KODIKARAI,PONNIYUN SELVAN AND SIVA TEMPLES

ENTRANCE OF THE SANCTUARY

The word ‘Kodikkarai’ will bring nostalgic recollections of Poonguzhali if one is Ponniyin Selvan’s fan and a nice bird sanctuary if you are nature loving follower of the wild life.

While reading Ponniyin Selvan, one gets into the mix of happenings.  The Novel is an interesting mix of story-telling with fictional characters and true history.  Poonguzhali is a female who has two aspects.  She is brave to the extent she can ride a boat taking Arulmozhivarman @ Rajaraja Cholan and Vendhiyadevan to Sri Lanka at two separate instances.

The other virtue of Poonguzhali is her unflinching  love and loyalty to Arulmozhivarman @ Rajaraja Cholan.  If Poonguzhali is a true character, she is a women of brave stature.

Kodikkarai is called as “POINT CALIMERE” and it can be accessed from Vedaranyam.  There is a security check before we enter the desolate12 KMs stretch.  The stretch is very calm and on either side of the road we were encountered by monkeys as if Hanuman is welcoming us. 

WIND AND OURSELVES AT POINT CALIMERE

THE GIFT OF PARANTHAKA CHOZHAN DILAPIDATED LIGHT HOUSE

DUSTING OF

CURRENT LIGHT  HOUSE

FOLLOWING THE FOO STEPS OF KALKI,ARULMOZHIVARMAN,POONGUZHALI

Kodikkarai has an interesting connection to Ramayana as well.  From Kodikkarai,  Sri Lanka is accessible by a boat or ferry.  Ramar dropped the idea of invading Sri Lanka as accessibility to Kodikkarai will reach the back of the Srilankan king.  He chose sedhu to launch his attack against Ravana so that he can attack him eye to eye.Siva knew Ravana would take on rama anywhere because ravana was  a deep saivite.

There are couple of Guest houses at Kodikkarai.  One is maintained by the Forest Department which is under renovation and the other one is “V.M. Guest house”.  We chose V.M. Guest house and it was a decent accommodation at Kodikkarai.  Kodikkarai is actually a small village. The Sanctuary at Kodikkarai is open till 5.00 PM and it is a home for the endangered black Antelope.  The most interesting aspect of Kodikkarai is the remains of a Light House built by Paranthaka Cholan. Sea, floods and human beings  have destroyed the historical Light House.  I had the pleasure of touching the stone of the ruined light house.We were alone.  The ride to this monument itself is a great experience.  Deers with horns are seen everywhere. We also saw an occasional Peacock.  There were beautiful birds flocking the sea which could have been a treat for Bird watchers.  All I can decipher was the different kinds of birds with different colours with different shapes.  Paranthakacholan, Arulmozhivarman, Poonguzhali would have walked here. We also walked.    As we came out of the Sanctuary, my brother told that the Light House should be renovated and protected.  I did hear it but I felt the presence of Poonguzhali  at that place.

KODIKAZHAGAR TEMPLE

A 2 KM ride towards Vedaranyam brings us  to Kodikizhagar Temple.  This Temple is also a character in Ponniyin Selvan and frequented by Poonguzhali.  We reached the Temple at 5.00 PM and the place was very serene.  Sundarar had come to this Temple along with Seraman  Sundarar has sung ten songs about the Temple.  The Temple is very small but well maintained.  The Sthalavrutcham is ‘Vilvam’.  The peculiarity of this Temple is that the Navagrahas are in straight line. 

NAVAGRAHAS STANDING IN A STRAIGHT LINE

After getting Kodikkarai siva blessings, we went to Ramar Patham.  It is on the right side of the road.   A flight of steps takes us to this Ramar Patham.  It is maintained by Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) but there were no personnel here when we were at that place. There was no one to guide us also.  Monkeys were around in numerous numbers and can easily attack if anyone is alone.  We were scared and we did not have any sticks to threaten the monkeys.

AGATHIAN PALLI:

AGHATHIAN TEMPLE GOPURAM

INSIDE THE TEMPLE

We started our journey towards Vedaranyam.   3 KMs further towards Vedaranyam is Agathian Palli.  The Temple is on the left side and there is a big  Arch which cannot be missed.  No one was there at the Temple except three of us. The fourth person was Siva.  The Swayambulingam[SELF MANIFESTED] was very tall and was emanating spirituality.  We connected to Siva immediately.  My brother and myself sat in front of the omnipotent and paid obeisance with Sivapuranam.  The myth or legend behind this Temple is when Siva had married at Kailash, great sages and all his followers came to Kailash.  The earth tilted towards Kailash.  To counter this effect, Siva sent Agathiar down to South. Agathiar came to Kodikkarai but he did not miss the marriage.Siva and Parvathi gave him, their Darshan at Agathian Palli.  On the  right side there is Amman(female goddess).  She has a very calmly presence and hence called as  Amena Poonguzhali .  If Siva is knowledge like our Father, Parvathi is for love and compassion.  In this materialistic world, for people like us siva is our Father, Parvathi is our Amma. That is the essence of Agathian Palli.  This Temple is called as “Agathiar koil” locally. 

AGATHIARS SEPARATE SHRINE

VEDARANYAM:

THE SACRED DANCE OF THYAGARAJA

Another 10 minutes’ ride, we were at Vedaranyam.  I had been to Vedaranyam before but I was nascent Saivite.    After climbing 2 to 3 steps as Saivite, I wished to visit this place again with my brother and Siva’s blessings.  The Temple is quite big and behind the Sivalingam, we saw Siva and Parvathi standing in" Kalyana Kolam"(Marraige posture).  This Kalyana Kolam is seen in 3 Temples viz., Vedaranyam, Idumbavanam and Thirumaraikadu.  This Temple was built by 4 Vedas when they were in human form viz., Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana viz., four Vedas.  Four Vedas came down to Vedaranyam, built this Temple and worshipped Sivalingam. When Kaliyugam came,the 4 Vedas left the earth after closing the main gate of the Temple.  Since this Temple was worshipped and built by the Vedas, this Temple is called as “Vedaranyam”.  The main door of the Temple was closed till 1200 years before, before Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar came here.  Seeing the plight of the people to visit the Temple on the side entrance, Thirunavukkarasar sang ten songs pleading Lord Siva to open the door of the main gate.  Miracle happened.  The door,automatically opened.  To close the opened door, Thirugnanasambandar had to sing only one song. On the right side of Siva is Thiyagaraja.  This Temple is also one of the Saptha (7) Vidanga Sthalangal.  Saptha means ‘Seven’ (7).  Vidanga means self-manifested Maragathalingam.  We were lucky to see the Abishegam of this small Greenish Maragathalingam.  I do not know whether I can use the term “Cute” for this small Lingam as Lingam and Siva are always beautiful, cute and pure.  It was enthralling to witness Abishegam of Maragathalingam.

KARAPAGANATHARKULAM

PRISTINE CLEAN INSIDE

THE SACRED POND

Vedaranyam is an important Temple for Saivite. A must visit.  My brother another father to me brought us good food and we started back to Kodikkarai and slept at the Guest House.

Karpaganatharkulam:

          Vanthiya thevan was chasing me when the alarm interrupted my sleep.  It was 5.00 AM and all of us started to get ready for today’s schedule.  We boarded the Duster by 6.00 AM and started towards Karpaganatharkulam.  We travelled back to Vedaranyam and further  one has to take a left turn and hit the Thiruthuraipoondi Highway.  25 KMs’ drive brought us to this place.  A left cut and further down by a KM and a half brought us to this quiet village.  People had just got up for their morning teas and gossips.They were happy to guide us to the Temple.  The Temple was closed but after seeing us the Gate Keeper of the Temple came and opened it.  The Temple had nice marble tiles and was very neat.  Siva was transcending again.  This place is called as "Kadimanam" which means the sand is very hard.  Child prodigy Sambandar had come to this place and had sung 11 songs praising Lord Siva.  The Lingam is hexagonal in shape which is a Divine peculiarity.  Ramar had visited the Temple to get the blessings of Siva before going to Sedhu(rameshwaram).  The Vinayagar here is called as ‘Mangani Vinayagar”. 

Idumbavanam:

From Karpaganatharkulam, Idumbavanam is just 2 KMs away.  Idumbavanam is a bigger Temple and there were people inside as well as outside the Temple.  Three striking things one should not miss at Idumbavanam is “Vellai Vinayagar” (White Vinayagar), Siva and Parvathi behind Sivalingam in Kalyana Kolam and beautiful paintings which are crying for maintainenece. Vinayagar here is made of Sea bubbles and hence he is called as "Vellai Vinayagar".  He is worshipped here with milk and panneer.  The place is also called ‘Pitru Mukthi Sthalam’ which means that if we pray here for our forefathers, their sons will be absolved and they will not be born again.  The place is called as Idumbavanam because Idumban, a rogue King worshipped at this place to convert himself to a nice person.  Siva transformed him into a beautiful man and also gave him good character.  This is the beauty of Siva.  This Temple has excellent paintings on the walls.  My brother is a Civil Engineer,and he was talking about the intricacies and difficulties in making them.Me being a novice in this was able to understand the importance of this aesthetic paintings. The paintingsshould be protected and this art would be a great research interest for an Archaeologist.  After meditating here for some time, we started our journey towards the next Temple Kovilur. 

VELLAI(WHITE)VINAYAGAR

BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS REQUIRING ATTENTION

KOVILUR:

A BOARD EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEMPLE

KODIMARAM AND GOPURAM OF THE TEMPLE

AMMAN(FEMALE GODDESS) AND MY BROTHER

To reach Kovilur from  Idumbavanam, we should drive towards Muthupet.  After a few KMs’ drive, we hit the Highway and just after entering Muthupet, there is a right cut which takes us to this Temple. The Temple has a huge Arch on the left side.  The arch cannot be missed.  A one KM drive  takes us to this Temple.  Sri Ramar, before starting his journey towards Sri Lanka, offered prayer to Siva here.  He also got expert advice from Siva and hence Siva here is called ‘Manthirapureeswarar”.  The Swayambulingam (self-made) here looks white and the reason being offered is few drops of Amirtham fell on the Sivalingam.  Hence it turned white. When  Yama   threw the death cord on Margandeya,he was saved by Siva but the cord had left scars on Margandeya.  These scars were cleaned when Markendaya  took bath at the pond adjoining this Temple.    Tirugnanasambandar has sung songs praying Siva at this Temple.  This place is also called as Thirusthalam.  Sun had just peeped out and taken full effect by now.  We were wiping out our sweat and boarded  the Duster. After taking our breakfast at a road side Motel, our next stop was Tirukalar.

THIRUKALAR:

MAJESTIC NANDHI

THIRUKALAR TEMPLE ENTRANCE

After travelling on the highway around 10 KMs, we had to take a left cut to reach Tirukalar.  Siva here is called as ‘Parijathavaneswarar’.  The Temple is big and it is surrounded by old houses viz., Agraharam.  Kalavi means dance.  Duruvasar wanted to see Bramma dance of Siva.  To fulfil his ambitions, he brought Parijatha flowers and made it as a Tree and installed a Sivalingam under the Tree and started worshipping Siva. The entire place was transformed into a Parijathavanam (Forest).  Siva fulfilled his wish by dancing in front of him.  Here Lord Subramanya is unique because he stands alone without his wives(happy days for muruga also).  By standing alone, he becomes a Guru (Teacher) to 60,000 Sages.  He utters the importance of Namachivaya manthiram.  Tirunavukkarasar and Tirugnanasambandar had visited this Temple. We felt rejuvenated at this Temple and there is an idol of Duruvasar worshipping Siva. 

THIRUKOTTUR:

Our next stop was Thirukottur.  The same road takes us to this small village.6 to 7 KMs ride enables us to reach this temple.  The Temple is inside the village with poor accessibility.  The Temple was closed at 10.30 AM itself. We prayed from outside and I have snaps of the Temple alone.  The Temple looks very old and it needs urgent renovation.  I presume it also requires a dutiful person to keep open the Temple till 12.00 noon. 

Thandalachery "Neer nerinathar" temple:

STONE ENGRAVING OF ARIVATANAYANAR

SIVACHARIAR DISCUSSING ABOUT KOCHENGOTUCHOZHAN

NANDHI WHICH WAS WORSHIPPED BY KOCHENGOTUCHOZHAN

ADHIGARANADHIESWARAR.

From Kovilur, we started our journey towards Tiruvarur.  A 10 KMs ride on the Highway and 8 KMs before Tiruvarur brings us to Neernerinathar Temple.  One has to take a left cut from the Highway to reach this Temple.  This place is important because it is here Siva saved the life of thayala  Nayanar and gave him salvation.  Thayala Nayanar was a wealthy man and he had a virtuous wife unlike the present generation where women and men are partners. He and his wife used to worship Siva with  special cooked rice,curry leaves and Mango pickle  daily.  Siva started to test the virtues of Nayanar.  He made them poor.  In spite of extreme poverty, Nayanar and his wife continued to worship siva with cooked rice and mango pudding.  Despite starvation, one day, instead of eating,  Nayanar and his wife made their cooked rice and mango pickle and walked towards Sivalingam.  Because of extreme fatigue, his wife fell down and spilled the food to the ground.  Nayanar also fell to the ground with food and he was in anguish that he was unable to feed God.   He took the long knife (Arival) and decided to cut his throat.  Just before he could cut his throat, a hand appeared from the ground and held the knife.  It is Siva who saved the Nayanar’s life and appeared along with his wife Parvathi.  This history is engraved in Stone form on the wall of the Temple.  This Temple also has a Sivalingam worshipped by Kochengutu cholan.  Adjacent to this Temple, the Sivacharyar’s house is present.  Around 12.00 noon he explained us the importance of this Temple and was very patient to answer our doubts and showed us the entire Temple.The temple does not have Kodimaram and Kochengotu chozhan was cured of  leprosy here.Another aspect of  this temple is Nataraja is adorned by river ganges is in the foot and it does not adorn his head.

Ponniyun selvan was a great inspiration to visit Kodikarai.The characters of the book  travel with us.My father and brother had great influence in making me read from childhood and it was an extreme pleasure to drive with my brother to Kodikarrai. At kodikarai everything was beautiful.The beach,the breeze,the temple,the sanctuary and the ride everything was picture perfect.Siva was also travelling with us and we reached home Parijatha smell of lord siva did not leave us.

A STAR TEMPLE - ANUSHAM - THIRININDRAVUR

ENTRANCE OF THE TEMPLE

NO KODIMARAM INSIDE THE TEMPLE

The King had just started his evening ride on a horse back.He likes these rides and often takes couple of soldiers as his company.His minister always come with him unless he has some pressing work related to the state.The second one is more of a helper who is kept at a arm's distance.Several things are achieved by these confidential and undercover rides.The king comes to know the necessities of the people,their well being,their needs and at times the king also gets first hand information of the safety and security of the kingdom.
The sun had just disappeared and moon was about to take control of the night.The minister reminded the king that they are welcoming a guest from ceylon tomorrow morning.The king said "yes minister we will go back to the palace".
"Let me wash up and change my dress I think you also should do it".
Both the king and the minister alighted from the stallion and went to the near by pond.
The soldier ran and checked the cleanliness of the pond and said "sir the pond and the water is fine".
The king asked the soldier to light the lantern with the wick and stand near by.
They finished dressing up and started back to the horse and few meters before the horse the candle stopped burning. Darkness engulfed and the peeved soldier went two steps back lit the wick again and strolled back to the king.
The lantern stopped burning at the same place again.
The bemused minister uttered "Sir there is aboslutely no wind and why the lantern stops burning".
The king asked the soldier to come few steps infront and light the wick again and asked him to go the same place.
To everyone's  astonishment the lantern  stopped burning exactly at the same place.
"In our kingdom there is no short of miracles" the king exclaimed.
"What do you think".
The minister did not answer and he tried again.
The same thing happened.
There was absolutely no wind.
The soldier was drenched in sweat and he was scared.The king was a rationalistic guy and he said" let us go back to the palace and come back tomorrow".
Next day the king was busy with Ceylonese delegates till afternoon.
He ventured alone with his stallion and reached the spot where the eerie stuff happened.
The entire place he was looking for something which he himself did not know.
A small boy was playing with his goats and he asked the king "what are you doing here alone"?.
"Kid did you notice or felt anything abnormal here".
The kid said this is a holy place see from this place "you walk hundred meters you will find a tree and behind that tree you will find a Sivalingam under the ground".
"Show me kid and if the linga is present I will give you two more goats".
The kid said "no give me a horse like this".
From the point at which the wick stopped burning exactly hundred meters further in a straight line the King found a Ala maram.
The king tried to excavate the area where the boy showed and after digging a few meters he found the suyambu lingam.
The astonished king tried to take the lingam with him.
The kid mocked at him "you are a adult but you have brains like a goat".
No one can ever take the lingam from here because here there should be a temple.
The kid disappeared.
Enlightment struck the king.
Life has taught me so many things.Today I learnt and felt god through a kid.
The king built a temple here.

This is called a thiri(wick)ninra(stopped)oor(town).

LAKSHMIPUREESWARAR

There is one more legend associated with this temple.

Jamadagani, a great sage,his wife and his son Parasuramar lived in this place.
Jamadagani's wife once saw a beautiful male walking across her and for a moment  she was disturbed.
This was noted by Jamadagani and he could not tolerate this.
He summoned his son and instructed him to kill his mother.
Parasuraman killed his mother as his father instructed.Jamadgani asked his son what he wanted for doing this act.
He said he wanted his mother back.Jamadagani could not take back his word, so he resurrected his mother back.
To clear their respective sins father and son duo prayed at this place making Sivalingams.
These lingams are seen  in the outer prakram of the temple.
A small Vishnu idol is present next to the two lingams.
When I entered the temple the rain had just stopped leaving the temple wet.
I was alone and I found there was no Kodimaram at this temple.
The temple was poorly maintained and most of the Kamadhenu over the wall of the temple were broken and the temple requires maintainence and renovation.
The main idol is called as Lakshmipureeswarar as Lakshmi prayed to Siva here.

DAKSHINAMURTHY WITH HIS LEFT FOOT ON MUYALAGAN[ he has a serpent]

TWO LINGAMS WORSHIPPED BY JAMADGANI AND PARASURAMAN

VISHNU NEXT TO TWO LINGAMS

After finishing my customary recitation of sivapuranam I strolled out and went around the temple.
The Dakshinumurhy idol looked different.
Dakshinamurthy's left foot was placed on Muyalagan and Muyalagan is holding a snake in his hand.
After getting the blessings of Siva I sat for some time.
Parasuraman and Jamadgani passed in front of me.
This temple is also a star temple for "Anusha natchathiram".
When I walked out of the temple I was thinking why Dakshinamurthy was placing his left foot on Muyalagan and why Muyalagan is carrying a snake.I could not find a answer.
May be people who read this might find the answer.

BROKEN KAMADHENU -NEEDS RENOVATION

Kodimaram: Dwajasthambam or flag pole - kept between inner sanctum and entrance of the temple.
Muyalagan:   Muyalagan means acts of ignorance.
Kamadhenu:  Holy cow.
Suyambu lingam:Self manifested lingam.
Alamaram:Banyan tree.

Location of the temple: From Vaitheswaran koil to Mayiladudurai road. 6 Kms enrouteewe will find this place and take a left turn.A sign board indicating the temple is present.

Kumbakonam based Sivasthalangal Part 2-Thirupurambiyam,Vijayamangai,Thiruvaikavur and Innambur

Everything is dictated and done by Siva. In two years I had visited lots of temples somehow unable to write about them. This bunch of temples I had visited last year and luckily my notes of them were preserved so that I was able to recollect and chronicle them.All these four temples are soaked with history and most importantly were visited by Appar,Sundarar,Thirunavukarasar and Thirugnanasambandar.

THIRUPURAMBIYAM:

Thirupurambiyam is a small village around 5 kms away from Swamimalai.If we are travelling from Chennai or Pondicherry we need not go to Swamimalai.Three kms before Swamimalai there is a road  exiting on the right.Another three kms travel takes us to Thirupurambiyam.

Before we go into the temple we should know more about this historical place.Thirupurambiyam,is a place where the rise of chola empire was marked.Vijayalayan and his son Adityan would not have dreamt that this place will turn to their advantage.In fact it did.

Pallava king Nandivarman had two sons Nriputangan and Aparijithan.In 869AD,Pallava king Nandivarman died and the two sons started fighting for the crown. Ganga king Prithivipathi had given his daughter to Aparijithan and hence he had to support Aparijithan.Nriputanga took the support of Pandya king Vargunapandiyan.When Varguna pandiyan supported Nirputanga he would not have thought this war will turn him to a hermit.

At that point of time Vijalaya chozan was a small player and infact he was a king under the control of Pallava dynasty.He decided to support Aparijithan along with Prithivipathi the Ganga king.Vijayalaya chozhan was apparently ninety years of age and had made his son Adityan  as the King of the fledgling chozha kingdom.

The war apparently happened in 885 AD and the fight was between two sons of pallava with pandiyan supporting Nirputanga elder pallava son and Ganga  and Choza kings aligning with Aparijithan.
The war was the turning point in tamil history.Pandyas and Nirputanga apparently tasted initial success at the battlefield.When Adityan,Prithivipathi and Aparijithan planned a retreat Vijayalayan at 90 years joined the fight.A paralysed Vijayalayan unable to walk was carried by two men.The old fox along with 100 warriors entered the battlefield and started fighting.The valour inspired and spurred the other three kings and soldiers.They joined Vijayalayan and started to shift the war dynamics back in favour of Apaijithan.Pandiyan Vargunapandiyan lost the war along with Nirputangan.

Aparijithan won the war but lost his father in law ganga king in the war.A pallipadai temple was built for Ganga king here.Aparijithan granted independence to Aditya chozhan and granted Tanjore to him as well.
Aditya chozhan turned the tables and killed his mentor Aparijithan and engulfed Pallava kingdom.

This war at Thirupuranbiyam decimated Pandyas established chozhas and later marked the end of pallava. Vijayalayan's role in the war is not sure however and could be fictional.

TEMPLE GOPURAM

GURU TEMPLE

A chillness and a sudden sprightly feel enetered me when I alighted from my duster at the entrance of the temple. The temple has been renovated just now and looks majestic.As the temple was closed I rested for some time and took the opportunity to see the guru temple outside  and the dry pond adjoining the temple.The guru or dakshinamurthy has a separate temple outside and supposedly very significant.
As one enters the temple and comes inside we notice on the left the all important Vinayagar.He looks different a sort of shrivelled  and the other important feature if one can decipher is the idol is not made of stone.The curiousity ended when I turned left and found the paintings on the wall depicting the history of this peculiar and powerful Vinayagar also called as Pralayam Katha Vinayagar.Pralayam means deluge or great calamity.Katha vinayagar means - Vinayagar saves the world from the deluge.The Vinyagar supposedly saved the world from the massive water flooding caused by seven seas by driving the entire water to the well present in this place. The well got the name Ezhu(7)Kondra(got)Kinaru(well).

PRALAYAM KATHA VINAYAGAR

To worship and give the due to Vinayaga, Varuna bhagavan(nature god)made a  vinayagar idol out of sea water,sea shells and sea water bubbles.On vinayagar chathurthi Honey abisegam (honey pooja)is done for Vinayaga. Believe it or not the Vinyagar does not leave the honey to drop and spil. He just abosrbs.This pooja is done once a year.The secret behind this abosrption has a "Sidha secret".It says Vinayaga absorbs the falsehood of all human beings.Next we walk inside to see the main diety called as Sakshi nathar.Sakshi means witness and Nathar means god.I prayed to the main diety and recited Sivapuranam.I took the guide(A book on siva temples) which explained the meaning of this name Sakshi nathar.

Once a couple entered the temple with the intention of getting married.Unfortunately the male(he is already married) is bitten by a poisonous snake and he dies.The bride started crying and seeks gods help.Siva gave life to the groom and instructed them to get married at the temple.After marriage when the newly wedded couple went to their native place the first wife of the groom did not accept the marriage and wanted proof for the marriage.The bride prayed to siva and siva came in front of the first wife and  provided proof for the marriage.

Hence siva here is called "Sakshinathar".

THIRUVIJAYAMANGAI:

After burdening Vinayagar with some of my sinsvisiting I drove on the same path for half a kilometer and took a right cut and a further drive of around 5 kms brings "Thiruvijayamangai".Vijayamangai is a small quaint village and the legend of this temple is shared with another temple Thiruvettakudi.

Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna to get Pasupatha endhram(A divine armoury which can kill any enemy) from Lord siva to win the war against Duryodhana.Arjuna started his penance at this place seeking Siva's blessings as instructed by Krishna.Duryodana came to know this and sent a demon in the guise of a pig to attack Arjuna.Siva also came to this place as a hunter as we all know the thiruvilayadals(siva's playful acts to teach lessons for evil persons and to stress the importance of moral living) of siva.When the pig started attacking Arjuna,Siva fought against the pig.Arjuna also joined the fight against the pig.The pig was killed and Arjuna claimed the credit for killing the pig and said he would have killed the animal even if the hunter was not there.Siva,the hunter knocked down Arjuna but Arjuna threw his last arrow which hit Siva's forehead and left a mark which is visible on the Linga even now.Siva showed his true self to Arjuna and gave him the Pasupathaendhiram.Siva advised Arjuna to respect others and be patient in a war.

VIJAYAMANGAI

The legends have their own meanings.All this sounds unrealistic and unscientific.But we have to travel beneath the surfaces.The moral of this story is to control the ego.Arjuna did not give due credit to the other person and this ego was crushed by Siva.These Thiruvilayadlas of Siva are meant to make sure people are humble, respect each other and live a moral living.

THIRUVAIKAVUR:

I drove half a km back and took a left turn and found Thiruvaikavur.
Thirvaikavur has lots of specialities.Nandhikeshwarar does not look at Siva. He looks to the entrance of the temple which will be explained now.Dwarabalakars are replaced by Brahma and Vishnu and at the entrance of main diety Dakshinamurthy stands with a stick.
The importance and origin of Mahasivarathiri also is connected with this temple.
A hunter chased a deer in a thick forest of Thiruvaikavur.The deer ran for its life and found a Sage.The deer pleaded for its protection from the hunter and the sage obliged by keeping the deer by his side.The hunter saw the deer and asked for it.The sage refused but the hunter warned the sage that he will also be hunted by him.The sage closed his eyes and asked for Siva's help.Siva started his Thiruvilaydal again.He became a tiger and came in front of the hunter.The surprised hunter was hunted now.He ran away from the place and took refuge by climbing a Vilwamaram.
The tiger was unable to climb the tree but it majestically positioned itself under the tree.After all Siva likes Vilavam and its smell.The hunter was scared whether he will fall of from the trunk if he slept of.To avoid sleeping he plucked the leaves from the tree and threw it down.All the leaves fell on the tiger.
According to destiny of the hunter his death day was in the morning.Emadarman(Lord of death) came to kill the hunter.When he saw the tiger under the tree he tried to kick the tiger away.He was unable to swing his leg and when he tried again the tiger transformed itself to Dhaksinamurthy with a stick and drove the Yamadarman.Yamadarman fell on Siva's feet and asked sorry.Siva chided Nandhi for allowing Yamadarman to come in and then interrupt the Vilva poojai of hunter.He asked Nandhi to look towards the entrance at this holy place. The hunter fell on Siva's feet and he was granted Mukthi.
The fear of death goes if we do Vilva poojai on Maha Sivarathiri.

NANDIKESHWARAR LOOKING TOWARDS THE ENTRANCE

A STONE ENGRAVEMENT SHOWING SIVA APPEARING IN  FRONT OF HUNTER

BRAHMA AND VISHNU AS DWARAPALAKARS

DAKSHNAMURTHY DRIVING YAMADARMA WITH A STICK

WALL ENGRAVEMENT OF THE STORY BEHIND MAHASIVARATHIRI

Another important aspect  I found in this temple is there is a underground tunnel, which however is closed. I asked a guy who was guarding the temple about the tunnel and he said it connects to Tanjore.I quizzed him whether any one entered the tunnel.He said some years before he and one more person tried but could not negotiate after few meters as they were attacked by bats.

Other temples were Nandhi looks to the entrance are Patteswaram,Thirupoondhuruthi and Pennadam

WAY TO TANJORE - SHORT CUT

INNAMBUR:

Fearing bats but not fearing death I started to Innambur.We have to come to the main road which connects to Swamimalai and on the right side we will find this huge temple.The temple is very clean and well maintained and the crowd was also healthy.
The gopuram of the main diety has five kalasam(Inverted pots kept at temple towers) depicting five works of Siva.(creation,protection,destruction,illusion and emancipation)

FIVE KALASAMS DEPICTING THE FIVE ACTS OF SIVA

A PARENT AND  SON SEEKING BLESSINGS OF EZHUTHARINATHAR

TEMPLE GOPURAM OF INNAMBUR

The place and temple is called Innambur because "Innan" means "Sun god" in tamil who had worshipped Siva here.When I was in this temple I saw a mother bringing her son and asking the priest to place the semparuthi flower next to god and then write with the flower
on the child's tongue. I asked the priest what is this custom.He said after praying to Siva with Sembaruthi and then when written using Sembaruthi on the tongue of the child, the boy or girl gets good reading skills.He also said this cures stammering and hence the god is called "Ezutharinathar".I was tempted to ask him whether it will cure other language disorders but before I could do that I was awe struck by the sheer size of the massive Sivalingam inside the sanctum.It occupied the entire sanctum and the question which came to my mind was ridiculed by Siva's omnipotence.

Siva taught Agathiyar tamil grammar and its importance and hence siva is also called  as "Atcharapureeswarar."
There are two goddesses here and one is always in penance thinking of Siva and the other one here is Siva's wife.

All these 4 temples can be covered in two hours.
The route map is given here.
I started this trip alone but when I was travelling back the fragrance of Vilvam and Sembaruthi surrounded me.The omnipotent Siva and Pralayam Katha Vinayagar were with me and I hope they stay with me when people you think are lives desert you at the opportune moment.

Vilvam:Aegle marmelos.
Sembaruthi:Hibiscus rosasinesis.

The Google map:

THE MAP SHOWING FOUR TEMPLES.

BETWEEN INNAMBUR AND THIRUVAIKAVUR ARE THE OTHER TWO.