Bakthi-Margam Tamil Nadu Temples

1. Bakthi-MargamTamil Nadu Temples Devotional Tour Country: India State : Tamilnadu City: Kancheepuram – Temples Padal Petra: Shiva temples 9

2. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour – Day 1

3. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour- Day1 Stay at Kancheepuram Hotel: Day 2 Night

4. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Overall Tour Map: 105 KMs - Day1

5. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour: Sri Sathynathaswamy Temple : Day 1 • Sathyanatheswarar Temple (also called Karaivananathar Temple or Thirukalimedu temple) dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Thirukalimedu , near Indira TheerthamKanchipuram. • The temple covers an area of 22,500 square feet • Shiva is worshipped as Sathyanatheswarar and his consort Parvathi as PramarambikaiSathyanatheswarar (Shiva) in the form of lingam made of granite and is believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self manifested). •  As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples •  Chandra (moon) was under the tutelage of Guru (Jupiter). He wanted to marry Guru's wife, Dhara and did a yagna seeking the boon from Vishnu. Guru attended the function with Dhara, when she was allured by Chandra.  • Budha was born to Chandra and Dhara. When Budha became an youngster, he came to know about his birth, felt ashamed and started doing a penance praying to Shiva to include him as one of the Navagrahas at this place. • Shiva was pleased by his devotion and appeared as Sathyanatheswarar to offer him the boon Kancheepuram Bus stand to Sri Sathynathaswamy Temple Kancheepuram Bustand to Temple , 2KM 10 Mins by car

6. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour: 2. ThiruMakaraleswarar Temple Day 1 • Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple (also called Thirumagaral Temple and ThirumakaralEaswarar Temple) dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of MagaralKanchipuram. • The temple is spread over 2 acres. The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. There are several inscriptions from the period of KulothungaChola I (reigned 1070–1120), SundaraPandiyan and VicayakantaKopaletevar, indicating generous gifts to the temple • Shiva is worshipped as Thirumakaraleeswarar, and is represented by the  lingam - and is believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self manifested). • There is a separate shrine for Balambigai to the right of Thirumakaraleeswarar's sanctum • Legend behind this place : Indira presented white elephant as wedding gift to Lord Muruga and Deivanai. He placed the couple on the elephant and enjoyed the procession. When lord Vishnu have darshan of his nephew, he grated it at this place – goes a story • Shiva played a game with a king Rajendra chola : A special jack tree yielding one fruit per day (that was being offered as nivedhana as to lord Chidambaram) was burnt b a boy (Shiva) and disappeared as chameleon and hid into an anthill when the king tried to catch it. • A voice sounded and ordered the king to construct a temple for shiva when he tried to destroy the anthill. Sri Sathynathaswamy Temple to ThiruMakaraleswarar Temple 15 kms from previous point, 30 mins drive

7. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 3 ThiruValeeswarar Temple Day 1 • Valeeswarar Temple at ThiruKuranguanilMuttamdedicated to Shiva, located in  Kanchipuram. • The temple is situated on the southern bank of Palaru river and it is believed to have been built by Pallava King MahendraVerman in 637 CE • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). • This is a west-facing temple with two corridors and no main tower (Rajagopuram). • The legend is that once Vali (the monkey king of Kishkindha), Indhran (the king of the celestial gods) and Yama (the lord of death) were cursed by sages for their wrong doings and were made to take the forms of a monkey, a squirrel and a crow respectively • They went to Mount Kailash and prayed to Lord Shiva to seek his blessings and to request Lord Shiva to restore them to their original forms. Lord Shiva directed them to visit this place (KuranganilMuttam) and offer their prayers. When they came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva, he graced them with his dharisanam and absolved their sins • The Tamil names of monkey, squirrel and crow are “Kurangu”, “Anil” and “Muttam” respectively. Hence the place gets the name, “KuranguanilMuttam”. • Vali was an ardent Shiva devotee. When he came to worship the Lord Shiva here, he did not want to pick the flowers by hand but instead, he shook the tree in order to make the flowers fall on the Lord directly. The lord here is also known as “KoyyamalarNathar • Also since Vali is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here, the lord here is named “Valeeswarar ThiruMakaraleswarar Temple to ThiruValeeswarar Temple 15 kms from previous point, 30 min drive

8. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 4. Vedapureeswarar Temple Day 1 • Vedapureeswarar temple is a sacred place on the northern banks of the Cheyyar River in Kanchipuram . • This sacred place is now known as Cheyyar but was previously called Thiruvothur • Though this temple would have been founded earlier inscriptions from middle chola period – 11th CE to 13th CE indicate expansion during Chola time • The temple is devoted to Lord Vedapuresswarar who came here and imparted his spiritual knowledge regarding the Vedas • According to legend, it is in this sacred place that Saint Thirugnanasambanthar used his holy miraculous powers and transformed a male palm tree into a female palm tree. • The Nandi, which usually faces the Shiva Lingam, is facing the opposite direction • Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). • The great speciality of this temple is one will be able to have darshan of Sivan, Ambal,Murugan, Ganesha, and Palm tree standing at one place inside the temple • There are eight entrances to the temple and one can reach the moolavar from any entrance • Sun rays fall on the presiding deity and very specially on rathaspathami day • Ambal holds Rudraksha mala in one hand and lotus in the other hand ThiruValeeswarar Temple to Vedapureeswarar Temple 27 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive

9. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 5. Thalapureeswarar Temple Day 1 • Thalapureeswara temple is a sacred placeinThiruVanparthanPanangkattuThirupanangkadu in Kanchipuram . There are two main presiding deities in this temple. • Lord Thalapureeswarar was installed and worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar. This lingam is said to be a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). Lord Krupanatheswarar was installed and worshiped by Sage Agasthiyar’s disciple, Sage Pulasthiyar. • A Chola king is supposed to have played the role of installing both lingams in the same temple adjacent to each other • This is an east facing temple and it has an arch type entrance with two corridors. There is no main tower (Rajagopuram) in this temple • It is said that in ancient times this place was full of palm (Panai) trees and hence the place is called Panangkattur and the lord here is named “Sri Panangkatteeswarar • As per the stone inscriptions installed in the temple, Devakottai Sri A.EkappaChettiar’s family had renovated and constructed this temple. The consecration ceremony (Mahakumbabishekam) was also conducted by them in the year 1928 • The legend is that when Saint SundaramurthyNayanar visited this place, Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of an old man and offered food (Kattamudu). Sundarar laughed at him and said that when there is no water available here then what is the use of the food. • The old man scratched the land under his feet and water started flowing. • The old man disappeared and Sundarar realized that the old man was none other than Lord Shiva himself. • He then followed the foot prints of a bull and found this temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi blessed Sundarar with their dharisanam. • It is believed that when Agasthiyar was looking to make offerings of fruits to the lord, the lord made the fruits from the palm tree fall on the lingam. Because of this incident, the lord here is named “Thalapureeswarar”. Thalam : Palm Tree Vedapureeswarar Temple to Thalapureeswarar Temple 24 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive

10. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 6. Ekambareswarar Temple Day 1 • Ekambareswarar Temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in kanchipuram . • one of the temples associated with the five elements, the PanchaBhootaStalas, and specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi • Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar, and is represented by the lingam with his idol referred to as Prithvi lingam: Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).His consort Parvati is depicted as Gowridevi Amman • legend, it is believed that Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithivi Lingam (or a Lingam improvised out of sand), under a mango tree. Legend has it that the neighboringVegavati river overflowed and threatened to engulf the Shiva Lingam and that Parvati or Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. • Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuvakuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tami • The temple also houses NilathingalThundam Perumal temple a Divyadesam, the 108 temples • There is a mango tree dating back to 3500 years. The divine tree with its four branches representing four vedas yields fruits in four flavours sweet, citric, spicy and bitter • one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 AD • The temple complex covers 25 acres, and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams • The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers. •  The VedantistKachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. Adi sankara has played a key role in remodelling the temple. The Vijayanagar kings, during the 15th century, VallalPachiyappaMudaliar,  NattukottaiChettiar-Lakshmanan chettiar are some of the few who have made significant contributions in terms of wealth and for renovations  Thalapureeswarar Temple to Ekambareswarar Temple 18 kms from the previous point, 40 mins drive

11. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 7. Onakkandhan Thali Temple Day 1 • Ona Kantheeswarar Temple (also called Onakanthali)dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in the town of Panjupettakanchipuram . • Shiva is worshipped as Ona Kantheeswarar and his consort Parvathi as Kamakshi. As in other temples in Kanchipuram there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples • Ona Kantheeswarar (Shiva) in the form of lingam made of granite and is believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self manifested). • Legend, the temple was believed to have been built by two asuras (demons) named Onan and Kanthan. • The asuras got a lingam (an iconic representation of Shiva) from a forest in the region and became ardent devotees. On account of their devotion, they got all the desired boons. There was a third asura, Jalandeeswaran, who joined the two, and became an ardent devotee of Shiva. • The three shrines in the temple, each dedicated to Onakantheeswarar, Salantheeswarar and Jalandeeswarar are believed to be the respective shrines built by the demons  and all of them are believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self manifested). • Shiva helped sundrar with Gold and he used it to built the temple Ekambareswarar Temple to Onakkandhan Thali Temple 1.4 kms from Ekambareswarar temple on the back side. 5 mins drive

12. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 8. Anegathangapadheswarar Temple- Day 1 • Lord Ganesha created the Shiva lingam and worshipped. It is said that Kubera also have worshipped here. This temple has been mentioned in Kanchipuranam. Legend behind the temple is as follows • Lord Shiva initiated Sundara Moorthy Nayanar in Thiruvennainallur to sing his first thevaram song. • After this transformation, Sundarar started exploring and visiting Shiva temples. He was on his way to Thiruthuraiyur when river Pennar came as an obstacle. • Lord Shiva and Parvathi came as old couple and offered help to him by ferrying in a small boat. After reaching the other shore of the river, the old couple vanished and Sundarar could not locate them anywhere. • At that moment, a divine voice directed him to reach this temple from where he had the Darshan of Lord Shiva along with Parvathi. • In this temple, Lord Shiva taught Sundarar the principles of Saivism and the way to attain divine union with Him. Lord Ganesha was the witness for this discourse, this scene is depicted as painting as well as sculptures inside the temple premise Onakkandhan Thali Temple to Anegathangapadheswarar Temple 2.2 kms from the previous point, 15 mins drive

13. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : 9. ThiruMetraliNathar temple Day 1 • Metraleeswarar Temple (also called Kanchi Metrali)dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in the town of  Pillayarpalayam area of Kanchipuram. The temple is supposed to have expanded during chola period in 13th CE • As in other temples in Kanchipuram There is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples. But this temple has a separate shrine for Parvathi in the form of Metralinayagi • ThiruMetraliNathar(Shiva) in the form of lingam made of granite and is believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self manifested). • Saint ThirugnanaSambandar was singing verses praising Shiva at the nearby site and Shiva was mesmerized by the devotion. • The temple deity thus came to be known as Urugeswarar (urugu means mesmerize in Tamiland the image of the Sambandar is located in Urugeswarar temple axially outside the temple facing the Metraleeswar temple with folded hands.  • As Shiva turned to the West to listen to the songs of Sambandar, the place came to be known as Thirumetrali and the presiding deity came to be known as Metralinathar. An old term is 'Thali', தளி, means temple . • There is a separate shrine for OthuUrugeeswarar which is axial to the main entrance Anegathangapadheswarar Temple to ThiruMetraliNathar temple 1.5 km from the previous point, 10 mins drive

14. Thank You Last Updated Year : 2019 M. Balasubramanian