Sri Manigandeeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Manigandeeswarar

Amman: Sri Kamakshi Ambal

The original temple may belong to the 8th to 9th Century, Pallava period and was completely reconstructed with stone during the Chozha period. The mandapa walls are built with sandstone or might have retained the Pallava structure. There is no inscription found to prove its antiquity.

As per Kanchi Purana, Lord Shiva drank the poison which came from Vasuki during the process of churning the milk ocean. Due to this Lord Shiva became in blue colour and called as Neela kaNdan or Neelamanimidatran. Devas realized that Lord Shiva drank the poison, for them, So they came to earth installed a Shiva Linga at this place, and worshiped. Hence Lord Shiva is called Manikandeeswarar. Also, Vasuki created a pond (Vasuki Theertham) and worshiped Lord Shiva with gems and diamonds.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nagars with Vinayagar, Markandeyar, Bhairavar, Padavettamman, Sundrambal, Panamanneeswarar and Kanikandeeswarar sandhi can b seen. The Dhakshinamoorthy in ghostam looks straight to the Navagraha Sannidhi here.

It is known to be a sani parihara sthalam. Daily one Kala Puja is performed.

Location: Sri Manigandeeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Sri Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar temple, Venjamamkoodalur, Karur

Moolavar: Sri Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar

Amman: Sri Pannermozhi ammai

This is the 263rd Devara Padal Petra Shiva sthalam and 5th sthalam in Kongu Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple is located at the confluence of rivers a branch river of Amaravathy joins with Amaravathy  and Kudakanaru.

Arunagirinathar also praised Lord Muruga of this Venjamangudalur temple also in his Thiruppugazh.

As per Kongu Mandala Sathakam, Sthala purana, Lord Shiva took the form of old man and pledged his sons Vinayagar and Subramaniyar to get gold from an old lady of this place. The gold thus obtained was given to saint Sundarar. 

As per the Kongu Mandala Sathagam sthalapurana the place was ruled by a Vettuva king named Venjaman, hence this place is called as Venjamangudalur.

Apart from regular poojas, 10 days Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month Masi, Margazhi thiruvathirai, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Karthigai Deepam and Mahashivaratri are celebrated in a grand manner.

Location: Sri Kalyana Vikirtheeswarar temple, Venjamamkoodalur, Karur

Sri Anantheeswarar Temple, Meyyur Village, Madhurandhagam, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Anantheeswarar

Amman: Sri Anantha Nayagi Ambal

A beautiful 1500 years old temple which apparently was dilapidated and has been renovated to its current status. 

The history has that Sri Patanjali Maharishi intends to set up Bana Lingam in Chidambaram temple, so he took Bana Linga from Kashi and was travelling towards Chidambaram Temple. While on the way he stayed at the southern bank of Palar River to take rest. During that time Adiseshan and other Snakes worshipped the Bana Linga and requested Patanjali Maharishi to consecrate the Lingam in this place. Adisesan also requested sage to name the  Lingam as Anantheeswarar as Ananthan  was the name of the sage in his previous birth.

It is said to be a rahi ketu parihara sthalam. And you can still see all old granite pillars lying around Swamy is facing west and west facing shiva temple is considered  very auspicious and very few temples you will see which faces west. Ambal Ananthanayagi is facing south. The outer praharam has Sri Ananthavinayagar, Sri Anatha Subramanian, Nalvar, Byravar and Navagraha Sannidhi.

Contact:  Daily one kala puja happens and the temple is maintained by one Sri Prabhakaran and can be reached at 9042594620

Location: Sri Anantheeswarar Temple, Meyyur Village, Madhurandhagam, Kanchipuram

Sri Vedaleeswarar Temple, Siruvedal, Kanchipuram

 

A very old sivalingam abandoned in middle of a farm land. The shivalingam is easily over 1000 years old and the Padma peetam Avudayar really shows the antiquity of this sivalingam.

The village is on the Kanchipuram highway after Sriperambathur. Nobody knows if any temple was in existence before. A very old Pillayar Vigram can be seen half buried next to the Sivalingam.

There is need to erect a shed or smaller temple around this swamy. 

Contact: The person Amudan who stays closer to the temple can be reached on 9841913932

Location: Sri Vedaleeswarar Temple, Siruvedal, Kanchipuram

Sri Amareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Amareswarar

Amman: Sri Abhirama Sundari Ambal

A 1200 years plus  old temple belonging to the Pallava period is Sri Amareswarar Temple and  one of the lesser-known Pallava period temples of Kanchipuram. Records has it that this temple was built during 8th Century by Pallava King Narasimha Varma-II ( 700 – 729 CE ) popularly known as Rajasimha. The temple was built with brick and pillars & sculptures are with sand stone. As per Alexander Rea, who documented this Pallava period Shiva temple during 1909, this temple had the sculptures of Oorthuva thandava Murthy, Ravana Anugraha murthy, Gangadhara murthy, Mahishasura Mardini panels. Now there is no trace of these sculptures and were  damaged completely in the name of renovation.  Lord Shiva of this temple was also called as Tripurantaka Eswarar and why it was called is not known.

As per the Sthalapurana, with the help of Ambal the Devas / Amaras  defeated Asuras. This made them to think that they are superior and become arrogant. To teach a lession Lord Shiva installed a very small  straw  and asked Devas to destroy it. No body could succeed. Devas prayed to Ambal to give a solution for this. In turn Ambal  told that all powers and actions are vested with Lord Shiva. So she asked the Devas to go to Kanchipuram and worship Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Amareswarar.

Some salient features of this temple are - Stucco images of Shiva and Murugan  and a Maharishi in sitting Posture are on the Rajagopuram. Also Ambal is in standing on the right and  Indra is standing on the left. Balipedam and Nandhi with mandapam are immediately after the entrance arch. Moolavar is of Dhara Linga with 16 flat surfaces. Ambal Abirama Sundari is in a separate sannadhi. Somaskandar bas-relief is on the back side wall of moolavar. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha  Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. These Koshta murtis are made of sand stone and different from the regular features, which only be seen in this temple.

Contact: The temple Kurukal Rakshit Ganesh can be reached on 9791606181

Location: Sri Amareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram