Sri Pateeswarar Temple, Perur, Coimbatore

Moolavar: Sri Patteeswarar
Amman: Sri Pachainayaki
Place: Perur, Coimbatore

Perur Pateeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located at Perur, in western part of Coimbatore in state of Tamil Nadu in India. The temple was built by Karikala chola in 2nd Century.The temple is located 7 km west of the Noyyal River and has been patronized by poets like Arunagirinathar and Kachiappa Munivar. Lord Shiva, known as ‘Patteeswarar’, is the presiding deity of this temple together with his consort Parvati, who is known as ‘Pachainayaki’. The deity is believed to be ‘Swayambu Lingam’ (self emerged). The pillars raised in this temple depict the architectural prowess of the Tamil sculptors.

History:

This ancient temple was built by king Karikala Chola in 2nd Century, thus making this one of the oldest temple in the state. During the rule of Raja Raja Chola I, 'Artha Mahal' and 'Maha Mahal' were constructed. In addition to this, there were regular donations from the Chola king, which were documented on the temple walls.

History reveals that the great poet Sundarar sung the devotional 'Devaram' song in this temple by the 7th Century. Nonetheless, strangely Perur Pateeswarar Temple does not make it to the list of Kongu Nadu Padal petra sthalams, which otherwise has seven of the 276 temples.

From the 14th to 17th Centuries, the kings from different dynasties like Hosala dynasty, Vijanagara Empire, Nayakkar Kings have contributed immense donations for the maintenance of this temple. The famous 'Kanaga Sabhai' was built around the 17th century, by Azhagathiri Nayakkar of Madurai.

By the 18th Century AD, the primary deities were renovated and also a Mahal for the 63 Nayanmaars were raised. By the 20th century, the Kalyana Mahal and the front Mahal were constructed, and the tower was renovated as well.

The temple is open on all days. 

Timings:

Morning : 05:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m
Evening : 4.00 p.m to 9:00 p.m

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perur_Pateeswarar_Temple#

Location:
Arulmigu Patteeswarar Swamy Temple, Perur

Sri Nalinakkeswarar Temple, Oragadam

Moolavar: Sri Nallinekeswarar
Amman:Sri Deivanayak
Place: Ezhichur, Oragadam
 
Sri Nallinekeswarar Temple is situated at Ezhichur village– 603 204, located about 50 Kms South West of Chennai, on the road connecting between Tambaram and Kanchipuram. This temple’s last Consecration (Kumbhabhishekam in Tamil) undergone during 1948 after which it got dilapidated. Many trees, plants and bushes were covering the temple for so many years. An auto driver (Muslim) identified this temple inside the bushes during his trip to Ezhichur and informed the local villagers.

The native villagers have taken their initiative to completely rebuild the temple with stone structure and with much difficulty starting from the year 2000 to 2012 the temple was built up with Stone Structure and Consecration (Kumbhabhishekam) was performed on 29th June 2012.

Importance of this Temple:

Around 1100 years old temple with Historical records.
Shiva statue is "Suyambu" (which, according to tradition, was not sculpted by man but formed spontaneously) here.

The name of the god is Nallinekeswarar and the Nandhi are unique in nature, archaeological department done a research and confirmed this information.

Traditional Belief in this temple is Shiva will solve all your problems smoothly, especially husband and wife’s problem, family relationships, problems between brothers and sisters, problems between father and mother and all other family members as the name has “Nallinekam – God of harmony”. Apart from this, the business relationship with the customers and the development of the business is well progressing, if you are visiting Nine Pradhosams or Sixteen Pradhosams Continuously.

Nandhi wearing beautiful ornaments and cloths, all are carved on it. Nandhi folded one of his forelegs backward and other one is in stretched position. Nandhi’s back legs position, one is folded while another leg goes beneath its stomach and this leg is seen jutting out on the other side. Similarly the tail goes underneath the belly and stretches out on its left side.

A large snake is visiting this temple daily 2 times and doing Pradakshina to the Shiva Idol. (Priest confirms this detail, every day they are seeing the snake visiting the temple).

54th Adhishtaanam (Samadhi) of ‘Sri Vyaasaachala Mahadeva Saraswathi Swamigal’ of Kanchi Mutt is also found in the temple at south west of the sanctum.

A Copper plate inscription about the donation of temple and village to the 54th Peedathipathi “Sri Vyaasaaachala Mahadeva Saraswathi Swamigal” of Kanchi Mutt is available at Kanchi Mutt, Kancheepuram.

Temple Timings:
6.00 a.m to 12.30 p.m
4.00 p.m to 8.30 p.m

Location:
Sri Nalinakkeswarar Temple, Oragadam

Sri Thirusoolanaadhar Temple, Thirusoolam

Moolavar: Sri Thirusoolanaadhar
Amman:Sri Thiripurasundhari
Place: Thirusoolam, Chennai

Legend:
Though Thirusoolam means the weapon (Thrishul) of the Goddess Parvathi, the temple legend has an interesting background attached to it. As Lord Brahma, the creator worshipped Lord Shiva here; it was called as Brahmapuri originally. According to the stone inscriptions found in the temple, the place was called as Vaanavan Maadevi Chathurvedhi Mangalam., which later turned to become Pallavapuram (today’s Pallavaram).

Presently, the place is known as Thirusoolam. The temple is situated amidst 4 hills surrounding it. In Thamizh, the place between the hills is called ‘Churam’ and hence this place was called as ‘Thiru Churam’ which had later become Thirusoolam.

According to the legend, originally, Lord Brahma was 5 headed. As Lord Brahma was too proud of himself, Lord Shiva cut one of his heads off to bring down his ego. Later Brahma continued his duty of creation. He prayed Lord Shiva that he couldn’t concentrate on his duty because he was disturbed losing a head. Lord Shiva blessed him and granted peace of mind after which Lord Brahma continued his duties peacefully.

After this incident, as part of his duty, Lord Brahma created one of the most beautiful dancers of Devaloka, called Thilothama. After creating her, Lord Brahma himself fell in lust with her, because of her divine beauty. Lord Brahma went and spoke to her. Thilothama refused to accept him saying that as Brahma himself being her creator, he is in the position of her father and hence she can’t think of involving herself with him.

Knowing this, the Siva Ganas (Lord Shiva’s parivar) started chasing Lord Brahma, to punish him for the sin he committed. Lord Brahma hid himself, amidst the hills in this place and also realized his sin. To be relieved off the sin, Lord Brahma installed a Shiva Lingam here and started worshipping Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva was pleased with his prayers apologized Lord Brahma as he realized and admitted his sin.

This very ancient temple is beautifully located amidst 4 hills at Thirusoolam. It is believed that these 4 hills denote 4 Vedas.

This temple is said to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga Chozha, about 1000 years ago. The Lord, Sri Thirusoolanaadhar is facing the east. Goddess Sri Thiripurasundhari is facing south, outside the sanctum. There is another idol for Goddess inside the main sanctum itself just in front of the Moolavar. It is said that, during some invasion, the original idol of the Goddess was damaged by intruders and a new idol was made and installed outside the sanctum. The then priest got a dream, in which he was directed by the God himself to place the damaged idol next to the main deity itself. So, the Goddess which was originally there, found a place just next to the main deity Himself.

The sanctum has been built in Gajabrishta or Thoongaanai Maadam shape. The inner Praakaaram has Lord Ganapathi facing the south. Here Lord Ganapathi is seen as ‘Naaga Yagnopaveetha Ganapathi’, as he is wearing the Naagam (snake) as his sacred thread.

Sri Dhakshinamurthy here is also very unique. He is called as Veerasana Dhakshinamurthy, as He is seen sitting in the ‘Veerasana’ Posture, with his left leg folded and his right leg on the Muyalaka Asura.

Other deities here are Sri Subramanyar, Sri Maha Vishnu, Sri Brahma, Sri Durgai, Sri Bhairavar and Naalvar inside the Praakaaram. The outer praakaram has shrines for Sri Ayyappan and Sri Aadhi Sankaracharya.

Pradhosham and Maha Shivarathri days are celebrated in a grand manner at this temple. A small but wonderful temple secluded between the hills with great history behind it.

Timings:
Morning : 7:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M
Evening : 4:00P.M to 8:00 P.M

Reference:
http://www.tirusulanathartemple.tnhrce.in/

Location:
Sri Thirusoolanaadhar, Thirusoolam