Arupathu Moovar Temple, Thiruvaippadi, Thanjavur

Arupathu Moovar Temple, Thiruvaippadi, Thanjavur

Arupathu Moovar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to 63 Nayanmars, group of Shaivite saints, located in Thiruvaippadi Village near Thiruppanandal Town in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Nayanmars were a group of 63 saints lived in Tamil Nadu between 6^th and 8^th centuries CE. They were ardent devotees of Lord Shiva and influenced the Bhakti movement in early medieval South India. The names of the Nayanars were first compiled by Sundarar.

The list was expanded by Nambiyandar Nambi during his compilation of material by the poets for the Thirumurai collection and would include Sundarar himself and Sundarar's parents. Out of 63 Nayanmars, 58 were born in Tamil Nadu, one from Andhra Pradesh, one from Karnataka, one from Puducherry, 2 from Kerala. Idols of 63 Nayanmars can be found in the temple prakaram in most of the Shiva temples. This temple is dedicated only to the 63 Nayanmars. The Temple was constructed recently by 63 Nayanmar Thiruppani Mandram, Virudhachalam.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2 Kms from Senganur, 2.5 Kms from Thiruppanandal, 2.5 Kms from Thiruppanandal Bus Stand, 13 Kms from Aduthurai Railway Station, 15 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur, 17 Kms from Kumbakonam, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 56 Kms from Thanjavur and 107 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Thiruppanandal Route.

Location

Idangazhi Nayanar Temple, Kodumbalur, Pudukottai

Idangazhi Nayanar Temple, Kodumbalur, Pudukottai

Idangazhi Nayanar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Idangazhi Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanmars, located in Kodumbalur Village in Illupur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple was built in honour of him in recent years.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/02/idangazhi-nayanar-temple-kodumbalur-legends.html

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Sub shrines of Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the Ardha Mandapam. The Sanctum houses an idol of Idangazhi Nayanar. A colossal Nandi idol housed in a modern Mandapa can be found opposite to this temple.

Festivals

Idangazhi Nayanar is specially worshipped in the Tamil month of Aippasi, when the moon enters the Krittika Nakshatra (lunar mansion).

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 9 Kms from Viralimalai, 13 Kms from Illupur, 13 Kms from Manapparai, 13 Kms from Manapparai Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Manapparai Railway Station, 39 Kms from Pudukottai, 41 Kms from Trichy Airport, 43 Kms from Trichy and 98 Kms from Madurai. The temple is situated at about 1.5 Kms from Trichy to Madurai highway (NH 38). Frequent Buses are available from Manapparai and Viralimalai.

Location

Kalikamba Nayanar Temple, Pennadam, Cuddalore

Kalikamba Nayanar Temple, Pennadam, Cuddalore

Kalikamba Nayanar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Kalikamba Nayanar, a venerated Shaivite Nayanmar, located at Pennadam Town in Thitagudi Taluk in Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is considered as Avathara and Mukthi Sthalam of Kalikamba Nayanar.

History

Kalikamba Nayanar is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the forty-third in the list of 63 Nayanars. His hagiography speaks about how he cut the hand of his wife, who did not help in serving a Shaiva, devotee of the god Shiva. The primary account of Kalikamba Nayanar's life comes from the Tamil Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12^th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.

Kalikamba Nayanar was born and lived in Pennagadam, also known as Tirupennagadam, currently situated near Virudhachalam the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for Sudarkozhundeesar Temple, dedicated to the god Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism. In Kalikamba Nayanar's times, Pennagadam was part of the Chola kingdom. Kalikamba was a Vaishya, the merchant caste that flourished in Pennagadam. He was a devotee of Shiva and used to serve the devotees of Shiva (Shaivas).

Every day, he welcomed them, washed their feet, and worshipped them. He also served lunch to the devotees and offered them money and gifts. Once, when the devotees gathered for lunch at Kalikamba's house, he started with his daily ritual of pada-puja (washing of feet to show respect) of the devotees. His wife helped him in the service. The wife would pour water from the pot, as Kalikamba washed the feet. When Kalikamba was about to wash the feet of a devotee, she recognized the devotee as their former servant and hesitated from pouring water from the pot.

Kalikamba felt that the wife has desecrated the sacred service. He took the pot from her hand and cut off the hand by his sword. He continued to wash the feet of the devotees and served them food, a duty generally performed by his wife. For his act of devotion, he attained the grace of Shiva. The tale of Kalikamba Nayanar is also recalled in the 13^th century Telugu Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha with some variation. The devotee is recognized the son of their servant Mallandu or Malla. He had refused to serve Kalikamba and left Kalikamba's house and become a Shaiva mendicant.

The wife refuses to serve a son of a slave and advises her husband not to do so, however Kalikamba considers every Shaiva as a manifestation of Shiva and refuses to pour water to wash his feet. Kalikamba considers this as an insult of Shiva and cuts both her hands as a punishment. The account ends by saying that Kalikamba attained moksha (salvation) by the grace of Shiva. Kalikamba Nayanar receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.

The Temple

This is a Small temple with an entrance arch. Sanctum houses an idol of Kalikamba Nayanar. Vinayaga and Murugan can be found at the entrance of the sanctum.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 350 meters from Pennadam Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Pennadam Railway Station, 15 Kms from Thittakudi, 18 Kms from Virudhachalam, 21 Kms from Virudhachalam Railway Station, 23 Kms from Srimushnam, 29 Kms from Thozhuthur, 34 Kms from Neyveli, 39 Kms from Ulundurpet, 42 Kms from Sethiyathope, 48 Kms from Kurinjipadi, 50 Kms from Gangai Konda Cholapuram, 60 Kms from Chidambaram, 78 Kms from Cuddalore, 97 Kms from Puducherry, 106 Kms from Trichy, 114 Kms from Trichy Airport and 257 Kms from Chennai.

The Temple is located on Virudhachalam to Thittakudi Route. Frequent Bus facilities to reach this temple are available from both ends.  There is a railway station at Pennadam which is on the Virudhachalam – Tiruchirappalli section of the Southern Railway. Pennadam Railway Station is located at about 3 Kms from the Temple. Nearest Major Railway Station is located at Virudhachalam (21 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry, Chennai and Trichy.

Location

Manickavasagar Temple, Chinnamanur, Theni

Manickavasagar Temple, Chinnamanur, Theni

Manickavasagar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Saint Manickavasagar located in Chinnamanur Town in Theni District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is Manickavasagar. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Surabi River. Chinnamanur was called as Hari Kesava Nallur during ancient times. Famous Poola Nandeeswarar Temple is situated very close to this Temple. The Temple was built in 14^th Century AD.

Legends

Vadavoorar was born at Thiruvathavur as the son of Sambupadachariar and Shivagnanavati couple. In appreciation of his erudition and integrity and devotion to Lord Shiva, King Arimardana Pandian appointed him as his minister and honoured him with the title Thennavan Brahmmarayan. He gave adequate money to him to buy high-breed horses for his cavalry. When the saint reached Tiruperundurai (now Avudaiyarkoil), he saw Lord Shiva under a Kurundha tree teaching disciples.

Vadavoorar lost himself at the sight of Lord, fell at his feet and begged to be accepted as his disciple. Lord gladly admitted him as his student. As the hymns sung by Vadavoorar were like gems – Manickam in Tamil, Lord named him Manickavasagar. Manickavasagar built a temple for Lord Shiva in Avudaiyarkoil with the money meant for buying horses. Lord Shiva changed the jackals in the forest as horses and brought them to the king. They became jackals at night. Suspecting Manickavasagar of foul play, the king punished him. Lord Shiva played a miracle play-Thiruvilayadal and made public the greatness of Manickavasagar. In memory of this great saint, the temple was built.

The Temple

This is a south facing temple with three tiered Rajagopuram. Saint Manickavasagar is the presiding deity and he is housed in the sanctum. Saint Manickavasagar, as a Guru in standing posture wearing Rudraksha mala and holding a Japa Mala in the right hand with a Chinmudra graces the devotees. He has palm leaves in the left hand. He is facing south. Lord Kasi Viswanatha and Mother Visalakshi grace the devotees in the temple premises.

Chandikeswarar, generally in sitting posture in Shiva temples, is standing here worshipping Lord. Chitra Gupta with his palm leaf and Ezhuthani (writing rod) before Lord Shiva’s shrine in meditation mood. People perform birth day pujas and 60^th year birthday Homas in this shrine. Sani Bhagawan (Planet Saturn) appears with a parrot in the Navagraha shrine. There is also a Sani Bhagawan in the temple with threatening long teeth called Gora Saneeswarar.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 7.00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Special pujas are dedicated to Saint Manickavasagar on each Maga star day each month. As the saint was blessed for his hymns in Tamil, all Archanas here are performed in Tamil. He comes in procession as a Minister during the festivals. It may be recalled that Manickavasagar was the Prime Minister of King Arimardana Pandiyan. On the Uthira Star day in the months of Aani (June-July) and Margazhi (December-January) both the Saint and Lord Nataraja come together in procession. Devotees use to chant the Tiruchazhal hymn of the saint during this event to overcome stammering problems. During the Guru Puja, a Shiva Puja in midday is performed for Shiva devotees, honored as Lord Himself. They are offered pujas with sacred ash, sandal and flowers with Aarati.

Prayers

Devotees pray here to have wise children and cure from stammering problems. People pray to Kasi Viswanatha and Mother Visalakshi to have wise children. The do this prayer especially before admitting children to school. Realizing their wishes, devotees perform special Archanas and offer vastras.

Contact

Manickavasagar Temple,

Chinnamanur – 625 515,

Theni District

Mobile: +91 90958 38384

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Chinnamanur New Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Kuchanur, 17 Kms from Cumbum, 23 Kms from Theni, 24 Kms from Theni Railway Station, 25 Kms from Bodinayakanur, 99 Kms from Madurai and 110 Kms from Madurai Airport. This temple is situated in the heart of Chinnamanur Town, near Bus Stand. There are frequent bus facilities available for every 5 minutes from Theni to Chinnamanur. Buses going towards Cumbum and Kumili from Theni will pass through Chinnamanur.

Location

Naalvar Temple, Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu

Naalvar Temple, Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu

Naalvar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Saivite Saints (Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikkavasakar), located in Thirukazhukundram, an outskirt of Chennai City in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is situated on the eastern side, at the foot of the hill and is located at about 1 Km from the main Temple.

History

The Saivite saints namely Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavasakar sang hymns in praise of Lord Vedagiriswarar standing near the foothill of the mountain without climbing it. This location where the four saints stood was subsequently built into a temple and henceforth called Naalvar Koil (The temple of four saints).

The Temple

The Temple is exclusively for the four great saints of Shaivism. There are no other god statues here. It is so constructed that the statues of four saints are in a single row and facing the Lord Shiva in the mountain. There is a small Nandhi statue in front also facing the mountain, which they say is the Nandhi for Lord Shiva on the top of the mountain. The Linga on top does not have a Nandhi.

The locals say that Naalvar temple is the place where one should start the Girivalam, and also end their girivalam, which is being done from time immemorial and also, they say that Girivalam is done here in this hill, even before it was started in Tiruvannamalai. There is a ventilated window opposite to the Linga on top of the mountain, and if you look from there you can see the Nandhi.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/09/vedagiriswarar-temple-thirukalukundram-connectivity.html

Location

Sekkizhar Temple, Kundrathur, Chennai

Sekkizhar Temple, Kundrathur, Chennai

Sekkizhar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Sekkizhar, epic poet lived during Kulothunga Chola II, located at Kundrathur, a suburb of Chennai in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is in addition to the Manimandapam near Nageswarar Temple. Sekkizhar, who wrote the history of 63 Saivite Nayanmars as Periyapuranam, one of the 12 Saiva Thirumurai Pathigams, was born in Kundrathur. The Temple is located just opposite to the Kandazheeswarar Temple. 

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/11/sekkizhar-temple-kundrathur-history.html

The Temple

It is a rare and unique temple dedicated to an old Tamil scholar and poet, Sekkizhar. This small temple is located in a lane opposite to Nageswarar Temple. The temple has a prakara around the sanctum. The idol of Sekkizhar is enshrined in the sanctum. Sekkizhar appears in a standing form with Akshara Mala and his epic. On the Poosam star day, the day he reached the Lotus feet of Lord Shiva, special pujas are performed. It is also noteworthy that the rays of Sun fall on the Saint Poet in the Tamil month of Masi (February-March) from 17 to 21. The temple has idols of Saivite Acharya Umapathy Sivachariyar (author of Sekkizhar Puranam) and King Anabaya Chozhan who helped the writing of Peria Puranam.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Festivals

Sekkizhar Guru Puja is celebrated in the Vaikasi month (May-June) for 11 days beginning from the Poosam star day. On the third day, the celebration covers the event of Sekkizhar assuming charge as the Minister of King Anabaya Chola and comes in procession in his ministerial attire. On the fourth day, the divine poet visits the Thirunageswaram Shiva Temple built by him and performs Shiva Puja. The sixth day covers his authoring the Peria Puranam. He comes in procession with Lord Nataraja. The eighth day is the staging of Periyapuranam (Arangetram) and the darshan granted to him by Lord Muruga followed by a procession with the Lord. The 10^th day covers his attaining the Lotus Feet of Lord Shiva which is very devotionally celebrated.

Prayers

Parents pray here for the educational excellence of their children. Devotees light ghee lamps on realizing their wishes.

Contact

Sekkizhar Temple,

Kundrathur,

Chennai – 600 069

Phone: +9144 2478 0436

Mobile: +91 93828 89430

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/11/sekkizhar-temple-kundrathur-connectivity.html

Location

References

https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=80

http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2016/05/sekkizhar-temple.html

Sekkizhar Mani Mandapam, Kundrathur, Chennai

Sekkizhar Mani Mandapam, Kundrathur, Chennai

Sekkizhar Mani Mandapam is a memorial dedicated to famous Tamil Scholar and Poet Sekkizhar located at Kundrathur, a suburb of Chennai in the Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu.  He lived in the 12^th century CE during the period of Kulothunga Chola II. He was the author of Periya Puranam, which talks about the lives and greatness of 63 Nayanmars. The temple of Nageswarar in Kundrathur was built by Sekkizhar.

In memory of this great poet, a big mandapam (hall) was constructed near Nageswarar Temple in the recent past. This mandapam is called as Sekkizhar Mani Mandapam. This big hall has a statue of Sekkizhar in the middle. There is a Dyana mandapam situated inside the Mani Mandapam. This hall is very well maintained and looks clean and neat. The open space outside the hall has beautiful gardens and the villagers visit this site during the evening time to enjoy the pleasant weather and breeze.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/10/sekkizhar-mani-mandapam-kundrathur-connectivity.html

Location

References

http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2016/05/sekkizhar-mani-mandap.html

Muktheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Muktheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Muktheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is also called as Kanchi Muktheeswaram. This temple is situated near Vazhakkuraitheeswar Temple. This Temple and Garudeswarar Shrine (Garudesam) in this temple are considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/01/muktheeswarar-temple-kanchipuram-legends.html

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with a three tiered Rajagopuram on the western side. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Nandhi and Bali Peedam can be seen before Mukha Mandapam, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum is situated at about three feet below ground level. Presiding Deity is called as Muktheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Swarna Rekha can be seen on the Lingam.

Kamakshi Amman of Kanchi Kamakshi temple is considered as the consort of Lord Shiva. There are shrines for Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Vinayaga, Garudeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas, Suryan, Naalvar and Thiru Kurippu Thonda Nayanar in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Shiva Theertham. It is situated in front of the sanctum. 

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 6.30 am to 12.00 noon and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Festivals

During the Tamil month Chithirai, the nakshatra of Swathi is observed as the birthday of Tiru Kurippu Thonda Nayanar in this temple. This temple observes twin pradoshams; one at Garudeswarar Shrine and other at Sanctum. Maha Shivaratri and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai are the other festivals celebrated here.

Prayers

People pray here for removing obstacles in marriage, for excellence in education and becoming rich.

Contact

Muktheeswarar Temple,

Kanchipuram – 631 501

Mobile: +91 96009 99761

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/01/muktheeswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Location