Exploring the well known and less known temples of India including the 108 Vaishnava divya desams
Showing posts with label Tamilnadu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tamilnadu. Show all posts
Uchhi Pillaiyar kovil, Trichy
About the temple
Uchi pillayar (உச்சிப் பிள்ளையார் கோயில்) temples is one of the
key landmarks of Trichy. This hill temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha/Vinayaga
fondly called in tamil as “Pillayar” (பிள்ளையார்).
There is also a temple deciated to Lord siva ( mid –way in
the hill) called Thayumanavaswamy temple.
The Tiruchirapalli
Rock Fort is a historic fort and temple complex built on an ancient rock. It is
located in the city of Tiruchirapalli, which is in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is constructed on a 273-foot high rock. There are two Hindu temples inside the Rockfort, the Uchchi Pillaiyar Koil and the Siva Temple.
Geologically the 83 m high rock may date to over one billion years ago.
( Source:- Wikipedia)
How to reach
Temple timings
6.00 AM - 8.00 PM
Temples in proximity
Sri Chenna Keseva perumal temple, Chennai
About the temple
Originally, Chenna Keseva temple was located at the current
location of Madras High Court. The British East India Company demolished the
temple and later, due to public outcry they donated some land and money to
build the current temple. Manali Muttukrishna Mudaliar
built the temple at Devaraja Mudali Street in Sowcarpet in 1757 and also built the Chenna
Malleeswarar temple for Shiva.
It is also believed that Chennai got its
name from these twin temples.
Sannidhis:-
The temple
has the main shrine dedicated to Chenna Kesavar and His consort Sengamalavalli
Thayar Other Sannidhis:- Anjeneya, Vishvaksenar, Garudan, Venugopalan, Rama,
Andal and the Azhwars and Acharyas.
At
the Chenna Malleeswarar Temple there are shrines for Vinayaka, Subramania,
Navagrahas, Somaskandar and Chandikeswarar. The Goddess here is known as
Brahmarambikai.All the 64 Saivite saints are enshrined here. So is Lord
Dakshinamurthy, God of Learning, who is seated beneath a banyan tree carved in
stone. There are shrines for Bhikshandanar, Natarajar and other deities.
How to reach
Temple is situated in the heart of the old city area sowcarpet .
Temple timings
Daily Poojas :Kaala Pooja 05:00 A.M
Uchchikaala Pooja 12:00 P.M
Saayaratchai Pooja 06:00 P.M
Dharshan Timings :Morning 05:00 A.M to Night 08:00 P.M
Temples in proximity
Paramapadhanathan perumal temple, Iyyenpettai
About the temple
The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Paramapadha nathan perumal exactly as in vaikuntam. There is a seperate temple for Kanakavalli thayar and Kothanda ramar with Lakshmanan and Sita. Lord Paramapadha nathan gives darshan in a sitting posture on Adiseshan with five heads of the serpent over the head. While two of the hands hold shanku and chakra, the third hand is placed over the right knee and fourth is on Adiseshan. The Lord's posture of one leg folded and one leg in the front as if he is just going to get up and move. Sridevi and Bhoodevi appears besides the Lord with one leg bent and another in the front as if they are also ready to get up and move with the Lord. It is also interesting to note that even Sridevi and Bhoodevi are also seated on Adiseshan here.
The specialty of Kanakavalli thayar here is that both the moolavar and utsavar have a hole in their nose for the nose ring and bullack (worn between two nostrils). The archakar very neatly removes and shows the pin in the nose ring as in the ones worn by ladies normally. It has not been stuck to the nose like in other temples.
Like in Kaveripakkam Sundara Varadar/ Azhagiya ramar temple, the posture of Garudan in this temple is also one leg bent backward and another on the ground in a ready to fly posture.
There is a big temple tank right outside the main temple besides the Anjaneyar sannadhi.
How to reach
The temple is around 4 kms from Kaveripakkam. Coming from Chennai side on the Bangalore highway, take a right towards Kaveripakkam to reach Iyempettai. The other name is Thiamukanjeri, though Iyempettai is more well known. The temple is exactly behind the school in Iyyempettai.
Sannadhis
Paramapadha nathan perumal
Kanakavalli Thayar
Kothanda ramar, Lakshmanan and Sita
Garudan
Temples in proximity
Kaveripakkam Sundara Varadar temple, Thiruparkadal twin temples
Sundara Varadar and Azhagiya Ramar temple, Kaveripakkam
About the temple
This is an ancient temple right in the center of Kaveripakkam just a few kms away from the Bangalore - Chennai highway. The presiding deity in the main sanctum is Sri Sundara Varada perumal in standing posture with shanku, chakra, gada and abhaya hastam.
There is a seperate sannadhi for Ramar, Sita, Lakshman and Anjaneyar where the moolavar Lord appears in Kalyana kolam with Sita on the right hand of Sri Ramar.
The temple tank Ksheera pushkarni is to the right of the temple from the entrance.
Garudan in the temple is seen here in a quite different form of having bent the right leg as if ready to fly. Garudan also has eight nagas around him - two as earrings, two around wrist, two on shoulders, one in waist and one as garland. There is special thirumanjanam to Garuda every Valarpirai Panchami.
The archakar mama is very friendly and devoted. He opens and explains the importance of each and every sannadhi to the devotees. The below image of a window in the wall of the main sanctum and is said to be carved of a single stone. It is interesting to note that the designs on the two sides are different which is very rare for a single stone window. Presently renovations are going on in the temple and the sannadhi for Chakratazhwar was constructed just a few years ago.
How to reach
Kaveripakkam on right on the Bangalore-Chennai highway and about 30 kms from Kanchipuram coming from Chennai side. Take the right into the Sholingur road of Kaveripakkam from Chennai side.
Sannadhis
Sundara Varadar perumal
Sundaravalli thayar
Chakratazhwar/ Narasimhar
Andal
Alwars and Acharyas
Azhagiya Ramar with Sita, Lakshmanan, Hanuman (two of them in the same sannadhi)
Garuda
Temple timings
The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 10 am and in the evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Temples in proximity
Thiruparkadal twin temples, Iyampettai Paramapadhanathan and Kothanda ramar temple
Sri Ulagalandha perumal temple, Thirukoviloor
About the temple
The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under the Nadu naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Ulagalandha perumal in standing posture with right leg lifted and thayar is called Poonkoval nachiyar in a seperate sannadhi in the outer prakaram.
The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under the Nadu naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Ulagalandha perumal in standing posture with right leg lifted and thayar is called Poonkoval nachiyar in a seperate sannadhi in the outer prakaram.
The temple is among the pancha krishnaraya kshetram, others being Thirukannangudi, Thirukannamangai, Thirukannapuram and Thirukapisthalam. Another interesting feature of the temple is the presence of Durgai sannadhi inside the complex.
How to reach
The temple is accessible from Cuddalore, Villupuram as well as Thiruvannamalai. It is about 40 kms from Villupuram and lots of buses are there from the main bus stand.
Sannadhis
Perumal
Thayar
Lakshmi narayana perumal
Anjaneyar
Lakshmi Varahar
Andal
Thirukacchi nambi, Wodeyar and Kooratazhwar
Senai Mudaliyar
Manavala Mamunigal
Pillai Lokacharyar
Chakratazhwar
Temple tank and vimanam
The temple tank is called Krishna pushkarni and vimanam is known as Sreekara vimanam
Temple timings
The temple is open in the mornings from 6.30 am to 8 am and from 9 am to 12.30pm. In the evenings the temple is open from 4 pm to 5 pm and from 6 pm to 8.30 pm.
Temples in proximity
Thiruvahindrapuram.
Sri Devanatha perumal temple, Thiruvahindrapuram
About the temple
The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Nadu naatu divyadesams. The presiding deity is Sri Devanathan perumal in standing posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is Hemambujavalli thayar.
Vedanta Desikar is said to have scripted the Vadagalai Sampradayam here.
There is also a small hill called Aushadagiri besides the temple where Desikar is believed to have prayed to Garuda and Hayagreeva. There is a sannadhi to Lord Hayagreeva, the Lord of Learning in this hillock.
How to reach
The temple is accessible from Cuddalore, Pondichery and Villupuram. There are town buses and share autos from Thirupadiripuliyur bus stand which is about 5 kms from the temple.
Sannadhis
Perumal
Thayar
Anjaneyar
Desikar
Andal
Ramar
Alwars and Acharyas
Thayar
Anjaneyar
Desikar
Andal
Ramar
Alwars and Acharyas
Temple tank and vimanam
The temple tank is called Sesha theertham and vimanam is known as Sudhdhasatva vimanam.
Temple timings
The temple is open in the mornings from 6.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 9.30 pm.
Temples in proximity
Thirukoviloor, Poovarasankuppam Narasimhar temple
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)
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 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
About the temple
Temple timings
Thirunagari Vedarajan perumal temple
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.
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