Abhi Mukheswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, the Mahamaham tank and the nava-kannikas… Read More Abhi Mukheswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Tag: Sani
Bhairaveswarar, Cholapuram, Thanjavur
This Chola temple is regarded as the moola Sthanam or birthplace for all 64 Bhairavars. Unlike most other Siva temples, there are 11 koshtams (niches) around the walls of the sanctum, each with its own architectural marvels and sculptures. But how is this temple connected to Ravana’s slaying by Rama, in the Ramayanam?… Read More Bhairaveswarar, Cholapuram, Thanjavur
Agasteeswarar, Tirukodiyalur, Tiruvarur
After the Tirumeyachur temple, this is possibly the most popular temple in the region, as it is regarded as the birthplace of both Sani and Yama. Worshipping here is considered as good as, or better than, worshipping at any other Sani sthalam, including Tirunallaru. But both Sani and Yama are worshipped here as benevolent deities (anugraha murtis). How and why is this so?… Read More Agasteeswarar, Tirukodiyalur, Tiruvarur
Sakalabuvaneswarar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Basic information about the temple Moolavar: Sakalabuvaneswarar Ambal / Thayar: Minnum Mekalambikai Deity: Siva Historical name: Tirumeeyachchur Ilamkovil Vriksham: Vilvam Teertham: Surya Pushkarini Agamam: Age (years): Timing: 7 to 12.30 & 4.30 to 8.30 Parikaram: Temple group: Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai) – Sung by: , Appar Temple set: Navagraham: Nakshatram: City / town:… Read More Sakalabuvaneswarar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Punugeswarar, Koranad, Mayiladuthurai
This is one of the 7 temples that comprise the Mayiladuthurai Sapta Sthanam set of temples. The sthala puranam here concerns a civet (punugu or musk) cat which worshipped Siva here, and was blessed by the Lord. The temple is also seems to share a connection with the nearby Moovalur temple, with Brahma and Vishnu worshipping Siva. But why is this place called Koranad, and how is it connected to Nesa Nayanar?… Read More Punugeswarar, Koranad, Mayiladuthurai
Sumukha – 25 thoughts on Vinayakar
Exploring with 25 concepts on Vinayakar, , covering Vinayakar lore, Origins, Iconography, the world of celestials, Vinayakar worship, and interesting stories & representations of Vinayakar in temples in Tamil Nadu… Read More Sumukha – 25 thoughts on Vinayakar
Sukshma Pureeswarar, Cherugudi, Tiruvarur
Where Siva revealed to the world, the secret to a happy marriage! … Read More Sukshma Pureeswarar, Cherugudi, Tiruvarur
Patanjaleeswarar, Kanattampuliyur, Cuddalore
Paadal Petra Sthalam where sage Patanjali worshipped Siva and was able to witness the Lord’s cosmic dance – the Ananda Tandavam – again!… Read More Patanjaleeswarar, Kanattampuliyur, Cuddalore
Jambukaranyeswarar, Koonthalur, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam and Tiruppugazh sthalam, this temple is equally famous for Murugan imparting wisdom, and has an interesting sthala puranam concerning Sage Romaharshana… Read More Jambukaranyeswarar, Koonthalur, Thanjavur
Viswanathar / Suryan, Suryanar Koil, Thanjavur
Chief amongst the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples, this is also a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, and is closely connected to the Tirumangalakudi Prananatheswarar temple… Read More Viswanathar / Suryan, Suryanar Koil, Thanjavur
Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvarur
Regarded as being over 5000 years old, this temple is one of the Kanjanoor Sapta Sthanam temples, and is associated with Parvati marrying Siva on earth as well as Appayya Dikshitar… Read More Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvarur
Agneeswarar, Tirukollikadu, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam, where Saneeswaran (Sani) gets pride of place despite this being a Siva temple. Sani here is worshipped as Pongu Sani, and is said to bless devotees with prosperity… Read More Agneeswarar, Tirukollikadu, Tiruvarur
Kayarohaneswarar, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple said to have been originally established by the Lakulisa Pasupatas, and connected with Adipaththa Nayanar, where Sage Pundareeka ascended to Kailasam with his mortal body… Read More Kayarohaneswarar, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam
Nageswaramudayar, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Regarded as the original Rahu temple, this temple is famous for its Rahukala puja… Read More Nageswaramudayar, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Vellaidainatha Swami, Tirukurukavur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam with several puranams, including Vishnu taking the form of Rishabham (a white bull), after whom Siva is named and worshipped here… Read More Vellaidainatha Swami, Tirukurukavur, Nagapattinam
Tirukoteeswarar, Tirukodikkaa, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam that rids devotees of the fear of death, and where Amman appeared as Vishnu !… Read More Tirukoteeswarar, Tirukodikkaa, Thanjavur
Nellivananathar, Tirunellikkaa, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva blessed sage Durvasa to overcome his anger… Read More Nellivananathar, Tirunellikkaa, Tiruvarur
Agneeswarar, Tirupugalur, Nagapattinam
Two Paadal Petra Sthalams in a single temple, and mukti sthalam of Appar (Tirunavukkararasar)… Read More Agneeswarar, Tirupugalur, Nagapattinam
Kutram Poruttha Naathar, Thalaignaayiru, Nagapattinam
This puranam of this Kulothunga Chola III era temple is closely linked to that of the nearby Kundala Karneswarar temple, and also a Ramayanam connection. As it is at Sirkazhi, there is a separate shrine for Siva as Sattanathar here. Siva here is believed to have forgiven Indra, but what bad deed (kutram / aparatham) did Hanuman commit, for him to be forgiven here by Aparatha-Kshameswarar? … Read More Kutram Poruttha Naathar, Thalaignaayiru, Nagapattinam
Neelakanteswarar, Iluppaipattu, Nagapattinam
When Siva consumed the deadly halahala poison which emerged from the churning of the ocean, Parvati stopped the poison from doing further harm by holding Siva’s neck, which turned the Lord’s neck blue. For this reason, the temple is a prarthana sthalam for women worshipping for longevity of their husbands. This also gives both Siva and Parvati their names here. But why are there 4 more Siva Lingams here, and what is the Mahabharatam connection with the 2 Vinayakars, at this temple? … Read More Neelakanteswarar, Iluppaipattu, Nagapattinam
Manikka Vannar, Tiruvalaputhur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra sthalam connected with the churning of the ocean and also Arjuna from Mahabharatam… Read More Manikka Vannar, Tiruvalaputhur, Nagapattinam
Kundala Karneswarar, Tirukurakkaa, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of five Pancha-Ka kshetrams, Anjaneyar has worshipped Lord Siva here.… Read More Kundala Karneswarar, Tirukurakkaa, Nagapattinam
Shikanathar, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai
A fascinating Pallava temple in the Chola heartland, with extremely intricate architecture throughout the temple. The complex also houses a separate cave temple for Lord Siva, and a huge inscription on classical music.… Read More Shikanathar, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai
Veeratteswarar, Vazhuvur, Mayiladuthurai
Tevaram Vaippu sthalam and Ashta Veerattanam temple associated with Gajasamharamurti slaying a rogue elephant… Read More Veeratteswarar, Vazhuvur, Mayiladuthurai
Madhuvaneswarar, Nannilam, Tiruvarur
Maadakoil built by Kochchenga Cholan, and where Siva protected the devas by changing them into bees… Read More Madhuvaneswarar, Nannilam, Tiruvarur
Meghanathar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Birthplace of the Lalita Sahasranamam, and Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva pacified Parvati
… Read More Meghanathar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Umamaheswarar, Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai
A Paadal Petra Sthalam near Kumbakonam, famous for the massive idol of Lord Nataraja
… Read More Umamaheswarar, Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai
Thoovai Nathar, Tiruvarur, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva protected the world and the celestials from the pralayam (great deluge), and one of the earliest examples of sand/mud temples in the evolution of of temple construction… Read More Thoovai Nathar, Tiruvarur, Tiruvarur
Saranatha Perumal, Tirucherai, Thanjavur
This Divya Desam temple and Vaishnava Navagraha Sthalam (for Sani’s son Mandi) near Kumbakonam, is connected with the Story of how Kumbakonam came into existence. The temple is also known as the pancha sara kshetram, as it covers 5 essences (or Sarams) at one go. The Kaveri river was upset at not being regarded as the holiest of rivers, and so performed penance upon Vishnu, who granted her three wishes. What unique iconographic representation is there at this temple, as a result of this event?… Read More Saranatha Perumal, Tirucherai, Thanjavur
Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvallur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Pancha Sabhai temple in Tiruvallur district near Chennai, associated with Karaikal Ammaiyar… Read More Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvallur
Rudraksheswarar, Thepperumanallur, Thanjavur
Sivan temple with a story of how Sani tried to stop Siva himself… Read More Rudraksheswarar, Thepperumanallur, Thanjavur
Mayakoothar, Perunkulam, Tirunelveli
One of the nine Nava Tirupati temples and a Divya Desam associated with Sani, located near Tirunelveli… Read More Mayakoothar, Perunkulam, Tirunelveli
Kailasanathar, Srivaikundam, Tirunelveli
Nava Kailasam temple located on the banks of the Tambraparani river, and a Sani sthalam… Read More Kailasanathar, Srivaikundam, Tirunelveli
Darbaranyeswarar, Tirunallar, Karaikal
A Paadal Petra Siva Sthalam and a Sapta Vitanga Sthalam, but more famous and popular as the Sani-dosha parikara sthalam, which is ever-crowded on Saturdays
… Read More Darbaranyeswarar, Tirunallar, Karaikal
Avinashiappar, Avinashi, Tiruppur
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with Sundarar’s bringing a dead child back to life… Read More Avinashiappar, Avinashi, Tiruppur
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