Sri Manikandeswarar Temple, Thirumalpur, Ranipet

   

Moolavar: Sri Manikandeswarar

Amman: Sri Anjanakshi Ambal

A Padal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 revered Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu and the temple is mentioned in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical work, Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars. This is the 11th Shiva temple in Thondaimandalam region praised in the hymns of Gnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar.

This ancient temple is approximately 1500 years old and is believed to have been built by Parantaka Chola during the 5th century.

The temple is associated with several legends, including the story of Lord Mahavishnu worshipping Lord Shiva to regain his Sudarshan Chakra, which had lost its sharpness. Impressed by Mahavishnu's devotion, Lord Shiva restored the chakra and blessed him.

Another legend tells the story of Goddess Parvathi creating a Shiva Linga with sand to repent for covering Lord Shiva's eyes, causing the universe to come to a standstill. The linga is protected by a copper plate and is considered self-manifested or Swayambhu.

it's believed that a Naga Kanni worshipped Lord Shiva here, and the temple is known for its relief from Naga Doshas. 

The temple features a 5-tiered gopuram, with a vast area of 1.2 acres, and is surrounded by robust walls with two concentric prakarams. In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Suryan, Naalvar, Soleeswarar (Shiva Linga was installed in memory of Parantaka Chozha), Pancha matrikas, Balaganapathy, Uchishta Ganapathy, Chidambareswarar, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Veerabhadra, Bhairavar and  Chandran.

In the saba mandapam, Natarajar with Ambal and Manickavasagar. Pancha murtis stucco images are on the top of the entrance. In the mandapam bas-reliefs of Dakshinamurthy, Suryan, Mahavishnu, Balasubramaniar, Appar, Sundarar, Thirugnanasambandar,  Vinayagar, Murugan, Brahma/Nanmugan (all the four faces are visible), Ambal worshiping Lord Shiva, Kalinga Narthanar, Kamadhenu, Bhairavar, Veerabhadra doing dhabas standing on one leg. Lord Vishnu as Senthamarai Kanna Perumal is near Lord Shiva in a worshipping form. 

Mahavishnu is in standing form before Lord in praying pose.Though a Shiva temple,  Lord Vishnu is worshipped here, Garuda Seva is celebrated during the Brahmmotsavam festival.

The moolavar is called here with many names like, Sri Manikandeswarar, Sri Dhayanatheeswarar, Sri Pravaleswarar, Sri Saatharupar, Sri Pavalamalaiyar, Sri Vaattamthavirthar, and Sri Malvanankesar.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south immediately after the Rajagopuram. Ambal Anjanakshi is also, known as Karunai Nayagi

Location: Sri Manikandeswarar Temple, Thirumalpur, Ranipet

Sri Agatheeswarar temple, Puliyampakkam, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar : Agatheeswarar

Amman : Sri Akilandeswari Ambal

A very old square avudayar facing east along with Ambal facing south.

We can see very old Vinayakar and newly installed Murugan and Navagraha , saneeswararn in a separate sannidhi. One kala Pooja is performed everyday.  The villagers gather periodically and conduct bhajans regularly.  Other festivals like pradhosham, Shivarathiri, Annabishekam and Karthigai deepam are also celebrated here.  Surrounded by a serene atmosphere and enriched with cultural charm, the temple stands as a symbol of faith, tradition, and community bonding. Its sacred premises have witnessed generations of prayers, festivals, and rituals that reflect the spiritual heartbeat of the region. Visitors are often drawn not only by the temple’s divine presence but also by its beautiful surroundings, intricate craftsmanship, and the sense of peace it offers. 

Visitors are often drawn not only by the temple’s divine presence but also by its beautiful surroundings, intricate craftsmanship, and the sense of peace it offers. 

Contact: Mr.Karthik can be reached @9865540767

Location: Sri Agatheeswarar temple,  Puliyampakkam, Kanchipuram

Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple Oragadam, Ambattur, Chennai

 

Moolavar: Sri Thanthondreeswarar

Amman: Sri Amirthavalli Ambal

This ancient temple is approximately 1600 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Thanthondreeswarar.

Moolavar, is a Suyambu Lingam, believed to be self-manifested and growing in size every day. The temple underwent Kumbabishekam in 2018 and has been renovated with donations from locals. The moolavar is on a square Avudayar and does not have brahma kuri or the center line representing it to be swayambhu murthy.

The temple features intricate carvings, on the Raja Gopuram including representations of lions, serpents, elephants, and celestial deities. A large Nandi statue is situated in front of the moolavar. Amirthavalli Ambal is very beautiful and is believed to bless couples with children. 

The temple inner praharam is big and has all the Sannidhies you see normally in a shiva temple. There is also a small Ghosalai right behind the moolavar. Early morning ghopujai is performed before opening the moolasthanam. 

Contact: The kurukal Nagaraj can be reached on 9600114823

Location: Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple Oragadam, Ambattur, Chennai 

Sri Kailasanathar (Dhakshinamoorthy) Temple, Govindavadi , Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Kailasanathar

Amman: Sri Akhilandeswari

A 1500-year-old temple popularly known as Govindavadi Dhakshinamoorthy Temple is a significant pilgrimage, especially for those seeking relief from the adverse effects of Jupiter or Guru bagawan amongst the 9 planets. Lord Shiva is present here as Guru and huge shivalingam with the name Kailasanathar.

Swamy Kailasanathar is facing east and Akhilandeswari is in a separate Sannidhi facing south. 

According to the Puranas, Lord Vishnu, despite being the preserver of the universe, felt the need to seek knowledge and guidance from Lord Shiva. He approached Lord Shiva along with his 2 wives with the name Govidaraja, who, in the form of Dakshinamurthy, imparted wisdom and taught him the Shiva Mantras and rituals.

Once Lord Vishnu’s Sudharshana chakra accidentally slipped down and fell on Maharshi Thatheesi. In the process it injured the sage and lost its sharpness. Lord Vishnu then visited this temple, worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva assured him that the discus would come back to him fully powered at an appropriate time.

With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu got his damaged discus repaired,

Another legend has it that Lord Govinda Swamy Perumal  (Lord Vishnu again) along with his two wives Sridevi and Bhudevi was tutored the Vedas by Dakshinamoorthy. As Lord Shiva appeared before Vishnu in the form Guru, he is worshipped here as Lord Dakshinamurthy. The legend emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, humility, and devotion, and the temple is revered as a symbol of these values.

Also, Dakshinamoorthy is said to have appeared before one of his ardent devotees, Thandavarayar, a resident of Govindavadi and bestowed on him his grace and the `scared ash.' Thandavarayar established a religious math at Govindavadi and observed Visaka nakshatram in the Tamil month of Chithirai as Guru Puja day by taking out Viboothi Kavadi from his math and performing special pujas to Dakshinamoorthy. This practice is continued by his descendants.

Lord Dakshinamoorthy is usually depicted resting his right foot on Muyalagan. Here he is shown resting it on a tortoise known as Koormam in Sanskrit. 

The temple features exquisite carvings, including representations of lions, serpents, elephants, and celestial deities. Lord Dakshinamurthy is the presiding deity, depicted with an eye on the forehead and a crescent moon.

Contact: Daily 4 Kala pujai happens and Guru pariharam pujai happens here every Sunday and the Kurukal Sri Krishnamurthy  can be reached on 9445269466

Location: Sri Kailasanathar (Dhakshinamoorthy) Temple, Govindavadi , Kanchipuram