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 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.

 

Lakshmi Narayana Swami Temple , Alur, Thirukovilur

Temple Left to face the Nature's Test & Abandoned by the locals

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 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