THEVARA PADAL PETRA STHALNGAL 

             AND  OTHRE TEMPLES 

                (Continued......)

 

Day 2^nd.

My visit to temples on day two was towards Thiruvaiyaru town of Tanjavur District from Swamimalai in Kumbakonam, where I had camped.

The mention of Thiruvaiyaru immediately brings to mind, the great Saint, Tyagaraja Swamigal , on of the Trimurtis of Carnatic musuc and the utsavam held during Bahula Panchami as Tyaraja Aaradhana Day every year.

However, in and around Thiruvaiyaru there are also several Shiava Padal Petra Sthalangal or temples.  These temples are called Saptha Sthana Kovil – group of seven temples.

Enroute to Thiruvaiyaru, I also covered couple of Divya Desams and other temples.

I really do not know whether I can! or I should, but I wish to state here that all the above temples visited by me are located in remote villages with very minimal foot fall of devotees. Most of these temples renovated in 7-9^th century by the then rulers, are so massive, but, are in almost ignored conditions these days. The Gurukkals or the Shiva Acharyas performing daily pujas have to fend for themselves as also take care of Nithya Pujas in the temple, with bare minimum assistance from the Government – as I am told by the locals and also the Shivacharyas or Archagars of Shiva temple  and Bhattar Swamigals or Aradagars of Vishnu temples.

It is understood that rather a portion of the offering by the devotees in the Hundi is being charged as tax.

Hence my request to the readers of this blog is that in case you happen to be near these temples, please do: -

1.    Try to visit these not so popular but equally important temples also.

2.  While offerings by the devotees may be made in the temple Hundi as per one's choice, at least a portion of the offering may be used to buy flowers from the local vendors and remaining be given to the Shivacharyas and Bhattar swamigals, to enable them make two ends meet and the daily poojas in the temple is also held without difficulty.

Now taking forward my travel.

 

Jagat Rakshaka Peruamal Temple

The first one was Jagat Rakshaka Perumal (Perumal means person of eminence – here it denotes Lord Vishnu), one of the 108 Divya Desam temple of Maha Vishnu. This temple is in Thiru- Kudaloor, about 23 kms from Kumbakonam, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is worshiped here as Jagat Rakshaka Perumal and his consort Lakshmi is worshiped as Pushpavalli.

The temple believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas in late 8^th century and later contributions are by Vijayanagara Kings and Madurai Nayaks.

As per Hindu mythology, when Hiranyaksha, the demon, abducted Bhumi Devi and travelled to Patala Loka, Vishnu assumes the form of a wild boar, an incarnation of Varaha avatara, splits the earth in to two parts and brings it back to Srimushnam. 

Since Vishnu protected the world, he is called Jagat Rakshaka Perumaal. Since all the Devas assembled here during that period, this place is call Thiru-Koodaloor.

Kapi Sthalam

The second temple visited was in a village called Kapi Sthalam – about 7 kms from Thirukudalur, in the outskirts of Papanaasam.  It is also one of the 108 Divya Desam temples, built around 9^th century.  This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshiped here as Gajendra Moksha Varadaraja Perumaal and his consort Lakshmi as RamaaManiValli

This place is believed to be the one where Gajendra attained Moksha.  The story of Gajendra Moksha is quite well known to all of us.

Legend also has it that Lord Rama gave Darisanam once again to Hanuman after 300 years of penance by Hanuman in this place which is why the village is called as Kapi Sthalam. It is also believed that sage Parashar was also given darisanam by Vishnu in this place.

Ganapathy Agraharam

After a nice darisanam at both the above-mentioned Divya Desa Temples, I reached a place called Ganapathy Agraharam, a small town in Papanaasam, about 9 kms from Kapisthalam, surrounded by green paddy fields and Kaveri River flowing through the town.

This place, now with lush green paddy fields was once a draught-stricken area.

                                       

As per the sthala Purana, after Akalya was turned into stone due to a curse, Sage Gautam left his aashram.  When he was passing through this village, the villagers pleaded with him to invoke rain gods for rain to save the village from draught. 

The sage through his powers, realized that a Ganapathy Idol, consecrated by Sage Agastya, has been buried under the soil of the village and asks the villagers to dig it out from the ground. 

Sage Gautama then appeases Lord Ganapathy with Shad Akshara Mantra, bringing rain to the village.  River Kaveri also changes her course and come to the village to have darisanam of Lord Ganapathi. 

Since then, the village has never faced any problem of draught and now, the place is really surrounded with lush green paddy fields and Kaveri flowing through the town all the town.

Saptha Sthana Temples

Having Tiruvaiyaru as the primary temple, seven temples in seven places around Tiruvaiyaru, also referred as the seven ashramas of seven Rishis (Saptarishi). Agastya, Atri, Bhardwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Vashistha and Vishvamitra. They are believed to have set up ashrams in

1.    Panchanadeeswarar or Aiyarappar temple – Thiruvaiyaru (3)  

2.    Apathsahayar Temple - Thirupazanam  (1)

3.    Odhanavaneswarar Temple – Thiruchotruthurai (6) 

4.    Vedapuriswarar Temple – Thiruvedikudi (2)

5.    Brhma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple – Kandeeswaram (5) 

6.    Puvananathar Temple – This temple could not be coved due to lack of time. 

7.    Neyyadiappar Temple – Tillaistanam (4)

I give below the details of the above temples visited on the 2^nd day of my temple visit – though not in the above-mentioned order.

 

Aaptha Sahayar Koil (Temple)

After covering these temples en-route to Saptha Sthana Shiva temples, I reached one  of the seven temples - a sleepy village called Thirupazanam near Thiruvaiyaru about 5 kms from Ganapathy Agraharam. The deity is called Aaptha-sahayeswarar and his consort Parvaathy is called Periya Nayagi Amman.

Even though the original temple belongs to the Pallava period, the temple has been re-constructed by the Chozhas in the 9^th century and further extended by Tajavur Nayaks and Marathas in the 16^th century.

The presiding deity is revered in the seventh century by Tamiz Shaiva saint poets, Thirunavukkarasar, fondly remembered as Appar and Thiru Gyanasambandar.

As per the sthala Puranam, a young boy, Susaridan, after losing his parents, reaches Thirupazhanam in the night. Yamadharmaraja appears in his dream and cautions him that his days are numbered. The boy panics and worships Lord Shiva who saves him from death and hence the name Aabath -Sahayeswarar (Aapath in Tamil means danger).

Vishnu, Lakshmi, Kubera and Moon are believed to have worshiped the deity here.  On every full moon day, the rays of Moon fall on the deity.

Another unique feature in this temple is that the 8 planets face Surya unlike other temples.

Vedapuriswarar Koil (Temple)

After a filling darisanam at the temple, as per the advice of my Sarathy – Dinesh – the auto driver, a knowledgeable guide too, made a de-tour to avoid closure of the temple and proceeded to Thiruvedhikudi - again in a small village 16 kms from Apthasayar temple.  

The temple houses Shiva in the form of Vedapuriswarar and his consort Parvathy in the form of Mangayarkarasi.

This temple, also like many Shiva temples in these parts of Tamil Nadu has been constructed during the Chozhas and then extended by the Nayaks and Marathas of Tanjavur periods.

Thiur Gyana Sambandar, the 7^th century Shaiva saint poet has venerated Vedapuriswarar in two Padigams – One Paddigam consists of 10 verses.

Generally, the Ardha-Nareeswars form has Shakti on the left.  However, in this temple, shakti is seen on the right side to give importance to womanhood. 

It is believed that Lord Brahma, a Vedhi, worshiped Lord Shiva here hence the place came to be called as ThiruVedikudi.  People worshiping in this temple are believed to be blessed with knowledge.

All the 4 vedas are also believed to have worshiped Lord shive here.

There is Vinayaka idol leaning towards sanctum sanctorum, as it is believed that when the four vedas were peforming puja Vinayak leaned to listen to them.

Sun God, Indira, Lord Vishnu and Vyaasa are also believed to have worshiped in this temple, as per stahala purana. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of Panguni month (Phalguni).

Pancha Nadeeswarar Koil (Thiruvaiyaru) or Ayiarappar Temple

This Padal Petra Sthalam is in the middle of Thiruvaiyaru and is also known as Dakshina Kailasam.  This place is believed to be the birth place of Nandi, the divine bull of Lord Shiva.

To reach this temple I drove back about 6 kms. I was told that the bigger temples, like this are kept open for a longer duration that those in small villages like Tiruvedikudi.

There are many inscriptions associated with this temple indicating contributions from Cholas, Pandiyas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Maratha Kingdoms.  This a massive temple inside Thiruvaiyaru town – one of the largest in Tamil Nadu. 

The main deity of this temple is Aiyar-Appar or Pancha Nadeeswarar, a form of Lord Shiva as the place– Thiruvaiyaru – is surrounded by five rivers Viz. Vadavaar, Vennaar, Vettaar, Kudamuruti and Kaveri (“Thiru” means Sacred “Ai” in tamil is five and Aaru means river). 

His consort Parvathi is worshiped here in the form of Dharmasamvardhini Amman.

It is also believed that Sundara Murthy Nayanar, who had come to Thirukandiyur on the opposite bank of the river, was not able to reach the temple due to flood like situation in Kaveri.  However, the river is believed to have paved way for Sundarar to reach this temple. 

Another legend has it that Nandi Devar, was born at this place to Sage Salandah.  The sage left behind the child in the temple.  It is believed that Shiva performed ablution of Nandi with Ambikai’s milk, foam from the Nandi’s mouth, nectar from Surya Pushkarini, Amrita Purshkarini and Saiva Teertham (the three water bodies).

Ayyarappa, the main deity of Thiruvaiyaru is believed to have taken Nandhidevar-Suyasambikai, after their marriage to these seven ashrams in order to get the blessings of the rishis.

It is the place where, Appar- Thirunavukkarasar, is believed to have had the darisanam of Kailaasa and the temple has two distinct divisions called the Dakshina Kailasam and Uttara Kailasam.

Neyyadi Appar Temple.

A Shiva Temple, in a village called Thillaistalam or Thiruneithanam just 2 kms from Thiruvaiyaru. It is also one of the Saptha sthaanams in and around Thiruvaiyaru.

The deity is in form of a Lingam ans is called Neyyadiappar and his consort is called Piraisoodi Amman.

This temple has also been revered in Thevaram written by the Nayanaars in seventh century and is classified as one of the Padal Petra Sthalams. Like many temples in these parts of Tamil Naud, this one is also believed to have been constructed in the 9^th Century by Choza Kings and further contributed by Pandyas, Pallavas, Cheras and also by Tanjavur Nayaks. 

Legend.

As per legend, a cow used to milk at a particular place every day which turned in to Ghee – Called Nei in Tamil. When the villagers tried to catch the cow, it is believed to have disappeared.  A lingam is believed to have been found when the place was dug on the instruction of the King.

Since Nei (Ghee) ablution (snaan or PrakshaNan, or Abhiskegam) was being performed by the Cow the temple came to be known as Neiyadiappar Temple.

Bramha-sira Kandeeswarar Temple

Another Padal Petra Sthalam – one of the Sapthastamans in and around Thiruvaiyaru about 2 kms from Thiruvaiyaru. The presiding diety Kandeeswarar and his consort Mangalanayaki have been revered by the Nayanaar during 7^th century. 

This is one the Ashta Veeratanam temples.  Ashta Veeratana temples are those where Lord Shiva is believed to have killed demons at different times. 

It is also believed that Brhma’s fifth head was beheaded in this place. 

Due to the curse for Brhma Hatti, Siva is said to have taken a dip in the Kamala Purshkarini in the temple and worshipped Vishnu here to get rid of his sin.

Shri Odhanadesswarar Temple

This place is also called as Oppilla Selvar (Meaning of oppilla is one who has no comparison and Selvar means a someone with prosperity) Temple located in Tiruchotruthurai at a distance of 30 kms from Kumbakonam ans 7 kms from Thiruvaiyaru.

Shiva, the main deity is called Odahana - vaneswarar and his consort Parvati is called Annapurani Ambal.  This temple has also been revered by the Nayanaar in the 7^th Century and is categorized as a Padal Petra Stahalam.

There are many inscriptions associated with the temple indicating contribution of Cholas, Pandyas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Marathas in construction of the temple.

Legend

As per Sthala Puranam, during a time of drought, Lord Shiva gave a bowl (“Akshaya Pathiram”) to a devotee couple, Arulalar and his wife, when they pleaded for food. It is believed that the Akshaya Pathiram never ran out of food. The couple fed all the people in their village using food from that bowl. Hence this lord here is praised as “Sri Chotruthurai Nathar” and “Sri Chorudaiyan. The goddess is praised as “Sri Annapoorani”. This place gets the name “Chotruthurai”. “Choru” and “annam” both mean food in Tamil. This place is also known as “Annam Vatra sthalam” (“annam” means food, “vatra” means something that never finishes and “sthalam” means place in Tamil). It is believed that this is the second temple where Lord Shiva gave away the “Akshaya Pathiram” to his devotees. The first one being Kasi (Banaras).

It is also believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy gave rice from the surrounding paddy fields to a large a number of devotees. Hence these paddy fields are also called “Annam Padaitha Vayal”.

It is believed that Sage Gautama, one of the seven rishis (“Saptha Rishis”), stayed here and worshiped Lord Shiva and attained salvation here and hence this place also gets the name Gautama Ashram.

It is also believed that lords Brahma, Mahavishnu, Indra, Suryan, Rishi Gautama, Saints Thirugnanasambanthar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar have worshiped the lord here.

The uniqueness of this temple is that Lord Murugan’s shrine is located in the main hall (“Artha Mandapam”). The idol of this Murugan is very big. He is depicted with six heads and twelve hands. This idol looks very beautiful.

In this temple, the shrines of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing the east direction. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva’s

shrine.  

I may add here that when I reached the temple around 12.30 pm or so, it looked totally deserted.  Suddenly there appeared a Shiva Acharya with his prasadams ( bhog) and also arrived some devotees, who were not locals but from various places like me. After the Shiva Acharya performed his puja all those people who has assembled there, were served with sumptuous prasadam to every one’s  satisfaction. 

The belief here is that no one leaves this place un-fed. I do not know whether it was sheer co-incidence, I too left the place after a sumptuous prarasad, almost served as lunch, came to the end that day’s temple visit.

Thingalur & Thiyagarajar Samadhi

In between visit to Thiruvaiyar Saptha Sthana Temples, I also visited the temple of Tingalur, a temple wholly dedicated to Moon and  the Samadhi of Saint Thiyagarajar, one the Trimurtis of Carnatic music.

                                      At Saint Tyagarajar Samadhi Thiruvaiyaru

                                                                                     THE JOURNEY CONTINUES 

 

 

VISIT TO THEVARA PADAL PETRA STHALNGAL

 

On my 68^th Birthday in 2022, my son presented me with a thick book of “Periya Puranam” in Tamiz,  Peruiya Puranam means the great purana or epic.  It is also called THIRU-THONDAR PURANAM. Thondar mean Devotee or sevak, ie, the epic of Sevaks who sang in the praise of Lord Shiva in Tamiz. These devotees are called the Nayanars and are 63 in number.

In effect Periya Puranam is a poetic account depicting the lives of the sixty-three Nayanars, the canonical poets of Tamil Shaivism. It was compiled during the 12th century by another devotee in Chidambaram named Sekkizhaar. All the 63 Nayanaars are historical and not mythical. Therefore, this is a recorded history of the 63 Saiva saints, the Nayanmars (devotees of Lord Siva), who attained salvation by their unflinching devotion to Lord Shiva.

It is very important to note that The Nayanmars belonged to different communities, different occupations and lived in different times. Highlighting the fact that there was no caste differentiation in front of God. 

 

Nayanmars from Left to Right-Thiru Gyanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, Manikkavagar and Sekizhaar. 

 After reading the book, desire arouse in me to visit the temples sung by the Nayanaar. These Shiva temples which were sung by Nayanaars are called PADAL PETRA STHALANGAL – viz Sthalas Sung by the Nayanaars.  The Paadal Petra Sthalam, also known as Tevara Sthalam –  are 276 in numbers are scattered mostly in then Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu and some in the nearby Andhra Pradesh.  These are revered in the verses of Shaiva Nayanars in the 6th-9th century CE. 

To fulfill my desire of visiting these temples, at least some, if not all, by the grace of God, I started my journey on the 29^th January 2023 and landed at a place in Maangudi near Swami Malai – built in the typical Agraharam style - a typical Brahmin traditional architecture. Agraharam denotes row houses laid out in the shape of a garland around a centre, which would be the village temple in earlier days.

                                                        Agraharam Houses.

I started my visit with Swaminatha Swami Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Subhramanya. Swamimalai is a Panchayat Town near Kumbakonam on the banks of Kaveri River. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Karthykeya or Subhramanya, taught  the meaning of “Pranavam” to his father Lord Shiva at this place. The name Swaminatha Swami signifies that since Lord Karthikeya taught the meaning of “Pranavam” to his father – Shiva, he is worshiped as Swami of Swami – Swaminatha Swami.

Top : View of Swamimalai Temple. Bottom : Karthikeya preaching the meaning of Pranavam to Lord Shiva. 

After having a nice Darisanam at Swami Malai, I had a good darisanam of Shri Angala Parameshwari temple in Swamimalai.

Please note that the above two temples are not “Padal Petra Sthalangal”.

I then Proceeded to Sri Adi Kumbeshwarar temple in the Kumbakonam, one of the temples classified as a “Padal Petra Sthalam”. Adi Kumbeshwarar is represented by a Lingam and his consort Parvathi is depicted as Mangalaambika Amman.

This deity is revered in the 7^th century Tamiz Saiva canonical, the Thevaram – Sung by Thiru Gyana Sambandar, Sundara Murti Nayanaar, Appar and Manikka Vasagar.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola Dynasty in the 9^th century while the later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagara rulers of Thanjavur Nayaks of the 16^th century.

Legend

The name of the town Kumbakonam is derived from the legend associated with Adi Kumbeshwarar temple. The pot or Kumbam is said to be that of Lord Brhma that contained the seeds of all living beings on earth. The kumba or the pot is believed to have been displaced by Pralaya (dissolution of universe) effected by the arrow of Lord Shiva’s arrow and ultimately came to rest at the spot where the town of Kumbakonam now stands.

The second Padal sthalam I visited was Someswarar Temple, Kumbakonam. The deity Somewarar and consort Somasundari house in this temple built around the 15th Century by Nayaks is also a Padal Petra Sthalam.

This place has been referred by Thirugyana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) in their verses in 7^th century.

Legend

The legend has it that 9 sacred rivers of India – The Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Tunghabhadra, Kaveri and Sarayu prayed to Lord Shiva at Benaras to be absolved of all the sins washed away by bathers.  The rivers were asked to bathe in the Mahamaham tank of the Someswarar Temple and worship Adi Kumbeswarar. Once in every 12 years, Mahamagham festival is celebrated by taking a dip in the tank.

The Lingam here is said to be Swayambhu one and since Chandra prayed here, the deity is called Someswarar.

 Apart from visiting the two Shaiva Padal Petra Sthalam, I also visited two of 108 divay desa Vaishnava temples on day one.

Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbaknam

This is one of the 108 Divya Desa Vaishnava temple built during the period of Nayaks King Achutappa Nayak and completed during the rule of Raghunatha Nayak. (1600-1634). There are exquisite sculptures on the pillars of the temple depicting Hindu legends.  Ramayana is depicted in pictorial format in three segments in the first precinct.

As per legends, the idols of this temple were found in a temple tank in a Darasuram, a nearby village.  This temple is one of the 5 vaishnava temple connected with the Mahamaham festival that happens once in 12 years.

Sarangapani Temple

A Vaishnava Divya Desam Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Kumbakonam revered in Naalaayira Divya Prabandam by 12 Vaishnava Saint poets Aazwars. 

SarangapaNi, an incarnation of Vishnu, is believed to have appeared in front of Hema Rishi.

This is just adjacent to Someswarar temple. Sarangapani comes third in line of 108 Divya Desangaln after Sri Rangam in Tiruchirappai in Tamil Nadu and Thirupathi in Andhra Pradesh. This is also one of the Pancha Ranga Khetram, 5 temples built on the banks of Kaveri Sri Ranganathar.

With this comes to the end of my first day visit to various temples. The above cited temples are in prominent place such as Kumbakonam.

There are more to come in series, which are located in remote areas and villages of Tamil Nadu.  Please do read about these temples which are getting extinct by the day due to our own neglect if and in case you happen to visit somewhere nearer to these places, please do try to have darisanam  of these temples which dates as far back  as 7^th century.  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                 To be continued …..