Trip to Chidambaram <=> Kumbakonam

On a Friday late night, I started my trip to visit Shiva temples in Chidambaram and its surrounding areas. Got a perfect route plan from one of my colleague and started from my place.

I got a bus from Chennai to Chidambaram at Perungalathur at 11.30 PM. I hope the bus drove so quick and it reached Chidambaram at 3.30 AM itself.

Had a strong tea in a nearby tea shop and then started to get ready. A Pay & Use restroom was there.  They charged me 20 Rs. They had a small pool at the terrace and I felt so cool to bath there.After the shower, I went to the temple entrance at 4:30 AM itself. Waiting .. Waiting .. Waiting, finally the dharsan was opened at 6 AM sharp.

At 4 AM - Chidambaram Temple

1) Thillai Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram (Devara Shivalayam No.5)

Thiruchitrambalam!! Thiruchitrambalam!! Thiruchitrambalam refers to Thillai Natarajar only. Chidamabaram is referred to as the first shivalayam for Saivites. Shiva will be in a dancing form in this temple. This temples was maintained by Deekshidhars (Not owned by Govt. of Tamilnadu ). Govindaraja Perumal temple is near to Thillai Natarajar Shrine.

Main Entrance Raja Gopuram at Chidambaram

Bharathanatiyam peoples are awaiting for their practices

Kanagasabi where Thillai Natarajar Resides

South Raja Gopuram - Thillai

West Raja Gopuram.

Ambal Sanathi in Chidambaram

Temple pond along with North Raja Gopuram and Ambal Sanathi

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 After visiting Natarajar Temple, I gradually walked to Thillai Kali temple which is also so famous in Chidambaram.

Thillai Kali temple - Chidambaram.

More details at : http://temple.dinamalar.com/New.php?id=492

2) Arulmigu Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi (Devara Shivalayam No.6)

After having a good breakfast at Chidambaram, I started to Sirkazhi. It was about 20 minutes travel from Chidambaram. Temple was situated on the roads and was quite easy to identify.

A view of Amman Shrine and South Raja Gopuram - Sirkazhi

Few facts about the temple:

• When a big flood calamity destroy the world, Lord Shiva clothed with 64 arts, using a boat of Ohm Moola Mantra and traveled on the flood waters with Mother Uma.  He saw this place-Sirkali unaffected by the floods.  He chose this place and stayed with the name Thoni Appar(God with the boat).  Mother took the name Tiru Nilai Nayaki. 

Gopuram Kalasam and you can touch the one of the kasalam in Sirkazhi.

Sirkazhli temple - Raja Gopuram View from outside.

• Lord Vishnu had to face adverse dosha for punishing Emperor Mahabali.  To prove that Shiva and Vishnu are not different but one, Shiva wore the skin of Vishnu as a shirt.  Mother Mahalakshmi misunderstood this as Shiva had destroyed Vishnu and stopped wearing flowers in Her head.  As a custom in the temple, women coming to this shrine avoid wearing flowers in their heads.  Men should come to the shrine without shirts.  As Lord Shiva is the supreme head of all Laws-Sattam in Tamil, He is praised as Satta Nathar.  Hence, people involved in litigation seek His blessing to win their cases. 
• Thirugnanasamandhar has a seperate mandapa here. 

Note: Men's don't wear shirts and Women's don't keep flowers in their head while entering the temple.

More details: http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=495

3) Sri Vaidyanathar temple,Vaitheeswarankovil (Devara Shivalayam No.7)

From Sirkazhli, I prepared myself for the next destination Vaitheeshwaran kovil. Its about 8kms from Sirkazhli. As soon as I get down, there are peoples requesting me to buy salt, pepper to put in pond, some persons are insisting me to see Nadi Joshiyum. By the way Vaitheeswaran kovil is very famous for their Nadi Joshiyum and peoples who are ill will come to this sthalam, because shiva is considered here as the "God of Healing".

Note:* Dont buy this pepper and salt as they have prohibited it when I went there (atleast confirm it before buying).
 
 The temple is vast with several mandapams and gopurams.The five towers – Gopurams of the temple are on a straight line.

Side Gopuram View - Vaitheeshwaran Kovil

Utsava Oorvalam - Vaitheeswaran Kovil

Vaidyanathaswamy and ThaiyalNayaki are the presiding deities of this temple. The Selvamuthukkumaraswamy shrine here is also considered to be of importance. There are Shivalingams said to have been worshipped by Rama, Jatayu, Skanda, Surya and Angaraka.

Angaaraka: The Angaaraka shrine here is also of great significance and is indeed unique to this temple.It is the temple for this planet (Angaraka). Navagrahas are in the straight line as if in Tiruvarur.

The temple ash(vibhudi) is so sacred and it has the ability to cure any disease. Archanai is done with vilvam leaves mostly. The vibudhi and the vilavam leaves are given as prashadam.

When I went, there was Utsavam and I could see temple utsava murthi's oorvalam.

 More details at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaitheeswaran_Koil


4) Arulmigu Mahalinga Swamy Temple, Thiruvidaimaruthur (Devara Shivalayam No.8)

Its almost afternoon, when I come out of Vaitheeswaran Kovil. All temples will be closed between 12:30 - 4 PM. So, I have to wait till 4 PM for visiting the next temple. My next destination was Thiruvidaimaruthur temple, which is on the way to Kumbakonam.

I took a bus to Mayiladurai, finished my lunch in a decent hotel and sat(slept) in the bus stand itself till 3 PM. Then I took a kumbakonam bus to get down in Thiruvidaimaruthur. Due to my tiredness, I slept till kumbakonam. Again took a bus from kumbakonam to Thiruvidaimaruthur.

Sri Mahalingaswamy temple - Thiruvidaimaruthur

Veli Veedhi - Thiruvidaimaruthur

Veli Veedhi - Thiruvidaimaruthur

Front Gopuram- Thiruvidaimaruthur

Mahalingaswamy, Thiruvidaimaruthur - One of my favorite temple.

The is proverb in tamil like "Thiruvarur Ther Alagu, Thiruvidaimaruthur Veedhi Alagu".  Yes, veedhi is nothing but the praharam (path rounding the temple). There are seven paths in the temple.

There is a temple pond outside filled with lot of biting fishes.Once you step your legs in you will feel the bite in a while. There was a big Nandhi bhagavan at the entrance and there were wall paintings showing the greatness about this sthalam.

Shiva linga was really big in this temple and this lingam was praised by Ganapathi, various Devarkals and infact by Shiva itself. Thus the name Mahalinga Swamy.

Peoples affected by Bramahathi dosam will come here for nivarthi. The Shiva lingam will steal your heart like anything. Try to visit by 4 PM, so that you can see latchadeepam shown to Mahalingaswamy.

Shakthi is named as Gnanaprasurambikai and there is Mookagambikai Shrine at the entrance of Sakthi Gopuram.

Peoples who are mentally retarded are bought here to get his blessings and get cured.

Very important Note: If you enter into the temple, via shiva gopuram vasal, you should NOT come back via same entrance. You have to come via Ambal entrance.
It is believed that Bramahathi(a evil) that catches you will get relieved when you enter the temple and it waits at the entrance for you to return back. If you come back via same entrance it will catch you again. so use the other way.

* There is a idly shop near the temple, where they serve hot idlies. Trust me, you can eat stomach full of idlies for just 20rs. They are very much tastier, don't miss it.

* Also, there are movie shootings going in this temple side pragaram.

More details : http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=396

5) Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam (Devara Shivalayam No.9)

Finally, I reached Kumbakonam and took a mini bus to Adhi kumbeshwarar temple.  

During the pralaya floods, Lord Shiva placed all ‘creation materials’ in a Kumba (pot like thing) and saved them, hence Lord is praised as Kumbeswarar.  

Shiva lingam  will look like a kumbha sealed with a cap at the top. The Pottramarai kulam (small pond) is in front of the temple. Those visiting the temple during the Mahamagam festival (famous festival celebrated once in 12 years as the Kumbh Mela in North) take bath in this pond.

There is a Nadaswaram made of stone and a lion carrying some stones on head in the front hall of the temple stands as an example of the Tamil sculpture art.

Adi Kumbeshwarar Raja Gopuram at Night - Kumbhakonam

More details : http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=591

By this visit, I have completed visiting 9/274 Shivalayas.