside it. Various manifestations of Lord Shiva are sculpted and painted. Paintings of Lord Shiva and Kali are found here. A golden dhwajastambha with 32 sections surrounded by various Gods, Durga and Siddhas.

3.Veeravasantraya Mandap - it is very large with huge corridors

4. Kalyana Mandap - It is to the south of Veeravasantraya Mandapam. Here Shiva-Parvati marriage is celebrated during Chitra festival

5. Oonjal Mandap - It is on the western side of the temple

6. Kolu Mandap - It is also on the western side of Meenakshi shrine

7. Noorukal Mandapam (mandap with 100 pillars). It was constructed by Meenakshi Nayakar in 1708. This mandap has all zodiac signs engraved in it. There is a sculpture of Lord Shiva as hunter and Meenakshi as his wife.

8. Muthupillai Mandapam - Also known as eruttu (darkness) mandapam. On the koshta of Lord Shiva shrine, we come across Lord Dakshnimurti, Lingodbhavar and Durga Mandap.

9. Celestial wedding hall. This lies to the south of Veeravasantrayar Mandapam. A golden chariot is kept in this mandap.

10. Mangayarkanni mandap,

11.Servaikarrar mandap,

12. Muthurayar mandap

13. Nagara mandap,

14. Puthu mandap (new hall) was built by Thirumalai Nayakar. It is situated opposite to east rajagopuram. We come across sculptures of 10 famous Nayakars and a lot of other sculptures.

15. Theradi Mandap - it is on the east masi street.

16. Ashtashakti mandap - also known as Ashtamatrika mandap. This houses the 8 forms of Goddess Shakti and are sculptured on the pillars of this mandap. At the entrance of the mandap we have idols of Vallabh Vinayaka and Lord Muruga. This is the first hall at the entrance to Meenakshi shrine.

17. Pancha Pada mandap.

Hall of 1000 pillars. It is near Meenakshi amman temple. It is at the junction of east adi street. According to Puran, once Meenakshi was challenged to a sword fight which she ignored by laughing at him. A dwarf insisted that he could defeat anyone else to fight with him. She asked her army chief to fight with the dwarf which the chief lost. She understood the magical power of the dwarf and challenged him to build a hall with 1000 pillars in a day. If he does that she will build a similar one. Dwarf studied the structure and started building by bringing the rocks from a nearby mountain. By dawn he had built 985 pillars. Meenakshi threw her earring into the sky which covered the sun. When the dwarf got up the time limit was over. As he could not complete 1000 pillars he accepted defeat and burnt himself into ashes. We have only 985 pillars in the hall instead of 1000. This hall houses the sculptures of Rati, Karthikeya, Ganesha, Lord Shiva as a mendicant, number of yalis (mythical lion), a lady playing veena, Nardana Ganapati, and a gypsy leading a monkey.

Musical Pillar: There are five pillars, each carved from a single stone. When struck they produce musical notes, pleasing to the ears (heavenly notes), beyond the north tower. Each pillar has 22 similar pillars with intricate features, sculptures and idols. The entrance of the temple is covered with rectangular rocks. There are certain rocks with lotus flowers carved on them. When tapped they sound hollow. It is believed there are secret passages and cellars connected to these rocks.

Painting of special lingam - This is on the ceiling of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar temple. When we view this from any angle, we find the spout of the lingam towards us.

Goddess Meenakshi is also addressed as Pacchai (green) devi, Maragada valli, Abhiram valli.

There are sixteen main shiva kshetra, out of these Chidambaram, Kashi, Kalahasti and Madurai are considered to be more important. It is believed that one gets salvation by hearing the name of these four kshetras. As Goddess Meenakshi reigns as queen in Madurai, devotees are not allowed to have darshan during the abhishek of God mother. But they are allowed to have darshan after the alankar is completed.

Kshetra Puran:

A Pandya king performed putrakameshthi yadnya as he had no child. At that time Umadevi manifested from the fire and gave him a female child with three breasts. A celestial voice stated that the third breast will fall on its own when the husband of the child comes to his palace. After the death of the king the kingdom was ruled by the princess. Hence it was known as Kanninadu. The princess did Digvijay (i.e. she captured adjoining kingdoms) and reached Kailash. The moment she saw Lord Shiva one of her breasts fell down. The sages, rishis and devas present at Kailash came to know that the princess was none other than Parvati devi. They performed marriage. From that very moment she was known as Meenakshi.

MoorthyNayanar: He is one of the 63 Nayanmars who were born in a trader community. His job was to prepare sandalwood paste in a temple in Madurai. A king from adjoining Karnataka once captured Madurai. He prevented Nayanar from doing his duty. Nayanar used his forearm to grind the sandalwood into sandalwood paste so that he could continue his service to the Lord. Lord Shiva gave darshan to him and stated that he will rule Madurai as a king. The ruling king at that time in Madurai had no son. After his death, according to the tradition an elephant was paraded in the kingdom with a garland in its trunk to choose a king. After moving through the streets of Madurai the elephant chose Nayanar and he became a king. He rules Madurai in the attire of a shiva yogi instead of the usual dress of the king.

Lord Shiva as Siddha: In the parikrama, around Shiva’s shrine, near Durga shrine, Lord Shiva graces as a Siddha. Lord Shiva was once roaming in the streets of Madurai as a siddha purush performing miracles. When the king came to know about this he ordered his guards to present the siddha in his court. But Lord Shiva refused to accede to the orders of the king but instead stated that the King should come to meet him as it was his request. Anticipating the King's arrival, the siddha sat in Yoganishtha near the Durga shrine. The king wanted to test whether he was a true siddha. He asked the siddha to make a stone elephant, that the king was carrying in his hand, to eat sugarcane. Lord Shiva instructed the stone elephant to eat the sugarcane by signaling with his eyes. He also made the elephant pull the pearl necklace worn by the king. The king begged for forgiveness and got a child boon.

Secret of the parrot in Goddess Meenakshi shrine: When Indra came to Madurai to get rid of his sin he found a lot of parrots hovering around the shiva linga known as Chokkanadar reciting Lord Shiva’s name. Immediately he felt that Lord Shiva was present there and he worshiped Lord Shiva (shiva linga) and got rid of his curse. By this act of Indra, the parrots got importance at this place. It is believed that the parrots repeat the prayers of the devotees to Goddess Meenakshi from her hand.

Importance of puja being performed 8 times: It is believed that Goddess Meenakshi manifests 8 times in a day in different forms at this place. She manifests as 1. Mahashodashi 2. Bhuvana 3. Matangi 4. Panchadashakshi 5. Bala 6. Shyamala 7. Shodakshi 8 Meenakshi. Hence she is worshiped 8 times in a day.

Festivals:

Puja is performed eight times in a day with a accompaniment of musical instrument

Important festival is Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar wedding known as Thirukalyanam, held in April

The following is a list of festivals held according to Tamil month

Chithirai - 12 days. First day flag hoisting, 8th day coronation of Meenakshi, 9th day Goddess Meenakshi’s procession, 10th day wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar, 11th day chariot festival, 12th day teertha festival, on this day Lord and Goddess go around masi street

Vaikasi - 10 day festival on the moola nakshatra, procession of 63 Nayanmars

Aani - 10 days Oonjal festival, 10th day fruit puja is performed, abhishekam of Nataraja and Shivakami on Uttara nakshatra, procession of pancha sabha Nataraja murti

Adi - 10 days festival known as mulaikottu festival only for devi and she is taken in procession along Adi street accompanied by musical instruments

Avani - 18 days festival. 6 days are devoted for Lord Chandrasekharar and the remaining 12 days for the panchamurti. On the seventh day, the coronation of Sundareshwarar. During these days the 10 miracles performed by Lord Shiva are enacted by Shiva acharya.

Purattasi - Navaratri festival. Kalpa puja and Lakshaarchana are performed daily for Devi. On all the 10 days cultural festivals are held.

Aippasi - Skanda shashthi festival for 6 days. A special festival on the day of Diwali. On Purva Phalguni nakshatra special swinging Meenakshi Amman festival is held

Karthigai - 10 days of light (Deepam) festival. Lord Shiva’s procession is taken in Adi streets. On the day of krittika nakshatra 1 lakh lamps are lit.

Margazhi - 9 days oil anointing ceremony. Procession of Goddess Meenakshi along Chitra street. Arudra darshan festival. Procession of Pancha sabha Nataraja murti along masi street. On ashtami, procession of Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi in a bullock cart. A special festival known as Thiruvempavai festival for 10 days

Thai - float festival for 12 days. Procession of Lord and Goddess Meenakshi along Chitra street.

Masi - Mandala puja for 48 days. 6 days for Vinayaka. 6 days for Karthikeya, 3 days for Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, 6 days for Chandrasekhar. During this period the procession of deity is taken out. Panchamukhi festival will be held for 10 days. Silent festival will be held for 9 days of which 3 days for Chandrasekhar, 3 days for Lord Shiva and 3 days for Chandikeshwar. On the 10th day the flag will be lowered and accounts will be read.

Panguni - summer and spring festival for 9 days. Procession of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi is held along Chitrai street. Uttaram festival.

Religious significance:

Lord Nataraja is enclosed in a huge silver Ambalam (altar) known as Velli Ambalam (silver abode)

Here Nataraja has his right leg raised instead of the usual left leg

Temple timing: 5 to 12.30 , evening 4 to 10 pm

Address: Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Kovil, Madurai 625001, Tamil Nadu

Courtesy: tamil blog

Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai - Part 1

This is the third temple in Pancha Sabhai Sthalam. This sabha is known as Rajat Sabha (Silver Sabha).

This is also Shiva temple is 245th of the Padal Petra Sthalam. The temple was revered by the shaiva saints Sambandhar, Manikvachagar, Thirunnavukkarasar. The temple is located at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Madurai city itself is 2500 years old. This is a twin temple known as Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple. The temple covers an area of 45 acres. The origin of the temple dates back to 1600 BC. This temple was rebuilt a number of times from 1600 BC. The present shrine was rebuilt in 1600 AD. The temple attracts about 20000 visitors everyday. This temple is one of the most beautiful and recognized temples of South India. People have to enter from the east gate facing the deity. This temple is on the banks of river Vaigai (presumed to be about 3000 years old).

Mulavar: Meenakshi Sundareshwarar, Chokkanathar, Somasundarar

Devi: Meenakshi, Angaiyarkannai

Kshetra Vruksha: Kadamba Tree and Bilva Tree

Puranik Name: Alavai Koodal, Nanmadakudal, Kadambavanam

Present Name: Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The temple complex has 14 gopurams whose height varies from 150 to 170 feet. The southern tower is 170 feet and is the tallest. There are two golden shikhars or kalashas over the sanctum sanctorum of main deities. The renovation of this temple was done by various pandya kings from time to time. This place is considered to be the most important for the worshipers of Lord Shiva.

The temple is one of the 65 shaktipeeths and is known as RajaMatangi Shyamala Peeth. There are 4 main streets surrounding the temple which are named after the month Aadi, Chitrai, Masi and Avani.

The twin temples have a large number of carvings, paintings and sculptures. The tower has gold plated viman.

Special features:

According to Puran, the vimanam for the shrine of Lord Sundaresha was gifted by Lord Indra. To atone sins committed by him, Lord Indra was on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples. When he reached the kadambavanam he came across a swayambhu Shiva Linga. At that very instant his sins disappeared. As a token of gratitude he built this temple.

Mother Meenakshi’s idol is made of pure Emerald.

One of the 18 siddhas, Sundarnadar lived here.

This place is revered as Bhulok Kailash. It is stated in scriptures that by chanting the very name of Madurai, one can get salvation.

Saint Kumarguruparan revered this place as a Shiva Rajdhani.

According to Puran, Lord Shiva created the golden lotus pond at the request of Nandi and other devas by hitting the earth with his trident. This is the first of the holy springs in the temple complex known as Shiva ganga. Lord Indra obtained a golden lotus flower from this pond to worship Lord Shiva. On the walls of the pond all 64 leelas related to Lord Shiva performed for his devotees are painted here.

There is a sphatik lingam at this place.

There are six peethas of Lord Vinayaka in Tamil Nadu. And this is a fourth amongst them.

About the temple complex:

There are five entrances to this temple instead of the usual 1 or 4 entrances. The east entrance is for the mulavar Lord Shiva. The rajagopuram for the Devi and Lord Shiva are of gold. Other four entrances have 4 rajagopuram. Near the lotus pond on the northern side there is a seven tiered gopuram. There are about 3 crores of sculptures in the temple complex. Devi Meenakshi graces here in a graceful standing position with a parrot in her hand. Lord Shiva as Sundareswarar is a swayambhu linga. At this place, the shrine of Lord Shiva is to the left of Goddess Meenakshi indicating that she reins (rules) supreme at this place. A golden chariot was constructed in 1981 for the chariot festival.

Salient features:

This is the place where Lord Shiva danced by changing his leg. He danced by raising the right leg instead of the usual left leg at the request of the King Rajasekara Pandiyan who was himself a great dancer. Lord Shiva himself manifested as a siddha. Lord Indra and Lord Varuna worshiped Lord Shiva. Shaiva saint Kumraguruparan who was born dumb got his speech back due to the grace of Lord Muruga. Lord Shriram and Lakshmana worshiped at this place. This is a silver sabha of the Pancha Sabhai.

Various names of this place:

1. Madurai - place where Lord Shiva sprinkled amrut (madhu) to remove the poison of serpent.

2. Alavai - this is the place where the serpent on Lord Shiva’s neck showed the direction.

3. Kadamba vana - as the place was abundant with kadamba trees.

4. Naan maada koodal - Lord Shiva saved this place from the attack of Lord Varuna who sent seven clouds to destroy this place. Lord Shiva converted four (naan) of these clouds into madas (covers) and saved the place

Sri Chidambaram Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram

This is the second temple in Pancha Sabhai Sthalam, representing Kanak Sabai (Golden Sabai). This Shiva temple is one of the largest Shiva temple in the world (about 40 acres). It is also the Pancha Bhoota sthala temple representing the element “Aakash”. It is also one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Shaivaites Nayanmars. It is situated at Chidambaram in Kadalur district of Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the place where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Pon ambalm i.e. Golden Sabai). It is Aathara-sthala representing Ajnyachakra. Chidambaram is also referred as THILLAI (a type of mangrove), as this place was abundant with these type of plants. The temple is also known as Chidambaram Nataraja temple and it is about 2000 years old.

Mulavar: Thirumulanadar, Koothanadar Devi (Consort): Umayambika, Shivagamsundari Kshetra Vruksha: Thillai plant Sacred Teertha: Shivaganga, Vyaghrapada Tirtha, Anant Tirtha, Bramha Tirtha and about a number of others totaling about 10.

The presiding deity is Thirumulanadar which is a swayambhu linga. The ruling deity is Lord Nataraja. On the Western side of Thirumulanadar Shrine, there is a tree made of stone. The shrine of Lord Vishnu (Govindraj Perumal) and the shrine of Thillai-Kali are close by. From the mandap, in front of Lord Nataraja shrine, we can have darshan of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva at the same time. This temple is also known as Chittrambalam.

At this temple, we can have darshan of Lord Shiva in 3 forms namely in an idol form as Nataraja, formless as Aakash and as a spathika linga. Sage Vyaghrapada and Sage Patanjali did penance here for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Responding to their severe penance, He appeared here along with 3000 munis (sages) and gave darshan to them. This day, Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) on Pushya nakshatra is celebrated here. It is stated that for salvation, one should be born at Thiruvarur or live in Kanchi or think of Thiruvannamalai or die at Kashi. Similarly it is stated that if one worships Lord Nataraja or Lord Thirumulanadar, he is definite to get salvation. A Srichakra was installed by Aadi-Shankaracharya in the Ambika shrine.

Legends from Puran:

Sage Vashishta advised one of the sons (Maadyandinar) of his relative to worship the swayambhu lingam at Thillaivanam for getting complete wisdom. He could not pick the flowers before sunrise. They were considered as impure if picked-up after sunrise as honey in the flowers was sucked up by bees. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he was not in a position to pick the flowers in darkness as he could not climb the tree in darkness. Lord granted him the legs of the tiger so that he could climb trees and gave sight which could see in darkness. Lord blessed him and stated that he would be known henceforth as Sage Vyaghrapada.

The Shrines in the temple:

Thiruadimulanadar and Umaiyala – The Linga swaroop worshiped by sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali.
The Shrines of 63 Nayanmars
Shrine of Shivagamsundari
Shrine of Vinayaka
Shrine of Lord Muruga

Besides these there are a number of smaller shrines.

The halls (sabha, ambalams) – There are 5 halls namely,

Chitrambalam – This sanctum houses Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamasundari
Ponnambalam or Kanaksabai – The rituals are conducted from here
Nrityasabai – This is the 56 pillar hall near the dhwajastambha. Here Lord Nataraja out danced Kali and established his superiority
Rajasabai – This is a 1000 pillar hall which symbolizes the yogic chakra, sashastraram. This hall is open only during festival days.
Devasabai- This houses the panchamurtis, Lord Ganesh, Lord Somaskandha, Goddess Shivanandnayaki and Lord Chandikeshwar.

Significance of the temple –

Of the 5 Pancha Bhuta sthalams, Shrikalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram stand on a straight line at exactly 79’41” East longitude. Thiruvannaikaval is located around 3’ to the South and 1’ to West of Northern tip of this axis whereas Thiruvannamalai is mid-way between these two.
The nine entrances of the temple signifies the 9 orifices in the human body.
In the Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which can be reached by the 5 steps, which represents the Panchakshari mantra - SI VA YA NA MA. The entrance to this sabai is from the side and not from the front as in usual manner. The roof of the sabai is supported by 4 pillars representing the 4 vedas.
Ponnambalam is supported by 28 pillars representing 28 agamas (methods of worship). 64 beams of the roof represents 64 forms of arts. The cross beams represents the blood vessels in the body. 21600 golden tiles of the roof represent 21600 breaths. The tiles are fixed by 72000 golden nails representing the nadis in the human body. The 9 golden kalash represents the nine forms of energy. The artha-mandap has 6 pillars representing the 6 shastras.
The hall next to artha mandap, has 18 pillars representing 18 puranas.

Festivals:

There are 6 major festivals performed in a year for Lord Natraja.

In the Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan) – Thiruvaadhirai festival is celebrated.
On the 14th day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) festival is held
In the Tamil month of Chittirai (April-May) – the festival is held on Thiruvonam
In the Tamil month of Ani (June-July) – festival is held on Uttiram nakshatra
In the Tamil month of Avani (Aug-Sept) – festival is held on Chaturdashi
On Chaturdashi day of the tamil month of Puraṭṭāsi (Oct-Nov) festival is held

The first 2 are considered to be the most important festivals of the year.

Natyanjali is celebrated in February. Dancers gather to present Bharatnatyam to Lord Nataraja as a mark of respect

Courtesy: Following sites

1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

3. http://www.indAiatemples.in/

Sri Vadaranyeshwarar Temple at Thiruvalangadu

This temple is situated on Thiruvallur - Arakkonam road at Thiruvalangadu. This is one of the Pancha Sabhai sthalas representing Ratnasabhai. This is also a Padal Petra Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. This is one of the five places where Lord Shiva competed with Kali in a dance performance. The mandap where the dance took place is known as Ratnasabha. The place is revered by Appar, Sambandhar, Thirunavukkarasu and Karaikkal Ammaiyar (a female Nayanmar).

Mulavar: Sri Vadaranyeshwarar, Sri Devasinga Peruman, Sri Alavanathar, Oorthavananadar

Devi: Sri Alavanayaki, Sri Bhramaramba, Sri Vandarkuzhali

Kshetra Vruksha: Jackfruit, Banyan Tree

Sacred Teertha: Mukti Teertha, Shivakar Teertha

Puranik Name: Alankadu, Pazhayanur

Present Name: Thiruvalangadu

District: Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu

The temple is about 1700 years old. There are inscriptions denoting the work of Chola, Vijayanagar and Pallava kings. The temple complex is spread over a very large area and the temple itself is very huge. This is an east facing temple. There are two gopurams and the rajagopuram is 5 tiered. At the entrance we have the shrine of Karpaga Vinayaka having 12 arms and Siddhi. And in the other shrine Lord Shanmukha is with his wives Valli and Devayani. The temple has three prakarams or corridors. The first corridor houses Annadan and Prasadalaya. The shrines of Vallabh Vinayaka and Muruga with Valli and Devayani are on either side of gopuram. Vallabh Vinayaka has his consort Siddhi on his lap. When we enter the second prakaram, we come across the shrine of Karaikkal Ammaiyar on the left. And Meenakshi Sundareshwarar on the right side. At the far end of this prakaram, we come across the shrine of Vandarkuzhali Amman.

The main prakara houses the sanctum sanctorum and its vimanam (shikhar or gopuram) is gajaprushtha. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga facing east. It is very tall and wide. At the entrance of sanctum sanctorum we have Dwarapalakas and Lord Ganesha. The Lord Shiva (Shiva Linga) is under the roof (pandal) of rudraksha. The koshta murtis are Nardana Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Durga Parameshwari, Chandikeshwarar, and Durga. The idol of Durga Parameshwari is very unique.

About Devi shrine: She is facing south. And four hands with lotus in two hands and the other two hands with abhaya and varada mudra. There is a yagashala near her shrine. This is one of the 51 shakti peethas and is known as Kalipeeth.

There is a mandap known as Arthamandapam. Idols of Nataraja, Ganesha, Shani and Surya are found in this mandap. There is a shiva linga with Nandi in front of him.

Nandi mandap, Balipeeth and Dwajastambha face the south. Mahamandap: It is a Nataraja sabha known as Ratnasabha.

At this place, the Lord is addressed as Ratanasabhapati Ishwarar. His consort Shivakamasundari is addressed as Sameesanambika. The left leg of Nataraja idol is seen raised and almost touching the left ear. This tandava is known as Urdhwa-tandava. We observe astonishment in the face of Devi. There are two shiva lingas at this place. One is sphatik and the other is emerald (maragada). The hall has a copper roof with five kalash representing five elements.

Other shrines and idols: Idols of Surya, Chandra, Nandi, Vijayaraghav perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi, Lord Muruga with Valli and Devayani, Aghor Veerabhadra, Maruntheishwarar, Ganesha, Sapta Matrika, Shasta, Nalavar, Karaikal Ammaiyar, Karakotaka, Sage Pantanjali, Muneekesha, Anandan, Chandesa, Anugraha Murti. A small idol of Vadaranyeswarar is also found there. Following Shiva Lingas are also found in the corridor - Agastheeswarar, Kailasanathar, Rameshwarar, Valmikanadar, Kashi Vishwanath, Ekambaranathar along with Kamakshi. There are three shiva lingas which are together with Saarparaja and Nagaraja. We come across 8 different forms of Ganesha, Upasana Dakshinamurti and Gajalakshmi in the inner corridor. Besides this we have separate shrines for Ganesha, Sapta Lingas, Kuzhandeishwarar Linga and idol of Saundarya nayaki, Sahasralinga, and utsav idols of Uma and Satyajyoti Muni, Bhairav, utsav murti of Bhadrakali and Aghora Veerabhadra. In the inner parikrama we have Pancha Linga, Nalavar and Navagraha. In the outer prakaram we have the sthala vruksha with a Shivalinga and Nandi.

Once this place was a forest full of Banyan and jackfruit trees. Hence they are the sthala vruksha.

There is a separate shrine of Thirumulanayaki Samet Muktishwarar in a mandap known as Rashi Mandap. The 12 pillars of this mandap represent 12 rashis. There is a kali temple which has to be visited before going to the shiva temple. The Kali is seen in a dancing posture in this temple. The temple rath is shaped like a lotus flower.

Kshetra Puran:

According to Kshetra purana, two asuras, namely Kushala and Nishula, were residing in the forest at this place. They used to torment and torture the sages and others. The sages complained to Goddess Parvati. She manifested Kali from her eyes. And destroyed the asuras. She made Kali the queen of this forest. As Kali had tested the blood of asuras, she became uncontrollable. She started quarreling and behaving arrogantly. When the sages Munikesha Karakodaga requested Lord Shiva to control Kali, Lord Shiva took Aghora form and came to this forest. Kali challenged Lord Shiva to dance. She told him that he can take over the forest after defeating her. Lord Shiva performed 17 types of dance which Kali repeated but could not repeat the Urdhva Tandava. Goddess Paravti was astonished at this Urdhva Tandava performance. She is praised here as the goddess who witnessed the spectacular dance performance (In Tamil this is described as arugil erunthu biyantha nayaki). During this dance, he made his left earring fall on the ground and picked it with his left leg finger and fitted it in his ear. Kali accepted the defeat as she knew that she can not perform this act. In order to pacify Kali on her defeat Lord Shiva told her that he would be performing a pleasing dance known as Raksha Dance at Thiruvirkolam and she could have his darshan and told her that he alone was equal to her.

Lord Shiva manifested in front of her that there is no one equal to her except him. He gave her a boon that those who came to this place to worship him must first visit her and then only they can derive the benefit of his darshan. From that day Kali has a separate temple and people visit her first.

The dance competition was witnessed by Goddess Parvati, Narada, Karkotaga, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Swayambhu Linga was discovered in the forest under a banyan tree and then the temple was constructed.

This Urdhva Tandava was also witnessed by Karaikkal Ammaiyar. It is believed that she went to Kailash by walking on her head. She was addressed as a mother by Lord Shiva who advised her to go to Thiruvalangadu to witness the Urdhva Tandava. When she reached the place shiva linga started appearing wherever she put her foot down. She witnessed the dance and sang a hymn and attained salvation at this temple. It is believed that her resting place is at the feet of Nataraja.

Since Karaikkal Ammaiyar walked on her head, Sambandhar was afraid to set his feet on the ground. He stayed in a nearby village and spent the night viewing the temple. Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him that he had forgotten to praise him. Next day he visited the temple and sang a hymn. According to another purana, a lady called Neeli was killed by husband as he suspected her of fidelity. After her death she could not move to the next birth hence she stayed here and started tormenting the people as ghost. When her husband was visiting this place in his next birth, she decided to take revenge. She assumed the form of his present wife and cried to accompany him. The husband was surprised to see the present wife and he sensed that something was wrong. He did not allow her to accompany him. Neeli complained to the local leader (Velalara). They interfered and advised him to stay with her in a nearby place. They told the husband that they will give up their life if anything happened to him. Next day morning they found him dead and they decided to end their life to keep up their promise. They gave up their life by self-immolation. Lord Shiva gave salvation to all of them. The hall where they gave up life is at about 1 km from this place.

According to another purana, Shaneshwar advised his son Mantheeshwar to worship Lord Shiva at this place as he had incurred a dosha due to a lizard falling on him. When he worshiped at this place, Lord Shiva appeared and absolved of his sin.

Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Shiva came to be known as Sri Vadaranyeshwara and the place was called Thiruvalangadu. Since the devas worshiped Lord Shiva here Lord Shiva is known as Devasingha perumal. Lord Muruga, Goddess Lakshmi and the Saint Thirumular also worshiped Lord Shiva here. Sage Sunanda witnessed Lord Shiva’s Tandava. Bharatmuni and wife Sunanda praised Lord Shiva at this place and got a son.

Salient features:

Jeeva Samadhi of Karaikkal Ammaiyar nearby Bhadrakali temple. This is a parihara sthalam for marriage obstacles and for shanidosha and also for Bharani nakshatra.

Festivals:

Masi (Feb-Mar): 10 days festival on Magha nakshatra.
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvadhirai is the most important festival celebrated here.
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navratri festival
Karthigai (Oct-Nov): On Somwar, special worship is done at night and yantra pooja of yantra in sanctum sanctorum.
Aadi (July-August): Pooram festival
Panguni (Mar-April): Uthiram festival, Mahashivaratri, New Moon Pradosha pooja

Daily worship - 6 times in a day. Weekly worship - Monday and Friday. Fortnightly worship - Pradosha puja. Monthly puja - New moon, Full moon, Chaturthi, Krittika nakshatra.

Address:

Shri Vadanyeshwarar Temple, at post Thiruvalangadu, Thiruthani Taluk, Thirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu 631210.

Sapta Matrika - Chamundi - Vadaranyeshwarar Temple at Mayiladuthurai

This temple is also known as Vallalar Kovil.

In this Shiva Temple, Chamundi, one of the sapta matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva in order to get rid of the sin that was acquired by her by killing the demon, especially Mahishasur.

Description of Chamundi:

She is also known as Pidari and Bhadrakali. She manifested from the third eye of Lord Shiva with protruding teeth and fierce face. Later she changed into Chamundi. She has one face, 16 hands. She wears tiger skin. She has black complexion and 3 eyes. Sometimes she is depicted sitting on a dead body. She wears a garland of snakes. She has tusks. By worshiping her, one can get rid of his enemies and can obtain all the desired boons. She is considered as Rudramsha. She manifested to annihilate the demon Chanda and Munda. As Chamundi, she has one head, four hands, 3 eyes, sharp pointed teeth, black complexion, wears tiger skin, skull garland. She also wears a skull garland and holds a trishul on the left hand and a severed head. Her top right hand holds a sword, in the left hand she holds a skull. She is seated on a dead asura i.e. Mahishasura. Has a ferocious and fearsome face. She is considered as a goddess of victory. People worship her to win over enemies and protect them from enemies. By worshiping her, the couples get harmony between them. She is the first manifestation of Sapta Matrika.

At this place she graces as AshtaDashaBhuja Durga.

This temple is also known as Medha Dakshinamurti temple. This is one of the Pancha Dakshinamurti sthalam. It is situated on the northern bank of river Kaveri.

Mulavar: Vadaranyeswarar, Vallalar
Devi: Gnanambika
Sacred Tirtha: Kaveri River
Location: Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Temple timing: 7 am to 12 am and 4 pm to 9 pm

The temple is about more than 1200 years old. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Chola kings. The temple is under the control of Dharmapuram Adhinam. This is a west facing temple with 5 tiered rajagopuram. It has two parikramas and the temple is spread over 2 acres. At the entrance, we have the idols of Vinayaka, Muruga, Parvati and Dakshinamurti. The presiding deity faces the west. And it is a swayambhu linga. The koshta murtis are Ganapati, Medha Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhavar and Durga. Chandikeshwarar is in a separate shrine. The unique feature of this temple is the idol of Lord Dakshinamurti (known as Guru Bhagwan). He is one of the Koshta murtis facing south sitting on a Nandi. He is under a Banyan tree, wears a crescent moon, right hand has dnyana mudra and in left hand he holds a book. Another special feature is that Nandi is facing Lord Dakshinamurti. At the feet of Lord Dakshinamuri, we find four Sanatkumars. Lord Dakshinamurti is seen here as very young compared to four rishis. Lord Dakshinamurti has Ganga, Fire and smeared with holy ash. There is a demon under his feet, considered to be representing ignorance.

Devi is housed in a separate shrine. Here we find the idols of Sapta Matrikas, Ganesha, Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Shanishwar, Agastya Linga, Brahma Linga, Surya, Chandra, and Angarakan.

According to the Puran, once Rishabha (Nandi) carried Lord Shiva to various places. At that very same period, Goddess Parvati was performing Shiva Puja on the earth in the form of a peacock. To participate in this puja Lord Brahma on his mount white swan, Lord Vishnu on Garud and other devatas on their respective mounts, came to this place. Due to Lord Shiva’s grace, Nandi overtook all the others. In doing so, Nandi became egoistic. In order to remove his ego Lord Shiva kept one of his matted hair on Nandi’s back. Nandi became unconscious and started going down. At that very moment he understood his mistake. He prayed to Lord Shiva to excuse him. Lord Shiva directed him to do penance at a particular place in river Kaveri to get rid of his sin as he had disgraced Lord Vishnu. This place where he did penance is known as Rishabh tirtha. Nandi was asked to bathe daily in river Kaveri and worship Lord Shiva with bilva. At the end of his penance, Lord Shiva appeared as Lord Dakshinamurti and gave him upadesh. Nandi requested Lord Shiva to be at this place forever in the form of Lord Dakshninamurti seated on his back. He praised Lord Dakshinamurti with 8 sacred stotras. And Lord Dakshinamurti is known here as Medha Dakshinamurti. Lord Shiva performed Ananda Tandav for Nandi at this place.

According to Puran

1. Those who recite the eight stotras sung by Nandi and worship Lord Dakshinamurti at this place will obtain dnyan, lose their ego and will get rid of all their sins and doshas.

2. Those who take bath in Rishabh tirtha will get the benefit of bathing in Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada and Tamra bharani rivers. They will also get the same benefit of bathing in Kurukshetra, Prayag and other holy places.

3. The place is a parihara sthalam for the planet guru. People worship here for the removal of marriage obstacles, child boon, knowledge, intelligence and education.

Festivals:

Special worship is held on the day of transit of planet jupiter

Special worship in the month of of Aippasi and Tula

In Aippasi, in full and new moon days, special abhishek is performed

On the last Thursday of the month of Kartikeya, special pujas are performed

The other festivals are Mahashivaratri, Panguni uttara, Masi magham, Karthikeya deepam, Arudra darshan, Aadi Puram, Pradosha puja, Navaratri.

Chandi homam is performed on Chaitra purnima day.

Pancha Dakshinamurti sthalam around Mayiladuthurai are 1. Mayuranathar temple (Mayiladuthurai), 2. Maragasaheshwarar temple at Moovalur, 3. Uchiravaneshwarar at Thiruvilanagar 4. Vedaranyeswarar temple at Mayiladuthurai, 5. Vageshwarar temple at Perumcheri

In 2,3,4,5 temples, Lord Shiva is addressed as Vazhikattumvallal, Thuraiakattum Vallal, Kakattum vallal, Mozhikattum Vallal

There is another place where Chamundi worshiped Lord Shiva along with Parvati during Navratri. The place is known Pullamangai and lord’s name is AlanthuraiNadar (Please note that this temple is already described in earlier blog for Shri Alanthurai Nathar Temple

Sapta Matrika - Varahi - Vazhuvoor Veerateshwarar Temple

Varahi, one of the Sapta Matrika, worshiped Lord Shiva at this place to get rid of her sin as per the direction of Lord Shiva. She is the shakti of Vishnu’s Varaha avatar. She manifested during the war with asuras from the hind part of Ambika. She wears black silk dress. She has the face of a wild boar. She wears a lot of golden jewelry and she has a broad chest and bosom. She has one face, four hands and three eyes, and has a dark black complexion. She holds a plow, a type of battle axe, and has abhaya and varada mudra. In some places, she carries a conch, a chakra instead of the battle axe and plow. According to some purana, she has a large stomach with six hands, having abhaya and varada mudra, trishul, kapal (skull), musal (a type of battle axe), serpent, conch, chakra etc. Her mounts are lion, male buffalo, black dotted deer and black serpent. It is stated that chaturthi, shashthi and ashtami are the best days for her worship.

This Shiva temple is the 6th of the Ashtaveerat sthalam. At this place, Lord Shiva killed the rogue elephant (Gajasur). This place is located on Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur highway. The temples in which the Nayanmars (Shaiva saints) visited and sang secret hymns are known as Padal Petra sthala. The temples which find a mention in the hymns of Shaiva saints are known as THEVARA VAIPPU STHALAMS.

The place got the name Vazhuvoor as the place was not submerged during the pralaya (great deluge). This Veerata sthala is believed to be surrounded by Pippli Vanam, Shami Vanam, Daruka Vanam & Badri Vanam.

Moolavar: Veerateshwarar, Kruthivasar, Gajasamharar, Gajari, Gyansaban
Devi: Balambika, Bala-gujambika, Elankilyai nayaki
Kshetra Vruksha: Shami, Deodar (India teakwood), Kapuri madura (jadi)
Sacred Teertha: Patala-ganga, Panchamukha teertha
Place: Thiru Vazhuvoor
District: Nagapattinam (TamilNadu)
Puranik Name: Daruka Vanam

The temple has 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The structure of this temple differs from others. There is a tank between Nandi and Sanctum-sanctorum. Lord Shiva in this temple is a swayambhu linga. We can have the darshan of Lord’s feet only at this place. The sacred teertha has 5 wells in it and is known as Panchamukha kinaru well in Tamil. The sacred Teertha is also known as Pancha brahma teertha. The temple is about 1500 years old.

Idols and other shrines:

Lord Ganesha in this temple is known as Selva-Vinayaka. In this kshetra, the special feature is the idol of Gaja-samhara Moorthy. It’s a huge one-off Lord Shiva. The Lord has one leg on the elephant's head. He is in the act of skinning the elephant and wearing its skin. Near this idol, we find Goddess Parvati carrying infant Lord Muruga on her waist. Her face expresses fear and she is about to turn away from the scene. The infant Muruga is pointing her towards his father with finger. Just like in Chidambaram temple, here also we have a yantra behind Gaja-samhara Moorthy. The mandap in which Gaja-samhara Moorthy is located is known as Gyansaba. Lord Shiva did a tandav at this place which is known as Urdhwa tandava. There is a separate shrine for Lord Shanishwar. He is standing with a bow in his hand. The teertha in front of the sanctum sanctorum is known as Patal ganga or Eshan teertha. The moolavar has a Nagabhooshan and is very attractive and beautiful. On the walls of the sanctum, the Ashtaveerat stories are depicted as paintings (murals). There are more than 10 stone carvings carrying various details. At this place, Lord Veerabhadra has a dog as his mount. It is believed that he came here to protect Lord Ayyappa who was born to Lord Vishnu in the Mohini avatar and Lord Shiva. The temple has a dhwaja stambha.

There are idols of 63 Nayanmars, in a mandap. The shrines of Gajalaxmi, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. Idols of Surya, Chandra, Shani and Bhairava are found in the corridor. There is a separate Navagraha shrine.

Kshetra Purana:

Once sages of Daruka vanam started feeling that they are the greatest and their good deeds are sufficient for them to attain salvation. With this ego, they started feeling that there was no need for the grace of the Lords for salvation. Their ego reached a point of no return and their wives also got the same feeling. In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Vishnu as Mohini (a beautiful enchanting woman) and Lord Shiva as Bikshadanar came to Daruka vanam. At the sight of Mohini, the sages were enchanted and captivated. In the same manner their wives lost their sanity at the sight of Bikshadanar. Lord Vishnu disappeared after the manifestation of Lord Ayyappa. This made sages more jealous and angry towards Lord Shiva. They performed a yagnya (homa or Welvi) and created magical (maya) agni, tiger, deer, Mazhu (battle axe), serpent and a demon known as Muyalagan and tried to kill Lord Shiva. But none of them could harm Lord Shiva. Finally they created a rogue elephant (Gajasur) and sent him to kill Bikshadanar. Bikshadanar entered the belly of the rogue elephant and emerged from its stomach by tearing it. He came out performing a tandava known as Urdhwa tandava. The sages realized their mistake and asked for forgiveness. Lord Shiva is known as Gaja-samhar Moorthy as he vanquished the rogue elephant.

According to another purana, Lord Shanishwar raged a war in Surya Mandal against king Vikram raja. The king lost the war and he fell into the teertha at this place. He took a bath in the teertha and worshiped Lord Shiva who graced him. When Shani came to know that king Vikram raja was a devotee of Lord Shiva, he asked for forgiveness from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave him but made him lame in the 2nd leg.

According to kshetra purana, 48000 sages did penance at this place and obtained gyan.

Festivals and worship:

Masi (Feb-Mar):10 days festival on Magha nakshatra known as Gaja-samhara utsav. Daily, both in the morning and evening, worship is held and the procession of the deities is taken off. On the 9th day, the procession of Gaja-samhar Moorthy is taken out. On the 10th day, the festival known as “Teerthavaari” where the deities are taken to the mandap in the temple tank for worship.
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Ardhra festival for 3 days is held.
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navratri festival
Karthigai (Oct-Nov): On Somwar, special worship is done at night and yantra pooja of yantra in sanctum sanctorum.
Aadi (July-August): Pooram festival
Panguni (Mar-April): Uthiram festival, Mahashivaratri, New Moon Pradosha pooja

Special worship is held on the Pongal, Tamil New year and English New year.

People pray here for child boon and marriage. It is believed that by worshiping the yantra at this place the effect of black magic and evil spirits are removed. People worship Kruthivasar for mental peace.

Varahi also worshiped Lord Shiva at Pashupatishwarar temple at Avoor, also known as Pashumangai. During Navaratri along with Parvati, she also worshiped Lord Shiva at Kazukkanimuttam near Mayiladuthurai.

Sapta Matrika - Kaumari - Shri Panchawatishwarar Kovil

Kaumari, one of the Sapta Matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva, to absolve of her sins committed during the war with the daityas.

Description of Kaumari: She is the shakti of Lord Subramanya, also known as Kumaraswami. She is also addressed as Shasthi Devi and Devasena. She manifested from Parashakti.

She has six faces, 12 eyes and 12 hands. She has a light red complexion. She has a peacock on her flag. And her mount is a peacock. She represents great valor and she is very bold. She was responsible for the victory of Lord Subramanya over the asura. The six Krittika maidens served her. She carries trishul, sphear in two hands and has abhaya and varada mudra. Sometimes she has a rooster as her symbol on the flag. She bestows child boon and is believed to be a protector of children.

Mulavar: Panchavatishwarar, Jataanadar
Devi: Brihnnayaki, Kalyanasundari
Place: Anandtandav puram, district Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Timing: 6 to 10 am and 5 to 8 pm

About the temple:

This is a very small but beautiful temple. A sacred pond (Teertha) is at the front of the temple. It has one parikrama. There is no rajagopuram but we have the idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati at the top of the entrance. Besides this, we have smaller shrines of Kaumari, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya around this temple. Besides this, we come across the idols of Anandamuni, Sage Bharadwaj, Nalvar. In a further article, we will give details of the other murtis in the temple.

Kshetra Puran:

Lord Shiva performed Ananda Tandav for Sage Anand Muni. Hence the place got the name Ananda Tandav Puram.

Heeding to the request and prayers of Sage Bharadwaj, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave darshan in their bridal attire at this place. Hence, Goddess Parvati is addressed here as Kalyanasundari. She is housed in a separate shrine. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. Devi Brihannayaki is housed in a separate shrine.

One of the 63 Nayanmars, Manakanjar was a great devotee and worshiper of Lord Shiva. He was chief of the King's army. He served the Lord along with his wife with greatest devotion. He had no child. He used to pray and request Lord Shiva for child boon. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva granted their boon. A female child was born on an auspicious day at an auspicious time for his wife. The child was named as Punyavardhini. When she grew up, she was very beautiful with long thick black hair. Manakanjar arranged the marriage of his daughter with a young man who was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. One day prior to the marriage a Shiva Muni came to their house. He was wearing saffron cloth with garlands of rudraksha around his neck. He had parted his matted hair into five parts. And wearing it as a sacred thread (hence Lord Shiva is known as at this palace as Jataanadar and Panchavatishwarar). In those days this was a habit of some Shaiva saints and Shaiva muni. The Shiva Muni saw the hair of Punyavardhini, he smiled and told Manakanjar that her hair was Panchavati (sacred thread) for him. Immediately Manakanjar cut the hair of his daughter and offered it to Shiva Muni. He felt that this was a great opportunity for him as his daughter's hair was going to be used as a panchavati for Shiva Muni. People who had come for the marriage were all struck. They felt that this act was not according to the shastras and felt very bad. At that very instance Lord Shiva appeared in his original form and blessed Manakanjar, his wife and daughter. He restored the hair of the bride and disappeared. When the bridegroom came to know about this, he came running to the place and started lamenting. He was crying and stated that he would cut his hair as well as his wife’s hair and give it to Lord Shiva.. He felt very sad as he did not get the darshan of Lord Shiva. Later on, he also became one of the 63 Nayanmars and is known as Kalikama Nayanar.

Main puja and festival:

Pradosha puja every month and Shiva Ratri besides regular puja, abhishek, prayers etc

People pray here for the removal of marriage obstacles.

For attaining peace and prosperity, vastra is offered to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and abhishek is performed.

There is another temple where Kaumari performed worship of Lord Shiva during Navaratri along with Goddess Parvati namely KeertiVageeshwarar temple and Shoolamangai on Papanasham-Ayyampettai-Thanjavur road.

Sapta Matrika - Mahendri - Dharmapureeshwarar Temple

This temple is in the complex of Dharmapura Adhinam at Dharmapuri in Mayiladuthurai. The place is famous for AshtaaDashaBhujaDurgaParameshwari temple.

At this place, Indrani (also known as Mahendri) worshiped Lord Shiva. She is the shakti of Lord Indra. During the war with the asuras, she manifested from the yoni of Ambika . She has one face, four hands, blue color complexion and has the white elephant as her mount. She wears the crown of Lord Indra and sometimes also has a golden complexion. She has on her hands vajrayudha, a sphear and has abhaya and varada mudra. The temple is associated with Uttarashadha nakshatra parihara sthalam. Hence the temple is also known as Uttarashadha temple. Inside this temple complex, we come across the shrine of Dharmapureeshwarar, Dnyanapureeshwarar and VanadurgaDevi. It is believed that Dharma worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. Yama also worshiped at this place. Chandra got his curse absolved by worshiping Lord Shiva. Indrani also worshiped Lord Shiva at Chandramaulishwarar temple at Thazamangai (see article posted on October 4, 2019)

Sapta Matrika - Maheshwari - Arulmigu Shaktipureeshwarar Temple

At this Shiva temple, Maheshwari, one of the Sapta Matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva in order to get rid of doshas that she contracted by killing asuras.

Another Matrika Devi from Sapta Matrikas, Varahi, also worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Description of Maheshwari:

She is the shakti of Lord Shiva. She manifested from the shoulder of Ambika during the war with the asuras. She has three eyes, five faces, ten hands and white complexion. She has Rishabha as her mount. She has weapons like a noose, ankush, a bell, trishul and battle ax etc. Her hands show abhaya and varada mudra. She has Rishabha as a symbol in her flag. She wears a necklace of serpent and has Jata Mukut (crown). She, in a seated posture, bestows to her devotees, wealth, prosperity as well as destroys their anger. She is also addressed as Sarvamangala. She is personified as a symbol of Dharma. There is another temple known as Harimukuteshwarar at Ariyamangalam near Ayam Pettai on Kumbakonam-Papanasam-Thanjavur highway where Maheshwari worshiped Lord Shiva during Navaratri along with Parvati.

Mulavar: Shri Shaktipureeshwarar
Devi: Shri Anandavalli
Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva
Sacred Teertha: Karuna Teertha
Puranik Name: Karuna Puram
Present name: Karunkuilnathan Pettai

District: Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. Temple will be open 6 am to 7 am and 5 pm to 7 pm

Special features:
A Shami tree is worshiped here as Navagraha.
Lord Indra worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of Kuil.

About the temple:

This temple is located on the northern bank of river Kaveri on Mayiladuthurai-Karaikkal highway and it is a very beautiful place. The temple is very small and is east facing. Devi is in a separate shrine facing south and Lord Shiva is facing east. In the outer parikrama, we have idols of Sapta Matrika, Vinayaka, Lord Subramanya with Valli and Devasena, Lord Dakshinamurti, Bhairav, Chandikeshwar. Surya and Shanishwarar idols are found in the same shrine. The temple is under the control of Dharmapuram Adhinam. There are no stone engravings to indicate the history or the other details of the temple. And the temple is presumed to be about 1800 years old.

Kshetra puran:

A Brahmin born in Kaushika gotra was very learned and highly intelligent. But due to his sins committed in the past birth, he had indulged in the activities prohibited for Brahmins like gambling, drinking and womanizing. Finally, he became a lapor. He was ashamed of meeting others because of this disease. One saint advised him to go to Karunapuram and advised to take a bath in the Karuna teertha and worship Lord Shiva. He did as per the direction of the saint and got cured of the leprosy disease, hence people come here to get rid of the skin disease.

The yadnya conducted by Daksha at Pariyalur was attended by Lord Indra and other devas though Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were not invited. In spite of Lord Shiva’s advise not to go for the yadnya, Goddess Parvati went there. She was insulted by her father who also insulted Lord Shiva by using abusive words. Unable to bear the insult of her husband, she jumped into the fire. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he came to the place and destroyed the yadnya. Hearing Lord Shiva’s anger, Lord Indra ran away by becoming a black colored kokila (Kuil in Tamil). Later on, he felt sad for his deed as he had to become a bird and lose his status of Devendra. In order to get back his original form and status Devaguru Brihaspati advised him to do penance at this place (Karuna Puram) where one of the Sapta Matrikas (Maheshwari) had worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Indra came here, took bath in the Karuna Teertha and worshiped Lord Shiva as per the directions of Brihaspati. Lord Shiva gave him darshan and restored him to his original form and status. As Indra did penance in the form of black colored kokila, the place got the name KarunKuilNathan Pettai.

Special features:

There are no Navagrahas in this temple, but a Shami tree is worshiped here as Navagraha.

About benefits of Kumbhabhishek:

According to the Shaiva saint Sambandhar, those who perform, are responsible for, or witness, or help in performing the Kumbhabhishekam of a temple, get immense Shiva punya i.e. grace of Lord Shiva. Besides this, they will get spiritual and earthly pleasures.

Benefits of worshiping at this temple:

One gets shaap vimochan and gets cured of the leprosy disease by performing abhishek and offering new clothes to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Sapta Matrika - Vaishnavi - Arulmigu Paramakalyani Samedh Arulmigu Pashupatishwarar Kovil

This is the temple where Narayani (Vaishnavi) worshiped Lord Shiva as per his directive.

About Narayani:

She is the Shakti of Vishnu. She manifested from the hand of Ambika. She has 1 face, 4 or 6 hands, yellow and blue color complexion. She has Garud as her mount. She wears a Tulasi garland. She has Garud as her emblem on her flag. She has broad lotus-like eyes. She is very powerful and strong. Carries conch, chakra, and shows abhaya and varada mudra.

About Vaishnavi:

She is a Shakti of Vishnu. She manifested from Mahalakshmi. Has 1 face, 2 eyes, 4 hands (bottom hands exhibit abhaya and varada mudra, in her top right hand she bears chakra, top left hand conch).

About the temple:

Mulavar: Shri Pashupatishwarar

Devi: Shri Paramakalyani

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Location: Pashupatishwaram

Senthangudi-Vallalakaram Poompuhar road, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu

This temple has one parikrama and it's a very small temple. In this temple, there is a specialty about the idols placed on shrines. The Rajagopuram is three tiered. In the gopuram of the main temple, i.e. mulavar temple, we have idols of Ashtadikpals, Guruvayur Appan, Anjaneya, Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi Narasimha and Kalabhairav facing East. On the Gopuram of Devi’s shrine, the legends of Ambika associated with the temple are sculptured. On the Gopuram of Vaishnavi, we have the idols of Sapta Matrika. On the Gopuram of Lord Shanmukha, the main six temples associated with Lord Shanmukha are depicted. On the Bhairav shrine gopuram, we find Ashta Bhairava. Chandikeshwar idol is present in parikrama. At the main entrance of the temple on the left side we have Lord Ganesha, with 5 faces, seated on a lion (known as Herambha Ganapati). On the right hand side, instead of the usual Lord Subramanya, we have Lord Hanuman as Lord Shiva’s son. We don’t find a Dhwajastambha in this temple but instead we find the idols of Lord Maheshwar Ganapati, Lord Brahma Ganapati and Lord Vishnu Ganapati. Then we come across the Balipeeth. Balipeeth is also known as Bhadralinga or Balinadar or Mayachakra. Then we have a huge Nandi facing the Shiva Linga. Then we have koshta murti, Ganapati facing south. Lord Medha Dakshinamurti facing south, Koshta Ardhanareeswarar, Lingodbhavar facing west, north facing Brahma, Vishnu-Durga facing north. We come across DwaparaYuga Ganapati. According to Vinayaka Puran, the mount of Ganapati is different in each yuga. During Kali-yuga, he has the Horse as mount. In Krita-yuga, he sits on a Lion, in Treta-yuga he sits on a Peacock and in Dwapara-yuga he has Mushika as his mount. In a separate shrine, we have Lord Arunachaleshwarar. It is beneficial to worship him on full moon days. In a separate shrine, we find Lord Subramanya with his consorts. The special feature of this shrine is that, his consorts face Lord Subramanya instead of standing by his side. In a separate shrine, we have the idol of Vaishnavi. She manifested from the hands of Ambika. She is Shakti of Vishnu. She is blue in complexion. The special naivedya for her is lemon rice. She is the shakti of KrodhanBhairava. Her mount is Garud. Worshiping her with Tulasi garland on Wednesday and Friday is highly beneficial.

Swarna-Akarshana-Bhairava shrine:

He has Surya as his Navagraha. People worship him to get the same benefit as that of worshiping Surya. He has Bhairavi as his consort. According to the Purana, he is the reflection of Lord Shiva. The meaning of Swarna-Akarshana-Bhairava is that he can captivate (attract) anyone easily. He has a red complexion, a face that is like a full flowered lotus, golden matted hair (jata), and has a crescent moon on his head. He has in his hands - a lotus flower, amrut kalash, conch studded with beads, then abhaya and varada mudra, has a pot in his hands from which gold is pouring down and holds Adishakti by another hand. He bestows boons with Ambika by his side, and she is known as MahaSwarnaAkarshanaBhairavi. She has a pot of gold on her hands and abhaya and varada mudra on her other hands. It is beneficial to worship SwarnaAkarshanaBhairav by facing north. By worshiping him on Ardra nakshatra, we get the grace of Lord Shiva. Worshiping him with the Lotus flower and Bilva garland is the most beneficial. Navivedya: Kheer prepared with jaggery, udid wada, milk, honey and fruits.

Method of worship of SwarnaAkarshanaBhairav:

One should sit facing the west while worshiping SwarnaAkarshanaBhairav. On Krishna Ashtami, he should be worshiped by dressing him in red color cloth, lighting a ghee lamp, garlanding with a udid wada garland and performing archana with red color flowers. Also it will be more beneficial to worship him by lighting a ghee lamp on white pumpkin. He can also be worshiped on Sundays during Rahu Kaal by lighting 11 ghee lamps or by performing Rudrabhishek and garlanding him with garland of udid wada garland and performing sahasranama archana. It is believed that by worshiping him in this manner, obstacles in marriage are removed. By worshiping with devotion and intense faith, one can get rid of enemies, and can attain ashta-maha-aishwaryas, wealth, improvement in business, and get resolutions for problems at the workplace. People have benefited by worshiping him with Bhairava Gayatri and Bhairavi Gayatri and got immense wealth.

1. On Monday and Friday, it is better to recite Bhairav Ashtakam and Bhairavi Ashtakam during sunset

2. People worship him for nine full moon days around 7 pm by lighting a ghee lamp and reciting the Bhairava Ashtakam 18 times helps in getting rid of poverty. On the ninth day, one has to offer the Naivedya of Kheer made of rice (in marathi Poha).

3. Krishnashtami in the Tamil month of Karthik is celebrated as his janmashtami.

4. People also worship every month a krishnashtami as Bhairav Ashtami.

5. It is stated that that by worshiping him for 30 days with belief and sincerity, one’s just demands are fulfilled by him.

Shri Krodhana Bhairav Shrine:

He is fourth of the Ashta Bhairavas. He has Saturn as his Navagraha. And Vaishnavi as his shakti. His mount is Garud and he faces the southwest direction. By worshiping him, we can reduce the suffering due to Saturn.

Method of worshiping Krodhana Bhairav:

On a banyan leaf, spread uncooked rice. Place broken parts of coconuts by the side and light a lamp with ghee in them. People who have consumed non-vegetarian food and alcohol are not allowed to take darshan of this Bhairava. By reciting Gayatri for this Bhairav, in multiples of 9, one can get rid of his difficulties and he can get prosperity.

Special information:

These two Bhairavas namely SwarnaAkarshana Bhairava and Krodhana Bhairava who have Surya and Shanishwar as Navagraha at this place, also have the Navagraha with the respective mount in the Eshanya direction is considered to be a very special feature. By worshiping the Navagrahas at this place, one can get rid of problems arising out of Navagraha.

Kshetra Puran:

A staunch devotee of Lord Shiva at Thiruchenkattakudi namely Shiruthondar cooked his only son and gave it as Naivedya to Lord Shiva as per his command. After that, he felt that he is the only person to serve his son as food to Lord Shiva, hence he attained unbound ego. When Shiruthondar reached Kailash, Nandi did not allow him inside as he wanted to remove the ego of Shiruthondar. Later Nandi informed Lord Shiva about this. Lord Shiva appeared at Shaktipuri (Karunkuil Nadan Pettai) as a Shiva Saint to teach a lesson to Shiruthondar. A devotee of Lord Shiva, Sheelavati Ammaiyar, who was staying at Kazukkanimuttam, used to work at seven places in a day. With the amount obtained in this manner she used to feed to Shaiva saint (Lord Shiva in the guise of Shaiva saint). Her only son used to graze the cows and take care of them in the village. In order to show the devotion of Sheelavathi and her son and at the same time to teach a lesson for Shiruthondar, Lord Shiva, on a Bharani nakshatra day in the month of Chitrai, went to the place where the son was grazing the cow. He made the son very hungry and asked him to go home for his food. He told him he will take care of him in his absence. But the boy refused. At that time Lord Vishnu from the nearby temple (he was known as Parimala Ranganathar) came in the disguise of a person known to the boy. He convinced the boy to go home. Since Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu came together at this place, the place got the name Senthankudi. In the afternoon, Lord Vishnu left the place. Since Lord Shiva took care of the cows he came to be known as Pashupatishwarar. The boy on returning home took his food without informing his mother as he did not see her. On hearing the sound of the vessels, Sheelavati, who felt that somebody was taking the food before the Shaiva Saint is served, took a wooden pestle and hit the son. She hid the body of her son and waited for Shaiva Saint. After arriving, Shaiva Saint informed her that he will take his food only along with her son. She informed him that her son would not come for taking food. The Shaiva Saint asked her to call her son three times. She did so and the son appeared and took food along with the Shaiva Saint. Then in place of the Shaiva Saint, Lord Shiva appeared and showed the devotion of Sheelavathi to the world and thereby reduced the ego of Shiruthondar. At the request of Sheelavathi, Lord Shiva along with Parvati stayed at nearby AnandaTandav puram as Shri KailashNathar.

Festivals:

Chitrai pournima - Abhishek of Lord Shiva
Aavani - Thiruvonam (Shravan nakshatra in Marathi)- Abhishek of Lord Shiva
Aippasi - Annabhishek
Karthigai - Krishnashtami - Abhishek of Bhairav
Maragali - Abhishek of Lord Shiva and Parvati
Hanuman Jayanti - Abhishek of Hanuman known at this place as RudraveeraSamudhan
Vaikuntha Ekadashi
In the month Thai on Fridays, abhishek of Arunachaleshwarar, Ardhanareeswarar, Durga, Lakshmi, Vaishnavi
In the month of Masi - Magha nakshatra festival is held, as well as Mahashivaratri
Panguni - Abhishek of Paramakalyani
Pradosha puja during pradosha kaal
Sankatahara Chaturthi - 5 pm special puja
Abhishek of Bhairava on every Krishnashtami
On new moon day abhishek of Ardhanareeshwarar
Every Friday abhishek of Vishnu Durga.

Special Information:

There is another place named Kazhukannimuttam where Shri Vaishnavi worshiped Lord Shiva.

She also worshiped Lord Shiva along with Parvati during Navaratri at Jambukeshwarar temple at Papanasham-Ayyampettai road which is also known as Nandimangai (refer to Nandi Mangai article on October 2, 2019)

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Sapta Matrika - Shri Brahmi - Shri Thantondreeshwarar Temple

This temple is on Mayiladuthurai-Needur road

According to Puran, this is the place where Brahmi, one of the Sapta Matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva.

Description: Brahmi is Shakti Rupa of Lord Brahma. According to Puran, she manifested from the face of Ambika. She has broad shoulder, wide eyes, sparkling (gold color) complexion, has four faces, four hands. She has a Kamandalu, Akshamala in two hands and in the other two hands she bears Varada and Abhaya mudra. She wears a Jata Mukut. Has Swan on her flag as her emblem and she is seated in Padmasan.

As she is shakti of Lord Brahma, she is responsible for creation. She wears a sphatika garland and a white dress and has white Swan as her mount. She is a goddess of all art and knowledge, hence she bestows arts, knowledge and child boon for those who worship her.

About the temple:

Mulavar: Shri Thantondreeeshwarar (than - on its own, tondree - manifested, eshwarar - Lord Shiva) meaning Lord who manifested on his own.

Devi: Shri Oppilanayaki

Location: Thiruindalur, Pallavarayan Pettai, Mayiladuthurai District, TamilNadu

Temple is open between 6 to 8 am in the morning, and 6 to 8 pm the evening.

This is one of the 70 mada-kovil (temples where elephant cannot enter) built by Chola king Chenkannottayan in the seventh century. He is one of the 63 Nayanmars.

The temple is very old and is in rundown condition. It is under litigation. Only daily pujas are performed by a priest. This is a west facing temple. At the entrance, we have an idol of Lord Shiva seated on Rishabha along with Parvati. The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhu Linga. In the temple prakaram, we come across idols of 63 Nayanmars, Varuna Linga, Vayu Linga, idol of Mahavishnu and Samadhi of Chidambaram.

A divine couple Nada Sharma and his wife Anambika travelled from the North visiting various Shiva temples and reached the south. Nada Sharma was praying to Lord Shiva to have darshan. When he reached there he got a Shiva Linga from Lord Shiva. We come across a Shiva Linga at this place which is covered by vastra presumed to be that of wife of Nada Sharma. There is an idol of Balatripurasundari. No other details were available to us as there was no one present when reached the temple.

Brahmi worshiped Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati at Chakramangai in Chakravageeshwarar temple.

Introduction to Sapta Matrika

Sapta Matrikas are the commanders of Goddess Adi Parashakti. Generally, idols for Sapta Matrikas are found in the outer parikrama of Shiva temples in South India. They are sculptured in a single stone and are found generally in a seated row. In some temples, we come across them seated separately. It is not customary to find them in standing position. They are seated with their left leg folded and right leg hanging down. The idols may have 2 or 4 hands. When they are depicted with 2 hands, they represent Abhaya and Varada mudra. When depicted with 4 hands, the front hands have mudra whereas hind hands carry weapons. It is a belief that after visiting a main Shiva temple, it is necessary to visit the Sapta Matrikas for receiving the benefit of visiting the temple.

Manifestation: According to puran, when Lord Shiva fought with Andhakasur (darkness), from the blood of asura, a large number of asuras appeared. In order to destroy them, Lord Shiva created Shakti Yogeshwari from the fire in his mouth. In return Shakti Yogeshwari created Shakti Maheshwari. In order to assist them, Lord Brahma created his shakti Brahmi, Vishnu created his shakti Vaishnavi, Lord Indra gave his shakti Indrani, Kartikeya gave Kaumari, Lord Varah created Varahi, Lord Yama gave Shakti Chamundi. According to Markandeya purana, these shaktis were created to assist Devi in her battle with asura Shumbha and Nishumbha. We also find mention of Sapta Matrika in Matsya Puran, Devi Puran, Vishwakarma Sutra and other puran dealing with Shilpa Shastra. The Shilpa Shastra gives an account of Sapta Matrikas, their weapons, dress, alankar etc. We find that they hold the same weapons as that of their male counterparts from whom they manifested.

In Devi Purana, they are mentioned as Ashta Matrikas and Naarasimhi is considered as eighth Matrika. In Nepal, worship of Ashta Matrika is more prevalent. In Shiva Purana it is mentioned that the Sapta Matrikas approached Lord Shiva in Kailasa to absolve themselves from the sin of killing the asuras. He advised them to have a holy dip (bath) at Rishabh Tirtha in Mayiladuthurai and perform penance at the nearby Shiva temples. The places where the Sapta Matrikas performed the penance are known as Sapta Sthanam. Later on, the temples were built where Sapta Matrikas performed their penance. These temples are mentioned below, except one place where Maheshwari worshiped Lord Shiva. All these temples are located along the banks of river Kaveri very near to Mayiladuthurai.

Name of the temple	Location	Name of sapta matrika who worshiped	Name of the Lord Shiva	Name of his consort	Sthala vruksha
Than-Thondri-Ishwarar	Thiru-indalur	Brahmi	Than-Thondri-Ishwarar	Oppila-nayaki	Bilva
Pashupathi-Eshwar Temple	Senthan-Kudi	Vaishna-vi	Pashupat-ishwarar	Parama-kalyani
Shakti-purishwar	KarunKuil-nathan Pettai	Mahesh-wari	Shaktipur-ishwar	Ananda-valli	Bilva
Dharmapur-ishwarar	Dharma-puram	Indrani	Dharma-Purishwar	Abhay-ambika	Aavala
Panchavat-ishwarar	Ananda-tandav-puram	Kaumari	Panchavat-ishwarar	Kalyan-sundari, Periya- nayaki	Peepal, Palasha
Vazuvoor-shiva Temple	Vazuvoor	Varahi	Kruti-vasagar	Bala-guj-ambika	Deodhar
Vadarany-eshwar Temple	Vallalar Kovil (Mayila-duthurai)	Cha-mundi	Vada-arany-eshwar	Gnan-Ambika	Bilva

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Vedaranyeshwar Kovil at Vedaranyam

This is the sixth in Sapta Vidanga sthalam. It is located at Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. This Padal Petra Sthalam is revered by Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar.

Mulavar: Vedaranyeshwarar, Thirumaraikadar

Devi: Vedanayaki, Veenaveda vilasini

Kshetra Vruksha: Shami tree, Punnaga (karanja, Punnai in Tamil)

Sacred Tirtha: Manikarnika and Veda

Puranik Name: Thirumaraikadar

Present Name: Vedaranyam

District: Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

The temple is about 2000 years old and located on the southern bank of Kaveri. To the east of the temple, we have the sea at about 1 km. The central shrine faces the east. There is a five tiered rajagopuram. The temple complex has three prakarams. The Shiva Linga is a swayambhu and is of granite. The Linga is located in the central shrine. The Vidanga is known as Bhuvani Vidanga and the dance performed is Hansa Natanam, dancing like Swan. The idols of Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Nandi and Navagraha are in the corridor leading to the sanctum. In this temple, we come across separate Dhwaja-stambha for Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. The koshta murtis are Lord Dakshinamurti, Durga, Ganesha, Chandikeshwar, Bhairav, Lord Mahavishnu.

The Shiva Linga is an emerald linga (maragada). There is a shrine of Lord Ganesha at the western tower and is known as Veera Ganapati. In the outer corridor, we have a shrine of Devi Veena Vedavilasini. She is also addressed as Yaazhai Pazhiththa Mohiyal meaning the voice of Devi is sweeter and melodious than the musical instrument known as Yaazhai.

This is considered to be one of the Shakti Peetha. This shrine is to the left of Lord Shiva’s shrine. Adi Shankaracharya has praised the glory of Ambika in the 66th verse of Saundarya Lahari. He suggests this verse for gaining excellence in music.

The temple tank Manikarnigai is in the eastern parikrama and is considered as holy as Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri, Saraswati, Sindhu and Narmada. A small shrine of Kalabhairava faces the tank. In the next parikrama we have shrines for Saint Sundarar facing Thyagaraja, 63 Nayanmars, Sthala Ganapati, Subramanya, Gajalakshmi, Saraswati and south facing Durga Devi.

The Navagrahas are in a straight line looking in the same direction. It is believed that they were looking at the newly wedded divine couple - Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

The idols of four shaiva saints are facing the supreme dance of Lord Shiva.

The sanctum is slightly on a elevated platform. The divine couple who gave darshan to Sage Agastya are behind the Swayambhu Linga Vedaranyeswarar. This is according to the promise made by Lord Shiva before his wedding in Kailasa to Sage Agastya.

In the shrine of Goddess Saraswati, she is without a veena. Inside the sanctum sanctorum, the image of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is depicted on the wall behind the Shiva Linga. The water in the surrounding area is salty but the water in the well inside the temple is very sweet.

This water is supplied to the village for drinking purposes. Of the sixteen sabha (i.e. darbars) this is twelfth known as Deva Bhakta Sabha. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga.

Kshetra Puran:

According to the Puran, the four Vedas had taken human form. They had stayed at a village called Vedapathi. They had gathered flowers from a nearby village Pushpavan and were worshiping Lord Shiva at this place. At the beginning of Kaliyuga, they realized that there was no place here for truth, honesty etc. After informing Lord Shiva they locked the gate of this place and left. It is believed that they transformed into trees, shrubs, plants, surrounding the place and still worship Lord Shiva. As the main door was closed and locked, people used to go to the side door of the temple for worship. Since Vedas worshiped the Lord here, the place got the name Vedaranyam. Later on, the shaiva saints Appar and Sambandhar came to Maraikadu to worship Lord Shiva as Vedas had worshiped at this place. They saw people entering the temple through the side door as the main door was locked. Sambandhar requested Appar to sing sacred hymns so that doors will open and they can have darshan of the Lord. Appar sang ten sacred hymns and doors opened automatically. They went inside and had the darshan of Lord Shiva. On the way back, Appar asked Sambandhar to sing a hymn so that the doors could be opened and closed forever. When Sambandhar sang hymn and doors closed indicating the greatness of the place and the Shaiva saints. Since the voice of Ambika was sweeter than Saraswati, Ambika got the name Yaazhai Pazhiththa Mohiyal. Hence Goddess Saraswati is a Tapaswini without Veena at this place but has the sacred scriptures in her hand.

Goddess Durga is a parivar devata. She is in a koshta facing the south. She is considered a guardian deity. She is in a standing position with an ugly face. This is one of the 64 shakti peeth known as Sundari Peetham. There are seventy three idols i.e. 63 Nayanmars and 10 Thyagaraja. The Sage Paranjyoti who (wrote, sang Thiruvilayadal puran) belongs to this place.

On the Shami tree, the raw fruits are long and thorny on one side and round without thorns on the other end.

Those who worshiped at this place: Manu, Mandhata, Dashrath, Shriram, Pandavas, Mahabali, Four Vedas.

According to puran, Lord Shriram is believed to have visited here as an atonement for killing Ravana (due to Brahmahatya dosha). The footprints of Lord Shriram are preserved in a nearby place known as Ramarpadam.

A rat had climbed to drink a ghee from a lamp. In the process, the wick got disturbed and the lamp began to burn brightly. This act was appreciated by Lord Shiva and he made the rat to be born as Chakravarti Mavali.

Prayer: The eastern side of the temple is known as Adi Setu. Bathing at this area once is equivalent to taking a bath in Rameshwaram 100 times.

Festivals:

Masi Magam (May-June) - 29 days of Brahmotsavam. The temple doors are opened. Lord Shiva goes to the sea on Magha nakshatra. Procession of 63 Nayanmars and 10 other devas is taken out. The procession of Lord Shiva is taken in Kailash Vahan.
Aadi (July-August) 10 day Adi Puram festival dedicated to Ambal
Avani (Aug-Sept) Ganesh Chaturthi
Aippasi (Oct-Nov) Skanda Shashthi
Pradosha puja on every pradosha day

Special puja on Diwali, Sankranti, Tamil and Sanskrit new year days.

The temple has six rituals daily from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Weekly rituals are held on Mondays and Fridays. Monthly rituals (new moon day, full moon day). During the full moon day of Adi and Thai people have a holy dip in the sea.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Vaimoornadar Temple at Thiruvaimoor

This Shiva temple is fifth in Sapta Vidanga temples. Thiruvaimoor is about 20 km from Nagapattinam on Thiruthurooaipoondi route. This Vidangar is known as Neelavidangar and dance performed is known as Kamalanatanam (dance like a lotus that moves in a breeze).

Mulavar: Vaimoornadar

Devi: Kshiropavasini, Paalinum Mohiziyal

Kshetra Vruksha: Jackfruit

Sacred Tirtha: Surya Teertha, Indra Teertha, Prachanda Marut Teertha, Harishchandra Nadi

Puranik Name: Thiruthen Thiruvaimoor

Present Name: Thiruvaimoor

District: Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

The temple is about 2000 years old. It is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam on southern bank of Kaveri. Shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. Appar and Sundarar have sung sacred hymns (padigam). The temple is spread over 2 acres. The east facing temple has 3 tiered rajagopuram with 2 parikramas. The original temple was of brick and mortar. Later it was reconstructed by Vikram Chola.

There are several stone inscriptions denoting the repair work and grants made by chola king.

The Thyagaraja is called as Neelavidangar and is very small in size. The temple is also comparatively very small. The Lord has three shrines in the complex namely Thyagaraja shrine, Vaimoornadar shrine and Vedaranyeshwarar shrine. The last two are small sand shiva lingas. And covered by kavach. Vedaranyeshwarar blessed shaiva saint Appar at this place. When Appar enquired with Lord Vinayaka about Lord Shiva (Lord Vinayaka’s father), he pointed to the place where he was. So Lord Ganesha is known as Kai (hand) kattiya (show) Vinayaka. In this shrine, the idol is pointing his finger towards Lord Shiva.

Three Shiva lingas facing east are next to each other in Thyagaraja sabha.

Other shrines and idols:

Shrine of Ambika is in the outer Parikrama. She is known as Kshiravachana Nayaki and she is blueish in color. At present this temple is famous as Bhairavar temple. Viral (finger) Kattiya (showed) Vinayaka is in the inner parikrama. The Rishabh Dakshinamurti is in the outer parikrama. There are separate shrines of Ashta Bhairava, Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga. The shrine of Paalinum Mohiziyal is facing the south. The Navagrahas are housed in a separate shrine and are in a straight line. Koshta murtis are Bhairava, Nalavar, Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivayani, Mahalakshmi, Lord Dakshinamurti. There is an idol of Shaiva saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar.

The idol of Nataraja is very beautiful. The sacred teertha are in the west and Marut teertha is on the front side of the temple.

When shaiva saint Appar was staying in Vedaranyam, Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and directed him to visit this temple. Appar followed the instruction and came to the temple. When he reached the temple, he could not find the shiva linga. Lord Ganapati showed him the exact place inside the temple where the shiva linga was. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha pointing his trunk towards the shiva linga. Sambandhar who followed Appar also had the darshan of Lord Shiva like Appar at this place. It is believed that Surya worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. The ray of the Sun fall on the Shiva Linga and the Devi on the twelfth and thirteenth day of panguni. The place is known as Leela Rahasyapuram in Sanskrit. In this temple, it is believed that Sambandhar got to see the divine dance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Brahma and other devas who were afraid of Tarakasur came as birds to this place and they took bath in the Prachanda Marut Tirtha. To ward off their sins they worshiped Lord Shiva at this place.

Festivals:

Masi (Feb-Mar) Mahashivaratri
Margazhi (Dec-Jan) Thiruvadharai
Special puja for Bhairav on Ashtami
Aippasi (Oct-Nov) Special puja for Thyagaraja on the first day of
Vaikasi (May-June) Eighteen day Vasantotsav

People pray for knowledge, prosperity and removal of obstacles in marriage.

Courtesy: Following sites https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Arulmigu Thyagarajar Kovil at Thiruvarur

This temple is also known as Thyagaraja temple.

The temple is situated at Thiruvarur in Tamilnadu. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam. This is also one of the Saptha Vidanga sthalam. Thiruvarur is about 70 kms from Tanjavur and 42 kms from Kumbhakonam. Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikvachagar have sung glory of the lord of this temple. The temple is located on the southern bank of river Kaveri. The temple is about 2000 years old.

Mulavar: Thyagarajar, Vanmikanadar

Goddess: Kamalambika, Neelotpalambal

Sacred tirtha: Kamalaalayam, Shankha Teertha, Gaya Teertha, Vani Teertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Padri Tree (Trumpet Flower Tree)

Historic or puranic name: Aroor (Arur).

Earlier this place was also known as Kshetravarapuram, Devayagapuram, Mukundapuram etc

The name of the vidanga is Veedhividangar which is ShivaLinga. The dance performed during the festival (by Shiva) is AjapaNatanam (dance without chanting, a-japa, resembling the dance of Thyagaraja resting on Lord Vishnu’s chest)

This place represents the Muladhara chakra and hence this place also known as Muladharasthalam.

The present structure was built by the Chola kings in the ninth century and later on, additions were done by Vijayanagar kings in the thirteenth century. The temple is revered from the olden days for dance and music festivals.

The temple is spread over 30 acres. It has four gopurams and four entrances. The eastern entrance gopuram is 118 feet high and it is four tiered. In this complex, we have a large number of small shrines. The most prominent shrine is that of Thyagaraja (Veedhividangar) and Neelotpalambal. The main deity is Vanmikanadar (Lord Shiva). Totally, there are nine gopurams inside the complex and five parikramas. Lord Shiva (Vanmikanadar) is an ancient structure on an anthill. In this temple, all Navagrahas are in a straight line facing south in the northwest corner of the first parikrama. There are thirteen mandapas and 365 shivalingas representing the days of the year and about 100 shrines, 8 Ganesha idols. The major shrines are Neelotpal Ambal, Asaleshwarar, Adageshwarar, Kamalambal and Annamaleshwarar. The foot of Lord Thyagaraja is always kept covered with flowers. The left leg is kept uncovered on the day of uttara nakshatra in the month of Panguni Uttaram and on the night of Thiruvathurai. People can have darshan of Lord’s feet in Vilamal which is 3 kilometers from this place. Here in this temple we find Nandi in a standing position. There are a large number of pillars which have stone carvings and the walls are covered by sculptures.

The Kamalalayam temple tank is the largest temple tank in the country and panel of Sapta Matrika is nearby. In this temple, there are separate shrines of Veedhividangar, Vinayaka and Achaleshwarar.

We have the shrines of Kamalambal, Neelotpalambal, Rudra Durga, Runavimochan, Lord Dakshinamurti, Annamaleshwarar and Vottu-Thyagareshwrar temple where Thyagaraja is worshiped. Shrines of Anandeshwarar, Siddheshwarar, are also present. In the parikrama, we come across lingas worshiped by Lord Indra, Cheranatha, Pandyanatha, Adikeshwarar, Pulastya Rishi, Lankeshwara. We have the linga of Bhaskareshwarar, Vishwanatheshwarar, Padaleshwar shrines. At the entrance to the Rajagopuram we have the shrine of Lord Anjaneya. It is believed that by worshiping him at this place people can get back the kings lost by them.

In Devi shrine’s inner parikrama, we have shrines of Lord Dharmashasta and Lord Vinayaka. There is a canal near the temple. Generally in the temple facing the east, the procession begins from east entrance but in this temple it begins from North East entrance. Lord Dakshinamurti in the Devi’s shrine is seen with six disciples instead of usual four. Devi Neelotpalambal is in a separate shrine where a maid holds an infant Lord Muruga in her hands. Goddess Saraswati is with a Abhaya Mudra without Veena. And she is believed to be doing penance at this place. There is an idol of Lord Hayagriva performing Shiva Puja. Akashbhairav is the custodian deity and is found in the Gopuram of Kamalambika shrine. Lord Bhairava is addressed here as Siddhi Bhairava. On the right side of Sanctum Sanctorum of Kamalambika, we have Kamalamuni Siddhar Peetham. On the corridor of Lord Shiva’s shrine we have a tall idol of Lord Surya. The shrines that are found in this temple are 1. Ganapati, 2. Adikeshwarar, 3. Chandikeshwar, 4. Durga, 5. Kamalambal, 6. Achaleshwarar, 7. Thyagaraja, 8. Vanmikanadar, 9. Chariot and stone carvings. In short, we observe that it will take one full day to go through this temple completely.

Special features in this temple:

In Lord Shiva sanctum sanctorum, we have Thyagaraja who is the king of all devas. The temple is also the greatest of all temples as well as one of the oldest. It is believed that even you go to Thirunallar for relief from Shanideva, you have to go to Thiruvarur for complete relief. According to the purana, there was a king named Sadayagupta. He got affected by Shanidosha and he fought with Navagrahas. The Navagrahas, out of fear, complained to Lord Shiva at this place and sought his refuge. Lord Shiva saved them from the attack. Hence the Navagrahas stand in a line at this place facing Lord Shiva. We have an idol of Lord Ganesha in the Navagraha shrine. It is believed that he keeps watch over the Navagrahas so that the Navagrahas do not trouble devotees of Lord Shiva.

There are four famous Vinayaka shrines (out of 84) in this place. In Devi’s parikrama we have 1. Nadukkam Vinayaka, 2. near west Gopuram we have Matru-Uraitha Vinayaka. He checked the purity of gold given to Sundarar by Lord Shiva. 3. Muladhar Ganapati is in the first corridor of Lord Shiva shrine. Here he is in the middle of a coiled five headed serpent performing narthana (yoga) form, 4. Vatapi Ganapati revered by Muttuswamy Dikshitar.

In the Ashta Durga shrine, Muttuswamy Dikshitar has sung hymn on Mahalakshmi and Ashta Durga. In the northwest corridor, we have a stone chariot. It is believed that if Lord Indra wants to get back vidanga, he stands on the east entrance. Hence the procession of Vidanga avoids eastern entrance. King Muchukunda had installed original vidanga he got from Indra at Thiruvarur. Indra decided to get Vidanga back and he stood at the eastern entrance to pick up the vidanga when it brought out in procession. Hence people take out vidanga’s procession in Ishanya (south east) disha. So most of the people avoid eastern entrance.

Devi Kamalambika resides in this place as mentioned in Lalitasahasranaam. Hence the sacred teertha is known as Kamalalayam. It is believed that bathing in this teertha during Panguni Uttaram one gets benefit of bathing 12 times in Mahamagha tank at Kumbhakonam during Mahamagha festival. There is a shrine of Nagadevata in the middle of this tank. People worship here for eradication of Naga Dosha. At this place, pradosha puja is held daily between 4.30 and 6.30 in the evening and is known as Nitya pradosha puja. It is believed that all 33 crores of devas come for darshan during this pradosha puja.

Kamalambika wears a crescent moon like Lord Shiva in her shrine. She has a flower in her right hand and left hand on the waist sitting in yogasana and appears like a queen. This temple is considered to be older than any other temple. The chariot of the temple is the largest in Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva has performed 364 miracles at this place. It is stated that those who are born in Thiruvarur attain mukti and hence Lord Yama has no work here. So he plays a role of Chandikeshwar at this place. Behind sanctum sanctorum, there is believed to be a secret known as daiva rahasya.

Kshetra Purana:

Once there was an argument in Devaloka about the greatness of a person or deva in delivering justice. At that time Sage Narada, king of calamity, stated that the Chola king Manuneedhi Cholan was the greatest in all three lokas. In order to test him, Lord Yama took the form of a cow and went to Thiruvarur with a calf which was the kingdom of Manuneedhi. Yama enacted a scene in which the prince accidentally kills the calf by driving his chariot over it. The calf reached the court of the king seeking justice for killing the calf. In order to have same sort of suffering as that of the cow, in losing its calf, the king drove the chariot over his son and killed him in order to experience the same suffering as that of cow which he considered as the only justice that can be done. Yama blessed the king after manifesting in true form. And accepted the king to be the greatest in delivering the justice.

About festivals and puja:

Nitya puja is performed between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm. There is no daily abhishek for Thyagaraja. Abhishek of the small Shiva Linga worshiped by Lord Indra is done at 8.30 am and 7 pm after that it is placed in a small silver casket amongst the flower. This casket is always kept to the right of Thyagaraja. This is a shakti peeth known as Kamala Shakti Peeth.

Festivals:

10 day Panguni Uttaram festival. Flag hoisting on hasta nakshatra in the month of Maasi. Car festival on the tenth day signifying darshan of Lord Shiva to Sage Vyaghrapada.
Arudra utsav - Lord's legs can be seen on that day
Vasant utsav - this festival was performed originally by Manmada and Rati for Lord Thyagaraja in the month of Panguni for their reunion.
Thiruvaduthurai festival in the month of Margashirsha (Dec-Jan)
Adi puram festival for 10 days - This festival is held for the Utsav Murti of Devi.
Masi Magam festival
Chariot festival in April-May

Puja is performed during Diwali, Pongal, Makara Sankrant, Tamil and English new year

Besides this, pujas are performed 6 times a day. The chariot is the largest and is about 90 feet in height. It is the second largest in Asia.

Prayers:

People perform Rahu Kaal Durga puja for obtaining boons. People pray to Lord Vanmikanadar for various boons on Purattasi Navami Tithi. People worship with milk and rice for eradicating enmity. At this place, people pray Thyagaraja for marriage, child boon, upliftment in education and for wealth. People worship the Nandi behind the Vanmikanadar for rain.

Courtesy: Following sites

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Sunday, October 13, 2024

https://www.teamgsquare.com blog back up ( Karnatak State ) part 2

श्री उन्नथपुरीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री मत्स्यपुरीश्वरर कोविल

श्री आलनथुराईनाथर मंदिर

श्री आलनथुराईनाथर मंदिर

श्री चंद्रमौळीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री पशुपतीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री जंबुकेश्वरर मंदिर

श्री कीर्तिवागीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री हरिमुक्तीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री चक्रवागीश्वरर मंदिर

श्री पार्वती देवीने नवरात्रीमध्ये पूजा केलेली मंदिरे

Shri Mayurnadar temple at Mayiladuthurai

Saptasthana Shiva temples of Mayiladuthurai

Shri Amravaneshwarar at Thirumanthurai

Shri Prananatheshwarar at Thirumangalakudi

Shri Apatsahayar Temple at Aduthurai

Shri Masilamaneshwarar at Thiruvaduthurai

ज्योतिर्लिंग - प्रस्तावना

Shri Vandarkuzhali samedh Shri Vataaranyeshwarar Temple

श्री थिरुनागनाथस्वामी मंदिर - केतू ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri Thirukotishwarar Temple at Thirukodikkaval

श्री थिरुनागेश्वरम - राहू ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri Agneeshwarar Temple at Kanjanur

श्री दर्भारण्येश्वरर मंदिर थिरुनळ्ळारू, शनि ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Saptasthana tempels of Kanjanur

श्री थिरुअग्नीश्वरर - कंजनूर - शुक्र ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri Alanthurai Nathar Temple

री थिरुआपत्सहायेश्वरर - आलंगुडी - श्री गुरु ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri ChandraMoulishwarar Temple

श्री श्वेतारण्येश्वरर मंदिर - थिरुवेंकाडू - बुध ग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri Pasupathishwarar Temple

श्री थिरुवैद्यनादर कोविल - मंगळ ग्रहाचे मंदिर

मंदिरापर्यंत पोचण्याचा मार्ग:

क्षेत्र पुराण:

मंगळ ग्रह मंदिराचा इतिहास:

श्री कैलासनादर थिंगळूर - चंद्रग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri KeertiVageeshwarar Temple

Shri Jambukeshwarar Temple

श्री सूर्यनार कोविल - सूर्यग्रहाचे मंदिर

Shri HariMukteeswarar temple

दक्षिण भारतातील नवग्रह स्थाने

Shri Chakravageeshwarar temple

शिव मंदिरांचे प्रसिद्ध समूह

Saptasthana Temples around Chakrapalli

Shri Neiyadiappar Temple at Thillaisthanam

तामिळ महिने आणि त्यातील काही प्रमुख सण

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १२

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ११

Shri Bramhashirkandishwarar temple at Thirukandiyur

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १०

Shri Puvananathar Temple at Thiruppoonthuruthi

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ९

Shri Vedapureeshwarar Temple at Thiruvedikudi

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ८

Shri Odhanavaneshwarar Temple at Thiruchotruthurai

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ७

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ६

Shri Apathsahayar temple at Thirupazhanam

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ५

Shri Aiyar-appar temple at Thiruvaiyar

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ४

Saptasthanam Temples around Thiruvaiyarur

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग ३

Saptasthanam Shiva temples in TamilNadu

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग २

Shri Airawateshwarar Temple at Darasuram

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या इतर मुर्त्या - भाग १

श्री शिव मंदिरातल्या मुख्य मुर्त्या

Shri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple at Swami Malai

श्री शिव मंदिरामधे दर्शन घेण्याची पद्धत

Shri Sundareshwar Temple at Koranattukarupur

श्री शिव मंदिरातील मुख्य विभाग

Shri Nageshwara Swamy Temple at Thirunageshwaram

मंदिरांचं दर्शन घेण्याचं महत्व

Shri Mahalingeshwarar Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur

शैव संप्रदाय - शिव मंदिरांचा उगम

Pancha-krosha-sthala around Kumbhakonam

Shri Kashivishwanathar temple in Kumbhakonam