Tamilnadu Tourism: July 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Azhagiya Koothar Temple (Veera Pandiswarar Temple), Kattarimangalam, Thoothukudi

Azhagiya Koothar Temple (Veera Pandiswarar Temple), Kattarimangalam, Thoothukudi

Azhagiya Koothar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kattarimangalam Village in Sathankulam Taluk in Thoothukudi District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Veera Pandiswarar and Mother is called as Nalla Thavam Nachiyar. The Temple is also called as Veera Pandiswarar Temple. It is one of Pancha Natarajar Sthalams. Natarajar here is called as Azhagiya Koothar. The sthapathy who created the Chidambaram Nataraja moorthy is said to have created five Moorthies. Apart from Chidambaram, the other four moorthies are present in the following temples around Thirunelveli: Kari Soozhntha Mangalam, Kattarimangalam, Mela Karuvelankulam and Chepparai.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/azhagiya-koothar-temple-kattarimangalam-legends.html

The Temple

There are two entrances in the Temple. One entrance is from east and the other one is from south. But southern entrance will be open only during festive days. Balipeedam and Nandhi house in Stone Mandapam are found facing the Sanctum located outside the eastern entrance. Shrine for Sangili Boothathar can be found at the right side after entering the eastern gate.

Presiding Deity is called as Veera Pandiswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Small Nandhi can be found facing the Veera Pandiswarar in the sanctum. Idols of Vinayaga and Lord Murugan can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Utsava idols of Somaskanda, Piriyavidaiyaal Ambal, Manikavasagar can be found at the left side of the sanctum.

Mother is called as Nalla Thavam Nachiyar. There are shrines for Dhakshinamoorthy, Kanni Moolai Kanni Vinayagar, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Chandikeswarar, Durga, Saneeswarar and Bhairava in the Temple premises. Unusual feature of the temple is Navagrahas graces with their consorts.

Nataraja of this Temple is called as Azhagiya Koothar and Mother is called as Sivakami Ambal. There is a tunnel from the pond located outside the temple to the well situated near Saneeswarar shrine. This arrangement explains ancient technique in water harvesting. Though there are centuries old Vanni tree and Maha Vilva in the Temple, Sthala Vriksham is Pomegranate Tree.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 07.00 AM to 11.00 AM and 04.30 PM to 07.00 PM.

Festivals

Sankatahara Chathurthi, Theipirai Chathurthi, Monthly Shivarathri, Karthigai, Monthly Pournami, Margazhi Thiruvadirai and Aippasi Thirukalyanam are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Prayers

Devotees pray to Lord to get rid of Pithru Dosha, Navagraha Dosha, Marriage obstacles, diseases and depression. Those who want to get married will circumbulate the temple three times and pray to Lord Shiva.

Contact

Azhagiya Koothar Temple (Veera Pandiswarar Temple),

Kattarimangalam, Sathankulam Taluk,

Thoothukudi District – 628 613

Mobile: +91 9486381956 / 9442054034

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3.5 Kms from Peikulam Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Sathankulam, 15 Kms from Srivaikuntam Railway Station, 17 Kms from Srivaikuntam, 17 Kms from Alwarthirunagari, 31 Kms from Thirunelveli, 53 Kms from Thoothukudi, 38 Kms from Thoothukudi Airport and 153 Kms from Thiruvananthapuram Airport. There are regular buses from Thirunelveli to Peikulam. From Peikulam, take another local bus or auto to reach this temple.

Location

Azhagiya Koothar Temple (Veera Pandiswarar Temple), Kattarimangalam – Legends

Azhagiya Koothar Temple (Veera Pandiswarar Temple), Kattarimangalam – Legends

There was a king by name Singa Varman who ruled Uthiradhesam. Singa Varman was tyrant ruler and his people suffered a lot. Later he changed to be a good-hearted man and decided to go to forest for doing meditation (Thavam). He saw the sages Pathanjali Munivar and Vyakarapadhar. Lord Shiva gave them darshan and the King also had witnessed it. The sages asked the kind to build Lord Nataraja temple in Chidambaram. The King asked the Sculptors to make a Natarajar statue made of Copper and they created a beautiful Nataraja statue. The statue in copper metal itself was so captivating that the king wondered how beautiful it will be to make similar statue of Natarajar in Gold.

The King ordered the head sculptor Namasivaya Muthu to create Natarajar statue in Gold. The statue was made in Gold but seems every night Lord Shiva would drop a copper coin over it secretly to change the golden statue in to copper statue. The king was shocked to see this and ordered to keep the head sculptors in the fort Jail. The sculptor pleaded the King to prove his innocence but in vain. That night Lord Shiva as Natarajar appeared in Dream to the king and said, “I don’t wish to be in Gold, I wish to be in Copper”. So, the King released the sculptor.

Lord Shiva also asked the King to do this. The copper Nataraja must be carried by the sculptor – Namasivaya. The place where the copper statue weighs too much that they can’t proceed further, that will become the residence of the Copper Nataraja and the Temple must be built there. Thus, when the sculptor Namasivaya came towards south, carrying the Nataraja statue over his head on the banks of river Thamirabarani, it weighed so much that he could not move ahead. So, the statue was placed there. Copper in Tamil is Cheppu. Hence the lord got the name Chepparai Natarajar.

Ramapandian, a local king built the temple there and installed Nellaiyappar with Mother Gandhimadhi and also built a shrine for Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. Veerapandian, a chieftain under king Ramapandian happened to see a Nataraja idol in Chepparai. He told a sculptor that he wanted two such idols closely similar to Chepparai Nataraja. After completion, Veerapandian installed one in Kattarimangalam temple and the other at Karisuzhndha Mangalam. He was so happy to see the beauty of the idols.

The king thought that no one should have such beautiful Nataraja idol and called his men and ordered them to kill the sculptor so that he could not make idols further. The merciful men spared the sculptor after cutting off his hands. The chief king Ramapandian, on hearing this gruesome act ordered cutting off the hands of Veerapandian. The Sthapathy-sculptor was treated with an artificial hand. The art-hungry sculptor established his skill by making the third idol too with his wooden hand. It was a wonderful idol than the earlier two. The excited sculptor touched hard the cheeks of the idol and his hard touch made a scar on the cheeks of the Idol. This was installed in Karuvelankulam.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Madhagu Kaatha Amman Temple, Mahendravadi, Vellore

Madhagu Kaatha Amman Temple, Mahendravadi, Vellore

Madhagu Kaatha Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Sakthi located at Mahendravadi Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. The temple, situated on the Mahendravadi lake is very attractive for devotees in and around the villages/town, where many people come and worship the goddess called Madhuvathamman or Madhagu Kaatha Amman (meaning the goddess who takes care of the lake and reservoir gate). People believes that this goddess is very powerful, and there is a grand festival yearly once for the goddess.

This festival has been celebrated for two days, and during this period, all family members join together to pray to the goddess for their health and wealth. Recent past 5 years this festival has been celebrated for 4 days. The notable things to observe here is, the first right to worship the god (offering garland and Pongal) is to scheduled caste when the god comes from her temple of lake crest to village entrance that means decoration and urchava Veedhi Ula. This is great example to extend of respecting scheduled caste is first in place.

The harmony and being together is integral part of the village culture irrespective of caste system. Newly Married couple offer their Mangal Sutra (Thali) to the goddess and tie the new Mangal Sutra. This happens invariably in all newly married couple. it is a must visit festival to see the offering given to goddess. Every Ammavasai (Dark moon day), full night festive happens at temple and thousands of devotees come and spend their entire night.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/madhagu-kaatha-amman-temple-mahendravadi-connectivity.html

Location

Madhagu Kaatha Amman Temple, Mahendravadi – Connectivity

Madhagu Kaatha Amman Temple, Mahendravadi – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Mahendravadi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Banavaram, 8 Kms from Sholinghur (Banavaram) Railway Station, 10 Kms from Nemili, 25 Kms from Sholinghur, 25 Kms from Arakkonam, 19 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 30 Kms from Kanchipuram, 60 Kms from Vellore, 90 Kms from Chennai and 90 Kms from Chennai Airport. Take the Kanchipuram - Arakkonam road and take diversion on the left and travel further in the Senthamangalam - Nemili road. From Nemili proceed further in the Nemili - Banavaram road. Mahendravadi is located in the 8^th km on Banavaram-Nemili road. You can also reach Mahendravadi via Kanchipuram – Arakkonam road. Take left turn from Pinnavaram towards Nemili village to reach Mahendravadi.

Mahendravadi is well connected by bus to the nearby towns Nemili, Banavaram, Sholinghur and Arakkonam. Every 30 minutes to 45 minutes the buses ply operated by state government transport corporation and private bus operators. There is a railway station called Mahendravadi at about 5 Kms distance. However, the frequency of train is very less. Banavaram (Sholinghur) railway station is the nearest railway station where Lalbaugh Express (Chennai-Bangalore), Kaveri Express (Chennai-Bangalore), Yelagiri Express (Jolarpet-Chennai), Katpadi-Arakkonam Passenger, Arakkonam-Bangalore Passenger & Jolarpet-Arakkonam Express. For the past few years sub-urban train service has been extended from Katpadi to Chennai as well. Frequently you will find share auto's runs between Nemili to Banavaram. Hence reaching Mahendravadi is just like in frequency of 10-15 minutes.

Mahendravadi Lake, Vellore

Mahendravadi Lake, Vellore

Mahendravadi Lake is a historic lake created during Pallava King Mahendra Varma Pallava in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. However, the catchment area for the historical Pallava king made lake is occupied by small hamlets thus making the region very poor for rain water conservation. The lake region is slowly encroached by people. Moreover, the sand sediments of the lake have not been cleared for many decades. There has been a direct canal from Palar river to Mahendravadi lake, which was natural water flow from Anicut of Palar river. The main source of water through north east monsoon are the rains from October to December. However, the rainfall is far below average of north east monsoon fall.

The lake is fully dependent on Palar water, and the dark side is "Palar river itself is a dry river". The lake has been capable of supplying water resources to seven other lakes below its lake bed villages. After 14 years, the lake filled with overflowing water on 24th Nov 2015. It is nice tourist attraction now. Whenever the lake gets full level of water, three-time crop yield is assured for the farmers in the lake region. This lake and a rock-cut Vishnu temple had been formed during Pallava Mahendra Varma I.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/mahendravadi-lake-connectivity.html

Location

Mahendravadi Lake – Connectivity

Mahendravadi Lake – Connectivity

The Lake is located at about 5 Kms from Mahendravadi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Banavaram, 8 Kms from Sholinghur (Banavaram) Railway Station, 10 Kms from Nemili, 25 Kms from Sholinghur, 25 Kms from Arakkonam, 19 Kms from Kaveripakkam, 30 Kms from Kanchipuram, 60 Kms from Vellore, 90 Kms from Chennai and 90 Kms from Chennai Airport. Take the Kanchipuram - Arakkonam road and take diversion on the left and travel further in the Senthamangalam - Nemili road. From Nemili proceed further in the Nemili - Banavaram road. Mahendravadi is located in the 8^th km on Banavaram-Nemili road. You can also reach Mahendravadi via Kanchipuram – Arakkonam road. Take left turn from Pinnavaram towards Nemili village to reach Mahendravadi.

Kailasanathar Temple, Mahendravadi, Vellore

Kailasanathar Temple, Mahendravadi, Vellore

Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Mahendravadi Village in Vellore District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar. The main deity Shiva is found on a small hill without any roof. This deity was worshipped by the Pandavas. This temple is situated on the top of a small hill in the extreme end of the Mahendravadi village.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/kailasanathar-temple-mahendravadi-connectivity.html

Location

Kailasanathar Temple, Mahendravadi – Connectivity

Kailasanathar Temple, Mahendravadi – Connectivity

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai, Thanjavur

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai, Thanjavur

Machapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kovil Devarayan Pettai Village in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The place was called as Thiruchelur in ancient days. The Temple is also called as Matsyapureeswarar Temple. Presiding Diety is called as Machapureeswarar / Matsyapureeswarar and Mother is called as Sugandha Kundhalambigai Ambal. This Temple is considered as Thevara Vaipu Sthalam. The Temple is situated at the border of Kovil Devarayan Pettai and Pandaravadai.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/machapureeswarar-temple-kovil-devarayan-pettai-legends.html

History

This is a very old temple believed to have been constructed at least 1200 years ago and it pre-dates even Thanjavur Big Temple.

The Temple

Presiding Diety is called as Machapureeswarar / Matsyapureeswarar and Mother is called as Sugandha Kundhalambigai Ambal. The story of Vishnu worshipping Shiva as a fish is nicely presented in the form of a stone carving at the entrance. There is a Shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena in the Temple premises. Lord Murugan is having 3 faces in the front and the other three faces on the back of the Idol.

The speciality of the idol is that he is holding Shanku and Chakram in his hands. Normally these attributes are associated only with Vishnu and here the nephew is holding them. Generally, on the back side of Shiva shrine, Usually Lingothbavar will be located but here it is a 3 feet Mahavishnu and the Murugan described above, faces this Vishnu Image. There are 55 inscriptions on the walls of this temple.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/machapureeswarar-temple-kovil-devarayan-pettai-religious-significance.html

Prayers

As per local belief, devotees visit this temple when there are strained relations within the family members like always fighting/arguing, disputes over petty issues etc. When this happens, especially between parents and children, they visit this temple and offer special prayers. Among the various processes in the prayer, the most important one is to offer plenty of incense (Sambarani in Tamil) so that the entire shrine as well as the prakarams are covered with the fragrant smell of Sambarani.

This is believed to melt the hearts of the Swamy and Ambal and they ensure that the strains in the relationships are removed. Since this Kshetram is associated with the retrieval of Vedas, students offer prayers here to excel in their studies. Those who have not offered prayers in the shrines of their family deities, generally offer prayers here before re-commencing prayers in their family deity shrines.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 750 meters from Kovil Devarayan Pettai Bus Stop, 1 Km from Pandaravadai Railway Station, 6 Kms from Ayyampet, 5 Kms from Ayyampet Railway Station, 5 Kms from Papanasam, 18 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 19 Kms from Kumbakonam, 22 Kms from Thanjavur, 70 Kms from Trichy and 75 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated between Devarayan Pettai and Pandaravadai near Papanasam.

Location | Photos

References

https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/thanjavur/

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai – Religious Significance

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai – Religious Significance

Navarathri Worship:

As per Hindu Mythology, Mother Parasakthi visits these temples to have the dharshan of various parts of Lord Shiva during the nine Navarathri days:

Day 1:

On Day 1 of the Navaratri, the Universal Mother along with Sri Brahmi Devi offered worship at the Chakramangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva’s Third Eye – Siva Netra Chakra Darshan.

Day 2:

On Day 2, She, along with Sri Maheswari Devi offered worship at Arimangai and got the darshan of the divine Ganga on Lord Shiva’s head – Siva Ganga Darshan.

Day 3:

On Day 3, She, along with Sri Kaumari Devi offered worship at Soolamangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva’s Trident – Siva Trisula Darshan.

Day 4:

On Day 4, She, along with Sri Vaishnavi Devi offered worship at Nandimangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva’s Leg Ornament – Siva Kazhal Darshan.

Day 5:

On Day 5, the Universal Mother along with Sri Varahi Devi and Mother Kamadenu, offered worship at Pasumangai and got the darshan of Lord Shiva’s Hand Drum – Siva Udukkai Darshan (Damaruka Darshan).

Day 6:

On Day 6, She, along with Sri Indrani Devi also known as Mahendri offered worship at Thazhamangai and got the darshan of the Crescent Moon on Lord Shiva’s Head Drum – Siva Pirai Chandra Darshan.

Day 7:

On Day 7, She, along with Sri Chamundi Devi offered worship at Thirpullamangai and got the darshan of the Divine Serpents on Lord Shiva’s Neck – Siva Naga Bhooshana Darshan.

Day 8:

On Day 8, She, along with Sri Vajreswari Devi (one of the Aadhi Moola Dwara Palaki gate keepers of the Mother) offered worship at the Thiruchelur Machapureeswarar temple.

Day 9:

On Day 9, She, along with Sri Makuteswari Devi (one of the Aadhi Moola Dwara Palaki – gate keepers of the Mother) offered worship at the Melattur Unnathapureeswarar temple.

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai – Legends

Machapureeswarar Temple, Kovil Devarayan Pettai – Legends

Matsyapureeswarar:

As per the Sthala Puranam, this Kshetram connects Vishnu and Shiva. When Brahma was taking rest, an Asura by name Hayagriva, stole the four Vedas and hid in the sea water. Brahma and the other Devas requested Lord Vishnu to help them by retrieving the Vedas. In the meanwhile, a king by name Satyavrathan was doing penance and was praying to Vishnu. One day when he was offering Argyam (prayers during Sandhyavandanam), a small fish came in his hands along with the water.

When the king was about to put it back in the water, it requested him not to do as otherwise, the bigger fish would eat it. The wonderstruck king, put the fish in his Pooja vessel and took it to his palace. By the time, he brought it to the palace, it outgrew the Kamandalam (Pooja vessel) and the King put it in a much bigger vessel, in no time, it became so big that the King was forced to put it in the local tank.

It immediately grew in size and the king had no alternative but to use his forces to carry to it to the sea and put in sea water. When he did this, the fish spoke once again. It told the king that in seven days, there will be huge floods (Pralayam) and the entire world will be submerged. To escape from this fate, the king should collect a specimen of each being including plants and animals and a big boat would come to rescue him and his collection.

The king realized that the fish was none other than Lord Vishnu and he had taken Machavataram to save him and his subjects. The Pralayam came as predicted and same was the case with the boat. The king loaded everything in the boat and tried to navigate it to a place at a higher level. The wind force was severe and the boat was about to capsize. The huge fish immediately materialized there and it supported the boat so that it did not sink.

After helping the boat to land in a safe place, the fish went further into the sea to track and kill Hayagriva. After killing him, it handed over the Vedas to Brahma. However, Vishnu could not get back his normal form due to the Dosham attached to the killing of Hayagriva. He installed a Lingam in this place and prayed to him to help him in getting back to his normal Roopam. Since Shiva obliged Vishnu, this Lord is called Machapureeswarar and Matsyapureeswarar.

Navarathri Worship:

In this temple, Parasakthi offered worship along with Vajreswari Devi (one of the Dwarabalakis of the Devi’s Abode) on the eighth day of Navarathri (Ashtami).

Unnathapureeswarar Temple, Melattur, Thanjavur

Unnathapureeswarar Temple, Melattur, Thanjavur

Unnathapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Melattur Village in Papanasam Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Unnathapureeswarar and Mother is called as Sivakami / Sivapriyambika Ambal. This temple is known more for Shiva Shakthi Pooja and considered an important Shiva Shakthi Peetam.

Legends

Shiva Sakthi Peedam:

This temple is known more for Shiva Shakthi Pooja and considered an important Shiva Shakthi peetam. It is believed that apart from the Universal Mother Parasakthi, Saptha Madhas and the two gate keepers of the Parasakthi Peetam, offer worship to this Lord. In fact, as per belief, the Mothers go around nine temples in this area in rotation and offer poojas to the Shivas of those temples during Navarathri.

Lord Shiva came as Fisherman to save Lord Vishnu:

Once a demon by name Somaka stole the four Vedas and disappeared in the sea. Vishnu took the Machavataram (fish), went after the demon, killed him and in the process of recovering the Vedas, also drank the demon’s blood. He was intoxicated and totally uncontrollable. When Brahma and the other Devas pleaded with the Lord of Kailash, he came as a fisherman along with Parvathi in a boat. Vishnu, the fish, attacked the boat with his fin. Shiva caught hold of the fish and squeezed it so that Vishnu could vomit all the blood of the demon and regain his original form.

Lord Shiva curse on Lord Vishnu:

As per another legend, once Vishnu entered Kailash along with Garuda without informing Nandi. When Nandi protested, Vishnu felled him with his weapons and entered. When Shiva came to know about this, he cursed Vishnu to be born a human being and Garuda as an ordinary bird. When the pair requested Shiva for a solution, he informed them about Vishnu’s Rama Avatharam where he would take the role of a human. Since that would happen after a long time, in the interim, He suggested them to go to Unnathapuram and perform penance there for six months. When they completed the tasks, they got back their normal forms.

Chozha king was blessed with Child:

In the latter days, there was a Chozha king by name Kalmashapada, who was Childless. As advised by his Kulaguru and Sage Agasthya, he performed penance here and got a progeny.

Equivalent of taking bath in Seven Seas:

King Dharmaveera who was an ardent devotee of this Lord, once desired that he should take bath in Ramasethu during an auspicious day. Since he was unable to go there, he prayed to the Lord who brought the essence of all the Seven Seas here and created a Theertham and asked the king to take bath in that to get the benefit equivalent to that of taking bath in Seven Seas.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Unnathapureeswarar. Mother is called as Sivakami / Sivapriyambika Ambal. It is evidenced from the stone inscriptions that during the reign of Vikrama Chola (1125-1150 A.D) a Shiva temple was built over an alluvium that carried a Linga, naming the place as Unnathapuri / Unnathapuram and the deity in Linga form, Unnathapureeswarar. The place is also known earlier as Nritta-Vinoda-Valanadu, came into existence since the early part of the 12^th century.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/07/unnathapureeswarar-temple-melattur-religious-significance.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Thirukkarugavur, 9 Kms from Ayyampet, 8 Kms from Ayyampet Railway Station, 9 Kms from Pandaravadai Railway Station, 8 Kms from Thittai Railway Station, 12 Kms from Papanasam, 18 Kms from Thanjavur, 76 Kms from Trichy and 80 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location

References

https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/thanjavur/

Pages

Monday, July 30, 2018

Sunday, July 29, 2018