Someswarar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Someswarar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Someswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Achuthamangalam Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This temple was built 1500 years ago, by the Chola king Achutha Cholan and hence the name Achuthamangalam. The Temple is facing east and having a four tiered Rajagopuram. The temple has 4 prakaras. The temple wall has lot of Chola inscriptions in Tamil. The Temple is believed to be built by Sri Kanda Sambu, Raja Guru of Kulothunga III on 1182 A.D.

It is believed that there is an underground tunnel which is near the main deity and connects all the way to Thamarai Kulam (which is around 500 meters away from the temple). The famous Nayanmar Thiru Sekkizhar has sung about this Sthala (Kalyana Sundareswarar Shrine) and is considered to be Thirumana Parikara Sthalam. The Temple belongs to Chola period. The Temple is complete with Arthamandapam, Mugamandapam, Mahamandapam and Sanctum with a beautiful Vimana.

Someswarar is gracing the devotees in the Linga form from the sanctum. Mother is housed in a separate shrine. She is gracing the devotees in standing form with four hands. The Temple is replete with sculptures in the pillars. Nardana Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, Bikshadana, Gangala Nathar and Arthanareeswarar are the Koshta Idols. Sculptures of Kulothunga III and Sekkizhar can be found in the mandapam in eastern prakaram. The Temple has been called as Panaiyur Naatu Sivapatha Sekaramangalamana Achuthamangaluthu Somanathadevar Thirukoyil.

Connectivity

Achuthamangalam is located at about 3 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 3 Kms from Nannilam, 19 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 20 Kms from Thiruvarur and 120 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Kasi Viswanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Achuthamangalam Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kasi Viswanathar and Mother is called as Visalakshi. Theertham is Gupta Ganga.

Legends

Harichandra stay in this place:

As we learn from our scriptures, every one righteous in nature and practiced honesty, probity and integrity in their lives, paid a high price for these values. King Harichandra was one. He refused to speak falsehood and stood firm on his commitment to speak only truth – Sathya. He lost his kingdom, wife and son and began wandering. He landed in this place dense with Iluppai trees then. He stayed here for a while. He found a Shivalinga in the place. His joy knew no bounds. He performed abishek to Lord and offered Vilwa leaves archanas. 

When in deep meditation, he felt that this Shivalinga was of great grace and powers. His inner mind told Harichandra that the Linga ought to have been brought from Kasi bathed in the Holy Ganga. He knew that any one worshipping Kasi Viswanatha Linga would be relieved of the sins of past birth and summed up his courage to reap the results of his honest life. He felt auspicious vibrations in the place. This is that famous place – Achutha Mangalam.

Achutha Mangalam:

This is the holy soil where the Pandavas stayed for a while after losing all their wealth, kingdom and dignity in the court of king Dridharashtra. They had to lead a life of exile. Not losing their faith in Almighty, they worshipped Lord Shiva – in the Darmeswarar temple – near this temple. As Arjuna stayed here for some time, the place was named Arjuna Mangalam and changed as Achutha Mangalam as now known.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Besides monthly pradoshas, the temple celebrates Maha Shivarathri very devotionally in February-March.

Prayers

People pray to Lord and Mother for relief from the consequences of sins of the past birth, to be righteous in this birth and to realize the wishes they have in their mind. Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer Vastras

Connectivity

Achuthamangalam is located at about 3 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 3 Kms from Nannilam, 19 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 20 Kms from Thiruvarur and 120 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Darmeswarar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Darmeswarar Temple, Achuthamangalam, Thiruvarur

Darmeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Achuthamangalam Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Darmeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmapatni.

Legends

After losing all the royal wealth and life, Pandava Brothers resorted to woods with Panchali. They lost everything material in life but not the faith in the Almighty. They carried with them this faith intensely, visited many holy places, bathed in sacred rivers and worshipped in famous temples. They reached Thiruvannamalai, the holy place that would lift the devotee to higher levels of life. They came to the region made fertile by the perennial flow of the Holy Cauvery. They performed Shiva Pujas.

They came to a place that was very pleasant but without a river or a tank. Panchali was sad. Arjuna took an arrow, prayed to Lord Krishna for a while and aimed it on the ground. Water began to leak out gradually and soon there was a vast and deep tank. All had a pleasant bath, took Vilwa leaves and performed Shiva Puja. They returned to their place, Hasthinapuri, fought for their rights, regained the throne. 

The tank created by Arjuna with his arrow boring the ground still exists in the temple. Knowing the creation of the tank by Arjuna, devotees in the place built a Shiva temple here. Everyone hopes that prayer in the temple would bring them back lost earlier. The place was earlier known as Arjuna Mangalam after the name of the tank and has now changed as Achuthamangalam.  The Lord is named after the name of Dharma the eldest of the Pandava brothers. Mother is praised as Dharmapatni.

The Temple

The west facing Darmeswarar Temple, worshipped by Yudhishthira and other Pandavas is in a pathetic state. Presiding Deity is called as Darmeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmapatni. The Avudayar traditionally on the left of the Shivalinga is on the right side in this temple. The Lord is named after the name of Dharma the eldest of the Pandava brothers. The Ambal shrine has fallen down and the Deity is kept in the Ardhamandapam of Swami sannidhi. The tank created by Arjuna with his arrow boring the ground still exists in the temple. 

Festivals

Maha Shivarathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Prayers

Devotees pray here to recover what they had lost. Devotees perform abishek to Lord Darmeswarar and Mother Dharmapatni with Vilwa petals and offer vastras.

Connectivity

Achuthamangalam is located at about 3 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 3 Kms from Nannilam, 19 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 20 Kms from Thiruvarur and 120 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple, Arur Paravayunmandali, Thiruvarur

Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple, Arur Paravayunmandali, Thiruvarur

Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thiruvarur East Street in Thiruvarur Town in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is also called as Thoovai Nayanar Temple / Durvasar Temple. The place is called as Arur Paravayunmandali. Presiding Deity is called as Thoovainathar / Thoovai Nayanar / Paravayul Mandaleswarar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Panchin Mennadiyal / Panjin Melladiyammai / Alliangothai.

Sthala Theertham is Akasha Theertham and Sthala Vriksham is Jack tree. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 206^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 89^th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery. This Temple is under the control of Thiruvarur main temple. 

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/07/thoovanayanar-thoovainathar-temple-legends.html

The Temple

The Temple is having 3 tiered Rajagopuram. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Thoovainathar / Thoovai Nayanar / Paravayul Mandaleswarar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Panchin Mennadiyal / Panjin Melladiyammai / Alliangothai. Sthala Theertham is Akasha Theertham and Sthala Vriksham is Jack tree. It is said that all idols of the temple were made by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma. 

The location of the tank at the southeast corner is of special importance according to Vastu rules.  Planet Sani Baghwan is facing south and graces the devotees. The event of Sundarar getting vision of his right eye is evidenced by the eye symbol visible on the Lord during abishek times. Vinayaka in the temple graces in the name of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka. It seems that Kumbabishekam has been performed long back and both Rajagopuram and the outer walls crying for attention.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Margazhi Thiruvathirai is major festival celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Singers

It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams - Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 206^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 89^th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery. 

Prayers

Those with impaired vision bathe in the tank of the temple, pray to Lord offering red flower – Sevvarali – garlands, perform archanas to gain clear eye sight. Devotees perform abishek to Lord with milk and feed the poor.

Contact

Thoovai Nathar Temple,

Thiruvarur East Street, Tiruvarur,

Thiruvarur District

Phone: +91 – 4366 – 240 646

Mobile: +91 – 99425 40479

Connectivity

This Shivasthalam temple is located in East Car Street in Tiruvarur on the main road facing east opposite to the Car shed. The Temple is located at about 900 meters from Thiruvarur Bus Stand, 1.3 Kms from Thiruvarur Railway Station and 122 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple, Arur Paravayunmandali – Legends

Thoovanayanar Thoovainathar Temple, Arur Paravayunmandali – Legends

Sundarar regains vision:

Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar once violated his promise made to his second wife Sangili Nachiyar. He promised that he would never part her. As he wanted to see his first wife Paravai Nachiyar, he proceeded to Tiruvarur. As a punishment for the violation of the promise, he lost his vision. Sundarar began his journey with his blind eyes to the Shiva shrines praying for the restoration of vision. At Kanchipuram, Lord Ekambareswarar blessed him with the left eye, as recommended by his consort Sri Kamakshi.

Continuing the journey, Sundarar reached Tiruvarur and prayed the Lord to regain the vision of the right eye. Lord Shiva advised him to bathe in the tank in the northeast corner and worship him. Sundarar got back his eyes by the grace of Lord Shiva. The event of Sundarar getting vision of his right eye is evidenced by the eye symbol visible on the Lord during abishek times.  

Durvasa Nayanar:

This was once a sand temple under the sea, according to the history of the land. When tides of sea burst devastatingly tall threatening destruction of the world, Devas and Sages surrendered at the feet of Lord Shiva for protection. Lord told Sage Durvasa that if a tank could be dug at the Agni corner – south east corner of the land and prayers offered to him, the tides would subside and lives would be saved. Headed by Sage Durvasa, all carried out the instructions of Lord and performed pujas. Responding to the prayers of the devotees, Lord Shiva absorbed the fury of the sea and saved the world. As Lord was worshipped by Sage Durvasa, He is also known as Durvasa Nayanar.

Vishwakarma made all temple idols:

 It is said that all idols of the temple were made by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma. 

People worshipped Shiva here:

Indran, Durvasa, Sundarar and all Devas worshipped Shiva of this temple.

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Simizhi, Thiruvarur

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Simizhi, Thiruvarur

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Simizhi Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is east facing. Presiding Deity is called as Sundareswarar and is facing east. Mother is called as Meenakshi and is facing south. There also shrines for Rajendra Choleeswarar, Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Navagraha, Brahma and Subramanian in this temple. The temple is not maintained well. There is a very large temple tank to the east of the temple.

There is a Mutt adjacent to the temple. The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Engan, 13 Kms from Koradacherry, 17 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 9 Kms from Srivanchiyam, 16 Kms from Thiruvarur, 26 Kms from Kumbakonam and 110 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Koradacherry, Thiruvarur and Kumbakonam. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy. 

Somanathar Temple, Serangulam, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur

Somanathar Temple, Serangulam, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur

Somanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Serangulam Village near Mannargudi town in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located on the banks Pamani River. Presiding Deity is called as Somanathar as it was believed that Chandran worshipped Lord Shiva here. The Temple is east facing and has 3 tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is having a Mukha Mandapam and Sanctum. Ambal is housed in separate shrine facing south.

Agasthya, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols surrounding sanctum wall. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaga in south and Lord Muruga in north. Serangulam is located at about 5 Kms from Mannargudi, 13 Kms from Koothanallur, 30 Kms from Thiruvarur and 98 Kms from Trichy. Serangulam is well connected to Mannargudi by means of buses, auto-rickshaws and a mini-bus. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mannargudi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy. 

Aatkaatti Amman Temple, Serangulam, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur

Aatkaatti Amman Temple, Serangulam, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur

Aatkaatti Amman Temple is located in Serangulam Village near Mannargudi town in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Serangulam is located at about 5 Kms from Mannargudi, 13 Kms from Koothanallur, 30 Kms from Thiruvarur and 98 Kms from Trichy. Serangulam is well connected to Mannargudi by means of buses, auto-rickshaws and a mini-bus. Nearest Railway Station is located at Mannargudi and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Anbil Mariamman Temple, Trichy

Anbil Mariamman Temple, Trichy

Anbil Mari Amman Temple is one of the three important temples of Anbil village. It is the most popular temple in terms of number of devotees visiting the site. In the entire India, there are seven temples of Mari Amman which are considered as the most important. This temple is one among them. The other most important Mari Amman Temples are located in Samayapuram, Narthana Malai, Veera Singa Pettai, Kannanur, Punnai Nallur and Tiruverkadu. This temple is approximately 700 years old. The temple is located at a walkable distance from the Sathyavageeswarar temple and the temple comes under the administration of Srirangam Ranganathar temple.  

Legends

According to legends from the Puranas, during a flood on the Kollidam River, the Goddess Amman took refuge under the neem tree near this temple, after which the temple was constructed. It is a common practice for devotees without children to visit this temple to pray for children.

History

It is not known who built this temple and when it was built. However, as per the local people's belief, the temple was built by a King called Muthalagan around 700 years ago. Before that, the idol was there under a neem tree without the temple structure. Although, the current structure of the temple may lead us to assume that the temple might be at least 300-400 years old, there is no historical record about the date of this temple.

The Temple

The east facing sanctum enshrines the five feet tall red colored stucco idol of Maha Mari Amman. She is found in the seated posture. She has eight arms. There is a possibility that Ashta Bhuja Durga might have been named as Mari Amman in this temple. The stone walls of the sanctum and the beautiful vimana make us to believe that the temple must be few hundred years old. A Shiv Linga idol is also found in the sanctum.

Near the sanctum, there are 6-7 tiny sub-shrines enshrining male Grama Devatas (village deities) are found. There is a statue of horse along with a man in uniform located facing the sanctum. Theertham of this Temple is River Kollidam. Sthala Vriksham is Neem Tree. The Amman is such a beauty and the temple is very well maintained.

There are seven most important Amman Temples. Those are Samayapuram, Narthan Malai, Veera Singa Pettai, Kannanur, Punnai Nallur, Thiruverkadu and Anbil. Out of the seven Amman Temples, Anbil Mariamman is considered to be the eldest of other Goddesses. Anbil Mariamman also has seven Children.  Amman doesn’t have children in other temples.  

Temple Opening Time

·        Morning 7:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

·        Evening 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Festivals

·        Special poojas are conducted during New Year day, Fridays of Tamil month Aadi & Thai, New moon days and Full moon days.

·        Vaikasi – Special poojas are conducted on 5th & 6th days of Vaikasi.

·        Aani – Maha Sandi Yaga.

·        Panguni – First Sunday of Panguni will have flower festival, Then 15 consecutive days there will be special poojas.  Second Sunday, devotees will carry a fire pot and worship the Goddess. Third Sunday, Goddess enters her house and next 10 days will be festival for her.

Prayers

Devotees believe that eye related diseases and chicken pox will be cured by praying to Mother. Every day around 12:00 Noon the priest at this temple provides a liquid made up of certain special medicinal herbs which cures the eye diseases.

Connectivity

Anbil is located at about 30 Kms from Trichy, 8 Kms from Lalgudi and 27 Kms from Samayapuram. Frequent bus facilities are available from Trichy Bus stand. One has to get down at Keelanbil bus stop to reach the temple. Nearest Railway Station is located at Lalgudi (9 Kms) and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy (35 Kms).

Selliyamman Temple, Perumathur, Perambalur

Selliyamman Temple, Perumathur, Perambalur

Selliyamman Temple is located at Perumathur Village in Veppur Taluk in Perambalur District of Tamilnadu. Amman Ther Thiruvila is the famous festival celebrated in this Temple. Perumathur is located at about 27 Kms from Perambalur, 6 Kms from Veppur, 30 Kms from Ariyalur and 83 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ariyalur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Shirdi Madhuram Sai Baba Temple, Perambalur

Shirdi Madhuram Sai Baba Temple, Perambalur

Shirdi Madhuram Sai Baba Temple is a beautiful Sai temple located in Perambalur Town in National Highway in between Perambalur Collector office Road and Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College & Hospital. The Temple is located on the left side while going from Trichy to Chennai. Ground breaking ceremony happened on April 22 2008 and Maha Kumbabishekam happened in grand manner on 22 June 2014. Perambalur is located at about 33 Kms from Ariyalur and 60 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ariyalur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

References

https://www.marvelmurugan.com/2016/02/perambalur-sai-temple.html

Madanagopalan Temple, Perambalur

Madanagopalan Temple, Perambalur

Madanagopalan Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Perambalur Town in Perambalur District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is unique for having Sannidhi for Pancha Pandavas. The Temple is dated to 9^th Century and its legend dates back to the Mahabharata Period. The Temple is located 1 Km south of the old bus stand in Perambalur.

Legends

Vyakrama Rishi was cursed to turn to a Tiger (Puli) by an angry Agastya Rishi for having disobeyed his Guru’s orders. Pancha Pandavas came here during their year in incognito. It was then that the Bheema killed the Tiger with his mace to liberate the Vyakrama rishi from the curse. In memory of this episode, there is an idol of Vyakrama Rishi inside the sanctum and a separate sannidhi for the Pandavas, the only one of its kind in Tamilnadu. Since the rishi took the form of a huge Tiger (Puli) and was liberated here, the name of the place was ‘Perum Puliyur’ which in course of time became ‘Perambalur’. The Pandavas are believed to have performed Aaradhana here at Vyakramapuram.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Madanagopalan in Standing Posture and is East Facing. Mother is called as Maragadavalli Thayar. There are several Vahanas here at this temple and an ancient chariot (Chariot Festival on Panguni Uthiram). There is an idol of Vyakrama Rishi inside the sanctum. There is a separate sannidhi for the Pandavas, the only one of its kind in Tamilnadu.

Inscriptions

Rule of Pandyas:

On the pillars of Maha Mandapa, a 12th Century AD inscription relating to the rule of the Pandyas refers to the Thiru Mandapam as Veera Bayankaran Thiru Mandapam.

Celebration of Festivals:

A 1258 AD inscription on the South wall refers to the commencement of a festival and the grant of a grand umbrella for the Lord on the occasion of the birthday of Sundarapandyan Sadaiyavarman I. A 1268AD inscription on the North wall of the Artha Mandapa relating to Sundarapandyan Sadaiyavarman I indicates the renovation of a dilapidated land and providing 12 veli land to celebrate a grand festival on the occasion of his birthday on Bharani Star.  A year later, in 1269AD, an inscription on the North wall of the Maha Mandapa refers to the Pandya King providing a12 veli land on the occasion of the birthday of his sister.

Donation of a Land:

A 15th Century AD inscription on the North West wall refers to a donation of a land to the temple by chieftain of Thimmayappa Nayak. In the 16^th Century AD, Krishnappa Nayak donated the Nochiyam village as grant to the temple as per an inscription on the South wall.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple will remain open from 6.30 am -12 noon and 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm.

Festivals

·        10 day Brahmotsavam in Panguni

·        Krishna Jayanthi

·        Vaikunta Ekadesi

·        Special Alankara on Puratasi Saturday

Connectivity

The Temple is located 1 Km south of the old bus stand in Perambalur. Auto from Perambalur New Bus Stand will cost Rs. 40. Share autos are available for every 10 minutes between new and old bus stand. Perambalur is located at about 33 Kms from Ariyalur and 60 Kms from Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Ariyalur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

References

http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/03/perambalur-madanagopalan-temple.html