Virudhachalam:
After reading about Siva temples which are considered equivalent to Kasi, I decided to see these temples.I zeroed on Virudhachalam .I googled for temples around Virudhachalam and ended up getting a Potpouuri of Siva temples around Virudachalam.
It was a pleasant Sunday morning and I left Pondicherry by around 6 am and crossed Cuddalore by 6.45 am. You have to take Chidambaram road and after travelling around 5kms a right cut with a sign board directing to Virudhachalam is well visualised. After a rugged road for 5kms the state highway then transforms into a nice road and a pleasant ride of 55kms will take us to Virudhagireswarar. The temple construction has been in two phases and it is a fascinating story.
Kuberan's daughter while flaunting her array of jewels dropped a erring.The erring was very important for her as she had sentimental attachment to it.The erring was picked by a naughty bird and dropped it on the lap of Vibashista Munivar.The Munivar unaware of the windfall coming his way kept the erring in a safe box.
Kuberan's daughter was peeved at the loss of the erring and she decided to trade her entire jewellery to get back the erring.On hearing this the Munivar gave the erring and got the jewellery from Kuberan's daughter.The Munivar sold the jewellery and with the money he got from the jewels he built the temple.This has happened in 7th century. The outer pragarams was built by Sembian Madevi, a Chozha Princess of 10th century.
The temple is in the banks of river Manimutharu.The river and the temple has an interesting association with the life of Sundarar. Sundarar got 12,000 gold coins from Shiva after singing songs praising Shiva.When sundarar wanted to take these coins to Thiruvarur, Shiva instructed him to drop the coins in the river.The tide took the coins to Thiruvarur which Sundarar collected from a tank called Kamalayam.
This temple is also called as Thirumudukundram or Pazha malai.It just means a grand old mountain.
When Brahma wanted to create hills and mountains in the earth, Pazhamalai was omnipresent covering the entire earth.At Brahma's request Shiva made the mountain submerge under the river with only the top being visible.The hill itself is the manifestation of Sivan.
Legends of this temple does not end here,the Vinayagar here is called as Mattru Uraitha Vinayagar and he got the name because he checked the purity of the gold coins Sundarar got from Shiva.
This temple is supposed to be equivalent to Kasi because people who breathe their last here are blessed with god and goddess chanting the Shivaya Nama in the ears of the deceased.
The temple is quiet,beautiful,well maintained and well attended.
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| From the inside of the temple. |
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| A serene view of the Gopuram |
Pennadam:
Kalikamba Nayanar is a great Saivite. He used to feed Siva bhakthas after washing their feet. His wife used to pour water and Kalikambar used to wash the feet of the Shiva bhakthas.Once a servant who used to work for Kalikambar came in the guise of Shiva bhaktha and sought food.Kalikambar's wife recognised the person and hesitated in pouring water. Kalikambar got angry and severed his wife' s hand.From here there are two versions. One version says that the servant was Shiva who burnt all of them and took them with him and another version is Shiva appeared and gave the hands to his wife.He then told them that there should be no caste in this world and no discrimination between rich and poor.Every one who embraces Shaivism and becomes a disciple of Shiva are considered equals.
The temple is very peculiar in two aspects. The wall surrounding the sanctum has windows through which the god can be seen from outside.
Nandhi looks in the opposite direction and it does not look towards Shiva and there is an interesting story behind this. We all know Shiva's fury and once in his anger destroyed the entire world with flood.
The entire world was submerged in water except Pennadam.Devas came to this place and asked Shiva to protect them and people from the flood.Lord's fury came down and he instructed the Nandhi to turn in the opposite direction to protect the place.Nandhi turned to the opposite side and diverted the flood from entering the place.Hence Shiva here is called as Pralaya Kaleswarar – Lord who protected the world. He destroyed as well as protected.
Stories behind this place does not end here.There is another interesting story -Why this place is called Pennadam?
Indira has the habit of worshiping Shiva with lots of flowers and one day he could not find enough flowers to do the puja.He sent two beautiful women,Devathais to Pennadam to collect flowers.The Devathais found beautiful Lingam at this place and they stayed back doing poojas for the Lingam.Indiran was worried and now sent Kamadhenu(cow) to find out the Devathais. Kamadhenu found the girls but it got fascinated by the beautiful lingam and started to give its milk to the puja of Shiva.
Indiran after waiting for a while sent his elephant to fetch the Deva Kannigais and Kamadenu. The elephant after seeing the pooja protected the lingam from the sun by covering the lingam between the four legs. Finally Indiran himself came down in search of the missing and when he saw what's happening he also joined the Seva.Shiva blessed all of them.Hence the name Pennadam.
I just mutered, amusing stories and a must see temple for Hindus.
To reach Pennadam one has start from Virudhachalam and proceed towards Thitagudi road.It is 19 kms from Virudhachalam.
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| Windows surrounding the Moolavar through which God can be seen |
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| A look from a small hillock inside the temple where there is a big Lingam |
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| Nandhi looking outside and guarding the temple from flood |
Thirunelvayalarathurai:
To reach Thirunelvayalarathurai, proceed towards Thitakudi road from Pennadam and after 10 kms there will be a small left cut and a drive of another 4kms will bring you to this small village called Thirunelvayalarathurai.
A small temple which has been recently renovated.
This temple is associated with Sambandar. Sambandar while visiting temples near Cauvery river became very hungry.He was provided food by goddess and hence she bears the name Anna (food)purani.While eating Sambandar had hiccoughs and Shiva made a pond from where he can drink water so that his hiccoughs as well as thirst will be quenched.
Sambandar was a child and used to walk by foot to see all the Shiva temples.Shiva and Parvathi could not stand Sambandar walking and they came in the dream of a rich landlord and asked him to donate a Palanquin(seevigai)for Sambandar.The same dream came for Sambandar also.Next day morning the richman got blessings from Sambandar and gave the Pallaku(Palanquin) to Sambandar.
These are two true associations between Sambandar, Shiva and this place.
When I finished seeing this place I could not help feeling jealous of Sambandar. As I entered the car this feeling of jealousness also opened my mind to a new vista.
Difference between Sambandar and ordinary people like me.
Sambandar would have never had those silly thoughts like jealousy.That is why he was near god or god personified.
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| Recently renovated temple |
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| A majestic look of the Gopuram from outside |
Rajendirapattinam or Erukathampuliyur:
After travelling back in the same road for another 5 kms via Karuvapillaikuruchi,you have to hit the route which takes to Srimushnam.A 6 km drive will take you to this desolated temple.The ambience was serene.There were no one near and around the temple.The temple was closed and there was a huge pond in front of the temple.A small boy was taking bath and I asked him about the priest.He told me that the priest lives in the house which was few meters distance from the temple.It was a small hut and staying outside I asked for the priest.His wife came out and told that the priest had gone to Virudhachallam. She was kind enough to send his 12 year old son who was playing cricket to open the temple.Nice mother and nice son.
Why this place has got two names, Erukathampuliyur and Rajendirapattinam?
Erkku means trees which have no utility value.Once great sages camouflaged as beautiful birds and trees came to this place to worship Shiva.Hunters tried to arrow down the birds and cut the trees.The sages became angry and converted them to Errukku trees so that they are not useful for anyone.
This place is called as Rajendirapaatinam because Raja raja chozhan prayed at this place for the birth of a child and he was blessed by the birth of Rajendrachozhan. Hence this place is also called as Rajendirapattinam. At present this name is well known rather than Erukathampuliur.
Another important story associated with this place is about our angry Murugan.He never stops fighting with his father.Once Shiva admonished Parvathi for not listening with concentration when he was taking class on Vedas.He sent her to earth and cursed her to be born as human being in Bharathava community. Murugan got angry tore the Vedas and picked up a fight with Shiva.Shiva sent him packing to earth and cursed him to be born as as dumb person.Murugan grew up dumb and started visiting Sivasthalangal and when he reached this place he got his speech.
Siva here was worshipped by his own son and Shiva here is called as Thirukumara Sami.
It is one of the
five Puliyur temples.They are
Chidambaram, Perumpuliyur, Omamapuliyur,Thirupathipuliur and
Thiruerukathampuliur.
Vyagapradar has worshipped in these 5 places. He is a saint with feet and hands made of tiger's claws.The tamil name of tiger is puli and hence these five places end with the name Puliur.
This place is also the birth place of Thiruneelakandayazhpannar. He used to accompany Sambandar and play Yaazh while Sambandar sang praising the lord with hymns.
There is a small shrine for him also.I was alone in the temple. Temple was small,had lots of shrubs and weeds which needs to be cleaned.I sat in front of Shiva for few minutes and asked him sir why some of your temples are very famous and while temples like this which are equally important and steeped in heritage is not crowded and not well known.As usual I did not get answers but when I moved out of the temple a gentle breeze swept me like a peacock feather and the feeling I got was Shiva.
The priest contact number is 9976173524.
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| Front view of the temple |
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| Inside the temple of Rajendirapattinam lots of weeds and shrubs needs to be cleaned |
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| Thiruneelakandayaazpaanar |
Koodalaiartoor:
This is a small village and to reach this, one has to cross Srimushnam and from there a drive for another 3-4 kms and a left cut and a travel for another 3 kms will bring us to this temple.
I reached the place by around 2pm and it was closed. The temple is being renovated and the priest stays near by. He opened the temple for me and I was alone in the temple for 15 minutes.The lingam was huge and great to watch as well as worship.
Shiva came in front of Sundarar and asked him to worship him in this place.Some specialities of this temple is there are two Amman sannadhis. There is no worship for Navagraghas here( 9 planets)
Three rivers join here.Manimutharu and Vellaru from earth join with river Saraswathi from heaven.
The contact number of the priest is 9786734652
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| Rajagopuram of Koodalaiartoor temple |
It was an excellent day and I also visited Srimushnam but the temple was closed.
It is important to have the mobile numbers of priests of Koodalaiartoor and Rajendirapattinam.
Hence I have mentioned them in the blog. Priests of these two temples stay near by.
Other temples open between 6-1pm and from 4-8 pm.
From Pondicherry all these 5 temples can be visited in half a days time.By 4 pm I was at home for my evening coffee.
