Thiruvenkatamudayan temple, Ariyakudi

About the temple

Ariyakudi is synonymous with the famous Ariyakudi Ramanujar Iyengar and the perumal temple. The presiding deity of the temple is Thiruvenkatamudayan with Sridevi and Bhoodevi thayar. There is a seperate sannadhi for Alarmelmangai thayar in the temple. The temple is popular as Then Tirupathi meaning Tirupathi of the South. The temple is around 400-500 years old and there is a story associated with it.

A devotee used to walk all the way to Tirupathi once a year to visit the temple and deposit the amount given by many other devotees. As he grew old, once while he was walking, he fainted and was unable to walk further. The Lord appeared in his thoughts and told him that he neednt walk anymore and directed him to a nearby place. When he reached there, he found a coconut and tulsi plant as an indication to build a temple there. When the land was being dug up for the construction, the Lord's idol surfaced. The same was installed in the temple and hence the Lord in the temple is a swayambu moorthy.

The temple is famous for fulfilling the wishes of the devotees relating to education, marriage and children. The garuda in the outer prakaram has two lions besides. There is a Narasimhar temple right opposite the main temple.

How to reach

The temple is around 5 kms from Karaikudi and easily acessible through bus and private vehicles.

Sannadhis

Thiruvenkatamudaliyan
Alarmel mangai thayar
Andal
Senai mudaliyar, Chakratazhwar and Vishwaksenar
Desikar
Ramar
Garuda (one in outer prakaram too)

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thirukosthiyur, Thirumayam, Pillaiyarpatti Vinayagar temple, Kundrakudi Murugan temple

Sri Balaji temple, Narayanpur/ Ketkawle (Maharashtra)

About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Balaji and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Padmavathi thayar. Both of them have striking resemblence to Tirumala Srinivasa and thayar. The structure is also a bit similar to the original Tirumala devasthanam and all the religious activities of the temple are followed in a similar way. The laddoo prasadam given to all devotees is also similar to the ones given at Tirumala.

There are also sannadhis to Venugopala swamy, Chakratalwar and Andal. There is a seperate sannadhi to Kubera the god of wealth outside the main temple. The temple was constructed by Venkateshwara Hatcheries close to one of their plant. The temple is cleanly maintained and the surroundings are very beautiful with mountains.

How to reach

The temple is about 40 kms from Pune and is accessible through two routes. There are buses directly from Swar gate depot although the frequency would be less.

Temple timings

The temple is open from 5 am to 8 pm with closures in between for poojas and neivedyams.

Sri Brahmapureeswarar temple, Seerkazhi

About the temple

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is right in the middle of Seerkazhi town. It is a huge temple with four big gopurams on every side. It is a three tier temple similar to the popular Vishnu temple - Sundara varadar temple Uttiramerur, Parameshwara vinnagaram at Kanchi, Thirukoshityur Sowmya Narayana perumal temple and Thirukoodalur at Madurai.

Lord Shiva at the first level is in the form of a Lingam and is called Brahmapureeswarar and Goddess Parvati in a seperate sannadhi is called Thirumala Nayaki. Lord Shiva at the second level is in human form and is really huge. He gives darshan with goddess Parvati and is called Thoni appar wherein Thoni is boat in Tamil. The Lord in the final and third level is called Sattanathar and pooja is done here only on Friday midnights.

Seerkazhi is the birth place of Thirugnana Sambandar- the Shaivite saint and the 14th Thevara sthalam. The place is popular for Goddess Parvati having fed the milk of wisdom to Gnana sambandar when he was a child. There is a seperate sannadhi for the saint in the temple. There is a big tank inside the temple complex and is known as Brahma Theertham.

How to reach

The temple is at a walking distance from the Seerkazhi bus stand. Seerkazhi is around 20 kms from Chidambaram and well connected with important towns around. Seerkazhi is on the Villupuram - Mayavaram rail route.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 6 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Temples in proximity

Kazhicheerama Vinnagaram, Seerkazhi based divyadesams, Chidambaram Nataraja temple

Choza naatu divyadesams route map- 2

The first part of the Choza naatu maps had maps to divyadesams around Kumbakonam, Trichy and Mayavaram. The second set of maps are of divyadesams around Nagapattinam and Sirkazhi and a complete idea of Choza naatu divyadesams in Tamilnadu

There are 4 divyadesams around Nagapatinam and 14 divyadesams around Sirkazhi

Click on the map to enlarge

Nagapattinam based divyadesams (4)

Seerkazhi based divyadesams (14)

Choza naatu divyadesams -Overall map

Sri Annan perumal temple, Thiruvellakulam

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Choza naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Srinivasa perumal or Annan perumal in standing posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is called Alarmel mangai thayar. There is a shrine for Kumudavalli nachiyar- the consort of Thirumangai azhwar as she was found here.

The Lord is considered to be the Annan (elder brother) of Lord Srinivasa of Tirupathi and hence devotees who are not able to go to Tirupathi pray here. Both the Lord and the Goddess have the same names as in Tirupathi.

There are beautiful paintings of all the divyadesams in the prakaram.

How to reach

The temple is around 10 kms from Seerkazhi and Seerkazhi is well connected by road with important towns of Tamilnadu. Seerkazhi railway station is on the Villupuram-Mayavaram rail route.

There are no bus facilities to the temple and it is advisible to take an auto or hire a taxi for Annan temple and the 11 Tirunangur divyadesams.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Thiruvellakulam and vimanam is Tatvatyodaka vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Tirunangur divyadesams, Thiruchitrakoodam (Chidambaram), Kazhicheerama vinnagaram, Mayavaram based divyadesams

Sri Trivikraman perumal temple, Kazhicheeraama vinnagaram

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Choza naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Trivikraman in standing posture and thayar is called Loganayaki thayar. The Lord is also known as Thadalan and the utsavar is called Trivikrama Narayanan. The place is also called as Uttama kshetram. Apart from this temple, one can have darshan of Lord Trivikraman at Thiru Ooragam in Kanchipuram and Thirukovilur divyadesam. The Lord's left leg is lifted high indicative of the Lord measuring the sky in Vamana avatharam.

The Shaivite saint Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and Vaishnavite saint Thirumangai azhwar met here wherein the latter won over a debate and the former acknowledged the greatness by gifting Thirumangai azhwar with a vel (spear).

How to reach

The temple is in Sirkazhi and about 2 kms from the bus stand and station. Trains on the Villupuram-Mayavaram route stop at Seerkazhi station. Seerkazhi is also well connected by roads with important towns around. Seerkazhi is 20 kms from Mayavaram as well as Chidambaram.

Sannadhis

Trivikrama perumal

Thayar

Andal

Ramar

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Shanka pushkarni and vimanam is called Pushkalavarta vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7.30 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Thirunangur based divyadesams, Thiruchitrakoodam, Mayavaram based divyadesams, Thiruvellakulam Annan koil

Sri Govindaraja perumal temple, Thiruchitrakoodam

About the temple

The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of SriVaishnavas and comes under Choza naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Govindaraja perumal in reclining posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Pundarikavalli thayar. This divyadesam is inside Lord Nataraja's temple in Chidambaram - similar to Kamakshi amman and Ekambareshwar temple in Kanchipuram wherein Lord Vishnu's shrine is inside a Shaivite temple. There are two utsava moorthies in the temple by the names Sri Parathasarathy perumal and Sri Chitrakootattilullaan. The Lord gives darshan in three forms - standing, sitting and reclining posture. The shrine of Sri Govindarajar is just besides the Natarajar shrine and is a mini temple in itself with small sannadhis around the seperate prakaram.

Lord Vishnu is said to have witnessed and judged the dance contest between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and hence he is seen lying looking towards Nataraja's shrine.

How to reach

The temple is close to Chidambaram railway station and Chidambaram is on the Villupuram -Mayavaram rail route. Chidambaram is well connected with important cities of Tamilnadu by road.

Sannadhis in Govindarajar temple

Govindaraja perumal

Pundarikavalli thayar

Anjaneyar

Narasimhar/Chakratalwar

Alwars and Acharyas

Andal

Wodeyavar

Naraimhar with Shanku chakram

Venugopal

Yoga Narasimhar

Kooratazhwar

Vishwaksenar

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Pundarika pushkarni and vimanam is called Satvika vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 6 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Temples in proximity

Sirkazhi based divyadesams, Mayavaram based divyadesam

Thirunangur Divyadesams near Sirkazhi - Part 2

Please refer Part 1 for first five divyadesams of Thirunangur

6. Thiru Mani mada koil- Nandhavilakku perumal

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Nandavilakku perumal in sitting posture and thayar is known as Pundareegavalli thayar. The Lord is more popular as Narayana perumal.

This is the place where all the Garuda vahanams of Tirunangur divyadesams assemble and Thirumangai alwar arrives with his consort from Tirunagari. After all the pasurams sung by Thirumangai azhwar in praise of the 11 lords are recited, Thirumangai azhwar receives garlands from all of them.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Indra pushkarni and vimanam is Pranava vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

7. Thiruvanapurshottamam- Purushottaman perumal temple

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Purushottaman in standing posture and thayar in a seperate shrine is Purushotamma nayaki thayar. There are also shrines to Anjaneyar, Chakravarti Thirumagan and Manavala Mamunigal.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Thirupaarkadal pushkarni and vimanam is called Sanjeev vigraha vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

8. Thirusemponsei kovil - Perarulaalan perumal

About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Perarulaalan in standing posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Alli Maamalar nachiyar.

When Lord Rama was returning from Sri Lanka after killing Ravana, he stayed with Dridanetra muni who advised him to make a cow of gold and donate the same to a poor devotee who had lost all his wealth. This devotee later constructed the temple with the gold and hence the name wherein sempon implies pure gold in tamil.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Hema Pushkarni and vimanam is called Kanaka vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm.

9. Vaikuntha Vinnagaram - Vaikuntha nathan perumal

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Vaikuntha nathan perumal in sitting posture and thayar in the same sannadhi is Vaikuntha valli thayar. The Lord appears here as in Paramapadham and the temple is said to be equivalent to Vaikuntam.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Lakshmi Pushkarni and vimanam is known as Ananta satya vartaka vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 9 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 4 pm to 6 pm.

10. Thiruparthanpalli - Sri Tamaraiyaal Kelvan perumal

About the temple

The presiding deity is Taamaraiyaal Kelvan perumal in standing posture with Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi thayar and utsavar is Parthasarathy perumal and Kolavalli raman. Thayar in a seperate sannadhi is called Taamarai nayaki. There are also shrines to Anjaneyar, Krishnan, Parthasarathy and Arjunan in the temple.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Shangu saras and vimanam is called Narayana vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm.

11. Thiruvaali and Thirunagari

Thirumangai  refers to the Lord at Thiruvali as Vayalaali Manavalan. However Lord Vayalaali Manavalan is enshrined at Thirunagari and hence both these temples together comprise of one divyadesam.

Thiruvali Lakshmi Narasimhar temple

The presiding deity is Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar in a sitting posture, utsavar is Thiruvali Nagaraalan and thayar in the same sannadhi is known as Poornavalli thayar. Thirumangai azhwar's consort Kumudavalli was brought up at Thiruvali.

Thirunagari Vedarajan perumal temple

The presiding deity is Sri Vedarajan perumal in sitting posture and utsavar is Kalyana Ranganathar. Thayar is enshrined in a seperate sanctum and is known as Amritavalli thayar. There are also shrines to Andal, Yoga Narasimhar, Thirumangai alwar (with spear in hand) and other Alwars and Acharyas. Thirunagari is the avathara sthalam of Thirumangai azhwar.

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

Thirunangur Divyadesams near Sirkazhi - Part 1

Eleven divyadesams near Sirkazhi are collectively called Thirunangur divyadesams. All of these come under the Choza naatu divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and are close to each other. Thirunangur divyadesams are extremely popular for the Thirumangai alwar Mangalasasana utsavam during the tamil month of thai. 

Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared at Thirunangur in 11 forms as requested by Lord Shiva. These form the 11 Thirunangur divyadesams- Thiru Parthanpalli, thiru Kavalampadi, Manimada kovil, Thirudevanar Thogai, Thiru manikoodam, Arimeya vinnagaram, Vaikuntha vinnagarm, Thiru vellakulam, Thirumani koodam, Thiruteriambalam and Semponsei kovil.

Thirumangai azhwar is taken in a palanquin to all these temples and the paasurams of each of these temples are recited at the the respective temple. During the Garuda sevai festival, the utsavars from all these temples come to Thirunangur. Also an image of Thirumangai azhwar is brought on Hamsa vahanam from his avathara sthalam -Thirunagari and the paasurams by the azhwar in praise of these 11 deities is sung. Later, the deities return back to their temples. It is extremely popular and several people come down to witness the grand event.

Sirkazhi is easily accessible from prominent cities in Tamilnadu and connected with trains too. It would be ideal to stay at Sirkazhi and cover all the divyadesams nearby. Sirkazhi is around 10-12 kms from Thirunangur divyadesams and one can easily cover all of them in half a day's trip. Of the temples- Thiruvali and Thirunagari combinedly form one divyadesam.

Although timings are mentioned for the temples, most of them are flexible in timings and one can hire a guide from Annan koil to go around all the temples if required.

1. Thirukavalampadi Gopalakrishnan perumal temple

 About the temple

The presiding deity is Gopalakrishnan perumal with Rukmini and Satyabhama in standing posture and thayar in the same sannadhi is Senkamala Naachiyaar. The utsavar is called Rajagopalan. Since Krishna gives darshan here with Rukmini and Satyabhama the place is said to as divine as Dwarka.

When Lord Krishna was in search of Parijata flower for Satyabama and unable to find it, he was directed by Shiva to a lake full of parijata flowers at this place. Hence the temple tank is named Thatamalar poikai.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Tadamalar poigai and vimanam is known as Swayambu vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm.

2. Thirumanikoodam Varadaraja perumal temple

About the temple

The presiding deity is Varadaraja perumal -also known as Manikooda nayagan in standing posture. Thayar in the same sannadhi is known as Thirumamagal nachiyar.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Chandra pushkarni and vimanam is known as Kanaka vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm.

3. Thiru Devanar thogai - Deiva nayagan perumal temple

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Deiva nayagan perumal in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and utsavar is known as Madhava perumal. Thayar in a seperate sannadhi is known as Kadalmagal nachiyar or Deivanayaki thayar and utsavar is Madhava nayaki thayar.

Since the devas were believed to have gathered here to pray to Lord Vishnu, the place came to be known as Devanar thogai.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple pushkarni is called Devasabha pushkarni and vimanam is known as Sobana vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 11.30 am and in the evenings from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

4. Arimeya Vinnagaram - Kudamaadukootan perumal temple

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Kudamaadukoothan is sitting posture and utsavar is Gopalan. Thayar is Amrita kadavalli thayar in a seperate sannadhi. There are sannadhis for Rama and Andal too. Lord Vishnu is said to have given darshan as Gopala krishna for Sage Uthanga.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Amrita theertham and vimanam is called Uchchasrunga vimanam

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 7 pm.

5. Thiruteriambalam Palli konda perumal temple

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Senkanmaal or Ranganathar in reclining posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is called Senkamalavalli thayar. The Lord gives darshan as in Srirangam lying on Adiseshan.

Temple tank and vimanam

The temple tank is called Surya pushkarni and vimanam is Veda Vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 8 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Sri Vaidhyanathan temple- Vaideeswaran koil

About the temple

The temple is among the Navagraha sthalam and is prominent for Chevvai or Mars. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidhyanathaswami and Parvathi ammal as Thaiyal nayaki. Lord Vaideeswaran is said to have cured Chevvai of leprosy and the Lord's name itself means the Lord curing diseases like a doctor. He is said to be the supreme healer. The goddess also has a medicine oil pot called Sanjeevi thailam in her hands and the temple tank Siddamirtham is also said to be full of medicinal properties after the nectar which the Siddhars used for worship Lord Shiva flew into the tank. Devotees offer Salt, pepper and jaggery in the temple tank to get cured of all diseases. Tuesdays are considered auspicious to pray to Angaraksha.

Vaideeswaran koil is also famous for Naadi Jothidam. The siddhars had the power to look into the past and predict future for every individual. They wrote all those predicitions on palm leaves and these have been preserved. The Naadi astrologers take the finger print of the person and start matching it with the huge amount of leaves to arrive at the past and future.

How to reach

The place is also called Pullirukuvelur. The temple is around 15 kms from Mayavaram, about 10 kms from Seerkazhi and 50 kms from Kumbakonam. Lot of bus facilities are available from important places around. The nearest airport is at Trichy while there is a seperate station for Vaideeswaran koil on the Villupuram-Mayavaram route.

Sannadhis

Vaideeswaran
Thaiyal nayaki
Dandayudhapani
Lord Muruga as Selva Muthukumaraswamy
Dhanvantri -the god of ayurvedic medicine
Nataraja
Durgai
Dakshinamoorthy
Palani andavar and many more

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 8.30 pm.

Temples in proximity

Mayavaram based divyadesams, Sirkazhi based divyadesams, Toniappar temple-Sirkazhi