KULITHALAI,IYERMALAI AND EINGOIMALAI -THREE ABODES OF SIVA

Siva often throws up challenges to his followers.Seeing him at three different places in a single day is one of the challenges he poses at Kulithalai.To add spice to the challenge two temples are on hilltops.
The three temples are to be seen in this order.
Kulithalai Siva temple - Kadambavaneshwarar should be seen in the morning.
Iyermalai Siva temle - Rathnapureshwarar at noon.
Eingoimalai Siva temple - Siva's date with us here is at evening.

KULITHALAI:

Earnestly taking up the challenge to see the master two of us travelled to Kulithalai.
Chennai to Trichi highway is a  carpet road and a double laner.The drive will make the  enthusiastic car driver happy.120 km per hour is easily achievable in this express way.
Watch out for the right cut near Samayapuram towards Karur.
A 35 km ride twords this road brings us to Kulthalai.
This road is very scenic with cauvery flowing on the left.On the way there is Gunaseelam a sacred Vishnu temple and also Thiruvasi where siva resides.
Due to want of time and fear of missing the morning appointment with lord Siva at Kulithalai we drove direct to Kulithalai.

THE ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is on the left side on the main highway.Very easy to spot and we need not enter the town.

The temple is smallish but looks good.

As we enter the temple we can see Siva's idol from a distance which is a remarkable way of building a temple in those days.this methodology is seen in many temples where we can see the lord from the entrance itself because the flooring just slops down and at the sanctum Siva on a pedestal can be easily seen and his blessings sought even without entering the temple.

GOPURA DARISANAM

The legend of the temple now

Dumrasalonan was equal to Siva.He had powers which could not be controlled by Devas.

Devas ran to Parvathi.

"Goddess please save us".

"Dumrasalonan is creating havoc".

"He wants our creed to be demolished".

"You should have told Siva".Parvathi answered.

"No Siva said he will not intervene because dumrasalonan is his disciple".

"Ok,I will destroy him".

"Durga will take care of him,all of you can disperse" was Paravathi's curt reply.

The fight between Dumrasalonan and Durga was protracted.

Durga for a change could not vanquish Siva's disciple.

Durga had to retreat and a furious Parvathy decided to send Saptha kannis(Seven forms of goddess Parvathi).

The seven incarnation's of Parvathy started the battle against Dumrasalonan.

Sanity prevailed as Dumrasalonan could not fight the fury of the goddesses.

Dumrasalonan ran out the war field and entered a hut and hid himself.

The hut had a Maharishi who was in a deep penance.

Sapthakannis entered the hut and saw the maharishi meditating.

They mistook Maharishi as Dumrasalonan and killed him.
They understood their folly immediately.

Sapthakannis ran to Siva.

"We have committed the biggest sin" .

"Kindly save us".

"We were unable to kill Dumrasalonan and also we had killed a Maharishi".

Siva smiled.

 "You can never kill a true disciple of mine and also Parvathi cannot take a decision without consulting me".

"I can only take him when I want".

"Dumrasalonan is already with me".

"You can also stay with me".

"I will protect you".

 Siva protects all.

As per the legend Sapthakannis are present behind Sivalingam.

Once we started circumambulating I did notice the difference of seeing the Sandikeshwarar at the left side as he is usually positioned in the right side.

Siva is looking towards north.

He came in front of sapthakannis in Kadamba Vimanam in the northern side, hence the temple looks northward.

So we can see Sandikeshwarar on the left and Dakshinamurthy on the right.

 Apart from Thirunavukarasar who had visited this place Arunagirinathar also had come to this sacred place.

He has praised lord Murugan who looks lovely with six hands aptly described by Arunagirinathar as this Murugan is equivalent to six sacred abodes of lord Murugan.

We spent few minutes meditating at the temple and then started towards Iyer malai.

IYERMALAI:

THE ENTRY

SAPTHAKANNIS UNDER A CLIFF

To reach Iyer malai one has to take the route towards Thiruchi and after few kms a left cut towards Virali malai and further down for 12 kms will bring us to Iyer malai.

Iyer malai has 1150 steps.

Few shops are present at the base of the hill.

Better to take few water bottles and some biscuits as there are no shops enroute.

It's better to have these water bottles in your trousers as monkeys are rampant here.

If you have a bag make sure you carry a stick with you.

Monkeys do attack here.All monkeys are not Hanumans.

There is a chatiram(Motel) built by Chozha Vellalars but it was closed.

It's a 45 minute walk up and stamina is required to do this.

Steps are small and easily negotiable.

It's better not to climb if it's hot.

Sun had taken a temporary break as he had disappeared behind the brownish clouds.

1150 steps were a breeze and as we climb on the left a small hillock with a idol of Muruga is seen.

People worship the Kodimaram before ascending.

After few steps Hanuman is present apparently giving us the energy to climb.

After a few hundred steps on the left we can see Sapthakannis beautifully placed under a small cliff.

Beware once again of monkeys.

63 NAYANAMARS

THE ENTRANCE TO AMBAL SHRINE

THE FINAL STOP

The first stop is Ambal (Goddess)shrine and from there a small climb up brings us to lord Siva.

On the left of the final destination we can see 63 nayanmars and a Balipeedam looking towards Siva.

We need to climb few more steps and then enter the sanctum.

On the left we can see Perumal first and then when we enter inside we are greeted by Nandhikeshwarar.

He looks beautiful as always.

It was around 1230 pm and afternoon Pooja was going on.

We were lucky to witness this hourlong Pooja.

A gathering of around 40 should be there.

For a change the Iyer was doing a magnificent job.

He was doing the Pooja with immense dedication starting with Vinayagar,Nandhi, Lord Siva and finally Perumal.

Lord Siva was bathed with lime juice,apple etc.

Before doing every Pooja Iyer explained with what he is doing.

It's was great to watch and exhilarating as well.

The sweaty feel which we had after the walk had evaporated as Siva was gleaming infront of us.

THE MOUNTAIN VIEW

A BIG STONE WITH AN IDOL-SAGUNA KUNDRU?

The myth now.

"I need elephants to fight the enemies",the Aryan king was telling his minister.

"To buy elephants they are asking emeralds".

"Where to get emeralds"? the king asked.

"Sir emeralds are at present available only in south India".

"If we can go there with lot of money we can get it from the Chozha king".

"Let us do it".

"I shall go myself along with few confidants".

"You be in charge till I come back",said the King.

A sternous journey for months brought him to the Tamil kingdom.

"We welcome you sir to our kingdom".

Chozha king played a perfect host.

The Aryan king was very happy.

"Despite being a Muslim you treated me kindly".

"Sir, I need emeralds to buy elephants".

"We shall pay you".

"I will be happy if you can give us".

Chozha king said, "Before I part with emeralds I need to ask my council of ministers.I don't decide alone".

The king said "I shall wait".

As the sun was setting down the Aryan king went for a walk.

He was pointing towards Iyer malai and asked the villagers "What is there on top?".

The villagers said lord Siva.

He is also called as" Madhyana Sokkar sir".

Why?.

Because we worship him in the afternoon after being blessed in the morning at Kulithalai.

"He will give us whatever we want".

"Will he give me emeralds"?.

"I'm a Muslim may be he may not".

"No sir,you go and pray he will give you whatever you want".

Come up,come up-some strange voice.

I heard something asking me to come up.

Should I go up?.

Come up.

Sometimes heart overturns mind.

The Aryan king started climbing up taking the cue from his heart.

He reached the top.

Siva was there as a huge idol.

"Did you ask me to come up".

He never talks.

"What's happening?".

A old man was sleeping.

The King sat next to him.

Wind was caressing both of them.

"Do u want some water".

The alarmed king opened his eyes and he could see the old man offering him some water.

"Yes why not"?.

"What had bought you here"?,asked the old man.

"I come from North India and I need emeralds".

"How much u want"?.

"Can you give". 

"Yes".

"I will pay you".

"No people come to this mountain to pray lord Siva".

"They need water to quench the thirst".

"Can you fill that pit with water.

"I'm a old man I can't do, can you do it for me".

"If you do it I will give you emeralds".

"You can open the bag I always have precious stones".

The king opened the bag and it contained lots of emeralds and diamonds.

"I will do it old man".

"I hope you don't cheat me".

The old man smiled.

The King started to pour water from the well into the bucket and transferred into the pit.

To his dismay everytime he filled the pit the water disappeared.

"What's happening"?.

The emeralds are in the bag.

So near so far.

"Hi old man".

"You are playing."

"This job cannot be finished so you threw up this challenge".

"I will kill you".

"You can".

"Come up kill me".

The old man entered the sanctum.

The King found no one except the Sivalingam standing tall and strong infront of him.

He drew the sword and cut the Lingam.

Lord took it on his forehead and held his sword.

"Dear King you had come all the way from North India to protect your people and your kingdom".

"You live for the people".

"Allah and Siva are the same".

"Collect the bag and go".

"Sufficient emeralds and diamonds are there".

"Save your people and kingdom".

"Tell your people that all religions are same".

"Show love and bury the swords".

The King got what he wanted.

He went back to his kingdom and made all religions equal.

He made peace with his surrounding Kingdoms.

The King got emeralds but the most important lesson he learnt was how to live.

Lord Siva here is hence called as Vatpoki nathar.(Val-sword,poki nathar-lord held the sword)

Descent was a breeze.

Egan- anegan,one God many forms-Allah for muslims,Siva for hindus.

Siva is the ultimate teacher.

EINGOIMALAI:

THE ASCENT TOWARDS EINGOIMALAI

THE ENTRANCE OF EINGOIMALAI

DWARAPALAKAS PROTECTING THE INNER SANCTUM

We drove back to Kulithalai and had a mini lunch.

It was 230 pm as sun was beating down.

A 3 km drive brings us to Musiri and from there a left cut brings us to Namakkal.

A few kms and a right brings us to Eingoimalai.

Eingoimalai is a small hillock.

Around 500 steps.

"Sticks not required",two oldies instructed us.

I asked "Why,monkeysss?".

"No you will not find monkeys here".

I threw the stick and started climbing the hillock.

Steps are little rough but can be climbed easily.

A small Vinayagar welcomes us on the left.

After seeking his blessings we enter the sanctum.

A small well maintained temple.

Seeing Siva is a bliss.

Reciting sivapuranam infront of him gives more happiness.

Kodimaram in this temple as well as Iyermalai has a unique feature.

The top of the Kodimaram is left out of the roof.

Nakkerar has sung Eingoi70(70 songs  praising the lord).

THE KODIMARAM GOING OUT OF THE TEMPLE BUILDING

The legend.

Agathiar had just walked down to this temple and he was not able to enter the temple as it was locked.

"Siva you had asked me to go to South india".

"Because of this I'm unable to see the spectacle of your marriage".

"I came to this holy temple and could not see you",he lamented".

"Agathia transform yourself into a fly and enter the sactum".

Agathiar prayed to Siva and transformed himself to a fly and entered the temple.
Hence this temple is called as Eingoimalai(E means fly,malai means mountain)

THE LORD

A youngish Iyer explained about the temple and the temple is open from 7 Am till 6 pm.
He stays downhill and appeared friendly.
I started descending and I did not feel any tiredness.
A sort of calmness engulfed when driving back from Eingoimalai.
Drive back to Pondicherry was quick and good but seeing Siva at three different places at three different timings and seeking his blessings was like icing on the cake.