Sri Lavapureeswarar Temple, Perugavoor, Madhavaram, Chennai

 

A very old temple believed to be in existence from the Ramayana period as both the sons of Shri Rama, Lava and Kusha have worshipped this shiva linga when they were in exile along with Sita Devi after she was sent off to the forest by Shri Rama when she was pregnant as per Ramayana.

The current Ambal and moolavar Sannidhi is believed to be over 1500 years. The moolavar Lavapureeswarar is facing east and the moolavar sivalingam is on a grand square Avudayar and is really beautiful to see specially during Abhishekam. 

Ambal was earlier called Sri Maragadhambikai and later has been changed to Sri Thripurasundari, but reasons are not known as to why this change was done. She is in a separate Sannidhi and just on the left of Shivan Sannidhi facing east, which represents the Kalyanam kolam. 

The inner praharam has Navagrahm Sannidhi also. We can see 63 Nayanar Vigraham. Both swamy and Ambal ghostam has beautiful Vigrahams and looks like has been constructed very much according to the earlier agama sasthras.

Contact: Daily one kala pujai is done and the Kurukal Sri Narasimhar can be reached on 7502543882 and the main Kurukal Pichumani can be reached on 9840139072

Location:  Sri Lavapureeswarar Temple, Perugavoor, Madhavaram, Chennai

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Alathur, Thiruporur

 

A beautiful temple in the middle of a village called Alathur which is 4 kms away from Thiruporur. The temple looks to be atleast 1000years old which seems to have had a big granite compound right around the temple. The temple has a big tank right opposite. Swamy is facing east and in the outer praharam you have a separate Sannidhi for Akhilandeswari facing south. There seems to be other Sannidhi around but all seems to be in ruins now.

The legend says that while Murugan waged the war against Tharakasuran his body fell while the war was on the sky. Aalu in Tamil means man so as the body of Thatakasuran fell here hence  it’s called Alathur. Similarly the surrounding areas also have got their names according to the legend. The thanduvadam or the backbone fell at Thandalam, the head Thalai fell at Thaiyur etc. 

There is jeshta Devi Vigram here which shows the antiquity of this place.

Contact: This temple opens daily no specific timing and the kurukal Sri Kadhirvel can be reached on 6382377441 for any puja related enquiries

Location: Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Alathur, Thiruporur

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

 

Moolavar: Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy

Amman: Sri Brahmaramba  

The only padal petra sthalam in the state of Andhra and one of the 12 Jyothirlings in India. The temple is at an altitude of over 1500 ft. above the Sea level in the picturesque natural environment in the Northern most part of the Nallamalas hill range. 

The Temple built in 14th Century and the walls are carved with depictions of elephants hunting scenes and Lord Shiva in different manifestations. Apart from the main temple there are other places like Sikhareswaram, the gates of Heaven, Hatakeswaram and PalaDhara – PanchaDhara, Sakshi Ganapathi, Sivaji spurthikendra, Pathala Ganga

When Shiva and Parvati decided to find suitable brides for their sons. Shiva got Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to  Ganesha. Kartikeya on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Mount Krauncha in Palani in the name of Kumara brahmachari. On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, he tried to move to another place, but on the request of the Devas, stayed close by. The place where Shiva and Parvati stayed came to be known as Srisailam

There are inscriptional evidence from the Satavahana dynasty which place the temple to be existent from the 2nd century. Most modern additions were done during the time of king Harihara I of Vijayanagara Empire.The veerasheromandapam and paathalaganga steps was constructed during the time of Reddi Kingdom.

The temple complex covers 2 hectares and houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the Mukha Mandapa built during the Vijayanagar period. The temple is situated facing East. The center mandapam has several pillars, with a huge idol of Nadikeshwara. The temple is enclosed by tall walls measuring 183 m (600 ft) by 152 m (499 ft) and 8.5 m (28 ft) tall. There are a number of sculptures in the precinct each rising above another. The Mukamandapa, the hall leading to the sanctum, has intricately sculpted pillars. The shrine where Mallikarjuna is housed is considered the oldest in the temple, dating back to the 7th century. There is a Sahasra linga (1000 linga), believed to have been commissioned by Rama and five other lingamsbelieved to have been commissioned by Pandavas. A mirror hall in the first precinct has images of Nataraja.

Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Sozhipalayam, Thiruvallur

 

Moolavar: Sri Agastheeswarar Temple

Amman: Sri Akhilandeswari Ambal

A beautiful temple in the village of Sozhipalayam, and is dated back to over 600 years. The old temple must have been constructed during the chola period and hence this place itself is called Cholavaram. 

The temple has a big praharam and swamy is facing east and Ambal is facing south in a separate sanndhi. In the praharam we can see Ganapathy and Subramaniam Sannidhi. 

Contact: The temple opens daily but not any particular timing so we need to call the kurukal Mr.Ravi at 70104 75486 and fix timings

Location: Sri Agastheeswarar Temple, Sozhipalayam, Thiruvallur