Vardhamaneswarar Temple, Thirupugalur, Nagapattinam

Vardhamaneswarar Temple, Thirupugalur, Nagapattinam

Vardhamaneswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirupugalur Village near Thirukannapuram in Thirumarugal Taluk in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vardhamaneswarar / Nikazhkaala Nadhar and Mother is called as Manonmani. This Shrine is called as Thirupugalur Vardhamaneswaram.

This Temple is situated inside Thirupugalur Agnipureeswarar Temple. This shrine is considered as Paadal Petra Sthalam as it is praised in the verses of Devaram by Sambandar. This temple is considered as the 193^rd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 76^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This shrine is considered as Avathara Sthalam of Muruga Nayanar.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/10/agnipureeswarar-temple-thirupugalur.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/03/agnipureeswarar-temple-thirupugalur-history.html

The Temple

This Temple is situated inside Thirupugalur Agnipureeswarar Temple. This shrine is considered as Paadal Petra Sthalam as it is praised in the verses of Devaram by Sambandar. This east facing shrine is situated adjacent to the sanctum of Agnipureeswarar on the right side. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen facing this shrine. Presiding Deity is called as Vardhamaneswarar / Nikazhkaala Nadhar and is facing east. He is housed in the shrine in the form of Lingam.

Idol of Muruga Nayanar can be seen facing this shrine. Muruga Nayanar served Lord Vardhamaneeswarar by preparing garlands for him. Mother is called as Manonmani. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Sambandar hymns on Thirupugalur Vardhamaneswaram is inscribed on the walls. Idols and Shrines of Bala Ganapathy, Chandrasekarar, Dhandapani and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the hall.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/10/agnipureeswarar-temple-thirupugalur_7.html

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/03/vardhamaneswarar-temple-thirupugalur-literary-mention.html

Prayers

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/10/agnipureeswarar-temple-thirupugalur_63.html

Contact

Vardhamaneswarar Temple,

Thirupugalur – 609 704,

Via Thirukannapuram,

Thirumarugal Taluk,

Nagapattinam District

Phone: +91 4366 237 198 / 237 176 / 292 300

Mobile: +91 94431 13025 / 94435 88339

Mobile: +91 94442 64982 / 94878 64858.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 500 meters from Thirupugalur Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Thirukannapuram, 6 Kms from Thirumarugal, 9 Kms from Nannilam Railway Station, 11 Kms from Nannilam Bus Stand, 12 Kms from Nannilam, 21 Kms from Thiruvarur, 27 Kms from Nagapattinam, 32 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 41 Kms from Kumbakonam, 77 Kms from Thanjavur and 137 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Nagapattinam to Kumbakonam Bus route. Devotees need to get down at Thirupugalur / Thirukannapuram arch to reach this temple. Bus facilities are available from Thiruvarur, Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.

Location | Photos

Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu

Bhaktavachaleswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu

The Temple covers an area of about ten acres and is surrounded by many Theerthams. This temple has four prakarams. This Temple is also called as Thazha Koil as it is located at the foot hills. The temple has four towers (gopurams) closely resembling the architecture of the Annamalaiyar Temple. The temple has four gopurams (towers), the tallest with nine tiers (on the southern side) and the other three with seven tiers.

Of the four gopurams, eastern one with nine Kalasams is the ancient amongst all. However, during 10-day Brahmotsavam festival during Tamil month of Chithirai, the Lord exits the temple to offer his blessings to the masses via southern gopuram. There is a 4-pillar mandapam with Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga as the Dwarapalakas (gatekeepers) immediately after the eastern gopuram. Also, 16-pillar mandapam can be found on the left side of the eastern gopuram.

Ashta Puja Durga is on the wall of the present office complex on the east side entrance. The relief looks very beautiful. There are engravings in the western gopuram preach the philosophy that animal, human, devas, and every other being could perform Shiva Pooja emphasizing the equal rights to all devotees. There is an Aamai (Tortoise) Mandapam in the Temple premises. It was built in the 18^th Century and architecture resembles 100-pillar mandapam at Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kancheepuram.

This mandapam gets its name from the shape of Bali Peedam. It is in the shape of tortoise shell upon which Pooja is carried out. Kalyana Utsavam (Wedding Ceremony for Lord Shiva and Mother), Nataraja Abhishekam and other key festivals are carried out in this Mandapam. This mandapam also has sculptures of Lord Shiva’s play (Thiruvilaiyadalgal).

The Mahamandapam after the inner gopuram (Rishi Gopuram) contains a fine sculptural representation of a 7-feet tall Agora Veerabhadra (Siva in ferocious form). Idols of 63 Nayanmars can be found in the Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Bhaktavachaleswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Sculpture of Somaskanda (Lord Shiva, Mother Parvathy and Lord Muruga as a child) can be found behind the Lingam.

The vimana, the roof over the sanctum is Gajabrusta in design (like that of an elephant's seated posture). Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a separate shrine. The architecture of the shrine resembles Ambal shrine of Thanjavur Periya Kovil. Mother is Swayambhu Idol here. Hence, Abhishekam is done only to her feet on normal days and for the whole idol only on three days – Aadi Pooram, the last day of Navaratri and Panguni Uthram. Sri Chakram is installed on Ambal.

Vilenthiya Velan / Murugan can be found in front of Mother Shrine. The idol looks very beautiful. The scene of eagles visiting the temple is sculpted on one of the walls in front of Goddess Thirupurasundari Shrine. Verses from the Abhirami Andhathi are engraved on marble slabs fixed on the walls around the sanctum. There are lot of Tamil inscriptions on the sanctum and Mother Shrine wall. These inscriptions belongs to Pallavas, Cholas and Rashtrakutas.

The Temple Tank, Nandi Theertham is located in the prakaram of the temple. It has a huge Nandi (mount of Siva), facing Vedagiriswarar on the hilltop. The absence of a Nandi before the presiding deity on the hilltop is a unique feature. Sthala Vriksham is plantain Tree. There are also separate shrines for Manikkavasakar, Ekambaranathar, Vanduvana Vinayagar, Jambukeswarar, Arunachaleswarar, Somaskanda, Athma Nathar, Arumugaswami and Prathyacha Vedagiri in the Temple premises.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

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

Location | Photos

Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu

Vedagiriswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu

The total area covering the temple and hill is over 265 acres and the hill is about 500 feet high. The Temple at the hilltop can be reached by ascending 562 well-laid stone slabs. There are small mandapams, for pilgrims to take rest all through the way. Dholis are available for the aged and disabled person at nominal charges. This Temple has been praised in Devaram Hymns. Presiding Deity is called as Vedagiriswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambumurthi. The sanctum is seen built of three large boulders, constituting the 3 walls of the sanctum sanctorum. There are no Koshta idols around the sanctum. There is no Nandhi in the Hill Temple. Only Balipeedam and Dwajastambam can be found facing the sanctum. It is a contradiction here that Nandhi before the sanctum sanctorum is absent in this temple. Instead, a huge Nandi (mount of Siva) in the foot hill Temple, Bhaktavachaleswarar, is facing Vedagiriswarar on the hilltop.

Nataraja Sabha can be found in the Artha mandapam. Mother is called as Sokka Nayagi. She is housed in a separate north facing shrine in the prakaram. She is in standing posture. There is also a shrine for Nardana Vinayaga in the prakaram. There are shrines for Vallaba Ganapathy and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai on the east side entrance of the hill temple. There are also shrines for Vinayaga and Murugan in the north side entrance.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

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

Location

Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort, Trichy

Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort, Trichy

Thayumanavar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Rockfort temple complex in the city of Tiruchirappalli in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The temple is situated close to the base of the Rockfort and was constructed by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the 6th century AD. Presiding Deity is called as Thayumanavar / Mathrubootheshwar / Thayumaneswarar / Sevvanthi Nathar. Mother is known as Mattuvar Kuzhali or Sugandha Kundalambikai. The Rockfort temple complex has three shrines, two of which are dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one at the foot and the Ucchi Pillayar Temple at the top, and the Thayumanavar Temple between them. The Thayumanavar temple is the largest of the three temples.

The Rockfort is a fortress which stands atop a 273-foot-high rock, consisting of a set of monolithic rocks accommodating many rock-cut cave temples. Originally built by the Pallavas, it was later reconstructed by the Madurai Nayaks and Vijayanagara rulers. The major complex in the temple are believed to be built during the 8th century by the Pandyan Empire. According to geologists, this Rocky Mountains dates back to 3500 billion years old. This place was also known as Sirappalli, Rishabachalam & Dhakshina Kailasam during ancient days.

Thirugnana Sambandar, a 7^th century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Thayumanavar in eleven verses in Thevaram, compiled as the First Thirumurai. Appar, a contemporary of Sambandar, also venerated Thayumanavar in 10 verses in Thevaram, compiled as the Fifth Thirumurai. As the temple is revered in Thevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. Muthukumaraswamy in the temple is revered in Thirupugazh, the hymns of Arunagirinathar, a 15th-century saint. This is the 123^rd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 6^th Shiva Sthalam located on the southern bank of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu.

Pujas are conducted under two codes – Shivagama and Kameekam. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Chittirai festival during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) is celebrated for fifteen days, portraying the various incidents associated with the temple legend. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Worship Practices & Festivals

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-worship-practices-festivals.html

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-literary-mention.html

Prayers

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/thayumanaswami-temple-rockfort-prayers.html

Contact

Thayumanavar Temple,

Rock Fort, Trichy – 620 002

Phone: +91 431 270 4621 / 271 0484 / 270 0971

Email: thiruchyrockforttemple@gmail.com

Connectivity

The temple is located halfway up the Rockfort Temple Complex. Rockfort is located at about 5 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 1.5 Kms from Chatiram Bus Station, 5 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 4 Kms from Woraiyur, 14 Kms from Thiruverumbur, 4 Kms from Srirangam, 7 Kms from Thiruvanaikoil, 6 Kms from Trichy and 10 Kms from Trichy International Airport. Lots of buses ply from both Central & Chathram bus stands of Trichy. One can get down at Main Guard Gate or Teppakulam to reach Rockfort. 

Location | Photos

Nedungalanathar Temple, Thirunedunkulam, Trichy

Nedungalanathar Temple, Thirunedunkulam, Trichy

Nedungalanathar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirunedunkulam in the Trichy District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nedungalanathar / Nithya Sundareshwarar. Mother is called as Oppila Nayaki / Mangalambikai. This temple is spread over 2 acres and is a Chola period temple. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, a group of Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This temple is 125^th Devaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 8^th Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery of Chozha Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/nedungalanathar-temple-thirunedunkulam-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/nedungalanathar-temple-thirunedunkulam-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

Monthly Pradoshas (thirteenth day of new moon or full moon days) are devotionally observed in the temple. Special pujas are dedicated to four Saivite Saints, Gnanasambandhar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manicka Vasagar (praised as Naalvar-Four) on their respective birth star days. On Aadi Fridays in July-August special pujas are performed. It is noteworthy that Surya Puja is devotionally performed in the temple from Aadi 7 to 12 – July-August.

Literary Mention

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/nedungalanathar-temple-thirunedunkulam-literary-mention.html

Prayers

Devotees pray for wedding and child boon and for excellence in education. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord and Mother offering Vastras-clothing. Worshipping the Lord here for 8 Fridays continuously with lighting ghee lamp brings attraction to face. It also brings one fascinating features. Worshipping Mother continuously for nine Tuesdays during Ragu Kaalam lighting ghee lamp in lemon along with nine lemon fruits relieves one of impediments, diseases and poverty according to popular belief. Worshipping the Ayyanar here with ghee lamp of Panguni Uthiram brings one prospects for constructing a house. Yoga Dhakshinamoorthy here offers knowledge and intellect if offered worship with ghee lamp on Thursdays for 5 weeks continuously.

Contact

Thiru Nedungala Nathar (Nitya Sundareswarar Temple),

Thirunedungalam – 620 015,

Trichy District

Phone: +91 431 252 0126 / 2510241

Mobile: +91 9965045666

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2017/11/nedungalanathar-temple-thirunedunkulam-connectivity.html

Location | Photos