Karaikal based Sivasthalangal

Every one is aware of Thirunallar and Karaikal Ammaiyar temple at Karaikal. Interestingly there are 3 more Padal petra temples at Karaikal other than Thirunallar. Including Thirunallar there are 4 Shiva temples which have been visited by Saiva Kuravargal.
It was a friday and along with my parents we started our trip towards Karaikal and Kumbakonam.

From the inside of the temple

  
Thiruvettakudi:

In this blog I shall write about Karaikal based Siva temples. As I'm a Pondicherian and Karaikal is a part of Pondicherry I'm in fact proud to write this.We reached the outskirts of Karaikal at around 9 am and weather was pleasant neither hot nor cold. After entering Karaikal proceed towards the bus stand which is a straight road and after around 4 km a left cut will take us to this place called Thiruvettakudi.There is a arch welcoming you to this road and it is hard to miss.A 2 km drive will take us to this lovely temple which is on the left side of the road. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung hymns praising the lord here.

The legend of the temple has a connection with Ramayana. Arjunan to win the war against Duryodana  had to acquire Pasupatha Enthiram.To  get this Enthiram he did penance at this place as directed by Priest Vyasar. Duryodana sent a demon in the form of pig to disturb Arjunan.Arjuna killed the Pig.

At that time Shiva along with Muruga came in the form of a hunter and claimed the pig.Arjunan started a heated coversation with Shiva.After teasing Arjunan for a while Shiva showed his true self and granted him the Pasupatha Enthiram.

The god here is called as Sundareshwarar and the temple opens by 6am itself.

As god came here as hunter(vedan) the place is called as Vettakudi.

Another legend associated with this temple is a fight broke between Siva and Sakthi about the superiority between them and Shiva cursed her to be born as a fisherwoman. Parvathi was born at this place as fisher woman and subsequently got united with Shiva.

The temple is very calm and  serene.It had lots of positive vibrations.My mother was very happy to see the temple.

       Entrance of Thiruvettakudi

After seeing the temple our next stop was Kovilpathu or Thiuthalicherry.

Rajogopuram of Thiruthellicherry

Thiruthellichery:

This place is in the heart of Karaikal. As one enters Karaikal town,there is a signal from where a left cut will take you to the bus stand.Take a right cut instead and  another immediate right cut will take you to this temple.Right opposite to Sivan there is a nice Peumal temple.

Siva here is called Parvatheeswarar and he is facing west which is a peculiar feature of this temple.Hence when we circumambulate we will see durgai to the left and dakshinamurthy on the right side.

I found lots of interesting facts about this place.

First the name of the place,Thiruthallicherry.

Break the name into three words,Thiru - theli - cherry.Thiru means Siva, Theli means sowing seeds and chery is nothing but place.

Once there happened to be a great drought in this place and Shiva himself came to sow seeds at this place,and hence the name - Thiru theli cherry.

Why Kovilpathu? I actually did not understand the name  and asked the priest. He explained to me nicely.Sambandar after seeing and singing at Thirunallar came to this place but did not come to this temple.Vinayagar called him to visit the temple.As calling somebody in Tamil is called Koovuthal,this place was called as Koovi Azhaitha Vinayagar,which over a period of time got changed to Kovil pathu.

Shiva here is called as Rajalingam,Baskara lingam.

As Chola king Ambarish was blessed with child after praying here the lingam is called as Rajalingam.(King-Raja).

Sun or suryan worshipped Shiva and hence he is called as Baskara  lingam.(Baskaran - Suryan).

Stories about this place does not end here.

Gnanasambandar had  a great argument with Jain priests at this place.When he was blocked from entering this place Shiva ordered a thunder to fall on Jain priests.Despite this they did not accept the defeat and called Sambandar for a debate on Saivism and Jainism.Sambandar won the debate.Jain priests accepted their defeat and embraced Saivism.

 My parents standing in front of the temple,for me they are Siva and Parvathi.

Interesting legends and  history.

Dharmapuram:

Next we have to take the Thirunallar road and as we near Thirunallar a left turn will take us to this temple.It is a very narrow road and another two km drive will take us to this temple.

Shiva here is called as Yaazhmurinathar and the name, is the story of the temple.

Neelakanda Yaazhpanar usually accompanies Sambandar to give music to his hymns.Yaazhpanar over a period of time developed ego that he can give music to any song and as usual Shiva scented the fault and wanted to teach him a lesson.

When Sambandar started singing hymns at this place Yaazhpanar could not compose music with his Yaazh..Frustrated he wanted to break the music instrument.At that time Shiva  got the yaazh from Neelakandar and composed the music.He also danced to the tune.

Hence the name Yaazhmuri nathar.

A place for music lovers.

When we went to this temple the temple was under renovation and there were no one in the temple except for Shivalingam.

After seeing and spending some time at this temple I understood the meaning of tranquility.

Thirunallar:

       Elephant standing in front of Thirunallar Temple

Another two km drive will take you to Thirunallar.Every one knows about Thirunallar.

I would like to talk about an interesting feature of this temple which many of us may not know.

After seeing Dharbaneshwarar to the right there is Thyagarajar. 

He has an excellent story behind him. 

When Indran decided to wage war against Asuras he wanted the help of Musugandha Chakravarthy a great Shiva follower.Musuggundhan helped Indran to crush Asuras.Indran asked him what Musugundhan wanted for his help.He asked for the lingam(Thyagarajamurthi) he and his wife used to worship.Indran wife dis not want to part the Lingam.To trick Musugundhan she made seven Lingams similar to the one he asked and requested him to select a Lingam.Shiva showed Musukunda chakravarthy the correct lingam.Indran's wife was impressed about his Shiva Bhakthi and gave all the Lingams to him.He came to his place and installed these Lingams at seven places and these places are called as Saptha Vidanga Sthlangal. We reached the place at 12pm and the Maragadha lingam was taken at around 12.15pm from the safe lock and Abhisekam was performed for the lingam.We were thrilled at what we saw.

 Usually, it is the top portion of the lingam ,the ellipse which is believed to be Swayambhu(came on its own). The base – Avudayar- is made by hand. In all these seven lingams, the whole lingam including the base is of  a single piece, and are believed to have appeared just the same way, without being made. All the seven lingams are of different sizes, though they are made of the same material  maragatham  or emerald. The biggest one is at Thirunallar.Thiyagarajar here is called as NagaVidangar.

I had visited Thirunallar and people flock at Saniswaran but I don't know how many of us know about this aspect of Thirunallar.

I subsequently travelled to all the Saptha vidanga sthalangal about which there are already blogs written.

After seeing the temple including Saniswaran we started towards Kumbakonam.

Today happens to be Mahashivarathiri and I'm happy I could write about 4 siva temples of great historical importance.