Bhoominathar Temple, Sevalur – The Temple

Bhoominathar Temple, Sevalur – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with a dilapidated rajagopuram. The superstructure and the roof the rajagopuram had been lost completely. The main shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen in the mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Bhoominathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam in circular avudaiyar.

The Shiva Lingam is a Shodasa Lingam (Lingam with sixteen stripes). There is a space between the Bana Lingam and the Avudaiyar. The abhishekam waters enter this space and goes into the earth. The vimana over the sanctum is of three tiers. The exterior of the sanctum is devoid of any decoration except the pilasters and niches. The niches are empty except the southern niche which enshrines an image of Dakshinamoorthy.

Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Aranavalli. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum enshrines an image of Aranavalli. She is in standing posture and is four armed. Her upper hand holds lotus flowers and lower hands shows abhaya & varada hastha.

A dilapidated Shiva Lingam without Avudaiyar similar to the presiding deity in the sanctum can be seen near the goddess shrine. There is a shrine for Moola Pillaiyaar situated on the south-western corner of the temple premises. This shrine is believed to have been constructed in 9^th century CE. This shrine is considered older than the main shrine. There is a shrine for Bhairavar situated on the north-eastern corner of the temple premises.

There is a shrine for Arumugam in the temple premises. He has six faces and twelve arms. He is flanked by his consorts Valli & Devasena. An idol of Suryan can be seen on the southern from the entrance of the maha mandapam. He is shown holding lotus bud in both of his hands. Theertham associated with this temple is Prithvi Theertham. It is situated near this temple.

Bhoominathar Temple, Sevalur – Legends

Bhoominathar Temple, Sevalur – Legends

Bhoominathar:

As per legend, Bhoomadevi (Mother Earth) performed intense penance on Lord Shiva in Kritha Yuga, the first of the four Yugas seeking sufficient strength to bear the burden of growing population in the coming Yugas. Pleased with her penance, Lord Shiva appeared before Mother Earth and granted her the boon. Further, Lord Shiva said that the penance was adequate to bear the population burden in Kaliyuga. She will be able to bear the burden only through the prayers her devotees do for her.

Mother Earth began searching for such devotees in many sacred places and prayed Swayambu Murthis she met on the way. It is said that Lord Bhoominathar of this temple is one of the Swayambhu Moorthis she prayed. The Shivalinga has many stripes (Pattai) which was formed while Bhoomadevi (Mother Earth) worshipped him with turmeric, Sandal, Kasthuri and butter pastes at the end of each Yuga. As Bhoomadevi worshipped Lord Shiva here, he came to be called as Bhoominathar.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Lord Vishnu, Bhoomadevi and Devas had worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Sevalur:

As the place was abundant with red sand (Sevval), the place came to be called as Sevalur.

Sundareswarar Temple, Ariyur, Pudukottai

Sundareswarar Temple, Ariyur, Pudukottai

Sundareswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Ariyur Village in Illupur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Presiding deity is called as Sundareswarar and Mother is called as Meenakshi. The temple is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen in front of the temple facing towards the sanctum, The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Sundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Mother is called as Meenakshi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in mukha mandapam on the right side. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Murugan in the temple premises.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Ariyur Market, 11 Kms from Pudukottai, 13 Kms from Pudukkottai Railway Station, 16 Kms from Narthamalai, 18 Kms from Illupur, 33 Kms from Viralimalai and 46 Kms form Trichy Airport. The temple is situated at about 1.5 Kms to the south west of Ariyur Market on the Pudukottai to Viralimalai route.

Location

Jain Tirthankara Idol, Annavasal, Pudukottai

Jain Tirthankara Idol, Annavasal, Pudukottai

An Idol of Tirthankara of Jainism can be seen in Annavasal Town in Illuppur Taluk in Pudukottai District in Tamil Nadu. The image is dated to 9^th century CE. It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Idol

The image is found seated in padmasana posture under a peepal tree with curved branches forms like pandal. The bells are shown hanging from the pandal. He is flanked by attendants and found under triple umbrella. The image is decorated with the semi-circular prabhavali and creeper designs. A pillow arrangement is shown on the back of Tirthankara. The head of the tirthankara is defaced. Currently, the idol is kept on platform constructed by ASI. Remains of ancient temple can be seen nearby.

Connectivity

The idol is located at about 1 Km from Annavasal Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Illupur, 11 Kms from Narthamalai, 16 Kms from Kulathur, 16 Kms from Pudukkottai, 18 Kms from Pudukkottai Railway Station, 26 Kms from Viralimalai and 41 Kms from Trichy Airport. The idol is situated at about 1 Km to the north west of Annavasal Bus Stand on the Pudukkottai to Viralimalai route.

Location

Agastheeswarar Temple, Alathur, Pudukottai

Agastheeswarar Temple, Alathur, Pudukottai

Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Alathur Village in Illupur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Agastheeswarar and Mother is called as Dharmambikai. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance mandapa. The entrance mandapa has four pillars. Stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the top of this mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the entrance mandapam facing towards the sanctum. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam.

Presiding deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Bikshadana, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Dharmambikai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam on the right side.

Shrines of Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Bhairavar, Nalvar (Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar & Manickavasagar), Sekkizhar and Navagrahas can be seen in the temple premises. There is a sacred well situated in the temple premises. A Mahaveer Jain idol sculpted from stone and measuring about 1 metre in height is kept in an open area under a tree near to this temple.

Contact

Agastheeswarar Temple,

Alathur, Illupur Taluk,

Pudukottai District – 622 001

Mobile: +91 94438 07873

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 5 Kms from Illupur, 5 Kms from Illupur Bus Stand, 19 Kms from Viralimalai, 28 Kms from Pudukkottai, 30 Kms from Ponnamaravathi, 31 Kms from Pudukkottai Railway Station and 42 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated on Illuppur to Ponnamaravathi route.

Location

Adi Kailasanathar Temple, Avudaiyar Koil – Legends

Adi Kailasanathar Temple, Avudaiyar Koil – Legends

Lord Shiva saved the brahmins of this village from a greedy Pandyan minister:

As per legend, the place where this temple stands was called as Sivapuram during ancient times. Sivapuram was under the rule of a Pandyan King. This king had a greedy minster named Thundakam who wanted to usurp the land of this village. This village was populated by 300 brahmins. Thundakam threatened the villagers to vacate the village as the land belonged to him and he had evidence to support his claim.  Realizing the evil intentions of the plan of Thundakam, the poor brahmins prayed to Lord Shiva to safeguard their land from him.

After a few days, an elderly man named Paramaswamy came to their village and promised them that he would restore their land to the villagers on the condition that if he was given 1/300 of the land. The elderly person went to Madurai, the capital of Pandyan Kingdom and informed the Pandyan king that the land belonged to him, and he had documents to prove his claim. The minister disputed the claims of the elderly person and showed supporting documents to support his claim over the land.

Confused on seeing two documents claiming the same land, the king asked his minister as well as the elderly person to identify one defining feature of their land. The minister knew the land was situated in arid region and confidently said to the king that the land had no underground water. The elderly person contested the claim of the minister and said that the land was fertile and was blessed with abundant water. The king along with his minister and the elderly person went to the village and ordered to dig a particular spot for water.

The water started gushing out from the place. The king realized the wrongdoing of his minister and ruled in favour of the elderly person. Further, he dismissed him from the minister post. The brahmins realised that the Paramaswamy was none other than Lord Shiva himself. The brahmins offered 1/300^th of land to Lord Shiva and built this temple for him. The place where the water sprung during the digging became the temple tank.

Lord Shiva gave upadesam to Manickavasagar here:

As per legend, Lord Shiva appeared and gave upadesam to Manickavasagar at this temple.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Sage Pulastya, Sage Agastya, Sage Parasara, and Manickavasagar had worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Adi Kailasanathar Temple, Avudaiyar Koil, Pudukottai

Adi Kailasanathar Temple, Avudaiyar Koil, Pudukottai

Adi Kailasanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Avudaiyar Koil Village in Avudaiyar Koil Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Adi Kailasanathar and Mother is called as Shivagami. The temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this temple.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2025/03/adi-kailasanathar-temple-avudaiyar-koil-legends.html

History

Thiruperunthurai (Avudaiyar Kovil) is associated with Manickavasagar, a 9th century CE Tamil saint and poet who wrote Thiruvasagam, a book of Shaiva hymns. He is said to have been a minister to the Pandya king Varagunavarman II (862 – 885 CE). Thiruperunthurai Temple is said to have been built by Manickavasagar when he was a minister of a Pandya king. This temple is said to have been in existence even during the time of Manickavasagar.

Hence, Lord Shiva of this temple came to be called as Aadhi Kailasanathar. The temple had been extensively renovated during the reigns of Later Pandyas in 14th century CE. This place was called Vadakkur (Vadakku means north in Tamil) and Thiruperunthurai was called Therkkur (Therku means south in Tamil) during ancient times. Even, now the place is called as Vada Nagar.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The mukha mandapam is an open pillared hall. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be seen in the mukha mandapam facing towards the sanctum. Presiding deity is called as Adi Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam.

Dakshinamoorthy is the only koshta idol situated on southern wall of the sanctum. Mother is called as Shivagami. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the maha mandapam on the right side. Shrines of Valampuri Vinayagar, Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Bhairava, Chandran and Suryan can be seen in the temple premises. There is a sacred well situated in the temple premises.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Literary Mention

The temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this temple. The temple is mentioned in 6^th Thirumurai in 71^st Patikam in 11^th Song.

Appar (6-71-11):

கயிலாயமலை யெடுத்தான் கரங்க ளோடு

சிரங்களுரம் நெரியக்கால் விரலாற் செற்றோன்

பயில்வாய பராய்த்துறைதென் பாலைத் துறை

பண்டெழுவர் தவத்துறைவெண் டுறைபைம் பொழிற்

குயிலாலந் துறைசோற்றுத் துறைபூந் துறை

பெருந்துறையுங் குரங்காடு துறையி னோடு

மயிலாடு துறைகடம்பந் துறையா வடு

துறைமற்றுந் துறையனைத்தும் வணங்கு வோமே.  11

Prayers

Devotees pray here for child boon, removal of obstacles in marriage alliances and removal of negatives in their horoscopes. Special worship is performed on birthdays, wedding anniversaries and 60^th & 80^th birthdays for prosperity and healthy life.

Contact

Adi Kailasanathar Temple,

Vadakkur, Avudaiyar Koil,

Avudaiyar Koil Taluk,

Pudukottai District – 614 618

Phone: +91 4371 233 301

Mobile: +91 94439 51773

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 750 metres from Avudaiyarkoil Manikkavasakar Bus Stand, 1 Km from Avudaiyarkoil, 1 Km from Avudaiyarkoil Athmanatha Swamy Temple, 16 Kms from Aranthangi, 16 Kms from Aranthangi Railway Station, 24 Kms from Mimisal, 51 Kms from Pudukkottai and 97 Kms from Trichy Airport. The temple is situated on the Aranthangi to Mimisal route.

Location