275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiruvidaiyaru Thiru Idayattrunathar Temple !!





Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!






 
Thiruvidaiyaru is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located on the river banks of Pennai  in Thiruvennainallur, Vizhippuram District, Tamil Nadu.  Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga in this temple.



Presiding deity – Thiru Idayattrunathar/Idayatreeswarar/Marutheeswarar/Krupapureeswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Chitridai Nayaki/Gnanambikai




Theertham – Pennai Theertham




Sthalavruksham – Marutham




Mangalasasanam – Sundarar




Worshipped by – Lord Brahma, Sage Suka, Sage Agastya, Sundarar, Sambandhar,





Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Navagrahas, Agastyeeswara Linga, Chandeshwara, Sapthamatha, Goshtamurtham-Sri Dakshinamurthy, Goddess Sri Durga,



 


The legend has that Sage Suka overheard the conversation of Lord Shiva while narrating the Shaiva Rahasya (Chronicles of Shaiva Siddhantha) to Goddess Sri Parvati at Mount Kailash.  Lord Shiva realized the mischievous act of Sage Suka and cursed him to born on Earth.   Sage Suka was repented for his mistake and requested for forgiveness.  The most compassionate Lord Shiva advised Sage Suka to undergo austerities on this sacred land.   Sage Suka arrived on this sacred land, underwent severe austerities and got rid of the curse.  This is one of the sacred places of Lord Shiva where lots of parrots can be seen flutter over the entire temple premise to divulge the sanctity of this place was worshipped by Sage Suka.





This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00PM in the morning and 5.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.






Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




Jai Sriman Narayana !!

108 Divya Desams !! Thiruvithuvakkode Thiru Uyyavandha Perumal Temple !!



Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Thiruvithuvakkode/Anjumoorthy Ambalam is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Pattambi, Palakkad District, Kerala. 



Presiding deity – Sri Uyyavandha Perumal/Abhyapradhanan with his consort Goddess Sri Padmapani Nachiyar/Vithuvakkottuvalli Thayar



Theertham – Chakkra Theertham



Vimanam – Thathwa Kanchana Vimanam



Worshipped by – King Ambareesha, Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva,



Mangalasasanam – Kulazhekara Alwar



Festivals – Thiruvonam, Vaikundha Ekadashi,



Prathyaksham to – King Ambareesha



Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Goddess Bhagavathi, Lord Ayyappa, Serpent Gods, Lord Kasi Vishwanatha



The legend has that King Ambareesha, a zealous devotee of Lord Vishnu underwent severe austerities praying to Lord Vishnu.   Lord was pleased at the devotion of Ambareesha and revealed his majestic Vyuha Avathar as Paravasudeva, Pradhyumna, Sangharshana and Aniruddha to King Ambareesha. 



This temple remains open from 5.30AM to 10.30AM in the morning and 5.00PM to 7.00PM in the evenings.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!


108 Divya Desams !! Thirumoozhikkalam Sri Moozhikkalanathan Perumal Temple !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Thirumoozhikkalam/Lakshmana Kshetram is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in Eranakulam District, (Nedumbassery Airport) Kerala.



Presiding deity – Sri Moozhikkalanathan/Sri Moozhikkalathan/Sri Sukthanatha Perumal with his consort Goddess Madhuraveni Nachiyar



Mangalasasanam – Nammalvar, Thirumangai Alwar



Theertham – Perunkulam Theertham, Shankha Theertham, Sittaru (Chalakkudi Puzha)



Vimanam – SoundaryaVimanam



Worshipped by – Sage Haritha (son of Sage Vishwamitra), Deva Rishi Brhaspathi, Lakshmana, Bharatha,



Festivals – Thai Festivals, Vaikundha Ekadashi,



Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Goddess Bhagavathi, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Rama with Goddess Sita & Lord Anjaneya, Lord Dakshinamurthy,



The legend has that Lord Krishna worshipped the idols of Lord Rama, Lakshman, Bharatha and Shatrugna at his palace in Dwaraka.  The entire Dwaraka was submerged in the ocean; but the idols were safely lingered in the hands of Sage Vakel Kaimal.  On that night Lord Krishna appeared before the Sage and instructed him to sanctify and install these idols on the river banks of Bharathapuzha.  The idols were installed as per the instructions of Lord and these temples were come to known as Lord Rama Temple at Triprayar, Bharatha Temple at Irinjalakuda, Shatrugna Temple at Payamallil and Lakshmana Temple at Eranakulam.



Lord Rama with Goddess Sita and Lakshman lived in Chitrakoodam during their exile from the Kingdom Ayodhya.  Bharatha came to know about the painful incident of Lord Rama’s exile and became inconsolable.  He hurried to Chitrakoodam to meet his loving brother and pleaded him to return to Ayodhya.  Lakshmana who was always vigilant stood beside Lord Rama miscalculated the unexpected arrival of Bharatha and was mentally prepared to fight against him.  Later, Lakshmana felt guilty after witnessing the boundless affection of these two brothers, he lamented at his thought and arrived on this sacred land to get rid of the sin. 



Another legend has that Sage Haritha underwent severe penance praying to Lord Vishnu on this sacred land.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of the Sage and appeared before him.  Sage Haritha earnestly prayed to Lord to suggest an easiest way to attain salvation at this era of Kaliyuga.  The compassionate Lord Vishnu advised Sage that, whoever follows Varnashrama Dharma, performing their duties and responsibilities prescribed in the sacred scriptures, whoever follows righteous life and engages in the self-less worship of Lord would attain Salvation.  Further, Lord Vishnu described the essence of Veda and Vendanga (Sri Suktham) to Sage Haritha on this sacred place.




This temple remains open from 3.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 11.00PM in the evenings.


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Erukkathampuliyur (Rajendrapattinam) Thiru Neelakandeswarar !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!





Thiru Erukkathampuliyur  is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Virudachalam, Kadaloor District, Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent Shiva temples known as Pancha Puliyur Shivasthalam.   In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a Linga.




Pancha Puliyur Shivasthalams are Thiruppathiri Puliyur, Perumpattrapuliyur (Chidambaram), Thiru Perumpuliyur, Omapuliyur and Erukkathampuliyur.  This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Shiva built during the regime of Chozha dynasty, King Rajaraja Chozha and his son Rajendra Chozha have made abundance of contributions to this temple.




Presiding deity – Thiru Neelakandeswarar/Thiru Kumaraswamy with his consort Goddess Sri Neelamalarkanni Ammai




Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar




Sthalavruksham – Yerukku




Worshipped by – King Rajaraja Choza & Rajendra Choza, Sage Vyagrapadha,




Sage Vyagrapadha learned the glories of Lord Shiva of Chidambaram from his father.  He was enthralled at the splendor of Lord and set out to Chidambaram.  He arrived at Chidambaram and worshipped Lord Nataraja & Goddess Sivakami.  He was captivated by the beauty of Lord and serenity of this sacred land.  He settled here and worshipped Lord Nataraja with the alluring fresh flowers collected from the garden situated.  He continued this practice of collecting fresh flowers in the previous day in order to avoid any flies or honey bees polluting the same.  He was blessed with the forethought, sharp eyesight and the feet of tiger.  Hence, he was known by the name Vyagrapadha (Vyagra + Padha – Tiger +Feet).




King Rajaraja Chozha had no offspring for quite some time.  He worshipped Lord Neelakandeswarar and blessed with a son Rajendra Chozha.




Significance – This is the birth place of Thiru Neelakanda Yazhpanar one of the 63 Nayanmars.




Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Navagraha, Nalvar, Lord Vishwanathar & Goddess Visalakshy, Lord Subramanya with his consort Goddess Valli & Deivayanai, Goddess Lakshmi, Goshtamurtham – Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga,




The legend has that Lord Shiva while describing the essence of Vedas to Goddess Parvati at Mount Kailash, in a moment she failed to focus on the subject.  It infuriated the Lord and cursed Goddess Parvati to born in the fishermen (Bhartha) clan.  Lord Subramanya was furious at the act of his father; he angrily hurled the entire Veda and Vedanga into the sea.  It annoyed Lord Shiva, in a mounted anger cursed Lord Subramanya at his supercilious manners.  Due to the curse Lord Subramanya took birth as a dumb child on Earth.  This child became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and visited many sacred places of Lord.  Finally, he arrived at Thiru Erukkathampuliyur consecrated a Linga and underwent severe austerities praying to Lord.  Lord Shiva was pleased at the devotion of the dumb child and blessed him with speech.  Thus, the presiding of this temple has got it name ‘Thiru Shiva Kumara Swamy’.





This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 11.00AM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Varalakshmi Vrutham on 27th July, 2012 !! The Significance of Varalakshmi Vrutham !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!




Jai Ambey Ma !!









Lord Shiva narrates Goddess Sri Parvati about the significance and devoutness in the worship of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi.  Lord Shiva explains that the devoutness of the Varalakshmi Vrutham would provide the worshipper with perpetual Happiness, Good Health, Prosperity, Long life and virtuous offspring.  Whoever worships Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi with utmost devotion and faith on this day would be benefitted with the above merits.  After listening to the gloriousness of Varalakshmi Vrutham, Goddess Parvati underwent severe austerities and worshipped Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi to attain Lord Subramanya as her child.  Therefore, the day Goddess Sri Parvati initiated the austerities came to known as ‘Varalakshmi Vrutham’. 





There is an interesting myth associated with the glories of Varalakshmi Vrutham.  There was a city named Kundinapuram in the Kingdom of Magada.  There lived a pious couple Charumathi and her husband.  Charumathi was well known for her chastity, she faithfully served her husband and his aged parents.  She took good care of her family with the alms brought by her righteous husband.  Though they had a deprived life, she was highly religious.  One night she had a dream in that the most pleased Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi appeared before Charumathi and advised her to follow certain austerities and worship Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi to attain a prosperous life.  Charumathi sincerely followed the instructions of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi and attained all the richness in her life.  The day Charumathi initiated the austerities were came to known as Varalakshmi Vrutham. 




Another legend has that Lord Shiva and Goddess Sri Parvati was engrossed in playing ‘Chokkathan’ (board game).  In the middle of the game Lord Shiva playfully announced himself as the winner.  Goddess Parvati was deeply annoyed at the remarks of Lord in the half way of the game and retorted back that she was the winner of the game.  Chitranemi, a celestial Gandharva who was witnessing the game between the divine couple.  Lord Shiva commanded Chitranemi to declare the winner of the game.  Chitranemi without thinking further consequences immediately answered that Lord Shiva was the winner of the game.  Deeply hurt Goddess Sri Parvati cursed Chitranemi and he was afflicted with leprosy.   Lord Shiva pacified Goddess Sri Parvati and Chitranemi realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness.  The compassionate mother of the Universe blessed Chitranemi and advised him that mere witnessing and listening to the glories of Varalakshmi Vrutham observed by the chaste women at the river banks of Tungabadra, the place where the confluence of the sacred Rivers Ganga and Yamuna takes place would cure his illness.  Thus, Chitranemi got rid of the curse with the mere observation of the Varalakshmi Vrutham.



Please follow the link below to read more about Varalakshmi Vrutham:






Jai Ambey Ma !!




Jai Sriman Narayana !!











275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thiru Arayaninallur Thiru Athulyanatheswarar Temple!!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




Thiru Arayaninallur/Arakkandanallur is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located on the river banks of Thenpennai in Thirukkoyilur, Vizhippuram District, Tamil Nadu.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a Linga consecrated on a dais made of Rudraksha.





Presiding deity – Sri Athulyanatheswarar/Arayaninathar with his consort Goddess Sri Azhagiyapon Ammai/Soundarya Kanakambikai





Mangalasasanam – Thiru Gnana Sambandhar





Thiru Gnana Sambandhar arrived on this sacred land and found that the temple was kept it locked for long period of time without any daily rituals or worship due to the influence of Jainism.   Sambandhar was totally disconsolate at this sight and passionately sung praising the glories Lord.  Amazingly, the huge temple doors were opened and the two idols of Lord Nandikeshwara were parted their ways to Sambandhar to have effortless dharshan of Lord Athulyanatheswara.





Sthalavruksham –  Vilvam





Theertham – Thenpennai /Bheema Theertham





Worshipped by – Pancha Pandavas from the Great Epic Mahabharath





Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Navagrahas, Lord Bhairava, Lord Sankara Narayana, Lord Vishnu, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai, Saptha Kanyakas, Goddess Vishnu Durga, Lingodbhava, Goshtamurtham – Sri Dakshinamurthy, Nalvar, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Brahma, Goddess Sri devi, Lord Trivikrama, Sage Ramana Maharshi, Lord Vishwanatha & his consort Goddess Sri Visalakshy





Festivals – Masi Brahmostavam, Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darisanam, Thirukarthikai, Aippasi Annabhishekam,





Worship of Thiru Athulyanatheswara and his consort Goddess Sri Azhagiyapon Ammai removes all the obstacles and hardships in one’s life, eradicates all the sins committed and provides highest of the devoutness ‘Salvation’ to the worshipper.





This temple remains open from 6.30AM to 11.00PM in the morning and 4.30 PM to 7.30PM in the evenings.



Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




Jai Sriman Narayana !!

275 Thevara Shivasthalam!! Thirumuthukundram (Vruddhachalam) Vruddachaleswarar /Pazhamalainathar Temple !!



Jai Sriman Narayana !!





Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!











Thirumuthukundram/Vruddhachalam/Vruddha Kasi is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva located in Cuddallore , Tamil Nadu.  This is one of the prominent temples of Lord Shiva also known as Mukthisthal similar to Varanasi.   Worship of Lord Pazhamalainathar with his consort Balambikai provides devoutness equivalent to the worship of Lord Kasi Vishwanatha & Goddess Sri Vishalakshy.



Presiding deity – Sri Pazhamalainathar/Vruddachaleswarar with his consort Goddess Sri Periyanayaki/Vruddachaleswari/Balambikai



Theertham – 5 sacred Theertham (Mani Mutharu)



Mangalasasanam – Appar, Sundarar, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar


Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in his famous composition ‘Thiruppukazh’.



Sundarar arrived on this sacred temple and passionately sung praising the glories of Lord Pazhamalainathar.  Lord was pleased at the devotion of Sundarar and provided him with 12000 golden coins for the construction work of temple in Tiruvarur.  Sundarar was turned out panic stricken at the thought of carrying the huge sum to Tiruvarur all alone.  He anxiously prayed to Lord to arrange the golden coins to be send to Tiruvarur.  Seeing the helplessness of Sundarar, Lord Shiva tossed the 12,000 golden coins into the river (Manimutharu) situated here and declared that it would be available as per his request in the Kamalalaya River located in Tiruvarur.



Sannidhis – Lord Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai ,63 Nayanmars, Lord Madhava Perumal, Kala Bhairava, Goshtamurtham – Vruddhambika,



Significance - According to Shaiva Siddhantha there are 28 Shiva Agamas.  Lord Subramanya sanctified all those 28 Shiva Agamas into 28 Lingas and worshipped Lord Shiva on this sacred land.  Lord Ganesha and Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddess Sri Valli & Deivayanai also can be seen in between the Linga.  This is one of the rarest revelations of 28 Shiva Agamas, therefore the temple also known as ‘Agama Koil’.  The names of the Lingas are Kamikeswara, Yogeswara, Chinthieswara, Karaneswara, Ajitheswara, Deeptheswara, Choodameswara, Chaksareswara, Amsumaneswara, Chapprabeswara, Visveswara, Viswaseswara, Swayambeswara, Analeswara, Veereswara, Rouraveswara, Makuteswara, Vimaleswara, Chandragnaneswara, Mukambipeswara, Prokthitheswara, Lalitheswara, Chitteswara, Santhaneswara, Sarvothameswara, Parameswara, Kiraneswara, Vathooleswara,



Sthalavruksham – Vanni



A Yogi used to pluck leaves from this Vanni tree and offer to all the workers who were engaged in the construction of this temple as their wages of the day.  Amazingly, the leaves would change into golden coins according to their amount of labor. 



Festivals – Adi Pooram, Maha Shivaratri, Markazhi Thiruvathirai, Arudra Darisanam, Vaikasi Vasanthostavam, Masi Makam Brahmostavam,



The legend has that Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Shiva before he has started the creation the Earth.  Lord Shiva blessed Lord Brahma to resume his divine creation; Lord Shiva transformed himself into a hill and remained on this sacred land. Shortly, Lord Brahma started his creation of Earth and its living beings.  Therefore, the presiding deity has got its name ‘Pazhamalainathar’.



Another legend has that Guru Namashivayam who was lived in 16th century was an ardent devotee of Goddess Balambikai.  Once he was returning from Thiruvannamalai on his way to Chidambaram, he visited Thirumuthukundram and stayed overnight.  After meticulous worship of Lord Pazhamalainathar and Balambikai he relaxed inside the Praharam of this temple.   Slowly he was drifted to sound sleep, due to hunger he could not persist his sleep.  Whenever he feels hungry, he earnestly prays to Goddess Periyanayaki and sung praising her glories, in this way he obtains food to wave of his hunger.  He passionately sung praising her glories.  Instantly there appeared an old lady before him and shot a question ‘Every time you sings addressing me an old lady (Kizzhathi).  How an old lady could provide food and water for you?’  Immediately Guru Namashivayar re-corrected himself and sang praising the enthralling beauty of Goddess.  She was pleased at the devotion of Guru Namashivayar, regained her exquisite form and served him with the food.



This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 9.00PM in the evenings.



Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!