Sri Pallikondeswarar Temple, Surutapalli, Chitoor

Sri Parvathi samedha Pallikondaeswarar
Sri Maraghadhambigai samedha Sri Vaalmikieshwarar

Surutapalli Pallikondeswarar "Sayana Sivan" (sleeping Shiva) and the importance of Pradosham. Guruji says once you get the Pradosham pooja done at this temple it will help you ward off all the daridrya dukha.

Pallikondeswara Swamy Surutapalli Devasthanam

The Pallikondeswarar Swamy Surutapalli Temple is located in Andhra Pradesh state and is approximately 2 kms from Uthukottai in the Chennai-Periyapalayam-Tirupati road. Pradosha is celebrated with great shradha, popularity and vigour here and as per beliefs, it was here where practice of celebrating Pradosha Kalam started in origin.

It is a unique Shiva temple since Shiva is seen to be in a reclining pose on the lap of Goddess Parvathi similar to Vishnu's Ananthasayana pose. This place is also sacred with stones carrying foot marks of Lava & Kusa being traced to period of Ramayana. Dakshinamoorthy is considered very powerful and popular to offer prayers here. Goddess Parvathi is called Marahathambikai and is very beautiful along the side of Valmikiswarar Syambhu Lingam. Kanchipuram Sankara Paramacharya is considered to have spent lot of time here meditating and he is the person who traced this place to Ramayana period findings.

Purana Legend
Once Devaraj Indra, the King of Gods, while riding on his white elephant Iravatha came across Sage Durvasa who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but without giving much importance he gave it to his elephant. Iravatha was irritated by the smell of the flowers in the garland and therefore threw the garland on the floor and stamped on it. This act enraged sage Durvasa as he got the garland from “Sridevi” as prasada. Immediately Durvasa cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.
Due to this curse, in the battles that followed Devas were defeated and Asuras led by Mahabali chakravarthy, gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu who advised them to take the path of diplomacy with Asuras and the only way to regain lost glory was to drink Amrutham/nectar. Devas came to an agreement with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. However, Lord Vishu told Devas that he would ensure Amrutha (Nectar) does not get to Asuras.

Pallikondeswara
During the Samudra Mathan (churning) of the Ocean of Milk Mount Mandaranchal was used as the dasher (churning tool), and Vasuki, the king of serpents, became the churning rope. The gods held the tail of the snake, while the demons (Asuras) held its head, and they pulled on it alternately causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. However, once the mountain was placed on the ocean, it began to sink. With request from both Devas and Asuras Lord Vishnu took the form of a turtle (Kurma avatara), came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his back.
Poison was the first to come when churning started and this terrified the Devas and Asuras because, the poison was so toxic that it might have destroyed all of creation. On the advice of Vishnu, both Devas and Asuras approached Shiva for help and protection. Out of compassion for living beings, Shiva drank the poison. It was so potent that it changed the color of Shiva's neck to blue and therefore he is also called Neelakantha (the blue-necked one, nila = "blue", kantha = "throat"). Parvati immediately realized the deeds of Shiva and put her hand to stop the Kalakutta poison from entering Lord Shiva’s body. Lord Shiva felt very dizzy and lay down with his head on Parvathi’s lap and the whole world went dark. [SURUTAPALLI TEMPLE IN ANDHRA PRADESH] JUST ACROSS TAMIL NADU BORDER BUILT BY HARI HARA BUKKARAYA DEPICTS THIS AND IS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE LORD SHIVA IS IN THE FORM OF SAYANAM (NORMALLY VISHNU'S FORM IN TEMPLES). As soon as the effect of poison diminished and Lord Shiva came back to normalcy all Devas and Asuras wanted to have his Darshan. When they approach Nandi (Sacred Bull) for permission to see Lord Shiva, Nandi refused and asked them to pray and wait since, Lord Shiva and Parvati were together. With prayers from devas and asuras, Lord Shiva gave them Darshan doing Ananda Thandavam on top of the forehead of Rishaba Vahana. This period when Lord Shiva gave them Darshan is known as Pradosha Kalam.

This day, when the Devas, Brahma, Vishnu, Narada and Saptarishis had Shiva darshan was a Krishnapaksha Trayodasi (Stiravaram, Saturday). This is the Mahapradosham day. Pradhosham, generally, is a significant occasion observed with great piety at all Shiva temples.

It is believed that all the Devas & Gods are assembled in the Shiva temples during Pradosham time.

Sri Pallikondeswara Swamy Devasthanam,
Surutapalli, Dasukuppam Post, Nagalapuram M.D.,
Chittoor District Pin-517 588 (A.P.)

Darshan Time:
Morning : 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Evening : 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Pradosham days morning 6.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Location:
Sri Pallikondeswarar Temple, Surutapalli, Chitoor

Sri Vaidhyanadhaswamy Temple, Chromepet

Moolavar: Sri Vaidhyanadhaswamy
Amman: Sri Thayalnayagi
Place: Chromepet Chennai

Sri Vaidhyanatha Swamy temple is on the Chrompet main road. Separate Sannadhis for Vaidyanatha swamy and Sri Ramar and the Anjaneyar in this temple is known for granting wishes to the devotees who tie a set of coconuts praying this lord. A well maintained temple and surely worth a visit.

Location:
Sri Vaidhyanadhaswamy Temple, Chromepet

Sri Bharadvajeshwarar or Valishwarar Temple, Kodambakkam

Moolavar: Sri Bharadvajeshwarar
Amman: Sri Swarnambikai
Place: Kodambakkam, Chennai

Valishwarar temple gets its name as sage Bharadwaja and the monkey king Vali are believed to have offered worship at this place. The main sanctum enshrining a Siva linga belongs to the Chola period, a few Tamil inscriptions found on its north and west walls, datable to the 13th century testify the antiquity of this monument. Beautiful miniature sculptures of a linga worshipped by a cow, another worshipped by a snake, and yet one more by Vali adorn the outer walls of this ancient shrine.

Goddess Swarnambika in a standing posture is installed in a separate shrine facing south. Images of Ganesha, Muruga and his consorts, Chandesha, Bhairava, Navagrahas and Hanuman are also enshrined in this temple complex.

An exquisite stone sculpture of a standing Ganesha, datable to the Chola period, originally placed in one of the niches of the main sanctum is now carefully preserved just outside the entrance of the main shrine.

The annual Brahmotsavam in this temple concluded recently in the month of Chittirai.

A beautifully renovated with an amazing architecture and detailing is a must to see

Location:
Sri Valishwarar Temple, Kodambakkam

Sri Gangadeshwarar Temple, Purasaiwakkam

Moolavar: Sri Gangadheeswarar
Amman: Sri Bangajaambal
Place: Purasaiwalkam, Chennai

Gangadeeswarar temple is one of the ancient temples of Chennai city, the city which is considered as the gateway to South India. Gangadeeswarar is the name of Lord Shiva in this temple. As Lord Shiva held the river Ganga on his head when it was falling from heaven to the earth, the Lord got the name 'Gangadeeswarar'. It is believed that the king Bhageerath who was trying to bring the river Ganga to the earth prayed to Lord Shiva and only then Shiva let the Ganges to flow down from his head. It is also believed that the site where the temple is located today is where the king Bhageerath prayed to Lord Shiva. gangadeeswarar temple.
 

As per another legend, the king Bhagirath got a curse. As per the advice from the saint Narad, he installed 1008 Shiv Lings in various places. The site where he installed 1008th Shiv Linga is the current day's Gangadeeswarar temple. It is also believed that the place where he spilled Ganga water was formed as the temple tank. It is said that there are seven tanks in this temple complex, however only one is seen nowadays.Gangadeeswarar temple is a big temple built in the typical South Indian architectural style. It has a beautiful rajagopuram (tower), flag staff (dwajasthambha) and bali peeth. gangadeeswarar temple purasawalkam

Before you enter into the sanctum sanctorum, you can find the shrines of Siddhi Vinayak, Bala Subramanya and Vaideeswarar (Shiv Linga) along with Ganesha. purasawalkam gangadeeswarar koil purasawalkam gangadeeswarar temple purasawalkam gangadeeswarar temple 

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

Location:
Sri Gangadeshwarar Temple, Purasaiwakkam

Sri Idaichuranathar(Gnanapureeswarar) Temple, Thiruvudaichuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Idaichuranathar(Gnanapureeswarar)
Amman: Sri Kovardhanambikai (Imayamadakodi)
Place: Thiruvudaichuram, Chengalpattu

The temple is praised by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar in his Thevaram hymns. This is the 27th Shiva temple in Thondainadu region praised in Thevaram hymns

Parvathi in the form of Cow identified Shiva Lingam to the Villagers:
As per the legend, Goddess Parvathi took the form of Kamadhenu (cow) and came to this village. One day villagers here saw the cow pouring its milk by its own, on an ant hill. They dissolved the ant hill to find a beautiful Shiva Lingam inside. They installed the deity in the same place and formed this temple. As the cow poured milk by itself on God, the place came to be known as Thiru Idai Churam, and Goddess is called as Govardhana Ambigai (In Sanskrit ‘Go’ means cow).

Lord Shiva served Gnanasambandar with food:
Once Gnanasambandar was walking toward Thiruporur and was resting under a tree. He was hungry when the lord came to him in the guise of a cowherd (Edayan) and offered him curd rice in a mud pot. The saint refused saying he must pray in a Shiva temple and only then have his meal. The cow herd brought him to this temple and the saint had a bath at the pond nearby and the cowherd vanished into the sanctum when the saint realised who had directed him to the temple and fed him. The name of the place was Thiru edai Churam (Shepherd who fed) which has been corrupted as Thiruvadi Soolam.

Etymology:
Lord came to the saint on his way and left on the way -Idai in Tamil. Hence, Lord is praised as Idai Suranathar. Sambandar sang Pathigam-10 verses in praise of Lord. It is also said that this place got its name as this village is surrounded by hills. In Thamizh, the place between hills is called “Churam”.
Gowthama Rishi worshipped Shiva here:
The Lord here is also said to have been worshipped by an ancient sage called Gowthama Rishi.

Ambica with back foot posture:
Lord Shiva once set out to help child saint Tirugnanasambandar who was tired then. When Ambica too joined Him, Lord asked her to be back as any child would recognize the Mother who fed it. He will easily recognize both. Lord simply wanted to go alone. As Ambica was ready to accompany the Lord, She is seen ready to go walking with Lord, it is described. Those with disfigured legs pray to Ambica.

Also 31feet Devi karumariamman and choolam and gigantic biravar statue located near this temple

Location:
Sri Idaichuranathar Temple, Thiruvudaichuram

Sri Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery

Moolavar: Sri Dhandeeswarar
Amman: Sri karunambikai
Place: Velachery, Chennai

Demon Somasura snatched the Vedas from Lord Brahmma. Lord Vishnu recovered them from the demon. As the Vedas stayed with the demon for sometime, their sanctity was lost. They performed penance on Lord Shiva to become as pure and holy as they were earlier. Lord Shiva purified the Vedas with their original glory. As Vedas worshipped here, the place was called Vedachery, which in the days that followed changed as Velachery. The scriptural name is Vedasreni.

Generally Lord Veerabadra appears in temples in a standing posture with a Danda. With all Lord Shiva attributes, Lord Veerabadra in this temple graces the devotees in a sitting form holding the traditional deer, Mazhu. He is praised as protector of women.

Saptha Kannikas the seven virgins set out to destroy a demon, killed a sage by mistake. The demon also came to know that the Kannikas would be coming to kill him. While being afflicted with the dosha of killing the sage by mistake, the Kannikas were also afraid of the demon. To protect the Kannikas, Lord Shiva deputed Veerabadra. He killed the demon and also protected the virgins. Based on this event, Lord Veerabadra is along with the Kannikas as their guardian deity.

Lord Veerabadra is in a sitting posture with His right leg folded and holding Rudraksha mala instead of a Danda and a Mazhu, something like an axe. Nandhi is on a peeta. Special abishek and aaradhanas are performed on Poornima-full moon day. As He is Guardian Deity of women, they pray to him for relief from the atrocities faced by them in society from various quarters. They offer milk abishek with betel leaves garlands. They worship Chamundi as Chelliamman. Saptha Kannika shrine is called Chelliamman Sannidhi.

Sri Nandhi appears in a polite form with his head bowing. It is also noteworthy that the Sri Chakra installed by eminent Vedic Scholar Sri Appiah Dikshithar is in the Shrine of Mother Karunambika. The rays of Sun fall on the Shivalinga on the first day of Thai month, almost on the 14th January or a day before or after in some years rarely. As Lord Shiva removed the Doshas that fell on Vedas, Lord Dakshinamurthy in the temple is revered as Yoga Dakshinamurthy. There is Nandhi on his peeta.
Lord Shiva hit Yama the Lord of Death when he tried to take off the life of His devotee Markandeya. He also dismissed him from the job. To regain the position, Yama created a spring here and worshipped Lord Shiva and at various places. Lord Shiva pardoned Yama, gave him back his danda and reinstated him in the job. Hence, Lord is praised as Dandeeswarar. People who lost their jobs pray to Lord Dandeeswarar to regain their jobs

Location:
Sri Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery

Sri Mahalingeswarar sivan temple, Thavasimadai, Dindigul

Legend:
While returning to Ayodhya with Mother Sita, on the way, Sri Rama stayed in the hermitage of Maharshi Bharadwaja and accepted his hospitality. To honour Anjaneya on the occasion, Sri Rama shared the food served to him with Anjaneya by drawing a line on the leaf. Since that moment, plantain leaves grew naturally with a partition line, according to stories linked with Ramayana. Jubilant host Bharadwaja came to this shrine to worship Lord Mahalingeswara, says the Sthala Puana – history of the place. Maharshi Bharadwaja is one of the five, who installed Mother Meenakshi in Madurai. Mother Meenakshi also bears the name Pancharaja Madhangi based on this belief. (Pancha-Five).

Miracle Based: Following Shivarathri, the rays of Sun fall on the presiding deity continuously for 30 days in the mornings and on Sri Bhairava in the evenings. While we see only one Ambica in Shiva shrines, there are two in this temple

Location:
Sri Mahalingeswarar sivan temple, Thavasimadai, Dindigul

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Perungudi

Moolavar: Sri Vedapureeswarar
Amman: Sri Balambigai
Place: Perungudi, Chennai

Vedapureeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Perungudi.

The temple is directly opposite to rajiv nagar park in Perungudi. Seperate sannidhis for anjaneyar, hayagrewar, aiyappan, kalabairavar, vishnu, siva dhurgai, guru sri dhakshinamurthi are present here

Temple Timings: Morning 6 to 11 A.M and evening 5.30 to 8.00 P.M

Location:
Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Perungudi

Sri Velvishwarar Temple, Valasaravakkam

Moolavar: Sri Velvishwarar

Amman: Sri Tripurasundari Ambal

Place: Valasaravakkam, Chennai

There are so many old Shiva temples in and around Chennai and this is one of them which is almost a 1000 years old. Every shiva temple has its own 3 special things which are the Murthy or the Idol, the thalam or the place, thirtham or the temple pond. This temple too has these elements and the lord Velvishwarar and Agasthiswarar has been worshiped by many saints and mahans of those years.

It is said that you pray to these lords here in this temple you will be ridden of any mental related ailments and stress. Also those who perform yagam or homam called Velvi in Tamil, feel that there has been some mistake in the way they had performed the velvi or if they are not satisfied, they can come here and pray to Sri Velvishwarar and all those mistakes would be forgiven and you will get satisfied results of your velvi or yagam.

The thirtham or the pond is called Sukra thirtham. It is said that the Sukra Bhagwan one of Navagrahas worshipped this lord here to get his eye sight back. He had lost it as he tried to protect Maha Bali from Mahavishnu and in the bargain lost his eye sight. He created this thirtham here and as he Shukran worshipped the lord the lord is also called as Velishwarar.

Towards the north side of this temple you can find inscriptions on the stones dating to AD 1248 inscribed by the Chola king Rajendra the third. Also incriptions have been found in the grabhagriham or sanctum of this temple

From the puliyurkotam’s perur (now porur) a place known as Kozhumadi Vakkam hailed a person named Jayamkonda Chozh Bramharayan who has donated lot of wealth for the regular puja and maintenance of this temple.. the details of which are found in the inscriptions on the walls.

During the Chola period this place was called valliserupakkam which later years has changed to the current Valasaravakkam.

When Agasthiar came to this Valliserupakkam he installed a shivalingam in this Velvishwarar temple and that lord is called Agasthishwarar.

Interesting fact is that this temple is on the middle of Vadapalani Vengeeshwarar, Poonamallee Vaithishwarar temple and porur Ramanatheeswarar.

Location:

Sri Velvishwarar Temple, Valasaravakkam

Sri Aadaleswarar Temple, Kayar, Kanchipuram

Moolavar: Sri Aadaleswarar
Amman: Sri Vedanayagi
Place: Kayar, Kanchipuram

This Temple is almost 1100 years old stone temple with a big temple tank. The main deity, lingam, has a square Aavudaiyar.

There are inscriptions belong to Adithya Chola are available in this Temple. 

It is situated in Tambaram – Thiruporur stretch

Contact: +91 92836 68486 / 94980 78413

Location:
Sri Aadaleswarar Temple, Kayar, Kanchipuram