188. DHARASURAM

AIRAVADHAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Airavadhaeswarar

Amman: Deivanayaki

Speciality:

This temple was built by Rajaraja Chola II. In his days the place was called as Rajarajaeswaram. 

The famous poet Ottakoothar who was the court poet of the King Rajaraja II has referred about this temple in his poem Thakka Yaaga Bharani.

There is an idol which denotes Brahma, Vshnu, Shiva and Parashakthi together. This Shilpa has 3 heads and a womenly structure on the left part of the idol. 

The Nandhi and Palipeetam of the temple have been carved in the Chola Style.

There is a Rajagambeera Mahamandapam in the temple. The pillars walls and the roofs are full of sculptures. We can find Vinayaka in many dancing posture here. There are deities like Adhikara Nandhi, Annapoorani in this Mandapam. 

When we go inside to worship the main shrine Lord Shiva we can find Karthigeyan and Bhogashakthi Amman just outside the main shrine.

The temple has been constructed in the form of a Chariot. The Chariot wheels and the horses are also made of stone. 

There is a special Sarabaeswarar Sannidhi in this temple. Similar to this Sarabaeswarar there are 2 Sarabha Murthys in the temples of Thiribhuvanam and Thukkachi also.

Some of the Idols have been taken and placed in Thanjavur Museum. 

Deivanayaki Amman Sannidhi is found to the North of the temple. 

Ultimately the temple is full of Rare sculptures.

History:

Sage Dhurvasa cursed Airavadham the white elephant of Indhiran. It lost its white colour. This Airavadham came to this temple worshipped Lord Shiva and regained its original colour. We can see the idol of Indhiran sitting on the Airavadham in the temple. 

An Asura named Dharasura performed penance towards Lord Shiva and obtained many boons. He grew proud and insulted the Devas. He utilised the boons in an evil way. Finally Lord Shiva killed the Asura in this place and therefore this place came to be known as Dharasuram. 

Once Yaman was attacked by Leprosy due to the curse of Sages. He worshipped Shiva in many places. Finally he came to this place and worshipped Lord Shiva. He bathed in the temple pond and when he came out of the pond he was relieved from Leprosy. So the temple pond of this temple is considered very holy as the Dharasura Vadham and the Yama Saaba Vimochanam took place here. This pond is near the temple. 

In ancient days the temple had 7 Praharas. Due to invasions the temple has lost some praharas and now there is only 1 Prahara. 

187. KONDAPURAM

PANCHALINGAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Panchalingaeswarar (5 lingas)

Amman: Kamakshi, Kamakshi

Speciality:

The temple faces north.

Appu Linga - This is the first Linga which holds the Amsam of Vaamadheva. Near this Sannidhi are the Sannidhis of Natarajar and Kamakshi. This is a special Sannidhi for the Rasis Meenam, Kadagam and Viruchigam.

Vaayu Linga - This is the second Linga which holds the Amsam of Thathpurusham. This is a special sannidhi for Rasis such as Midhunam, Thulam and Kumbam.

Agni Linga - This is the third Linga which holds the Amsam of Agoram. This is a special Sannidhi for Rasis such as Mesham, Simham and Dhanusu.

Prithvi Linga - This is the fourth Linga which holds the Amsam of Sathyojadham. This is a special Sannidhi for Rasis such as Virushabham, Kanni and Magaram.

Aahaya Linga - This is the fifth and the Pradhana Moolavar of the temple. It holds the Amsam of Eesanam. People of All Rasis worship this Linga and get blessings from the Lord. 

These 5 Lingas were worshipped by the Pancha bhoothas.

Nakshatra Dheepa worship is very special in this temple.

The special feature of this temple is that only in this temple there Lingas for 12 Rasis as 3 Rasis per Linga. 

There are 2 Dhakshinamurthies and therefore this temple is also a Guru Sthalam.

There are 2 Ammans both are Named as Kaamakshi.

The temple was damaged to a great extent in the past. The Kanchi Mahaperiyavar visited here and told the villagers about the speciality of the temple and took steps for renovation of the temple. Now the temple has been built and maintained well. 

History:

Once Amman found that Dharma has decreased in the world and the world was full of unwanted thoughts and actions leading to Adharma. People suffered intensely. So, in order to go to Bhoologa, She started her mischief. She closed the eyes of Lord Shiva. The whole universe became dark. She , too, turned dark in colour. Lord Shiva sent her to the earth and perform penance in order regain her colour and get rid of her worries. 

Amman was born as a baby in Bhadhrigasramam. She was brought up by Sage kathyayana. She was named Kathyayani. When she grew up the Sage gave her certain things. He told her to go to Kaasi and then go to the south. He told her that when she reaches a certain place the things which he gave would show some changes there Shiva would bless her. She started her travel and reached kaasi. At Kaasi she blessed everyone in the form of Annapoorani. Later She came to the south. When she reached Mangaadu She performed penance on a Needle amidst Panchagni. She reached Kanchipuram and there she found the things she had brought change. The Tiger Skin transformed into a Soma Vrutham, pot into Pot dheepam, Rudhraksha into Vilvamaala, Umbrella into Nagaabaranam, Yogathandam into Trisoolam and Sand into Shiva Linga. Amman performed pooja here and obtained Shiva Dharshan but the reason for her earth's visit and sufferings had not come to an end. Lord Shiva told her to go to Thagadoor, now called Dharmapuri where Rama was waiting to worship them after Killing Ravana. On her way she found this place holy. She stayed here for some time. She felt that the reason for people sufferings and problems were due to the Pancha Bhoothas who were each acting in their own way. In order to control them She installed 5 Lingas with the blessings of Lord Shiva. She worshipped and requested lord Shiva to bless and control the 5 elements so that they would shower only good effects on the world. The Lord agreed and graces here as Panchalingaeswarar. 

186. VADAILUPPAI

MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 16kms from Kanchipuram towards Arcot

Shiva: Marundheeswarar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Speciality:

Vadailuppai is also called as Madhooga Kshetram.

Saints such as Arunagirinadhar, Thapovanam Gnananandha Swamigal and Poondi Mahan has worshipped this temple.

The Pancha Koshta deities and all deities pertaining to Shiva temple are found here.

The Swarna Akarshana Bhairavar Sannidhi is newly added.

When this temple was highly damaged Kanchi Paramacharyar took steps for the renovation of the temple. Now the temple is maintained well.

There is a Kumaraswami Dheekshidar Brindavanam near the temple. Kumaraswami Dheekshidar was highly respected by Kanchi Paramacharya.

People come and worship here and get relieved from many diseases.

185. PULLAMBAADI

CHIDAMBARAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Chidambaraeswarar

Amman: Sivakami

Sthala Viruksham: Vanni, Vilva

Speciality:

This temple was built by Kulothunga Chola I in the year 1080AD. 

According to the inscriptions this place was referred as Kaanakiliyur Naattu Pullanpaadi and the temple name as Madhurantakaeaswaram. Madurantakan was the title given to King Rajendhra Chola I. His Grand Son Kulothunga Chola I built this temple in exquisite Chola style.

The Rajagopuram of this temple is 5 tired facing east. In the northern and southern directions there are 3 tired Gopurams also. 

Inside the Rajagopuram we find the Nandhi and the Flag staff.

In the Mahamandapam we find the Utsavars in Large Numbers on the left side.

In the Vidhanam of the Mahamandapam there are carvings of the 12 Raasi and Shree Chakram such that people could stand under this and worship Chidambaraeswarar and Sivakami and the Rasi and Shree Chakram by standing in the same place. 

Apart from the PanchaKoshta deities there are Sannidhis for Surya, Chandra, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Jyeshta devi, Naalvar, Meiporulnayanar, Vinayaka, Valli Deivanai Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi and Navagrahas.

The Guradian deity of the village is Kuluthal Amman. This sannidhi is inside this temple.

All the rituals regarding to both the temple are performed here.

The temple is big and maintained well.

184. ECHOOR

VISWANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 

Shiva: Viswanadhar

Speciality:

Devotees used to go to Kasi in early days. A devotee who had visited Kaasi built this temple in his village for people who could not go to Kasi so that they could get the benefits here by worshipping Kasi Viswanadhar. This temple was built before 1500 years. A few years back a boy of this village had a dream that something was  present in a bush. His parents ignored his dream. This incident appeared repeatedly in his dream and he insisted his parents to find the truth. They along with the villagers took steps to clear the bush and found something popping out. They dug the place and found a Shiva Linga there. They constructed a small tent and started worshipping Shiva named Kasi Viswanadhar here. Now a temple has been built with the Koshta deities and poojas are performed here. 

183. SIVAPURAM

RAJARAJAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 5kms from Perambakkam and 25kms from Thiruvallur

Shiva: Rajarajaeswarar

Speciality:

The construction was started by Rajaraja Chola I.

The temple construction was completed by the Son of Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendhra Chola I.

This place was named as Shri Rajarajaeswaram and now called as Sivapuram.

The water of the River Coovam was distributed to the villages near by by building a dam and Sivapuram was one of the villages benefited by this. The Village Coovam earlier called Madhurantaka Nallur and Shriperumbhudhur earlier called Parantaka Cheri were also benefited as canals were dug and the water was distributed through these canals. This detail is obtained from the inscriptions found in the Rajarajaeswarar temple.

From inscriptions we come to know that gift of Land was given to this temple during the period of Rajaraja Chola I for feeding Shiva devotees.

The gold and wealth which were donated to this temple were used for the benefit of the people of the village.

All types of people who served the Kingdom and the people were benefitted by the enormous donations given to the temple.

This temple is built of stone.

The walls of the temple are full of inscriptions.

The Pancha Koshta deities are found in the temple.

The Eka Thala Vimanam of the temple contains Boodha Ganasa and Elephants.

The deities have been carved exquisitely.

There are Garpagriha, Asthiranam, Arthamandapam and Mukamandapam in this temple.

The Dwarapalakas of the temple depict the wonderful sculptural art of the Cholas.

182. MADAVILAGAM

THIRUKAMAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Thirukamaeswarar

Amman: Kokilambaal

Speciality:

The name of the Vinayaka of this temple is Surya Vinayaka.

Lord Shiva has provided Dharshan to Sage Vyakrapadhar. His statue is found in this temple.

This is one of the temples where Sage Vyakrapadhar has worshipped Shiva using Vilva leaves.

This temple is more than 1000 years old.

No rituals were celebrated here for a number of years as the kalasam was stolen but later it had been found in a lake near the village. Even now functions are not celebrated. Only daily poojas are being conducted in a very simple manner.

Shri Devi Bhudevi Kariyamanikka Perumal Sannidhi is found in the temple and this temple is thereby a Shiva Vishnu temple.

181. TRICHY

NAGANADHAR TEMPLE

Shiva: Naganadhar

Amman: Aanandhavalli

Theertham: Sivagangai Theertham

Speciality:

This temple is located near the Chathiram Bus Stand of Trichy

There is a big Nandhi temple beside this temple.

Shiva faces east and Amman faces south.

This temple relieves the devotees from Nagadhoshas.

Amman holds Maala and Padhmam in her upper hands and shows Abhaya Varadha Mudhra in her lower hands.

Dhakshinamurthy is under the stone banyan tree. Rahu and Kedhu in the form of snakes are seen near the feet of Dhakshinamurthy.

The Utsavar Amman Mattuvarkuzhali of the big temple is brought here on the 6th day of the Chithirai Thiruvizha.

It is believed that she performs penance here. 

The Chariot celebrations are done in Masi Maham. 

The Thayumanavar of the big temple is brought here on Vijaya Dhasami day and it is believed that he drops a golden arrow here and returns back. All the Koshta deities are present in the temple.