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

 

 

 

Sri Andhakaara Nivarani Sametha Sri Oushadheeshwara Swamy Temple, Thirucachur, Singaperumal Kovil, Chennai

Sri Gurubhyo Namah!! Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah !!!
SadaShiva Samarambaam, SankaraCharya Madyamam, Asmat Acharya Paryantam, Vande Guru Paramparaam!!
I pray unto the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Maha Swamigal, Sri Dakshinamnaya Srigeri Saradha Peetam.


Presiding Deity : Sri Oushadheeswara Swamy( Sanskrit)  - Sri Marundeeswarar( Tamil)
Presiding Goddess: Sri Andhakaara Nivarani( Sanskrit) - Sri Irul Neekki Thayar( Tamil)
Theertham: Oushadha Theertham
Stala Vruksham: Jack Fruit ( Palaa Maram)


This Temple Located near Singaperumal Temple , around 3 Kms off the GST Road on the West Side, in a village called ThiruCachur. This Village has two ancient Shiva Temples.

1. Sri Oushadheeswarar Temple on a small hillock and
2. Sri Kachabeswarar Temple ( Thiagaraja Swamy Temple) in the Village

 

Sri Oushadheeswara Temple is located in a samll hillock. The main entrance of the temple is facing South, the entrance doesn't have a Raja Gopuram.

Once entered the temple you come across a mandapam which has beautiful sculptures on its Pillars.

Towards the Left of this Madapam there is a small Shrine for Sri Gnana Ganapathi Facing East.

The Main Shrine is reachable from the main south entrance and the Lord is Facing West. The Sanctum reverbarates with the vibrations emanating from the Lord.

One Can have Darshan of Sri Durga, Sri Brahma, Sri Vishnu, Sri Dakshina Moorthy, Sri Ganapathi, Sri Chandikeshwara on the kosta while doing pradakshina..

The shrine of Devi Sri Andhakaara Nivarani is next and is located to the Right of the Mandapam. As the priest performed the aarthi i was able to have darshan, and could feel the powers which could dispel any darkness.

The temple has a well designed Well which is used as theertham . The Oushada theertham.  The Well has a side entrance and has few steps to climb down and get water for abhishekam.

Then you have the Navagraha Shrine on the south east Corner of the Temple.

The Legends: ( As told to me by the priest)

1. Once Indra was suffering from some form of ailment, Aswini Devas the celestial doctors having no clue about the ailment of Indra, did penance to acquire the requesite knowledge for administering the medicine. Lord Shiva guided them to this place called Oushada Giri and advised to find the herbs from there. Having reached this place and unable to find the correct herb they prayed towards Devi Parvathi.  Devi Parvathi pleased by the prayers of Aswini Devas dispelled their ignorance and guided them to get the correct medicine. Thus Devi is Called by the name of Andhakaara Nivarani.

2. Here the belief is that the Soil/ Mud is itself medicine. By having strong belief and smearing the same one can get rid of chronic ailments.

3. The Chandikeswara is having four faces which is unique to this temple.

4. By doing Girivalam,( Circumambulation of The Hillock) on Pournami Day or Fridays one is blessed with Gods Grace.



The temple is well maintained and as any other temple with support from the devotees is getting renovated.

Sri Neela Visalakshi Sametha Sri Vyagrapadeeshwarar Temple, Siddhilingamadam, Villupuram District

Om Namah Shivaya!!!

Presiding Deity : Sri Vyagrapaadeshwarara
Presidng Goddess: Sri Neela Visalakshi

This Temple is about 10Kms distance from Thirukovilur in a village called SiddhiLingaMadam. This Village is located near the banks of ThenPennai River...  ( River looks like a stretch of plain sand as it had not carried any water in the past two years due to insufficient rainfall).

I visited this village on official duty @ about 8 Pm on one particular day and looked at the renovation work of a Mid sized Temple Ratha/Car, As i enquire about the same the people informed me that there is a Shiva Temple in the Near by Street.  I decided to Visit the temple and left the village as they had already closed the temple.

I happened to Visit the Village the very next week and it was after noon about 3 Pm. This time also i felt like visiting that temple however the temple was to be opened only at 5Pm. However the curiosity made me to try my luck , I knocked at the doors of the Temple Preist , an elderly brahmin who stays in the sannidhi Street.  To my surprise he obliged to open the doors.

As i enter the temple, i worship Lord Ganesha, near the Dwaja Stambam. I followed the priest, he opened the sanctum and did a wonderful aarthi. I had a wonderful darshan , i could see a cut mark on the Shiva Linga. I enquired , he informed this place has very ancient history and lot of rishis did penance here.  Over a period of time the temple was covered by dense foliage and was not accessed for ages.

Later about 1000 year back, when the forest was cleared to make a settlement of the then king, this mark has happened when the axe hit the Shiva Linga.

Sri Vyagrapadha Maharishi, with his Tiger Paws used to climb the trees and pick flowers from and offer to God. He is seen in Meditative Posture behind the Sanctum.

In the recent days, Sri Gnananda Giri Swami , Guru of Sri Vittal Das Swami of Kumbakonam Vittal Mandir, did his penance in this village before moving to Thapovanam  Near Thirukovilur.

The Goddess Sri Neela Visalakshi is of  great beauty and graces her love to one and all.


You can reach this place from Thirukovilur, Villupuram, Thiruvennai Nallur

Three Tiered Gopuram

Sri Nandi

Lord Ganesha ( Kostha Moorthi)

Sri Dakshina Moorthy Statue  Near the Dwaja Stambam

Sri Dakshinamoorthy

Sri Vyagrapada Maharishi Meditating with Chin Mudra depicted as Seated on a Lotus