Thiruppuli Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Thiruppuli Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Thiruppuli Falls is a waterfall located at Thiruppuli Nadu in Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Kolli Hills Taluk in Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu. It is a lovely spot for a picnic or just to enjoy the beauty of nature. It is also a great place for photography.

Connectivity

Thiruppuli Falls is located at about 13 Kms from Semmedu Bus Stand. Kolli Hills is located at about 42 Kms from Senthamangalam, 53 Kms from Namakkal Railway Station, 54 Kms from Namakkal, 58 Kms from Rasipuram, 88 Kms from Karur, 92 Kms from Salem, 129 Kms from Trichy and 137 Kms from Trichy Airport. Kolli Hills is well connected to Namakkal, Karur, Salem and Trichy by road.

Location

Puducombai Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Puducombai Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Puducombai Falls is a waterfall located in Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Kolli Hills Taluk in Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu. This falls is situated amidst dense forest and can be accessed through trekking through forest for about 2 Kms. Taking bath in this falls has medicinal benefits as the water runs through the herbal plants in the forest. Locals help is required to reach this fall as it is located inside the forest.

Connectivity

Puducombai Falls is located at about 5 Kms from Semmedu Bus Stand. The falls can be reached by trekking for about 2 Kms through the forests from Vasalurpatty Boat house. Kolli Hills is located at about 42 Kms from Senthamangalam, 53 Kms from Namakkal Railway Station, 54 Kms from Namakkal, 58 Kms from Rasipuram, 88 Kms from Karur, 92 Kms from Salem, 129 Kms from Trichy and 137 Kms from Trichy Airport. Kolli Hills is well connected to Namakkal, Karur, Salem and Trichy by road.

Location

Masi Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Masi Falls, Kolli Hills, Namakkal

Masi Falls is a waterfall located in Kolli Hills of the Eastern Ghats in Kolli Hills Taluk in Namakkal District in Tamil Nadu. It is a small waterfalls situated on the Kulivalavu to Velikadu road.

Connectivity

Masi Falls is located at about 17 Kms from Semmedu Bus Stand. Kolli Hills is located at about 42 Kms from Senthamangalam, 53 Kms from Namakkal Railway Station, 54 Kms from Namakkal, 58 Kms from Rasipuram, 88 Kms from Karur, 92 Kms from Salem, 129 Kms from Trichy and 137 Kms from Trichy Airport. Kolli Hills is well connected to Namakkal, Karur, Salem and Trichy by road.

Location

Swayambhu Nathar Temple, Thiruvilayattam – The Temple

Swayambhu Nathar Temple, Thiruvilayattam – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena. The temple covers an area of about three acres. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found in front of the entrance arch facing towards the sanctum. Bala Vinayagar shrine can be seen immediately after the entrance arch at the base of the Mada Kovil.

It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built around 70 Maadakovils. This Temple is considered one among them. The unique feature about these temples are that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are few steps need to be climbed before seeing Lord in the sanctum. Also, the entrance to the sanctum would be so narrow that elephants cannot enter it.

The Mada Kovil can be accessed through flight of 12 steps. Somaskandar shrine can be seen immediately after the reaching the Mada Kovil. Vinayagar shrine can be seen at the entrance of the maha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Swayambu Nathar / Thaan Thondreeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). It is said that the sun rays fall on the lingam during morning time. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. There is a small circumbulatory path around the sanctum. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of the back of an elephant in its sitting posture. 

Stucco images of Dakshinamoorthy on the southern side, Ananda Sayana Vishnu on the western side and Gaja Samhara Moorthy on the northern side can be seen on the vimana. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Brahma are the koshta idols located around the external walls of the Mada Kovil at the ground level. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location in ground level.

Inscriptions can be seen near the idol of Dakshinamoorthy. Mother is called as Mullaivana Nayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine in the Mada Kovil. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Her shrine consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam, Kolu Mandapam can be seen next to her shrine. There are shrines for Kanni Moola Vinayaga, Murugan, Maha Lakshmi and Jyestha Devi can be seen in the ground level prakaram. There is a huge temple tank situated opposite to the temple.

Swayambhu Nathar Temple, Thiruvilayattam – Legends

Swayambhu Nathar Temple, Thiruvilayattam – Legends

Swayambhu Nathar:

In ancient times, this place was a dense forest and preferred place for hunting among the warrior class. Once, Chola King visited this place along with his soldiers for hunting. During the hunting expedition, the king got separated from his soldiers and was wandering in the forest alone. The hoof of his horse hit an unknown object. The king noticed blood was oozing out from the object. The bewildered king got down from his horse and found a Shiva Lingam bleeding there.

The king immediately plucked some herbs from forest and applied the herbs on the bleeding spot in the Lingam and stopped the bleeding. By then his soldiers had arrived at the scene in search of him. The king decided to shift the Lingam to his capital and build a temple in his capital. He ordered the soldiers to excavate the Lingam. The soldiers could not able to locate the peedam of the lingam.

The king realized that Lord Shiva wanted to reside in the very same place. So, he built a temple on the same place. As Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambhu (self-manifested) at this place, Lord Shiva came to be called as Swayambhu Nathar and the place came to be called as Perumulai (Mulai means sprout in Tamil). As Lord Shiva performed his holy play (Thiruvilayadal) during hunting, the place came to be called as Thiruvilayattam.

Mada Kovils:

Kochengat Chola was an early Chola king and one of the 63 Nayanmars (Saivite saints) of Saivism. He is believed to have attained spiritual rebirth of a spider that fought with an elephant in its previous birth over the worship of the Lord Shiva. He had red eyes during birth as he remained in his mother’s womb a little longer. His mother, looking into the baby red eyes said Kochengkannano (in Tamil Ko=king, Cheng=red, Kan=eyes), which literally means king with red eyes and hence he was named Kochengat Cholan. After becoming a king, he followed Saivism and built 70 Maadakovils, temples with elevated structure where elephants cannot reach the sanctum, in the Chola empire. It is believed that this is one of the temple built by him.

Mullaivana Nayagi:

As per legend, Goddess Parvathy worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of Mullai flower in Mullai forest here. Hence, Goddess Parvathy came to be called as Mullaivana Nayagi and the place came to be called as Mullaiyur.

Indra worshipped Lord Shiva here:

As per legend, Indra along with his wife visited this place and worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Veeratteswarar Temple, Korukkai – Religious Significance

Veeratteswarar Temple, Korukkai – Religious Significance

Ashta Veeratta Sthalams:

As per legend, Lord Shiva is believed to have vanquished demons and evil forces at eight different places and exhibited acts of bravery. These places are collectively called as Ashta Veeratta Sthalams / Atta Veerattana Sthalams. Korukkai is the place where Lord Shiva burnt Manmathan and later restored his life back on the plea of Rati.

The list of these eight temples are:

1.    Thiruvathigai Veerattaneswarar Temple

2.    Thirukoyilur Veeratteswarar Temple

3.    Thirukkadaiyur Amritaghateswarar Temple

4.    Vazhuvur Veeratteswarar Temple

5.    Korukkai Veeratteswarar Temple

6.    Keelaparasalur Veeratteswarar Temple 

7.    Thirukkandiyur Kandeeswarar Temple

8.    Thiruvirkudi Veerataneswarar Temple

Paadal Petra Sthalams:

This Temple is considered as one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram hymns. This Temple is the 80^th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 26^th sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.

Thirupugazh Sthalam:

Saint Arunagirinathar had sung Thirupugazh Hymns on Lord Murugan of this Temple. Hence, this temple is considered as Thirupugazh Sthalam.

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – The Temple

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Deepa Sthambam can be seen in front of the temple facing the Sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in the Mukha Mandapam, facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Nanjundeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is made of granite and appears red in colour. The top of the Lingam is flat unlike the curved surfaces in other temples.

The Linga is carved in red stone instead of the black granite used in other temples.  Besides the usual Avudayar holding the Shivalinga, there is also a carving of another Avudayar on the floor. This is a rare formation nowhere to be seen. The sanctum is designed in a unique way with eight elephants supporting the Vimana over the sanctum similar to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Hence, the Vimana is called as Ashta Gaja Vimana. These elephant sculptures are about 6 feet tall.

The outer walls of the sanctum houses the sculptures of Nardana Vinayaga, Subramanya, Veerabhadra, Rishbhantika, Palani Andavar, Mahishasura Mardhini, Anjaneya, Nataraja, Lakshmi Narayana, Pradosha Moorthy, Kali in dancing posture, Lord Shiva as hunter, Parvathy as dancer, Macha Vallabha emerging out of fish, soldier armed with sword and a goat worshipping Lord Shiva. There are also sculptures of living beings like cow, goat, elephant, swan, fish, snake, Yali horse, pig, tiger and bull.

Lord Dakshinamurthy appears without disciples. Abishekam is performed here at Guru Hora on Thursdays between 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. There is a sculpture showing planets Rahu and Ketu. Those afflicted by the adverse aspects of these planets worship here and the Linga nearby. The metal image of Chandrasekara is unique that the full image of Ganga is sculpted unlike the other temples where Shiva is sported with crescent alone. Mother is called as Ulagambikai / Ulaganayagi / Loka Nayagi. She is housed in separate east facing shrine.

Her Shrine is situated to the northern side of the sanctum. Her idol, Thiruvachi (the frame outside the idol) and the lotus flower in her hands are made out of a single stone. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the temple premises. This Shrine is situated in between the Sanctum and Mother Shrine thus making the Somaskanda form. Lord Murugan is depicted with 12 hands.

All the three Shrines (Sanctum, Murugan Shrine and Mother shrine) are situated in a row facing the east direction. There are two Vinayakas in this temple. Sthala Vinayaga is praised as Shenbaga Vinayaka. Lord Padala Vinayaka is in the prakara wall of Lord Shiva shrine. Worship of other deities is followed only after worshipping Padala Vinayaka according to tradition.

There is no shrine for Navagrahas (the nine planets) in the temple premises. There are shrines for Kalabhairava and Suryan in the temple premises. Lord Ranganatha is in a separate temple on the left side. The sacred spring for both temples is common behind the temples. The priests of both temples take the water from here for pujas during the Margazhi (December-January) morning pujas. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – Legends

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – Legends

During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. During the churning process, the Halahala poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent king Vasuki. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so powerful that it could destroy all of creation. Despite this, the Devas and the Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake's body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean.

The Devas then approached Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison. As Lord Shiva drank the poison (Nanju), he came to be called as Nanjundeswarar. Lord Shiva was suffering intense pain due to the Halahala poison. Mother Parvati immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the poison to flow any further, and by her Maya stopped it forever.

As a result, his throat turned blue and he was henceforth called Neelakantha (the blue-throated one; Neela – blue, Kantha – throat in Sanskrit). The timely intervention of Mother Parvathy prevented the Halahala poison entering Lord Shiva body beyond his throat. Thus, she saved Lord Shiva and thereby the world. Hence, she came to be called as Loka Nayagi.

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai, Coimbatore

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai, Coimbatore

Nanjundeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Karamadai Town in Mettupalayam Taluk in Coimbatore District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nanjundeswarar and Mother is called as Ulagambikai / Ulaganayagi / Loka Nayagi. 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;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/01/nanjundeswarar-temple-karamadai-legends.html

History

This temple is believed to be built by Kongu Cholas. A copper plate inscriptions dated to 1479 AD belonged to this temple records a grant of the village named Poosarpalayam to the Brahmins. The endowment was made by Iswara Deva Raja, the general of Krishna Deva Raya. The temple was extensively renovated by Vijayanagara Kings and Nayak Kings during 16^th Century AD.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/01/nanjundeswarar-temple-karamadai-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on all days except during new moon days when the temple remains open full day.

Festivals

Shivaratri festival during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) and Aippasi Annabishekam in Aippasi (October - November) are the most prominent festivals celebrated here. As Lord Shiva consumed the poison at the dusk time called Pradosha time, special puja is performed at this time. Those affected with poison problems, pray to the Lord on Pradosha days (13^th day either from full moon or New Moon day) and also any day – dusk time for cure. On the 10^th day of Navaratri, Lord Ranganatha with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi from the adjacent Karamadai Ranganathar temple visits this temple to invite Lord Shiva for the arrow festival.

Prayers

Devotees seek wedding boon and relief from afflictions due to snake planet aspects by offering vastras to Lord, Mother and Mother Shiva Durga. Realizing their prayers, devotees perform special abishekam to Lord and Mother.

Contact

Nanjundeswarar Temple,

Karamadai – 641 104,

Mettupalayam Taluk,

Coimbatore District

Phone: +91 4254 272 318 / 273 018

Mobile: +91 94420 16192

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 300 metres from Karamadai Bus Stand, 350 metres from Karamadai Railway Station, 7 Kms from Mettupalayam, 7.5 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 7.5 Kms from Mettupalayam Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Coimbatore and 29 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Karamadai is situated on the way to Mettupalayam from Coimbatore. All the service and town buses will stop at Karamadai.

Location

Vanabadra Kaliamman Temple, Mettupalayam – Legends

Vanabadra Kaliamman Temple, Mettupalayam – Legends

Story of Aravalli Sisters:

As per legend, the place was called as Nellur Pattinam during Mahabharata era. Nellur Pattinam was ruled by seven sisters Aravalli, Sooravalli, Veeravalli etc. They were experts is witchcraft and black magic. They were very powerful and captured the rulers of the surrounding region using black magic. Lord Krishna requested Pandavas to wage a war against the tyrannical sisters and save innocent lives from them. Bheema agreed to wage the war against them and set out to Nellur Pattinam.

The Aravalli sisters heard this new through sage Narada. The sisters tried witchcraft against him but was overcame by Bheema. Finally, the sisters invited him for a competition and defeated him. Bheema was taken as a prisoner and was put in prison. However, Bheema successfully escaped, returned to Pandavas and informed about the tactics of Aravalli sisters. Aravalli sisters criticized the cowardly escape of Bheema.

On the advice of Lord Krishna, Pandavas deputed Allimuthu to conquer the sisters. Before going to battle, Allimuthu visited Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman Temple, offered his prayers and sought blessings of Kali to win over the sisters. The Goddess gave him a sword, sacred ash and wished him success. He fought a bitter war and won over the Aravalli Sisters. The Aravalli sisters decided to win him through treachery.

They begged him to pardon their mistakes and offered their daughter Palvarisai to Allimuthu for marriage. He readily accepted but informed them that he would return back to his place and marry her after getting the consent of Pandavas. He forgot the sacred ash given by the goddess and started back his journey along with Palvarisai. He felt thirsty and fell unconscious. Palvarisai cut a lime given by her mother and gave him the juice without knowing the treachery.

Allimuthu died after consuming the lime juice. Palvarisai was grief stricken and informed Pandavas. On hearing the news of his death, Pandavas set out to Nellur Pattinam to annihilate the sisters once for all. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu went to the heaven met Indra and with his help brought back the soul. He put his soul in a small locket and reached the place where the body of Allimuthu was kept. The soul merged with the body and Allimuthu got his life back.

The Pandavas sought the blessings of Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman in their war with Aravalli sisters. Six sisters were captured, lodged in prison and finally died. One of the sisters escaped, went to Kerala and became Goddess famously called as Kambhalathu Bhagawati Amman. Pandavas offered their prayers to goddess Kali and returned to their place. They renamed Palvarisai to  Valamma and got married to Allimuthu.

Bakasura:

As per legend, once, a demon named Bhagasura lived in a fort on the west side of Neelamalai. He was considered equal to Bheema and Duryodhana in strength and valour. He troubled the villagers for food as he eats lot. Once, he ordered the villagers that they should send him a cart full of foods every day. When he found the food brought to him was not sufficient, he would devour the man and bulls of the cart who brought the food.

When Pandavas visited the village, the villagers complained about the demon to the Pandavas. Bheema took the responsibility of carrying the foods to the demon the following day. He started his journey towards the fort carrying the foods, but he stopped the cart at a little distance before the fort. He started eating the foods meant for the demon. The demon got angry on seeing Bheema eating the foods meant for him.

A fight ensued between them. Bheema finally annihilated the demon. The demon realized his mistakes on his deathbed and sought forgiveness from Goddess Kali. He also requested Kali with a place in her temple as a security guard. The Goddess accepted and made Bakasura as security guard for her temple. Thus, huge statues of Bheema and Bakasura can be seen in the temple.

Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman:

As per legend, it is believed that Mother Shakti came to this forest (Vana) to perform penance on Lord Shiva to kill demon Mahishasura. As She performed penance in Vana (the forest), She came to be called as Vana Bhadra Kaliyamman.