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 Poonkoval Nachiar Sametha Sri Trivikrama Swamy Temple, 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

I felt it would be apt to start writing about my visits to Vishnu Temples with this temple as this is the place where the early Alwars, Poigai Alwar, Peyalwar , and Boodat Alwar Started to sing in praise of Lord Vishnu. This place is attributed to be the birth place of Divya Prabandams.

Presiding Deity-  Sri Trivikrama Swami / Sri Ulagalanda Perumal
Presiding Goddess - Sri Poonkoval Nachiar
Urchavar - Sri Dehaleesa Perumal
Stala Vriksham- Pinnai
Teertha - Dakshina Pinakini/ Then Pennai River, Chakra Theertham

 

The Temple’s main entrance is facing east, the East Side is having two Gopurams(Towers). The main gopuram is third tallest after the towers of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam and Sri Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur. The temple has been built and renovated by Cholas, Vijayanagara Empire , Nayaks of Madurai, the local Diwans and Local Cheiftains over a period of time.

The Legend has is that Sri Mahavishnu incarnated as Lord Vamana to chastise King Mahabali.  As per Srimad Bhagavata, Sri Vamana visited King Mahabali who was giving grants to various people as part the sacrificial fire worship. Sri Sukracharya being aware of the person who has come to receive the grant advised King Mahabali not to offer anything to the Dwarf Lord Sri Vamana, However King Mahabali did not heed to his Guru’s advise and offered Three Feet of Land to Lord Vamana. Lord Vamana expanded and measured the earth and the space with his two feet and asked King Mahabali as where is the third feet.  Having seen the lord’s vishwaroopa darshan and getting rid of his ignorance, King Mahabali offered his head to keep the foot.  Sri Trivikrama kept his foot on kings head and sent him to the nether world.   King Mahabali’s son Prince Namasu, become ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Sage Mrikandu Maharishi who was doing penance on the banks of Dakshina Pinakini River wished to have the darshan of Trivikrama incarnation of Mahavishnu, prayed to lord.  Sri Mahavishnu to fulfill the devotee’s wish appeared in the form of Trivikrama with his consort.  This is the significance of this place Thirukovilur.

Another Legend has it that, the three early alwars of  Sri Vaishanva Sampradaya, has started the glorification of Lord Mahavishnu.  I was told that “ once upon a time, during day it has started to gather cloud and rain like as the world has come to end, Poigai alwar took refuge under a small shelter to protect himself from the harshness of the rain.  While he was standing there came another devotee named Peialwar, and the third was Boothatalwar. As there was heavy rain darkness prevailed everywhere, these three could barely see each other. As they were speaking about the glories of Lord Vishnu, they sensed that there is fourth person amidst themselves and listening to their conversation. They immediately sensed that it was none other than Sri Mahavishnu they started glorifying him with each one of them composing 100 songs” .Thus the literature later called Divya Prabandha came into existence.

The Legends:

1.       The Lord Trivikrama stands here with his right feet lifted measuring the space. Lord Brahma is offering Teertha on the Lotus feet of Lord Mahavishnu.

2.       Sri Durga Devi from her original abode of Sri Vindhya Mountains came here to be with her brother Sri Mahavishnu . This temple has  Shrine for Sri Durga Devi which is not common in Sri  Vishnu Temples.

3.       Lord Trivikrama is holding his conch Panchajanya in his right hand and his Chakra, Sudarsana in his left hand which is unusual as normally the Sudarsana is held in his right hand.

4.       Lord Trivikram is made of Dharu Tree.

5.       Inside the sanctum one can see Lord Trivikrama, Sri Lakshmi, Sri Brahma, Sri Mrikandu Maharishi along with his consort, The three early alwars Poigai Alwar, Pei Alwar, Boothath Alwar, King Mahabali, Prince Namasu Son of Mahabali is seen performing pooja at the feet of Lord Trivikrama.

 

The temple has shrines for Lord Rama, Sri Sudarshana, Sri Poonkoval Nachiar, Sri Vamana, Sri Durga Devi, Sri Varaha, Sri Krishna

This temple is one of the 5 Krishnaaranya Kshetras featuring in the 108 Divyadesams. The Krishna idol in the separate sanctum is said to be made of Saligrama Sila.

The temple has few mantaps called  Uri Adi Mantaps which are being encroached by some people who doesn’t value the value of the same.

 

Sri GnanaAmbika Sametha Sri Marudeeswara Swamy Temple, T. Edaiyar, Villupuram District

Presiding Deity     :  Sri Marudeeswara Swamy

Presiding Goddess: Sri Gnanaambika

Stala Vruksham    : Maruda Maram

Theertham            : Dhakshina Pinakini River/ Then Pennai River


This temple is located in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu, The place is called the T. Edaiyaru which was originally known as Thiru Edaiyaru. The legend is that when Lord Shiva was telling Shiva Rahasya to Devi Parvathi there happened to be a parrot sitting on the tree top and chirping, disturbing the whole process. Hence Devi Parvathi cursed the Parrot to be born in Earth and do penance to get rid of the sin.

The  Parrot was blessed to be born as the Son of Sage Veda Vyasa. The Child was named as Suka who later was known as Sri Suka Brahma Maharishi.  Sri Suka did penance here in this holy place and got rid of his sin.

Another Legend is that as Sage Agasthiyar was sent to Southern part  to equalise the tilt  which happened during the occassion of Lord Shiva's Marriage, the  Sage was offered to view the cosmic vision of Shiva Parvathi Marriage . In this place, Sage Agasthya had the vision of the Lord exchanging Garland with Devi Parvathi.(Maalai Matru). To emphasis this event the Lord is facing West and Devi is Facing East. 

The presiding deity is of immense beauty and the sanctum is emanating such a divine aura even a layman can feel it.

The temple is well maitained and on any given day you can have darshan of the lord from morning 6 Am to 12 Pm and in evening 4 Pm to 8 Pm. This Temple is located at a distance of  5 KMs from another Paadal petra stalam  Thiruvennainallur.

Sri Muktambika Sametha Sri Ardhanaareshwara Swamy Temple, Rishivandhiyam, Villupuram District

Presiding Deity: Sri Ardhanaareshwara Swamy

Presiding Goddess: Sri Mukthambika

Stala Vriksham: Pinnai Tree & Mahila Tree

Teertham : Agasthiya Teertham, Indra Teertham, Sankara Teertham

 

This temple is located in Rishivandiyam , in Villupuram District. This place gets its name from " Rishi Vanda Vanam". It is a beautiful temple having its history recorded for more that 1000 years. Thesame was built by the early Pandya Kings and later renovated by the successors Pandya Kings and Vijayanagara Emperors.

As you enter the street leading to the temple you can see a four pillared mandap housing the Nandi Deva in front of the temple.The temple entrance has a 7 tiered Gopuram/Tower. The mandap infront of the gopuram has idols of the Shiva Family.

As you cross the Gopuram and enter the temple there is another Nandi housed in a smaller mandap.

You enter mahamandap you get to see the Lord Nataraja & Sivakami towards your right, Sri Vinayagar and the Palliyarai towards your left. After worshipping Sri Ganesha and as I enter towards the Sanctum , the feeling changes, i felt as i am going to my parents place where they both are sitting together and eagerly wanting to grace their blessings.

As i entered the queue to take the darshan, the preistperformed the mangala aarathi. I enquired with him about the temple history, he narrates the history as follows…..

" The baanam ( the lingam ) is swayambhu and is very special as it houses both Lord Shiva and Lordess Parvathi, however one cannot see Parvathi Devi normally. Indra Deva was performing pooja to Lord Shiva on a daily basis with Milk abhishekam, however he would leave without taking dasrshan of Devi Parvathi ! Being offended by the act of Indra Deva, Sri Parvathi devi complained to Lord Shiva, who inturn offered his Left side to Parvathi Devi. While DeveIndra was performing abhiseka he saw Parvathi Devi in the left part of the Lingam. Havingrealized his ignorance lord indra sought forgiveness from Devi Parvathi and went to his Loka,Until today one can see Devi parvathi in the Lingam while Honey abhiseka is performed"

He further informed that" This temple is also place of granting marriage boon to those who seek it. During the marriage of Lord Shiva & Lordess Parvathi, as people went to Northern Land the earth tilted towards North, Hence Sage Agasthiyar was asked to travel Southward to couter balance the tilt with the assurance of he will get to see all the rituals of the Marriage , This place is one such place where he saw the marriage"

After explaining the history we were asked to do a cicumabulation and come to Sri Mukthambika Shrine, while doing the pradakshina( going around the shrine) one can get to see the gostha devatas,

Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Lingothbavar, Sri Brahma, Sri Durga Devi, Sri Chandikeswara, and the Nayanmars.

By the time we reach the Shrine of Mukthambika the priest had opened the doors and asked us to come and perform aarthi. The devi offers mukthi(liberation) to her devotees hence the name. The idol of Devi is of immense beauty that will keep you bound there. You can get to see a human sized stone carved statue of Mahavishnu in the Mandapa before the Sanctum of Devi.

The Specialities of the Temple:

1. One can get to see Lordess Parvathi while performing Honey abhisheka and Milk Abisheka.

2. It is marriage boon offering temple, one has to visit this temple for 3/5 Amavasyas and perform archanai and in one of the months can offer the abhishek.

3. There is statue of a Yaali ( A mythical Creature) carved in one stone and in its mouth one can see a stone ball, which you cannot take out, however it rolls inside its mouth.

4. The temple has in its praharam five pillars which produces rhytmic sounds.

5. The Utsavar/ Somaskandar in the temple is of incomparable beauty.

How to reach?

One can reach Rishivandiyam from Thirukovilur, Kallakurichi or Ulundurpet.

Sri Mangalambika Sametha Sri Krupapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvennainallur, Villupuram District

Presiding God:  Sri Krupapureeswarar
Presiding Goddess: Sri Mangalambigai
Stala Vruksham:  Bamboo / Moongil
Teertham:  Dhanda Teertham

Temple History:  Lord Shiva, in a old mans form reached the marriage venue of Sri Sundarar and stops the marriage by showing the people a palm leaf manuscript supposedly given by Sundarar's forefathers,  stating that sundarar is a slave of him, and slave doesn't have right to marry!!!!
Panic stricken Sundarar grabs the manuscript and puts the same in the ritual fire meant for marriage!!!
Aarurar, the lord Shiva, shows another manuscript claiming this to be original!
He also tells the people that he will not get justice in the village of sundarar,  and drags sundarar to this place and will call for a Panchayat to settle the matter in the manuscript!!!
Upon reaching this place old man walks into the Shiva's sanctum and merges with the lord!!! On seeing this Sundarar gets enlightment and sheds the desire for marriage!!!
In this temple one can get to see the footwear of Shiva,  which he wore as a old man!!! On looking at the wooden footwear simply I could not control my goose bumps!!!
As Shiva and Sundarar entered onto argument and later got clarity, people today also writes petition and submits in the temple for a nominal fee!!!
The village gets its name Thiru Vennai Nallur from a legend that, Devi Parvathi after killing the Demon king Mihisa,  to get rid of the fierceness and gore,  built a fortress of Vennai (butter), and did penance!!! Hence the name!!!!!
The temple has Sri Sundarar, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Natarajar, Sri Bairavar, Sri Subramanyar, Sri Durga!!!!
This temple is accessible from Villupuram, Thirukovilur, Ulundurpet!!

Sri Soundarya Kanakambika Sametha Sri Athulya Nadeshwarar Temple, Arakandanallur, Thirukovilur, Villupuram District

The temple name was Araiani Nallur, Now it is called Arakandanallur. The same is located near Thirukovilur across the Thenpennai River.
This temple was glorified by Sri Thirugnanasambandar.
Presiding Deity:  Athulya Nadeshwarar ( Oppila Maniswarar)
Presiding Goddess: Soundarya Kanakambika ( Azhagiya Ponnammai)
Teertham:  Aaranya teertham, Pandava Teertham,  Then pennai River

This temple is located on a very small hilltop. The God is facing west and  Goddess is facing south . This temple has a significance as Lord Shiva has appeared as light source to Sri Thirugnanasambandar thousand years ago,  and to Sri Ramanamaharishi of Thiruvannamalai some 100 years..
There is a hearsay story that the Pandavas  of Mahabharata stayed hear during their exile, one can see five cave room in the hillock beneath the temple!!
The temple has a seven storied gopuram. As you enter the temple one can take the darshan of Sri Nandhikeshwara.
 Lord Athulya Nadeshwarar is of incomparable beauty!!! The vibrations in the sanctum puts your mind at peace!!
You take darshan of lord and do pradakshina of inner praharam one can see Sri Durga,  Sri Bairavar,  Sri Sankaranarayanar,  Sri Ardhanaareeshwar,  Sri Chandikeshwara, Sri Brahma,  Sri Dakshinamoorthy,  Sri Ramana  Maharishi,  Sri Thirugnana Sambandar.
As you come out of the inner praharam and start going around the outer one, you can see the footprints of Sri Thirugnana Sambandar!!! 
The wall around this temple has lot of inscriptions!!!
You complete the circumambulation of
Shiva temple you can enter the shrine of Sri Soundarya Kanakambigai!!  She is called as azhagiya ponnammai in Tamil!!!  She is gracing her devotees and blessings to all.
One can reach this place from Thirukovilur located at a distance of 4 kms ...