Sri Neelamalar Kanni Ambal Sametha Sri Swarnagateshwara Swamy Temple, Thirunelvennai, Ulunderpet Taluk, Villupuram District

Sri Gurubhyo Namah! Sri Maha Ganapathaye Namah!! Sri Maatre Namah!!!

Sri Sadashiva Samarambhaam, Poorvacharya Madyamaam, Asmat Aacharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparam!!!

I submit this work unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamigal, Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetam.



Presiding Deity:      Sri Swarna Gateshwarar/ Sri Vennaiyappar(Tamil)
Presiding Goddess: Sri Neelamalar Kanni



This temple is located in a small village called Thirunelvennai in Ulundurpet Taluk of Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. While travelling from Thirukovilur towards Trichy Chennai NH via asanur main road, one has to cross Eraiyur and take right and travel for 4 kms via Vadakurumbur village.


This temple is located in centre of the village, the deity is known as Sri Swarnagateshwarar. The temple doesn't feature a gopuram. In front of the temple entrance you can see Sri Nandi. No Dwajastambam is seen.As you enter the temple you can reach the main sanctum of Lord Shiva. The Linga is said to be swambhu. Above lord one can see a hanging roof made of Rudraaksha.  The lord is facing east.



After having his darshan as you circumambulate, you can see the shrines of Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanyah, Lord Vishnu.

After having darshan of these shirnes one can reach the shrine of the Lordess Neelamalarkanni.




The legend as told to me by the priest is , Lord Shiva offered a pot full of gold to help the people here. The priest further added that this place was so rich that once to prevent a major breach on the bank of the village tank people used the rice bags cultivated to make an embankment, however not much about this temple is known today.


The  priest further added that the temple has started attracting patronage and people have  started visiting this temple from different towns.

The temple needs a good amout of upkeep and patronage.

 

Sri Ranganayaki Thayar Sametha Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple, Thiruvarangam, Thirukovilur, Villupuram District, TamilNadu

Presiding Deity: Sri Ranganatha Perumal

Presiding Goddess: Sri Ranganayaki Thayar

Stala Vruksam: Mahila Maram

Teertham: Dakshina Pinakini River/Then Pennai River.

Travel Base : Thirukovilur/ Thiruvannamalai

 

 

This temple is located in a village name Thiruvarangam, near Manalurpet enroute to Thiruvannamalai from Thirukovilur. This temple is located in the banks of Then Pennai River.

 

This history of the temple is that during the Matsya Avatar of Mahavishnu, a demon took the Vedas from Lord Brahma ,went in to Mahasamudra and hid it. Without the Vedas in his possession Lord Brahma approached Maha Vishnu and requested him to retrieve back the Vedas. Lord Vishnu took Matysa Avatar, and imparted the Vedic Knowledge to Brahma.

 

Hence this temples history is much older than that of the Srirangam, near Trichirapalli(Trichy). The temple in Srirangam is said to be in existence since the Ramayana Period. However this Thiruvarangam is said to be in existence from the Matsya Avatar.

 

As you approach the village you can see Sugar Cane fields on both sides of the road. (The road from Thirukovilur to Manalurpet is well laid, however the next 4 kms from Manalurpet to Thiruvarangam was not is good shape).

 

The temple is located in the end of the village. The temple features a huge outer wall which does not feature a Tower or Gopuram. There are relief work featuring the ornate entrance. There are two praharams( Circumambulatory Paths), The outer praharam is between the outer wall and the main temple complex.

 

 

 

As you enter the main temple complex which houses both the sanctum of Lord Ranganatha and Lord Ranga Nayaki, you are welcomed be a halls with ornate pillars. This entrance has a five tiered Gopuram. As you enter the temple you can see the Dwaja Stambam, Bali Peetam.  There is a shrine of lord Krishna which is in the first floor of the temple which can be viewed from the place near dwaja stambam.

 

 

 

Then you proceed to the sanctum you can have darshan of Sri Rama which his consort Sri Sita Devi and His brother Sri Lakshmana.

 

 

 

Then you proceed toward the main sanctum, you can have darshan of Sri Garuda the mount of Lord Vishnu.

 

Then you pass two more gates which are guarded by Jaya Vijaya and Maniyan Manikarnan.

 

Then you find the most beautiful, ever smiling, ever blessing, statue of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. The largest in whole of south India( as I was told).  In the sanctum his is seen in the sayana posture on the coiled bed of Snake Lord Ananta. Lord Ananta is featuring with five hoods. Near lords upper torso one can see Sri Lakshmi and near his foot one can see Sri Boodevi.

From his umbilical cord there creeps a lotus flowers on which Lord Brahma is seated, listening to the Vedas. One can also see the Garuda sitting and praying to Lord.

 

 

 

I could have stood there for unknown time, unless I had office on that day. I am sure if you have darshan of this deity, I am sure before leaving the temple every one would feel to go and darshan once again or they will plan their next trip.

 

In a separate shrine Goddess Mahalakshmi is gracing her devotees with peace, wealth and sreyas. She is called Sri Ranga Nayaki, literally nayaki of Sri Ranganatha.

 

This temple was left to natures assault without any proper maintenance. Since a decade and half back some local people took steps to renovate the temple and has started performing pooja. The temple is kept open from morning 6 Am till 8 PM in the night.

 

The pillars in this temple have lot of bas relief structures featuring various avatars of Sri Maha Vishnu.

 

On the outer praharam as you enter the temple one can see a huge structure which was used for storing the paddy harvested. The stored paddy can be then redistributed to general public incase of crop failure due to monsoon failure or any other calamities either natural or man made.

 

 

Sri Anjanatchi Ambal Sametha Sri Kacchabeswara Swamy Temple, Thirukachur, Singaperumal Koil, Kancheepuram District, Tamilnadu

Sri Gurubhyo Namah! Sri MahaGanapathaye Namah!!

SadaShiva Samaarambham, Poorvaacharya Madyamaam, Asmat Aacharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparam!!!

I submit this humbly unto the Lotus feet of His Holiness Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, Dakshinaamnaaya Sri Saradha Peetam, Sringeri.


Presiding Deity: Sri Kacchabeswarar/ Sri Virundhu Itta Eswarar,
Presiding Goddess: Sri Anjanatchi
Teertham : Koorma Teertham


This Temple is located in a small village Thirukachur off Singaperumal Koil in Grand Southern Trunk(GST) Road. While travelling from Chennai on GST Road on has to take Right in Singapermal Koil and cross the Railway Crossing and travel further. There is sign board which directs you to the Village Thirukachur.

There are Two Shiva Temples in this Village

1. Sri Andakara Nivarani Sametha Sri Oushadagirishwarar Temple which is on top of a small hillock.
2. Sri Anjanatchi Sametha Sri Kacchabeswarar Temple ( Called as Thyagaraja Swami Temple)

As you approach the temple you can see a 16 pillared mantapam. To its right there is a large temple tank called Koorma Teertham. The temple is facing east, the entrance does not feature a gopuram. Once you enter the temple, you can see the Dwaja stambam, Bali Peetam, Sri Nandi.

                                                               

After having darshan of Sri Nandi, as you proceed toward the main sanctum you come across a 27 pillared hall. This mantap is called Nakshatra Mantap, each pillar representing the one Nakshatra.

From this mantapa you enter the inner praharam which features the main deity Sri Kacchabeswara, facing east. The Shiva Linga definitely is source of cosmic power. I had his darshan only with the light emanating from the oil lamp inside the sanctum.

Devi Sri Anjanatchi is housed in a separate shrine in the inner praharam, and she is facing south. She is holding flowers in her upper two hands and with the lower two hands she is gracing the devotees with abhaya posture and Varadha Posture.

(The Temple was pitch dark in the inner praharam as there was no power in the temple complex when i visited at 11 am, fore noon)

After having darshan of the presiding deities one as you do cicumambulation in the outer praharam, one can see Sri Ganesha Shrine located in the South West Corner.  On the other side of the west praharam North West Corner, Lord Subhramanya is seen with his consorts Sri Valli, Sri Devasena in a separate shirne.

 

 

The Main Shrine of Lord Shiva is featuring the Vimana Structure called Gaja Prusta Vimanam( Below)

Then after having darshan of Sri Subharamanya, there is a shrine for Sri Virundhu Itta Eswarar( Literally translated to God who served feast to his devotee Sri Sundara Moorthy Nayanaar)

 

Legends

 

1. Lord Mahavishnu before the Samudra Manthana(Paarkadal Kadaidal) in his Koorma Avatar Prayed to Lord Shiva here by establishing a Teertham here. Hence the Teertham is called Koorma Teertham.

2. Lord Shiva took alms from the house holds in this village for food to appease the hunger of his devotee Sri Sundara Moorthy Nayanar, hence the name Virundhu Itta Eswaran.

 

 

 

 

 



Sri Manonmani Ambal Sametha Sri Baktha Janeswara Swamy Temple, Thirunavalur, Ulundurpettai Taluk, Villupuram District

Sri Gurubhyo Namaha! Sri Mahaganapathaye Namaha!!

Sri Sadashiva Samarambhaam, Poorvaacharya Madyamaam, Asmat Acharya Paryantham Vande Guru Paramparam!!!

I Submit this humble work unto the feet of His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Bharathi Teertha Mahaswamigal, Dakhshinaamnaya Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetam.


Presiding Deity     : Sri Baktha Janeswarar( Sanskrit)/ SriNaavaleeswarar( Tamil)
Presiding Goddess: Sri Manonmani/ Sri Sundaranayaki
Stala Vruksham     : Jambu Fruit Tree/ Naaval Tree
Teertha                  : Gedila River
Glorified by          : Sri Sundarar


This temple is located in a Village by name Thirunaavalur/ Thirnaamanallur in Ulundurpettai Taluk of Villupuram District, Tamilnadu on the Chennai Trichy National Highway.

One Can find this temple at the entrance of the village with huge outer wall. The Temple entrance is facing east side. The temple has a 5 storied gopuram/tower. As one crosses the main entrance, one can see the dwaja stambam, Nandi's Shrine. It happened to be a Pradosham day on 24/07/2014 when i visited the temple.  The Nandi was decorated after the abhishekam.

After having darshan of Nandi one can find Sri Sundara Vinayagar, Once can  enter the main shrine after crossing the Mahamantapam, Arda Mandapam.  Sri Baktha Janeswara Swamy is gracing his devotees with his blessings.

After having darshan of Lord as you start circumambulating, one can find 63 Nayaanmars on the southern side of the praharam. Sri Valli, Sri Devasena Sametha Lord Skanda and  Yuga Lingas on the western side of the praharam, and on the northern side once can find  Saptharishi Lingas.  On the kosta on can find the shrines of Sri Dakshina Moorthy on the South and Sri Durga Devi on the North.

On the eastern side of the praharam one can find the shrine of Navagrahas with Sun facing the west. In Front of Sukra in the navagraha there is a Lingam for which Sukra has performed poojas.

After having darshan of the this temple complex one can reach the Shrine of Devi Manonmani. There is a paved footpath to reache the shrine. One can find the Stala Vruksham Jambu Fruit Tree enroute to Devi Shrine.

Devi Manonmani is having four hands with upper two hands is seen with akshamaala/ Rosary and Lotus. The Lower two hands are in Abhaya and Varada Postures.

Legends:

1. This is the birth place of Sri Sundara Moorthy Nayanar, one of the venerated Tamil Saivaite Saint lived between 7 Century AD and 9 th Century AD.

2. Sri Sukra is said to have performed poojas to lord and has obtained relief from vakra disha.

3. Sri Maha Vishnu has performed poojas to Lord here. There is a separate Shrine for Mahavishnu here. One can find Sri Sridevi, Sri Boodevi Sametha Sri Varadaraja Perumal.

4. Sri Dakshina Moorthy has worshipped lord here.

May Lord Sri Baktha Janeswara and Devi Manonmani Bless All !!!!

Sri Kanakambika Sametha Sri Madyanatheshwara Swamy Temple, Thirupalapandal, Thirukovilur, Villupuram District

Sri Gurubhyo Namah! Sri Maha Ganapathaye Namah!!

Sri Sadashiva Samarambham Sri Sankaracharya Madyamaam Asmat Acharya Paryantam vande Guru Paramparaam!!

I submit this humble attempt unto the lotus feet of his holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswami of Sri Sarada Peetam , Sringeri

 

 
This temple is located enroute to Sankarapuram from Thirukovilur in a village named by ThiruPalapandal.

Presiding Deity: Sri Madyanadeshwarar(Sanskrit)/ Sri Mattheeswarar(Tamil)
Presiding Goddess: Sri Kanakambika( Sanskrit)/ Sri Ponnammai( Tamil)
Stala Vruksham: Vanni Tree

This temple is currently in a state of neglect, full of foliage, infested with bats, the outer wall ruined by neglect over a period of time.

This Temple's history is not known to many as this temple was not having any worship services for the past 5 decades. However with few of the locals taking initiatives, the temple was opened and poojas were happening for 1 time a day for the past few months. 

When i visited this temple in the evening, fortunately the priest was there and performed aarthi to the Lord.  Lord Madyanadeshwara is small linga. I could sense the vibrations in the sanctum, which was infested with bats and bat remains.



 After having darshan of Lord, the priest took me around the temple's inner praharam. There are  shrines of Lord Shanmuga, and on the kosta, Lord Ganesh, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, Lord Lingothbhava, Lord Brahma, Sri Durga.

 

The goddess Sri Kanakambi is a small idol clad in saree. When the priest performed the aarthi i could see the smile on the face of Devi.  I felt like sitting there for a while but could not do so as the place was infested with bats.

Here infront of her shrine there is a Nandi Placed.

 

 



 

 

The Navagraha shrine is infront of Sri Kanakambika's Shrine.

 

 

The temple is said to have 9 tunnels connecting various places of importance of yester years. The priest showed me one such tunnel in the artha mandapam of the Lords Shrine.

 

 

 

The Temple complex has separate enclosures for Cooking( Madapalli), Place to Tie Elephants and  Sabha Hall for Nataraja. Now all this place are in a state of dispair,which needs repairs very badly.  The Dwaja Stamba has to be repaired.

 

 

Above Madapalli, Below Elepahant Mandap

 

 

 

The temple priest Sri Bharanidharan travels from 10 Kms to perform the pooja.  He informed that they are looking for donors who can participate in renovation of this temple.

 

Images The Nataraja Sabha and Dwaja Stamba are given below.

 

 

 

 

There are lot of inscriptions on the walls of the temple. I presume the ASI Chennai Chapter would have already dechipered the same. From the size of the temple and the location it is located, this would have played a strategically important role in the early diplomacy.

 

 

 

The priest informed me that there are two other temples of the same period, which are also in ruins. Due to the time constraints i could not visit those temples.

 

I wonder how people could just leave the places to ruin which were once a prominent place of worship. What happened to the families of priests who were looking after these temples.

 

 

Please write to me incase if you feel like helping this temple. My email id is nrbarve@gmail.com