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January - March 2025

Temples in and around Tiruvarur – 2 by G.M.Lakshminarayanan

 

  1. Pushpavalli sametha Nankaaleeswarar temple, Ottakkudi-Kulikkarai

This temple is around 9 kms from Thiruvarur on the Mannargudi route. This temple must be over 1400 years old since it is mentioned as a Vaipu Sthalam in one of the thevarams of Thirunavukarasar. The present edifice was built in 12th century and further renovated in 13th century. The latter one happened during the regime of Rajendra Chozhan III and he had changed the name of the village as Ottakudi Rajendra Chozhapuram.

Originally it was called Kalatheeswarar temple. Kali is always believed to be a ferocious Devata; hence She decided to seek the guidance of Lord Shiva and did intense penance in this temple. The Lord was impressed with Her prayers and appeared before Her and gave guidance (Upadesam). Hence He came to be called Thiru Nan Kali Eswarar. Due to Kali’s involvement, the other name for this place is Kaliswaram.

Fortunately for us, Kumbhabhishekam had been done in the morning of the day of our visit to this temple 7.3.24.

  1. Visalakshi sametha Kasi Viswanathar temple, Kulikkarai.

A magnificent temple in a remote village was surprising. There is a 2 – tier Rajagopuram and the temple has four chambers – the Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Antharalam. Moolavar is little short, swayambu and was brought by M/s Bhava family from Kasi about 300 years before. It was learnt that Sri Muthusamy Dheekshithar stayed in this temple for some time and composed songs on Shiva of this temple.

  1. Komalambigai sametha Rudhrakoteeswarar temple, Velukkudi

This temple is around 12 Kms from Tiruvarur on the Mannargudi road.

This place has a connection with sage Vasishta. After the planned coronation of Shri Rama was abandoned due to Rama’s Vanavasa, Vasishta felt sad. He thought that he had not done his prescribed duties properly, which resulted in this mishap. Despite all the other sages and learned people trying to console him, he was inconsolable. The other sages even blamed a Chakravaka bird which uttered the Vedic Mantras wrongly during the preparatory poojas!

The depressed Vasishta left Ayodhya and went on a pilgrimage. He went to several temples and prayed, but in vain. He came to this place which was at that time, full of gooseberry trees (Nelli). After praying in this temple, he was about to leave, when he heard a heavenly voice informing him that it was Sani Pradosha and he should stay behind and participate in the evening pooja.

After taking bath in the temple tank, he recited Rudra Mantra one crore times and also participated in the Pradosha Pooja. Once his prayers were over, he felt light in his heart and the depression left him. Shiva appeared before him and blessed him. He was also advised to return to Ayodhya to await the return of Sri Rama. As He was worshipped by Vasishta by the chanting of one crore Namavali, the Lord came to be called Rudrakoteeswarar.

After hearing about Vasishta’s success, the Chozha King renovated and built a big temple. He also wanted the Vedic chants to reverberate in this place. For this purpose, he had requested a number of Vedic Pundits to migrate here and he had given extensive grants for this purpose. They also performed a number of Yagnas in this place. As Velvi in Tamil means Yagna, this place came to be called Velvikudi which over a period of time, became Velukkudi.

Another Chozha King Kulothungan was suffering from leprosy. He was advised to pray here. After bathing in the temple tank, he had darshan of the Lord for five consecutive pradosha days and his problem was solved. He had also given extensive grants to this temple.

The popular Vaishnavite Pravachanam specialist Velukkudi Shri. Krishnan belongs to this village.

  1. Neelorthulambaal sametha Neelakantheswarar temple, Lakshmangudi

This 1000-year old temple is around 12 Kms from Tiruvarur on the Mannargudi road. It was called Lakshmiyangudi, as it was worshiped by Goddess Lakshmi and now it is called Lakshmangudi,

  1. Mangalambigai sametha Kalyana Sundareswarar temple, Ramanathan Koil (Marakkadai)

A small temple, just on the outskirts of Lakshmangudi with a Rajagopuram. It seemed to be a private maintained temple, but the Kurukkal claimed it to be an ancient temple, where the Lord was worshipped by Lord Rama.

  1. Brahma Kunthalambikai sametha Brahmarandheswarar temple, Uchuvadi- Vadapathimangalam

An ancient temple in the outskirts of Vadapathimangalam village, which is 15 kms from Thiruvarur just off the Thiruvarur – Mannargudi main road.

  1. Soundaranayaki sametha Sundareswarar temple, Periya Kothur.

A beautiful temple 3 kms from Vadapathimangalam. The Lord is a gigantic Shivalinga and is called Panchamaa Paatakaam pokkum Sundareswarar, meaning that we will be rid of the curses of the deadliest sins.

  1. Karuna Kadakshi Ambal sametha Vyagrapureeswarar temple, Me. Mangalam, Vilamal, Thiruvarur town

A small but ancient temple in the outskirts of Thiruvarur on the Mannargudi route.

  1. Akhilandeswari sametha Airavaneswarar temple, Oottiyani

The name of this area is Ootiyani because it is the place where Lord Shiva first grew paddy for souls and sent it to the world. This Chola period temple was completely dilapidated and people started using the place for brick kilns without caring for the idols. Then Lord appeared in the dream of one Shri. Maran and ordered him to build a temple. So this present temple was built by forming a committee in 2013. The Sun’s rays fall on the Lord during the month of Panguni (21, 22 & 23) from 6 to 6.15 a.m. The temple is 25 kms from Tiruvarur.

  1. Nagavalli sametha Nageswarar temple, Senthangudi

The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. It is 26 kms from Thiruvarur in the Koothanallur circle. History has it that because of the worship of Seshanaga among the Ashtanagas, it became Seshanakudi and now it has become Senthangudi.

  1. Mangalambikai sametha Vanmeekanathar temple, Seruvamani.

This temple, which is more than 1500 years old belonging to the Chola period, which is evident from the presence of Jyeshta Devi idol. This temple is 27 kms from Thiruvarur.The Shivalinga was found from a Termite hill and hence He is called Vanmeekanathar.

  1. Kasi Visalakshi sametha Kasi Viswanathar temple, Alathur (Manjavadi)

The Temple is believed to be 1500 years old. This temple which remained dilapidated for many years has been nicely renovated. This temple, which was not famous because of worship, has become famous because of a robbery. 3 ancient metal idols that were stolen from Alathur Viswanatha Swamy temple 50 years ago were placed in the Los Angeles – Lasma museum and the robbery incident came to light during the investigation conducted by the officers of the Idol Smuggling Unit. A Temple idol was discovered last year.

  1. Kasi Visalakshi sametha Kasi Viswanathar temple, Vikkirapaandiyam

A small temple renovated recently with all the sannidhis. This temple is 24 kms from Thiruvarur on the Nachiyar Koil route.

  1. Soundaranayaki sametha Agastheeswarar temple, Kariyamangalam

The village name is called as Kariyamangalam because Rama worshipped here with Sita. On his way to the southern part of the country,  sage Agastya worshiped Shivalinga at several places, one of which was this Kariyamangalam town. At that time, the Karyasiddhi mantra was blessed and the name of Vinayakar here is Kariyasiddhivinayakar. The temple is 1300 years old and is currently under renovation and all the idols have been placed in a temporary shed. This temple is 22 kms from Thiruvarur.

  1. Akhilandeswari sametha Agastheeswarar temple, Periya Kuruvaadi

This tenth century temple is at a distance of 20 kms from Thiruvarur. Its earlier name was Periya Kodaiyur which later became Periya Kuruvadi. The highlight of this temple is the Ganga Visarjanar statue which has been consecrated behind the Shiva lingam. It was worshipped by Sage Agasthya and people believe that worshipping this Lord will rid one of Pithru Dosha.

  1. Unnamulai amman sametha Arunachaleswarar temple, Vadapaathimangalam.

A magnificent temple right in the middle of this remote village. The name “Vadavarimangalamudayan” is found in a Chola inscription in the Agatheeswaramudayar Temple. History has it that in the year 1917 AD, Sokkappamudiyar built this temple with 1845 bricks and Somasundaramudiyar rebuilt this temple.

  1. Vedanayaki sametha Vedapureeswarar temple, Saattiyakkudi

The Temple is believed to be built during 4th century A.D. This Temple is mentioned as “Ezh Irukkai” in Thiruvisaippa. It is considered as a Thiruvisaippa temple sung by Karuvur Thevar. A king called Devadatta was cursed by Saattiyayana Maha Rishi as a result of which he suffered from Leprosy. The Rishi pardoned him later and asked him to take bath in Veda Tirtham of Sattiyakkudi Temple and worship Veda Nayaka. On reaching Sattiyakkudi, he came to know that the place was worshipped by Saandilya Maharishi. The dip in the tank cured the disease and he returned to his place after receiving the blessings of the Lord, Kamala Vinayaka. Saandilya Rishi had worshipped this Ganapathy with Lotus that blossomed in Veda Tirtham. Hence he is also known as Kamala Vinayaka. Kubera, known as Vaisravana in his previous birth became the King of Alakapuri as he lighted Deepams in many Siva Temples. Later he was blessed by Shiva to become his friend. Kubera has worshipped Vedapureeswarar at Sattiyakkudi.  Jwara devatha, the devatha of fevers, worshipped the Lord here and so the place is called Jatyakudi (Chattiyakudi). This temple is mentioned as “Ezh Irukkai” in Thiruvisaippa. It means that the Lord is seated on seven aasanaas namely, Ananthaasana, Simhaasana, Yogaasana, Vimalaasana, Padmaasana, Veeraasana, Vimalaasana & Urdhwam.

  1. Sathayayatakshi sametha Agastheeswarar temple, Vidangalur

Vidangalur is 13 km south of Kilvelur on the Saattiyakudy road. It is a small temple. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is Chola period construction. The temple was totally damaged, but well reconstructed by the benevolence of Shri. Suryanarayanan from Chennai.

  1. Sivakami ambal sametha Chidambareswarar temple, Aththippuliyur

 This is one of the Nava Puliyur Temples worshipped by Patanjali and Vyaghrapada. The following temples are called as Nava Puliyur Temples.

Perumpatrapuliyur.Thirupathiripuliyur, Erukathampuliyur, Omampuliyur, Sirupuliyur, Atthippuliyur, Thaplampuliyur, Perumpuliyur, Kanattampuliyur.

In Satya Yuga, the two sons of Romasa Rishi, Kedara and Perala, came to south India on pilgrimage. On their way near Patalivanam, Perala halted there itself. Kedara started to do penance along with the rishis who were doing penance in Kuruvinthavan. On a particular day he found a lingam under the Kuruvintha tree. As he first saw the lingam, the deity was known as Kedareesvarar and the place as Ke daram. In Kali Yuga, a Pandya king known as Kesarithuvajan, on the curse of Mandaliya rishi became an elephant and started roaming all the places nearby. In order to get the curse cured he started worshipping all the temples. At that time, he came to Kuruvinthavanam. On seeing the deity at that place he started to worship the deity in order to get rid of the curse. His prayers were answered by Shiva in that place. Later Vyaghrapada, also known as tiger legged Rishi also worshipped the deity. So this place was known as Atthippuliyur; ‘Atthi’ refers to the elephant while the ‘puli’ refers to the tiger. This place is also known as Dakshina Kedaram.the Lord is facing South, a rare occurrence for a Shiva temple. This temple is on the Thiruvarur – Kilvelur main road.

  1. Soundaranayaki sametha Soundareswarar temple, Radhanallur.

A small village temple renovated wonderfully due to the efforts of the villagers. It is 12 kms from Thiruvarur just off the Thiruvarur – Nagappattinam main road. The same Athipuliyur Gurukkal takes care of this temple also.

  1. Dharmavardhini sametha Dharmeswarar temple, Koothur

A 1000-year old temple built with red bricks, lies in shambles at present. All the idols have been placed within a tin shed nearby. The moolavar is a swayambu lingam and hence has not been moved from the sanctum. This temple is just 2 kms from Kilvelur.

  1. Soundarambikai sametha Kailasanathar temple, Agara Kadambanur/ Koil Kadambanur

The 1st of the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams is 3 kms from Kilvelur and 11 kms from Nagappatinam.

  1. Karpagavalli sametha Kangaalanathar temple, Aazhiyur (Aazhi Kadambanur)

The 2nd of the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams is 4 kms from Kilvelur and 10 kms from Nagappatinam.

  1. Soundaranayaki sametha Choleeswarar temple, Ilam Kadambanur

The 3rd of the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams is 8 kms from Kilvelur and 8 kms from Nagappatinam.

  1. Tharunendhu Sekari sametha Chathur Vedapureeswarar temple, Perunkadambanur

The 4th of the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams is 8 kms from Kilvelur and 8 kms from Nagappatinam. This temple is built in Maada Koil style.

  1. Visalakshi sametha Viswanathar temple, Kadambara Vaazhkai

The 5th and last of the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams is 7 kms from Kilvelur and 12 kms from Nagappattinam.

Serial no. 22 to 26 collectively are called the Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams. All these Kshethrams are associated with Kilvelur. Lord Subrahmanya annihilated Soora Padman, his brothers and his army to safeguard Devas. Due to the killings, he acquired Veerahathi Dosha. Due to the Dosha, Lord Subrahmanya prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Lord Shiva advised Lord Subrahmanya to worship him at Kilvelur. While worshipping Lord Shiva at Kilvelur, Lord Subrahmanya installed five Shiva Lingas around Kilvelur and worshipped Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of killing the demons during Soora Samhara. Since Lord Subrahmanya is known as Kadamba, these 5 kshethrams are jointly called Pancha Kadamba Kshethrams.