Pallavaram

Pozhichalur Sri Agatheeswarar

It has an ancient Shiva temple belonging to Chozha period. The main deity here is Sri Agatheeswarar and Goddess Sri Aanandhavalli. This beautiful temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) dedicated to Lord Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan. Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. As Sri Saneeswara had been giving ill effects to people, he had gained Dhosham out of it. Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan, wanting to be relieved of his dhoshams, prayed Lord Shiva for help, worshipped Lord Shiva here and got relieved of his problems. Hence, Sri Sani Bhagavan here is believed to be Mangala Saneeswarar with no dhoshams or ill effects. People having problems because of Sani (Saturn), worship here to reduce the ill effects. This place is also called ‘Vada Thirunallaaru’. Sri Sani Bhagavan is facing west towards the main deity in the sanctum. This temple is also a Parihaara Sthalam for Raahu and Kethu.

Kunrathur Sri Naageswarar

Kunrathur has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva which is over 800 years old. The main deity is Sri Naageswarar and Goddess Sri Kamakshi. This temple was built by the famous poet Sri Sekkizhaar who wrote the popular ‘Periya Puranam’. Sekkizhaar was born in Kunrathur itself. Sekkizhaar built a temple for Lord Shiva at Kunrathur which is very similar to the Thirunaageswaram temple. He installed the deity (Shiva Lingam) with Naagaabaranam (snake as an ornament) around the Shiva Lingam and named the Lord as Sri Naageswarar. This temple is also popularly called as Vada Thirunaageswaram.

Kundrathur Murugan Temple

Lord Subramaniar is in a sitting posture along with 2 Goddesses by his side. As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Subramaniar stayed in the hill during his travel from Tiruporur to Truttanigai. This place is also known as South Thanigai since Lord Subramaniar is sitting in the direction of north, facing Thanigai. This is the only Murugan temple in Tamil Nadu where the God is sitting in the north facing direction. This temple was constructed by King Kulothunga Chola - II. The speciality of this temple is that Lord Subramaniar can be seen only with one Goddess at a time even though he is there along with both the Goddesses. The God cannot be seen with both the Goddess at the same time. If the God is viewed from one side he can be seen along with Goddess Valli and viewed from the other side, he can be seen along with Goddess Deivanai.

Airport Sandhi Amman Temple

Lord Sandhi Amman is a very powerful goddess and this is one among the ancient temple which is located inside Tirusulam Airport. Pray HER sincerely and SHE will bless and grant your request.

Tirusulam Siva Temple

This temple is said to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga Chozha, about 1000 years ago. Very beautiful temple. We went around 07.30 a.m. as usual, except archagar nobody was around.

Outside the temple praharam, you can find Simhugnar (photo attached) which is very rare. Even though archagar told me it is Sarabeswarar, to my knowledge it is Simhugnar only and I don’t want to disappoint him.

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.

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

Lord Ganapathi is seen as ‘Naaga Yagnopaveetha Ganapathi’, as he is wearing the Naagam (snake) as his sacred thread.

Sri Durga instead of standing on her legs rested on Demon king Mahishasura, standing on Lotus, which is very rare.

Tiruvazhuvur

Thiruvazhuvur

Gaja Samhara Murthy. In one snap, Lord Muruga showing his finger towards Shiva and telling Lord parvathy that his father is coming out of elephant’s stomach

                                                                                             

Mayavaram-Atta Veeratanam

Thiruparialur

This is a place where Lord Shiva destroyed Daksha and his Yagna. He is known as Daksha Samhara Moorthy. The processional deity (Utsava Moorthy) is a bronze idol of Daksha Samhara Moorthy, depicted as having Dakshan under the lord's feet. You can see the anger in Lord Shiva’s face.

Thirukurukai

Lord Shiva destroyed Manmadhan. The place where Lord Shiva destroyed Manmadhan is called “Vibudhi Kutai” and it is 200 metres from the temple. Wherever you dig, the sand will be like Vibuthi.

Thirukandiyur or Kandiyur

is the site where Shiva curbed the ego of Brahma by cutting off his fifth head. It is believed that, at the beginning of creation, Brahma had 5 heads, and as he created one form of life after another, his ego grew, until he felt that he was the greatest of the gods. Shiva decided to teach him a lesson, and cut off Brahma?s fifth head, which stood on top of the other four. Brahma at once realized his error, and prayed to Shiva, asking for forgiveness. You can see very beautiful sculpture of Brahmasira Kandeeswarar in Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple.

Thiruvirkudi

Jalandran was a demon king who became very strong, and captured all the 3 worlds. He wished to destroy the gods too, and advanced towards Shiva. Shiva destroyed Jalandran with a chakra (Discus) which he later gave to Vishnu. It is believed that Thiruvirkudi is the holy place where this took place, and it is here that Shiva is worshipped as Jalandran Samhara Moorthy. The bronze statue depicting the lord has him in a standing posture, holding a discus in his hand. The main deity in the temple does not have a separate name, and is simply called Veerattaneswarar.

ThiruMeeyachur

This temple is located in Thiruvarur District Nannilam circle ,one and half kilometres west of Peralam village.The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Meghanatha. Rajendra Chola and Sembian Maadevi are said to have renovated this ancient temple. The consort of Lord Meghanatha is Goddess Lalitambika. Her shrine on the right has got a 5-tiered Rajagopuram. The imposing five feet idol of Sri Lalitambika is installed over Sri Chakra in the sanctum sanctorum. The deity is seated resting her folded right leg on the seat. Her left leg is in Sukhasana posture. She is said to be in Manonmani Swaroopa and hence is also known as Santanayaki.            

                                                                                 

This temple is located in at Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur road. From there we have to go to Peralam and then turn to Thiruvarur salai and travel, then will have to reach Kambur road railway gate, from there 2K.M we can arrive at ThiruMeeyachur.

Tanjore              

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian art and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, an UNESCO World Heritage Monument are located in an around Thanjavur. The foremost among the Great Living Chola temples, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the center of the town. Thanjavur is also the home of the Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The town is an important agricultural center located at the heart of the region, known as the "rice bowl of Tamil Nadu". South Zone Culture Centre in Thanjavur is one of many regional cultural centres established by Indian Government to preserve and promote traditional cultural heritage of India.

This temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites. The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The 'Vimana' - or the temple tower - is 216 ft (66 m) high [4][5] and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kalash or 'Chikharam' (apex or the bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is not carved out of a single stone as is widely believed. There is a big statue of Nandi (sacred bull), carved out of a single rock, at the entrance measuring about 16 feet long and 13 feet high[6]. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones, a material sparsely available currently in Thanjavur area where the temple is located.

                                               

Pradoksham trip

 

Visited the following temples

1. Tirukachur

2. Thiru idai chooram

3. Sembakkam Jambukeswarar

4. Sembakkam Guru

Tirukachur - ancient

Ø Tambaram GST road. Near Maramailnagar station (before ford   factory starting), a U turn is there. Take that. MMnagar level crossing will come. Take that road, proceed straight. After 4-5 kms, you will see the temple on the right hand side

Ø The Shiva temple here is is a Thevara Padal petra Sthalam, famous for Girivalam.

Ø Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Siva in the form of a turtle.

Ø Sundaramurthy Naayanaar when he reached Tirukaachur, got very tired and was hungry. He sat down. At that time, Lord Siva appeared as a brahmin and went to the village asking everyone for biksha. After that, he gave that food to Sundaramurthy Naayanaar.

Ø These temples were built by Kulothunga chozhan I. During those days, there was no concept of Rajagopuram. The concept of Rajagopuram was introduced by Rajaraja Chozhan’ According to mythology, if you worship here, you will be cured of all ailments(if any).

Thiru Idai Churam

Ø Come again to the main road from Tirukachur, proceed straight to Chingleput. Take Chingleput – Tirukazhikundram road, proceed for some time, then take a left turn and ask for Chingleput – Tiruporur road.

Ø We can enjoy the journey, since except road, both side it was nice forest

Ø Devara padal petra sthalam

Ø The village is in a beautiful location between two hills and so the name Idai-churam (churam meaning a place of hills and forests)

Ø Very big Swayambu Maragatha linga known as Idaichuranathar. You can see the reflection of Arathi. But Gurukal Sankar (Mobile no. 09788705873) said, we can see it crystal clearly the green colour when we perform Honey Abhishegam. Asked us to come on another day, since it was Pradhoksham, the temple was slightly crowded.

Ø Goddess Parvathi came here as Kamadhenu (cow) with her brother Lord Vishnu and poured milk on the Shivalingam made of Maragatha stone to do the Shiva worship.

Sembakkam Jambukeswarar – ancient

Ø Built by chola kings during 8 / 9th century

Ø From T I C, take left, proceed again in Chingleput – Tiruporur road. Approx after 8 kms we will find this temple.

Ø Even though it was only 6.30 p.m. it was completely dark. Very poor road, with no street lights

Ø The temple is called Vada Thiruvanaika, since the Lord here is present as Jala Swayambu (Swayambu – being present on its own; Jala – water) in the name of Jumbukeswarar

Ø When Chola King Kochengannan was due for birth, an astrologer informed that if the baby is born late a by few hours, it would rein the whole world. So the mother deliberately delayed the delivery by keeping her legs raised up but died after delivering the baby. Due to this strenuous exercise, the baby was born with red eyes and so was called Chengannan (Chengan means red eyes. Probably slolwly Chengannan might have rechristened as Sembakkam town). Realizing his nature of birth, he became a natural Shiva devotee and later when he was childless, he prayed to Lord Shiva and He told him to make a sacred shivalingam and take it in a ratham (temple car) throughout his regime and wherever the axle of the ratham breaks, install the lingam there and worship to get the boon of a child. So the King did the same and when he neared this place, he became highly excited spiritually and the axle of the ratham broke while crossing the water ditch here. He heard the sacred voice to install the lingam here and thus the King built this temple using mud (bricks) and was blessed with a baby.

Sembakkam Guru

Before proceeding to Jambukeswarar temple itself, we can see this temple in the main road. Construction is under process. Very big and beautiful Guru

We can return to Tambaram via Guduvanchery or proceed to Tiruporur, catch the Kelambakkam road, return to Chennai.

Om Namasivaya

Bairavar Manifestations

Bhairava

("Terrible" or "Frightful"), sometimes known as Bhairo or Bhairon or Bhairadya, is the fierce manifestation of Shiva associated with annihilation.He is one of the most important deities of Nepal, sacred to Hindus alike.

He is depicted ornamented with a range of twisted serpents, which serve as earrings, bracelets, anklets, and sacred thread (yajnopavita). He wears a tiger skin and a ritual apron composed of human bones. Bhairava has a dog as his divine vahana (vehicle).

Bhairava himself has eight manifestations: Kala Bhairava, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Ruru Bhairava, Krodha Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Rudra Bhirava and Unmatta Bhairava. Kala Bhairava is conceptualized as the Guru of the planetary deity Saturn. Bhairava is known as Vairavar in Tamil where he is often presented as a Grama Devata or folk deity who safeguards the devotee on all eight directions (ettu tikku). Known in Sinhalese as Bahirawa, he protects treasures. Lord Bhairava is the main deity worshipped by the cannibalistic Aghora sect.

The origin of Bhairava can be traced to the conversation between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu recounted in "Shiv Maha-Purana" where Lord Vishnu asks Lord Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Arrogantly, Brahma tells Vishnu to worship him because he (Brahma) is the supreme creator. This angered Shiva who in reality is the creator of all. Shiva then incarnated in the form of Bhairava to punish Brahma. Bhairava beheaded one of Brahma's five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. When depicted as Kala Bhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the amputated head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma's fifth head made him guilty of having slain brahma, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years until he had been absolved of the sin.

Another story of the origin of Bhairava is the tale of Sati, wife of Shiva. Sati, the daughter of the king of gods, Daksha, had chosen to marry Shiva. Her father disapproved the alliance because he perceived Shiva as an ascetic associated with a frugal lifestyle, forest animals and ghosts. Eventually, Daksha held a yagna (a ritualistic sacrifice) and invited all the gods, but not Sati and Shiva. Sati came to the yagna alone, where Daksha publicly spoke in a belittling manner about Shiva. Sati could not bear to hear her husband insulted and offered herself to the sacrificial pyre.

When Shiva learned of this, he destroyed the yagna and killed Daksha by beheading him. Shiva carried Sati's corpse on his shoulders and ran uncontrollably all around the world for days. Since this would eventually destroy all creation, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra (divine discus) to cut Sati's body into pieces, which then fell all around. These spots where Sati's body parts fell are now known as Shakti Peethas. In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shaktipeeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava.

Image1:  Swarnakarshna Bairavar - Danvantri  Temple                                 
Image2:  Swarnakarshna Bairavar
Image3:  Kasi Kala Bairavar
Image4:  Sri Kala Bairavar
Image5:  Bairavar - Tiruvallam

Image6:  Bairavar - Irudayaleeswarar Temple, Tiruninravur

Image7:  Bairavar - Tirupachur

Image8:  Sri Chadurkala Bairavar

Image9:  Chakra Bairavar - Tiruvanamalai

Image10: Bairavar - Marundeeswarar Temple

Image11: Sri Yoga Bairavar - Tiruputhur  

Image12: Yoga Bairavar - Perur

Image13: Bairavar - Somangalam

Image14: Bairavar - Kuberan Temple