Sundara Choleeswarar Temple, Kulathur, Pudukottai

Sundara Choleeswarar Temple, Kulathur, Pudukottai

Sundara Choleeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kulathur Village near Keeranur Town in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Cholas. Inscription dating back to the 30^th regnal year of Kulotunga Chola III is the oldest inscription found in this temple. It records the reconstruction of the vimana of this temple.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. Nandi can be found in front of the mukha mandapam facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam.  Presiding deity is called as Sundara Choleeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Only the lower portion of the vimana remains. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. There is south facing shrine for goddess Parvathy in the mukha mandapam.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 3 Kms from Keeranur Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Kulathur Railway Station, 3 Kms from Keeranur Railway Station, 8 Kms from Narthamalai, 22 Kms from Pudukkottai, 26 Kms from Trichy Airport and 36 Kms from Trichy. The temple is situated on Trichy to Pudukottai route.

Location

Margapurisvarar Temple, Visalur – The Temple

Margapurisvarar Temple, Visalur – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva Parvathy flanked by Murugan & Vinayaga. An idol of Nayaka King and Vinayaga can be seen on the right side of the entrance arch on the inner side. A Mandapam can be seen immediately after the entrance arch. There is a second level two tiered gopuram can be seen at the entrance of the inner prakaram.

Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen in front of the second level gopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Nandi can be found in the maha mandapam facing towards the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Margasahayesvarar / Margapurisvarar / Vasukisvaramudaiya Mahadevar / Varadukasuramudaiya Nayanar.

There are no niches on external walls of the sanctum except the southern niche enshrining an image Dakshinamoorthy. This niche seems to be of later addition. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier and is square in plan. The shikhara has big arches in middle on all four sides. Niches are carved below these arches on the only tier of the vimana. These niches enshrines Dakshinamurti on south, Vishnu on west and Brahma on north.

An image of Nandi is placed on all the four corners on this tier. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. A cloistered mandapa runs around the external walls of the inner prakaram. Shrines & Idols of Vinayaga, Lakshmi, Murugan, Vishnu, Durga, Lingams, Jyestha Devi, Goddess Parvathy, Surya, Sapta Matrikas, Chandran and Bhairava can be seen in the temple premises. Navagrahas Shrine can be seen in the mukha mandapam.

Margapurisvarar Temple, Visalur, Pudukottai

Margapurisvarar Temple, Visalur, Pudukottai

Margapurisvarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Visalur Village in Kulathur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Presiding Deity is called as Margasahayesvarar / Margapurisvarar / Vasukisvaramudaiya Mahadevar / Varadukasuramudaiya Nayanar. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The Temple is believed to be built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-871 CE) but the earliest inscription is dated to the reign of Parantaka Chola I (907 – 954 CE). Lord Shiva of this temple was called as Vasukisvaramudaiya Mahadevar and Varadukasuramudaiya Nayanar in the inscriptions. The place was called as Visalur, even in ancient times as evidenced from inscriptions of the Cholas and Pandyas found in the temple. Visalur would have held a strategic position during Cholas and Pandyas rule.

Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola II, Kulothunga Chola I, Kulothunga Chola III, Jadavarman Veera Pandya and few local chieftains can be seen in the temple. These inscriptions record mostly the grant of lands and gifts made to this temple. The inscription of Kulothunga III, dated in 1222 CE, mentions installation of idols of the king and his queen in the temple by a local chief, Adhitan Thenkarai Nadalvan.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/07/margapurisvarar-temple-visalur-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Malayadipatti, 7 Kms from Killukkottai, 11 Kms from Kunnandarkoil, 14 Kms from Keeranur Railway Station, 15 Kms from Keeranur, 16 Kms from Kulathur, 27 Kms from Narthamalai, 28 Kms from Trichy Airport and 40 Kms from Pudukottai. The Temple is situated on Keeranur to Killukkottai route.

Location

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – The Temple

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with seven tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram has seven kalasam at the top. There is a pillared Mandapam in front of Rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about 1 acre and is enclosed within granite walls. Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam, Deepa Sthambam and Garudalwar Shrine can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Idols of Vedanta Desikar, Venugopala with his consorts Rukmini & Satyabhama, Nammalvar, Manavala Mamunigal, Azhwars, Acharyas and Ramanuja can be seen in the Maha Mandapam. The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two Dvarapalas on either sides. Presiding Deity is called as Ranganathaswamy and is facing east.

Unlike the sanctum houses the image of Ranganathaswamy, where the image is depicted in standing, sitting and reclining posture, only the face of Ranganathar is seen in the temple. It is said that the body of Lord Vishnu is below the ground. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of a cubical Lingam.

Utsava idol is Venkatesa Perumal. Generally, the procession deity (Utsava deity) is kept near the presiding deity in the sanctum but here, the procession deity is kept in a separate shrine in front of the sanctum. The presiding deity being small in size, he could not be directly worshipped by the devotees if the procession deity is also kept near him due to his big size and would hide the presiding deity.

While blessing the devotees, in Vishnu temples, Sadari (having the feet of the Lord Vishnu) is placed on the head of the devotee. In this temple, instead of Sadari, Ramabana is placed on the heads of devotees. It is believed that the Ramabana has in itself, the discus (Chakrayudha) and Adisesha his snake bed. Sadari blessing is offered in the shrine of procession deity. Puja is performed to the Ramabana once in a year.

During the Masi festival, on the fifth day, it is taken in procession around the temple streets.  This is the only occasion when the Ramabana is taken out of the temple. Lord Vishnu here is gracing the devotees in three forms namely Venkatesa Achudan, Ranganatha Swamy and Venkatesa Perumal. Mother is called as Ranganayaki Thayar / Bettathu Amman. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine.

Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. It is said that her shrine was originally situated in a nearby hill. Hence, she is called as Bettathu Amman (Amman on Hill in Kannada). Later, this shrine was constructed in the temple premises. In Tirupathy, Lord Srinivasa is on the hills while the Mother is in the foot of hill.

In Karamadai, the Lord is in the floor place while the mother has her shrine above him. There is a separate shine for Anjaneya on the left side facing the Lord. The idol is differently sculpted in a square stone. There are shrines for Santhana Krishna, Paravasudeva, Andal, Rama with Sita, Lakshmana & Hanuman and Nagar in the outer prakaram.

There is also a Kalyana mandapam in the outer prakaram. There are idols kept at the back side of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Karai Tree. It is considered very sacred as this is said to grant the wish of marriage and children. Theerthams associated with the temple are Brahma, Garuda and Ashta Theertham (where there are eight idols in front of these eight Theerthams).

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – Festivals

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – Festivals

The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharathra agama. There are various daily, weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The fifteen-day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March), is the most prominent festival in this temple. During the Brahmotsavam, the temple car is drawn around the streets of the temple with the festival images housed in it. There is a particular celebration called Kavala Seva which is done on the Chariot day.  The devotees greet each other chanting the Lord’s name, offer prasadam made of sugar, fruit and honey, wash the feet of the Lord and hold lighted fire torches. 

Southern railways used to operate free services from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam till 1983 during the annual chariot festival. Navaratri, Purattasi Saturdays, Vaikunda Ekadasi, Tamil New Year, Rama Navami, Ramanuja Jayanthi, Nammalvar Thiru Nakshatram, Narasimha Jayanthi, Chakrathalvar Thiru Nakshatram, Dakshinayapunya Kaalam, Aandal Thiruvaadipooram, Senai Mudhaliyar Thiru Nakshatram, Manavala Mamunigal Thiru Nakshatram, Deepavali, Thirumangai Alwar Thiru Nakshatram Thiru Karthigai Deepam, Pagal Pathu, Ira Pathu, Pongal, Koorathazhwar Thiru Nakshatram and Panguni Uthiram are the other festivals celebrated in this temple.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – Legends

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai – Legends

Swayambhu Vishnu:

Once, this region was a forest abound in Karai trees inhabited by Thottiyar tribe. The tribe main profession was herding cattle. One day, one of the herdsman found his cow was not giving him any milk instead it emptied all its milk in an anthill. Astonished herdsman excavated the anthill with a shovel. His shovel hit an object and found blood oozing out from the object. He informed the villagers and they found the Swayambhu idol with conch and chakra marks on it. The tribe sought the advice of a priest named Vedavyasa Bhattar.

He advised them to erect a temple around the anthill. The tribe built a temple as advised. People were unsure of whether the deity was Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu, but Lord Vishnu appeared in the dreams of Pitchu Mandarayar, one of the inhabitants. This perhaps the only temple where the Lord was originally revealed in the Lingam form and later identified as Vishnu. The image is said to be growing in size every year.

British General gifted a festive image of horse to the temple:

As per legend, a British general planned to build a railway line bisecting the temple. The villagers prayed to Lord Vishnu for his divine intervention. It is believed that Lord Ranganatha appeared in the dreams of the British engineer on a white horse and instructed him to change the direction of the railway line. The British general withdrew his plans to demolish the temple. Further, he also gifted a festive image of a horse to be used during divine procession.

Garuda Theertham:

Garuda, the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu, desired to see his wedding with Mother Mahalakshmi and expressed his desire to the Lord. The Lord graced the wedding dharshan on earth to Garuda in this place. Further, Garuda excavated a Theertham called Garuda Theertham in this place.

Thirumalai Nayakan got relief from his serious illness:

Thirumalai Nayakan, one of the famous kings of Madurai Nayak Dynasty, was cured of a serious illness after praying to Lord Vishnu here. In gratitude, he built this temple for Lord Vishnu.

Ramanuja’s visit to this temple:

It is believed that Ramanuja is said to have visited this temple on his way from Srirangam to Thiru Narayanapuram (Melkote).

Brahma Theertham:

It is believed that Lord Brahma created a Theertham behind the main deity and named it as Brahma Theertham.

People worshipped Lord Vishnu here:

It is believed that Saint Vasavan, Varuna, Brahma, Kubera and Garuda worshipped Lord Vishnu here.

Kubera Lingeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

Kubera Lingeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 metres from Thirukalimedu Sathyanatheswarar Temple, 2 Kms from Kanchipuram East Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Kanchipuram Bus Stand and 4 Kms from Kanchipuram Railway Station. This temple is situated very close to Sathyanatheswarar Temple near Mamallan Nagar. Kanchipuram is located at about 18 Kms from Walajabad, 31 Kms from Sriperumbudur, 40 Kms from Chengalpattu, 60 Kms from Chennai Airport, 67 Kms from Mahabalipuram and 72 Kms from Chennai.

By Road:

Kanchipuram is most easily accessible by road. The Chennai – Bangalore National Highway, NH 4 passes the outskirts of the city. Daily bus services are provided by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Villupuram, Salem, Tirupati, Thiruthani, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, Tindivanam and Pondicherry. There are two major bus routes to Chennai, one connecting via Poonamallee and the other via Tambaram.

The Tamil Nadu state government operated transport corporation runs buses from Kanchipuram to most major towns in Tamil Nadu. Buses from Chennai leave for Kanchipuram every fifteen minutes from the Koyambedu interstate bus terminal. There is also an air-conditioned bus service numbered Z576 from 5.00 AM to 6.00 PM, which departs from the T-Nagar bus terminal every hour. Buses from Bangalore leave for Kanchipuram seven times a day.

By Train:

The city is also connected to the railway network through the Kanchipuram railway station. The Chengalpattu – Arakkonam railway line passes through Kanchipuram and travellers can access services to those destinations. Daily trains are provided to Pondicherry and Tirupati, and there is a weekly express train to Madurai and a bi-weekly express train to Nagercoil. Two passenger trains from both sides of Chengalpattu and Arakkonam pass via Kanchipuram.

By Air:

Nearest domestic as well as international airport is Chennai International Airport.

Kubera Lingeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kubera Lingeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kubera Lingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kubera Lingeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. This temple is situated very close to Sathyanatheswarar Temple near Mamallan Nagar.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum only. Presiding Deity is called as Kubera Lingeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Murugan in the temple premises.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/04/kubera-lingeswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Location

Thirumagaraleeswarar Temple, Thirumagaral – Worship Practices & Festivals

Thirumagaraleeswarar Temple, Thirumagaral – Worship Practices & Festivals

Worship Practices:

The temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m, Irandam Kalam at 9:00 a.m, Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m, Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m, Irandam Kalam at 7:30 p.m., and Arthajamam at 9:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: Abhishekam (sacred bath), Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for Magaraleeswarar and Tribuvana Nayagi.

Festivals:

Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 10 days during the Tamil month of Masi (February–March). Special worship practises are followed during Brahmotsavam and the festival image of the deity is taken around the streets of Thirumagaral. Vinayaka Chathurthi, Aadi Pooram, Navaratri, Aippasi Pournami, Skanda Sashti, Karthikai Deepam, Arudra Dharisanam, Thai Poosam, Maasi Magam, Panguni Uthiram and Vaikasi Visakam are the other festivals celebrated here. There are weekly rituals like Somavaram (Monday) and Sukravaram (Friday), fortnightly rituals like Pradosham and monthly festivals like Amavasai (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) & sathurthi.

Sukshmapureeswarar Temple, Cherugudi – The Temple

Sukshmapureeswarar Temple, Cherugudi – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. The temple has single prakaram and completely enclosed within the compound wall. Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of  sanctum, antarala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Sukshmapureeswarar / Kalyanasundareswarar / Sirukudi Eswarar / Mangalanathar and is facing east.

He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is said to be made of sand. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The hand imprints of Mother Parvathy can be seen in the sides of Lingam. As the Lingam is made of sand, abhishekam is performed only to the Avudaiyar. Punugu is applied to the Lingam once in a while and the Lingam is always covered with Kuvalai. 

Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Ardhanareeswarar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana over the sanctum is of three tiers. Utsava idol is called as Sandhosha Alingana Moorthy. He is depicted as embracing goddess Parvathy in a joyful posture. 

Mother is called as Mangala Nayaki / Mangalambikai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. She is in standing posture with abhaya hastha. Abhishekams are performed to Goddess Parvathy here as the Lingam in the sanctum is made of sand.

Navagraha shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam. It is unique to see the idols of Nayanmar Thirugnana Sambandar, Bhairava and Vinayaka among the Navagrahas. There is a separate shrine for Angarakan in the temple premises. Shrines of Mangala Vinayaka, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Suryan and Saneeswarar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Mangala Theertham / Surya Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree.