Amman -Sri Gnaanaambigai
Moolavar - Sri Vedhaantheeswarar
Place - Vallam, Chengelpet, Tamilnadu
Vallam has a beautiful small hillock on which two wonderful rock cut temples are found. There are steps leading to the temples. According to the inscriptions found, these temples are said to have been built during the period of Mahendravarma Pallava. Inscriptions also reveal the ancient name of the place as Valla Naadu under Kalathur Kottam.On the left hand side there is a temple for Lord Shiva called Sri Vedhaantheeswarar. Goddess here is Sri Gnaanaambigai.
This is perhaps the only place where one can have dharshan of Sri Vinayagar, Sri Subramanyar, Lord Shiva, Sri Ambaal and Sri Sandigeswarar from the same place where we stand. Lord Muruga here is called as Sri Muthukumaaraswami.Unlike other Shiva temples, here Goddess Sri Gnaanaambigai is facing the east. Sri Gnaanaambigai looks like a very new idol with clear details and is beautifully decorated with silk saree. The face has so much of Thejas and benevolence.
Dwarapaalakaas are so exquisitely sculpted in life size. The Soolam and Mazhu, which are the weapons of Lord Shiva, are carried by the Dwaarapaalakaas here. It is said that, in this temple, during Pradhosham, the Abishegams are first performed to Dwaarapaalakaas and then to Sri Vedhaantheeswarar and finally to Sri Nandhigeswarar. Now a concrete structure is built around this temple for convenience.It is said that during the sunrise, the rays from the Sun fall directly on the Lord like a garland.
On the right hand side there is a temple for Sri Giri Varadharaaja Perumaal. Sri Perumaal is seen here with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. Dwaarapaalakaas are found outside the sanctum.
Unusually, Sri Durgai is found in the Perumaal temple facing south instead of north as found in Shiva temples. According to the inscriptions, it is found that a lady called Kommai daughter of a Pallava King has installed Sri Durgai in this temple 1300 years back.The temple pond is called as Sivaganga Pushkarani, the water from which is used for Abishegams to the Gods.
Pradhosham and all other Saivite and Vaishnavite festivals are done here at these temples. On usual days, priest visits the temple once a day for daily rituals. But one can have dharshan even in the absence of the priest.
Nice temple with serene ambience with excellence of Pallava architecture.
References:
http://www.dharsanam.com/2009/03/vallam-sri-vedhaantheeswarar-sri-giri.html
Moolavar - Sri Omkareswarar
Amman - Sri Swarnambikai
Place - Madipakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Well maintained temple with separate Sannidhi for lord Ganesha, Murugan, Sastha, Veerabadhrar. There is huge sahasra sivalingam with lot of small Sivalingams around. A nice place for meditation.
Address: Dr Ambedkar Salai, Periyar Nagar Extension, Jeeva Nagar, Madipakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600091
Moolavar - Thirumoolanathar
Amman - Umayambikai - Sivakama Sundari
Place - Chidambaram, Tamilnadu
This temple is 78 km south of Pondicherry and 235 Km from Chennai. The Sangam classics refer to Viduvelvidugu Perumtaccan, respected clan of traditional Vishwakarmas, as being the chief architect of the temple renovation. There have been several renovations in its history, particularly during the days of Pallava/Chola emperors in ancient and pre-medieval periods.
Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples, each representing one of the five natural elements; Chidambaram represents akasha (aether). The other four temples in this category are: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara,Trichy (water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (earth)Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara (fire),Thiruvanna malai and Kalahasti Nathar (wind),Kalahasti
The temple complex spread over 50 acres in the heart of the city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.To the followers of Shaivism (Saivism) or the saivaite, the very word koil refers to Chidambaram. In the same way, to the followers of Vaishnavism it refers to Srirangam or Thiruvarangam.
The story of Chidambaram begins with the legend of Lord Shiva strolling into the Thillai Vanam (Vanam meaning forest and thillai trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha, a species of mangrove trees - which currently grows in the Pichavaram wetlands near Chidambaram. The temple sculptures depicting the Thillai trees date back to the 2nd century CE).
In the Thillai forests resided a group of saints or 'rishis' who believed in the supremacy of magic and that God can be controlled by rituals and 'mantras' or magical words. The Lord strolls in the forest with resplendent beauty and brilliance, assuming the form of 'Bikshadanar', a simple mendicant seeking alms. He is followed by his Grace and consort who is Lord Vishnu as Mohini. The rishis and their wives are enchanted by the brilliance and the beauty of the handsome mendicant and his consort.On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the rishis get enraged and invoke scores of serpents or Naga by performing magical rituals. The Lord as the mendicant lifts the serpents and dons them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck and waist. Further enraged, the rishis invoke a fierce tiger, which the Lord skins and dons as a shawl around his waist.Thoroughly frustrated, the rishis gather all their spiritual strength and invoke a powerful demon Muyalakan - a symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. The Lord wearing a gentle smile, steps on the demon's back, immobilizes him and performs the Ánanda Thaandava (the dance of eternal bliss) and discloses his true form. The rishis surrender, realizing that this Lord is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals
The Ananda Tandava posture of Lord Shiva is one of the famous postures recognized around the world by many. This celestial dancing posture tells us how a Bharathanatium Dancer should dance.
The demon under Nataraja's feet signifies that ignorance is under his feet
The Fire in this hand (power of destruction) means destroyer of evil
The raised hand signifies that he is the savior of all life.
The Ring at the back signifies the cosmos.
The drum in his hand signifies the origin of Life.
These are the main things that the Natarajar murti and the celestial dance posture depict. A rare type of thandava posture is seemed in Melakadambur temple near by 32 km from here.In this Karakoil, Nataraja dancing on a bull and deva's rounds the structure it's an pala art being kept in this shrine
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram
Moolavar - Sri Kailasanathar
Amman - Sri Anandavalli Amman
Place - Tharapakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu
This is a very old temple which is recently renovated.Carvings of dasavatharas are seen in the pillars.
Address:
Sadanandapuram, Tharapakkam, Thandalam, Tamil Nadu 600116
Moolavar - Sri Atcheeswarar
Amman - Umai Atcheeswarar
Place - Acharapakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu
This temple at Acharapakkam is one of the 275 Thevara Padal Petra Sthalams. The temple has two presiding deities Atcheeswarar and Umai Atcheeswarar gracing the devotees from two separate sanctum sanctorums. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi.
Three cruel demons Tharaka, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali, proud of the boons and the resultant powers they gained from Lord Brahamma through their intense penance, began to harass the Devas violently. Unable to face their onslaught, Devas appealed to Lord Shiva for protection and freedom. Lord Shiva combined both earth and heaven and marched against the demons. According to rules, every work should start with Vinayaka worship. Lord Shiva is no exception. In his hurry to wage the war against the demons to save Devas, He forgot this protocol. Devas too, having Lord Himself with them ignored Vinayaka. Angry Vinayaka stopped Lord Shiva’s march by breaking the axis of His car. Axis in Tamil means Achu. Realizing the mistake, Lord asked Vinayaka to help in His mission. Son immediately obeyed. This event took place here. Hence, the place came to be known as Achu Iru Bagam (where axis broke) and later Achirupakkam came to stay. Lord is Atcheeswarar.
The main temple is a big one, measuring 265 feet East-West and 140 feet by South-North with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and two praharams. The main entrance is towards Aacheeswarar, a Swayambu lingam on a Square avudayar built by the Sage Thirinendhrathari for himself in line with the Dwajasthambam, Bali peetam and Nandhi.
It is strongly believed that prayer to Lord Atchipureeswarar would elevate the devotee to ruling position with management abilities. Also as the Lord is in the form ‘Letters – Akshara’ the devotee will shine in education.
The scene of Lord Shiva and Parvathi devi giving dharshan to Sage Thirunendhrathari under the Sthala vruksham – Kondrai tree
Worshipped by Kannuva muni, Gouthama Muni in Thredha yuga; Brahma and Vishnu in Dwabara yuga; and Agasthiar in Kali Yuga. The temple tank outside in front of the temple is considered to be created by Brahma and is called Brahma Theertham; and the well near the kondrai tree in the outside praharam is considered to be created by Vishnu.
References:
http://templesoftamilnadu.co.in/atcheeswarar-temple-at-acharapakkam/
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/New_en.php?id=66
http://www.acharapakkamaatcheeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/
The twin temples of Thirukachur
Moolavar - Sri Kachabeswarar
Amman - Sri Anjanatchi Amman
Place - Thirukachur, Chennai, Tamilnadu
As per Hindu legend, Vishnu in the form of tortoise (called Karkada) worshiped Shiva to attain divine ambrosia at this place. On account of the legend, the place was called Kascapavoor, which went on to become Kachoor and the presiding deity, Shiva came to be known as Karchabeswarar. The temple has a recorded history from the 10th century, but scholar attribute the presence of the temple at least from the 8th century, pertaining to the period of Sundarar, the famous Saiva Nayanar. Sundarar has glorified the temple in his verses in 11th Thirumurai of Thevaram.
The temple has a flat gateway tower and all the shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls. There is a sixteen pillar hall in front the gateway that has sculpted pillars dating back to the 16th century. The temple occcupies an area of around 2 acres (0.81 ha). The temple tank is located adjacent to the sixteen pillared hall. The central shrine houses the image of Kachabeswarar in the form of Lingam. The shrine of Irulneeki Thayar (also called Anthaga Nivarini]], facing West is located in the Mahamandapam leading to the sanctum. The central shrine is approached through the shrine of Thyagaraja located adjacent to the sanctum. As in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, the shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikesa and Durga are located around the precinct of the main shrine. There is a shrine depicting Shiva offering food to Sundarar on the Western side.
Moolavar - Sri Marundeeswarar
Amman - Sri Irulneeki Amman
As per Hindu legend, Devas, the celestial deities, got cured off their illness by worshiping Shiva at this place. The Devas were treated by Aswani Devata, the divine doctor at the behest of Shiva. Shiva thus obtained the name Marundeeswarar, Marundu literally means a curative. The temple has a recorded history from the 10th century, but scholar attribute the presence of the temple at least from the 8th century, pertaining to the period of Sundarar, the famous Saiva Nayanar. Sundarar has glorified the temple in his verses in 11th Thirumurai of Thevaram.
The temple complex covers an area of one acre and all its shrines are enclosed with a granite concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Marundeeswarar and his consort Irulneeki Thayar being the most prominent.
