SHIVA TEMPLES: 2018

199. ARANVOYAL

THIRUTHALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 12kms from Thiruvallur

Shiva: Thiruthaleeswarar

Amman: Maragadhambigai

Speciality:

Situated in the southern banks of Coovam.

More than 1200 years old.

Built by Nandhi Varma Pallava II.

The temple faces south.

There is no Rajagopuram.

Thiruthaleeswarar faces eastern direction and Maragadhambigai faces south.

The Vimanam is in the Gajaprishta Style.

The inscriptions on the temple walls Shed light on ancient tamil culture.

Apart from the normal deities there are sannidhis for Somaskandhar, Manikkavasagar and Sage Patanjali.

This temple has great reputation for dissolving Naaga Dhoshas.

There are Kailasanadhar, Chandrasekarar and Kasi Viswanadhar Lingas which has been brought from nearby places such as Koppoor.

There is an image of Vishnu in the nearby fields.

History:

Lord Shiva danced with Kaali in Thiruvaalangaadu. While he was dancing the tail of the serpent which he was wearing as an Aabaran (jewel) fell in this place. Therefore this place was called Ara vaal and later changed to Aranvoyal. This temple has been mentioned in Thirupaasoor Sthala Puranam.

198. PERIYAPALAYAM

AIMUKTHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 25kms from Redhills, 40kms from Chennai and 3kms from Thiruvallur.

Shiva: Aimuktheeswarar

Amman: Annapurani, Annapoornambigai

Speciality:

The Shiva Linga Aimuktheeswarar faces west towards the Arani river.

This Linga was installed by Sage Valmiki.

Lord Indhra worshipped here and got relieved from his curse.

The Pancha Bhoothas worshipped here and attained Mukthi. Therefore Shiva was called Aimuktheeswarar. (Ai meaning five).

Amman Annapurani faces west.

There is a Linga near the Amman.

This temple was built by the Pallavas.

The Pancha Bhoothas are said to worship everyday.

There are Sannidhis for Veerabhadrar, Varasidhdhi Vinayaka, Hanuman, Valmiki and Shri Devi Bhudhevi with Vekadesa Shrinivasa Perumal here.

History:

Sage Valmiki stayed here and performed penance. Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. He wanted Shiva to stay here for people's worship. Lord Shiva agreed. Sage Valmiki installed the Suuyambhu Linga which he worshipped in this place. This place was called Valmiki Ashramam.

The Pancha Bhoothas (Land, Fire, Air, Water and Sky) went to worship Shiva to the Kailash. Nandhikeswarar stopped them and told them that it was not an auspicious time for their worship. They disrespected Nandhi thinking that they were more powerful and entered to worship Shiva. Lord Shiva was in penance. They did not realise that they were disturbing the Lord. Lord Shiva opened his eyes. He said that they had come together in an inauspicious time and Nandhi was outside to fix the time and since they had not respected the words of Nandhi they were cursed to be born as Monkeys in the world. Since they did not attend their own jobs the world was full of darkness and they had to accept the curse as they have committed this mistake. They realised their mistake and sought for relief shortly. After Shiva calmed down he said that Brahmaranya River flowed as Uthiravahini in Bhuloga and Sage Valmiki has installed a Linga there. If all the 5 monkeys could reach there together and worship the Linga they would attain Shapa Vimochana (relief from curse). The 5 monkeys travelled to many places in the earth and identified this place. They worshipped here as instructed by Lord Shiva and got relieved from the curse. The sculpture of this story is inside the temple. In the Baana of AImuktheeswarar the impression of 5 monkeys could be seen.

King Chitravarman was a devotee of Sage Valmiki. He ruled a country called Kamarupa. He was a devotional King.Once there was no rain in the country and his country lost fertility. The people of the country were suffering from drought. He worshiped this temple daily. Amman came in the form of Mohini and supplied food to the people of his Land. The Land became fertile and people were relieved from drought and Hunger. This King built the temple as a sign of gratitude. This story sculpture can be seen at the entrance. There Amman was therefore known as Annapooranambigai.

197. SIVAPURAM

RAJARAJA ESWARA MUDAIYA MAHADEVAR TEMPLE

Distance: 22kms from Thiruvallur, 10kms from Thakkolam and 22kms from Arakkonam.

Shiva: Rajarajaeswaramudaiyamahadevar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Speciality:

It is a stone temple of Chola period.

Built by Rajaraja Chola in 10th Century.

The name of the place was then called Oragadam.

There is another name called Theerthabaleeswarar for Shiva.

There is Nandhi and Palipeetam but no Gopuram or Kodimaram.

This temple predates the Thanjavur Brahadheeswarar temple.

The bronze idol of this temple such as Abhimaana Meru Vidangan, Uma Deviyar and Aadavallan are missing.

There are many inscriptions in the temple.

Some inscriptions tell us about the kinds of patronage received as donations to the temple.

The Channel leading to a lake has been made tax free and given to the temple.

Inscriptions of Rajendhra Chola has recorded the donations of Gold ornaments to the temple.

Another inscriptions record about the rituals conducted in the temple.

There was a special ritual called Aadhithya Vaara Perumbali which was conducted on Sundays.

A Large number of people attended this function in the Chola period.

196. MULLANDIRAM SHIVA TEMPLES

Distance: 17kms from Arcot and 17kms from Arani

Shiva: Thanthondreeswarar, Parasurameswarar, Renukeswarar, Mareeswarar and Vaayulingeswarar

Mullandirum is a Pancha Bhootha Sthala. All the 5 Natural elements have worshipped here. 4 Temples are in Mullandiram and 1 worshipped by Vaayu is in K K Thoppu - 1km from here.

Thanthondreeswarar - Sky (Aahaya)
Mareeswarar - Water (Jala)
Renukeswarar - Land (Bhumi)
Parasurameswarar - Fire (Agni)

Thanthondreeswarar is a Suyambhu Murthy therefore the Shiva is also known as Suyambhunadhar. This temple was worshipped by Parasuramar during his penance. First Parasuramar could not find a Shiva temple here so he created a Linga for his worship. To Perform Abhishekam for the Linga he selected a place to create a pond. He started digging the pond with his axe. He found a Linga submerged in the soil. He brought the Linga out and placed the Linga near the Linga he created. He worshipped both the Shiva Lingas. His mother Renuka also accompanied him here. She too installed a Linga in another part of the Village. This Linga is now placed in Thanthondreeswarar temple.
Later this place was cursed. There was no rain in the village. People worshipped Suyambhunadhar for rain. After a few days a Sage arrived to the Village. He informed the people of the village that there is a curse to the village and to get relieved from this curse the people have to find a Linga which is kept submerged in the pond. This Linga was worshipped by Varuna. Only after the Linga is brought out of the pond and arranged for worship the Village will be blessed with rain. The people of the Village brought out the Linga from the pond and named it as Mareeswarar (Maari - rain) and built a small temple for the deity. Later due to invasions the temples had been damaged and the Parasurameswarar, Renukeswarar and Mareeswarar are placed inside the Thanthondreeswarar temple. Since Parasuramar used his axe and created the pond the name of the Theertham is Parasu Theertham and the Place is called Mullandiram (Mulla - Axe).

PARASURAMESWARAR

THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE

RENUKESWARAR AND MAREESWARAR

When Arunagirinadhar visited this place he had the Dharshan of all Lingas and the Shiva temple of Kekiya Thoppu. He installed a Linga and it was called by his name as Arunagireeswarar. This Linga is now placed in the Vinayaka temple of this village.

COLLECTIONS

42. KOZHUMANIVAAKKAM

43. MAEL MA NAGAR

44. MAEPPOOR

45. THERKU MALAYAMBAAKKAM

48. NEERVALLOOR

49. SIRU MAANGAADU

50. THIRUVENKAARANAI

43. KOVOOR

48. PATTARAIVAKKAM

58. AYAPPAAKKAM

64. POONDHAMALLI

54. KOLLACHCHAERY

67. MAANGAADU

68. CHEYYAR SHIVA TEMPLES

There are many villages around Cheyyar where we find Shiva in temples, in broken temples and in open land. Most of the temples are not common and familiar. it is better to reach Cheyyar with the list of villages and enquire about the exact locations so that we can take a visit in an order.

1. NAMBAEDU

2. AZHIVIDAITHAANGI

3. ARIYUR

4. VILANALLOOR

Itis located at a distance of 13 kms from Cheyyar.

5. PERUNGALATHTHOOR

6. AZHIVIDAITHAANGI

7. THENPOONDIPATTU

8. PULIYARAMBAAKKAM

9. PERANAMALLOOR

10. VALAVANOOR

11. MAMANDOOR

12. KUTHANOOR

13. BHOODERI PULLAVAAKKAM

It is located at a distance of 11 kms

14. HASANAMPET

It is located at a distance of 12 kms.

15. THENNAMPATTU

16. MAECHCHERI

17. AAVANIYAPURAM

18. PALLAMULLUVAADI

19. MADHURAVAYALOOR

20. ALLALACHCHAERI

21. SENKATTAN KUNDIL

It is located at a distance of 9kms

22. VADAMANAPPAAKKAM

It is located at a distance of 15 kms

23. AARATHIRIVAELOOR

This place is located at a distance of 11 kms.

24. NAATAERI

25. ARUMBAAKKAM

26. PANAMUGAI

27. MANGALAM

Mangalam is located at a distance of 10 kms from Cheyyar. this place can be reached from a village called Palli on the Cheyyar - Kanchipuram road. We can see the linga and the amman in an open land. there is an amman temple beside the linga.

28. THEN THANDALAM

29. ANUKKAAVOOR

30. KAAZHIYUR

Kazhiyur is located at a distance of 6 kms from Cheyyar. There were 3 Shiva temples in this village. Now we find 2 temples namely, Swarnamukeswarar and Veeratteeswarar temple. the third linga is placed inside the Veerattaewarar temple.

SWARNAMUKESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is located in the corner of the village near the river. the temple is very small. Only Shiva and Nandhi are found here. The name of this Shiva is not known to the villagers. They refer this Shiva as Aathangarai Shiva.

VEERATTEESWARAR TEMPLE

This temple is known to everyone in the village. All the rituals pertaining to Lord Shiva is being functioned in this temple. There is a pond beside the temple. The name of the Shiva is Veerattaeswarar and that of Ambaal is Kaamakshi. All the prahara deities are found here. The third linga is being placed in this temple. Veerattaeswarar is refered to as Kettadhai Allitharum Veerattaeswarar.

31. NEDUMPIRAI

Nedumpirai is located at a distance of 8 kms from Cheyyar. The linga and the Nandhi are found in an open land. the name and details of this linga is unknown.

32. ANUKKAAVOOR

33. THUMBAI

Thumbai is a village situated at a distance of 5 kms from Cheyyar. The linga is found under a tree in the village. The villagers help us to locate the linga. This village is located besides Vadakalpakkam on the Cheyyar - Kaanchipuram road.

34. CHEYYAR

35. KURANGANILMUTTAM

36. THIRUPPANANGAADU

37. BRAHMADESAM

38. VENGALATHTHOOR

It is located at a distance of 25 kms

38. VEMBAAKKAM

It is located at a distance of 20 kms from

39. MAENALLOOR

40. SUMANGALI

It is located at a distance of 14 kms.

41. KOOZAMANDHAL

42. UKKAL

43. NAAVAL

Naaval is located at a distance of 12 kms from Cheyyar. Naaval in Tamil is Jambhu in Sanskrit. The temple is damaged with Jambhukswarar, Akilandaeswari, Vinayaka and Nandhi. The youngsters in the village have taken steps to perform pooja. We find the temple pond beside the temple. The sthala Viruksha of the temple is Naaval tree. All rituals regarding Shiva are being done in a very simple manner. It is happy to learn that the youngsters in the village have taken steps to perform these rituals.

44. MAELAPUNJAI

45. KODIKUPPAM

46. VAASUDEVANPATTU

47. PADI

48. KARAPATTU

49. KADALAADI

50. KAANCHI

51. ARITHERIMANGALAM

52. MAADIMANGALAM

53. MAAMBAAKKAM

54. THAAMARAIPPAAKKAM

55. VILVAARANI

56. AANAIPPAADI

57. KURUVIMALAI

58. MARUTHUVAMBAADI

59. PERIYAKOLAPPAADI

60. SAATHANOOR

61. KADUVANOOR

62. PAKKAM

63. MOOKANOOR

64. RAAVOOTHANLLOOR

65. VENGIKKAL

66. SENGUNAM

67. PUDHUPPALAYAM

68. THIRUPANAMUR

It is located at a distaance of 15 kms

69. KARANDHAI

70. KAAGANAM

It is located at a distance of 13 kms.

71. KEEZHNELLI

It is located at a distance of 15 kms from Cheyyar.

72. SITHTHATHUR

73. BILLANTHAANGAL

74. BAIRAVAPURAM

75. MADHURA VAYALUR

76. AZHIVIDAITHANGI

77. KEEZHMATTAI

Keezhmattai is located about 3 kms from Cheyyar

78. VELLAI

Vellai is located at a distance of 5 kms

79. CHEYYATRAIVENDRAN

This place is located about 5 kms

80. KEEZHAATHTHOOR

81. PAARAASOOR

Paaraasoor is located about 8 kms from Cheyyar. The linga is found near a farm. Only the linga Amman and Nandhi are found. the Aavudiyaar is half submerged.

82. NAAVALUR

83. VAAZKUDAI

84. MUKKOOR

85. ERAIYUR

It is located at a distance of 10 kms from Cheyyar.

86. DHAVASI

Dhavasi is located at a distance of 6 kms from Cheyyar. The linga is seen in a broken mandapam. There is a broken Chandikeswarar idol beside the linga. Even though the temple is situated on the main road where the bus stand and all shops are present no one in the village cares about the temple. The plight drawws tears from our eyes.

87. IRUNGOOR

88. SENGAADU

89. MAEL NEMILI

90. VAADANALLOOR

91. KOYILOOR

92. MAEL KOLATHTHOOR

93. VADA THANDALAM

94. PAINKINAAR

95. PERUMPULIMAEDU

This place is located at a distanxe of 16 kms from Cheyyar.

96. PERUMPALLAM

Perumpallam is located at a distance of 8 kms from Cheyyar.

97. SUNDIVAAKKAM

98. THANDARAI

99. VADUGAPATTU

This is located ata distance of 11 kms

100. SERAAMPATTU

101. MARUDHAM

Marudham is located at a distance of 17 kms from Cheyyar. This linga is seen in an open land in the village. The villages near Marudham are Thonimaedu and Thattacheri.

102. MAEL NELLI

Mael Nelli is located at a distance of 15 kms from Cheyyar. The linga is seen on open land. The places near Mael Nelli are Irungoor and Thattacheri. It is 7 kms from Perumpallam.

103. IRUNGAL

104. SORAIYUR

Soraiyur is located at a distance of 20 kms from Cheyyar. We find Shiva, Ambaal, Navagraha, Bhairavar and Murugar here. All the deities are placed under thached roof.

105. AAROOR

This place is located at a distance of 18 kms from Cheyyar. The villages near Aaroor are namely, Irungoor, Thattacheri and Soraiyur. In this village we find 2 Aavudaiyars in an open land. The Baanam (the upper portion) is not found. Only some of the Villagers tell us where the Aavudaiyar is found in the village.

106. THONIMAEDU

Thonimaedu is located at a distance of 18 kms from Cheyyar. The places besides Thonimaedu are Irungoor and Thattachchaery. The linga is seen in an open land.

107. BAALI

108. NALLOOR

109. VAEMBI

110. PEN NAGAR

111. MAMBAAKKAM

112. PERIYAVELIYANALLOOR

It is located at a distnace of 7 kms from Cheyyar. This temple was built by the famous Chola king Raaja Raaja Cholan. This temple is found on a samll hill. The name of the Shiva is Mahadaevaeswarar. This temple is under construction. The work had been taken up before 4 years but yet not completed. The stones pillars and the carvings of the temple are seen aronud the temple. the Moolavar Mahadaeveswarar and other deities are kept inside a room. The Aavudaaiyar of the moolavar is broken and is seen outside the room. the main Baanam is kept inside.

113.ATHI

It is located at a distance of 15 kms Cheyyar. This place qas earlier known as Agastheeswaram and now shortened to Athi. Sage Agasthya have stayed in this place along with his wife and performed pooja to the Shiva Linga (Agastheeswarar). There is another linga inside the temple which was brought from some surrounding place. We can find the left outs of the earlier temple. this temple is being maintained in a good condition. All the other sannidhis pertaining to any Shiva temple is also seen here. The name of the Ambaal is Akiaandaeswari. There is a murugan temple in front of thid temple.

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