Bakthi-Margam Tamil Nadu Temples

1. Bakthi-MargamTamil Nadu Temples Devotional Tour Kancheepuram District – Temples DivyaDesam: Vishnu temples 15 Padal Petra: Shiva temples 9 Heritage Shiva Temples 2 1

2. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Heritage Shiva temple: Devotional Tour: Day 1 • The KanchiKailasanathar temple is the oldest structure in Kanchipuram • The temple was built from 685-705AD by a Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II) ruler of the Pallava Dynasty • The Kailasanathar Temple (meaning:“Lord of the Cosmic Mountain”), is built in the tradition of Smarthaworship of Shiva, Vishnu. Devi, Surya (Sun), Ganesha and Kartikeya in Hinduism • A circumambulatory passage, with a symbolic meaning is situated along the compound wall. In order to make the circumambulation, there is a narrow entry passage which devotees must crawl through. Seven steps must be climbed in order to reach the passage. Passing through the narrow passage is indicative of passage through life. • After the circumambulation, the exit is through a pit or another narrow passage symbolic of death. The entry point for this passage is called Gate of Death (Tamil: இறப்புவாசல்). • It is believed that making the circumambulation round the various deities would usher the same blessings as visiting paradise. • In the inner walls of the prakara (circumambulatory passage) there is galaxy of images of Durga, Kartikeya, BhavatiTripurantaka, Garudarudha-Vishnu Asura Samhara (slaying of demons), Narasimha (Vishnu's avatar), Trivikrama (another Vishnu's avatar), Shiva Tandava (Shiva in a dancing pose), Shiva severing the fifth head of Brahma, desecration of Yagna of Daksha Brahma and his wife, Gangadhara, Urdhavatandava, Vishnu flanked byBhudevi and Sridevi, Lingodbhava, Bhikshatana, Ravana, and Valioffering prayers to AtmalingaChandikeshvara. The image of Ardhanariswarasitting on a bull is considered the most noteworthy among all images • During completion of circumambulation - Crawling and coming out of the passage also indicates that your coming out of mother's womb and also explains Hindu's belief of rebirth. Hence, exit is called Gate of Birth (Tamil: பிறப்புவாசல்). • There is another belief that by completing this circumambulatory passage the possibility of rebirth is not there and you shall attain Moksha. Such passage is unique, explaining the life cycle including aging process, death and rebirth. Day 1: Leave from Tambaram to Kailasanathar temple at 4.15 AM

3. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam: Devotional Tour: Day 1

4. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam: – Devotional Tour- Day 1 Kancheepuram Divyadesam Route Map-2

5. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple Day-1 • Lord Brahmadevan wanted to do the AswamedhaYaagam in Kanchipuram. But, Lord Saraswathi, who was motivated by Asuraas (Demons) to stop that Yaagam. To do the Yaagam, Light is the primary thing. • The Asuraas stopped the light by covering the sky, there by covering the light and spread the darkness. At that time, Sriman Narayanan appeared there as a "Light" and thereby getting the light to the yagam and ride away the darkness. • Since, the darkness was taken away, the Perumal there is called as "Deepaprakasar". Deepam means light and Prakasam is said as the flash referred to as the light of spread out to take away the darkness. Since the Perumal gave light, the Perumal is called as "Vilakku Oli Perumal". It means the Perumal gave light • Without understanding about the Jeevathma and paramathama, the Knowledge we get will be fully surround by darkness • Periyapirattiyar, who takes the hamsam (resemblance) of parashakthi is found here by helping Emperumaan Deepa Prakasar Kailasanathar temple to Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple, Thiruthanka- Toopul 4.5 kms from Kailasanathar temple , 15 mins drive

6. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple, Thiruvelukkai Day-1 • The name of the sthalam itself clearly says that the Perumal is there to help us. "Vel" means wish and "Irukkai" means satying there. • Since the Perumal itslef wished to stay there to help his bhakthas, this sthalam is known as "Vellukkai". • Sri Narasimhar is found in Irundha Nilai and protect his bhakthas not being attacked by the asuraas. • To ride away the Asuraas, he sits in Yoga position facing west direction as "Yoga Narasimar“ • The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri AzhagiyaSingar. He is also named as Narasimhar and MugunthaNaayagan • Thaayar : Velukkai Valli (Amirtha Valli). • Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple, to Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple, Thiruvelukkai • 750 ms from previous point , 5 mins drive

7. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Yathothakaari Perumal Temple Day-1 • Once in Brahma logam, there was an arguement that who is greater between NaaMagal (or) Saraswathi and Poo Magal (Sri Lakshmi). Brahma said that it is Poomagal - Lakshmi Thaayar who is found on the heart of Sri Vishnu is the greatest. • Next, Saraswathi asked which river is the big river. But, unfortunately Brahma answered that the greatest river is River Ganga which is originating from the feet of Sri Vishnu is the greates. • On hearing this, Saraswathi got angry and quit from the disappeared and went along the banks of river Ganga and started doing Tapas • Brahma wanted to do the great AshwamethaYagam in Kanchipuram and wanted Saraswathi to be along with him • The Asuraas (the Demon) wanted to destroy the Yagam and went to Saraswathi and made her angry •  She got angry on Brahma devan and started as "Vegavathi" river along the south direction and flow across the place of the Yagam to destroy it . • But, Sriman Narayanan wanted to stop Vegavadhi river and protect the Yagam from her. So, he stoped the river by lying across the river on Aadhiseshan. Because of this, this perumal is also named as "VagaSethu • This Vega Sethu then became Vegavanai and then finally named as "Vekkanai" and finally became "Vekka" Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple, to Yathothakaari Perumal Temple / SonnavannamSeithaperumal temple 1.2 Kms from previous point , 7 mins drive

8. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Aadhikesava Perumal Temple Day-1 • The Moolavar here is Adikesava Perumal also known as Gajendravaradan or Chakradharar, in a standing posture facing west. Taayaar here is Alarmelmangai or Padmasini. • The image of Adikesava Perumal has 8 arms, with 8 weapons (the discus, sword, a flower, an arrow, the conch, a bow, a shield and a mace). • This temple is associated with the legend of Gajendra Moksham (as in the VaradarajaPerumaalKoyil and Kapistalam), where it is believed that a devout elephant Gajendran, who was in the habit of making an offering of lotus flowers from the Ashtabhuja temple tank, to Vishnu was caught by the grip of a crocodile. • The pleas of the elephant were answered by Vishnu who vanquished the elephant with his disc. Legend has it that Peyalwar was blessed with a vision of Gajendramoksham at this shrine. • Legend also has it that a vast army of titans sought to upset a ritual being conducted by Bhrahma and upon his request, Vishnu armed with eight different weapons warded off the intruders. • AshtabhujaPerumaal is Vishnu conceived and worshipped thus Yathothakaari Perumal Temple / SonnavannamSeithaperumal temple to Aadhikesava Perumal Temple 650 ms from previous point , 4mins drive

9. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple , Thirukacchi Day-1 • Lord Brahma devan wanted to get the dharshan of Sriman Narayanan in ChathurBhujam (with four hands) and becasue of this, he did a tapas towards him • He heard an Asarari (an unknown voice from heaven) which said that to get the dharshan of Sri Varadharajar, he must do the great Ashwamethayagam (Sathya viradam) for hundred times. • But, Lord Brahma felt so depressed that doesnt have time nor the patience to perform 100 Ashwamethayagam. • Finally as per Sriman Narayanan, he performed one Ashwamethayagam which is equivalent to 100 Ashwamethayagam. • It is said that doing one Ashwamethayagam in Kanchipuram is equivalent to 100 times of doing Ashwamethayagam somewhere else • Brahma devan started the yagam and from the fire of the yagam, Sri Varadharajar came out and gave his dharshan in which way Lord Brahma wanted. • "Ka" - means Brahma and "Anjitham" - means who was worshipped. Since, Brahma worshipped Emperumaan as Varadharajar, this sthalam is called "Kanchi". • The temple is situated in Vishnu Kanchi which is also Known as "Chinna (or) Little Kanchipuram Aadhikesava Perumal Templeto Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple , Thirukacchi 2.5 KMs from previous point , 8mins drive

10. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam: – Devotional Tour- Day 1

11. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam: Devotional Tour: Day 1 Stay at Kancheepuram Hotel: Day 1 Night

12. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam: – Devotional Tour- Day 1 Kancheepuram Divya-desam – 9 Temples- Route Map-1

13. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- PachhaiVannar & PavalaVannar temple- Day1 • In Kanchipuram, stands the two temples of PachaiVannar and PavalaiVannar, two shrines standing opposite to each other, two places of holiness where the Lord is mentioned by his colour. • He is seen in emerald green at the PachaiVannar and coral coloured at the PavalaiVannar.. • Both these two temples are considered to be the single and has to be worshipped as a single Divyadesam.  • Pachaivannar granted darshan to sage Mariachi alone • Mothers are not with him in sanctum sanctorum- Separate Sanadhi • Pavalavannar is believed to have appeared to sage Naimisaranya • Sri Pavala Valli. Separate sannathi for Thaayar. Kancheepuram Bus stand to PachhaiVannar & PavalaVannar temple From Tambaram to Pachaivannar Temple 7 min 1.5 KM

14. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Sri NilathingalThundathan Temple- Day1 • This Divyadesam is situated as a small sannadhi inside Ekambareshwarar temple in Big Kanchipuram • To help Paarvathi, Sriman Narayanan took the Chandran (Moon) from Lord Shiva's head to prevent the Lingam done by sand from Ganga river, the Perumal is called as "Nilathingalthundathan" and so the sthalam is called as "ThiruNilathingalThundam PachhaiVannar & PavalaVannar temple to Sri NilathingalThundathan Temple inside Sri Ekaambareshwarar 900 ms from previous point, 5 mins drive

15. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- PandavperumalTemple-Day 1 • The temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. • The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholasand Vijayanagar kings • The temple is associated with a chapter in Mahabharata when Krishna went to the Kauravas as a missive (called Thoota locally) to the Pandavas.  • Duryodhana the king of the Kouravas, had a plan to arrest and kill Krishna while he was in Hastinapura. He dug a deep pit and covered it with a carpet and a chair studded with gems. He had wrestlers hidden in the pit to wrangle Krishna. • Krishna, being the avatar of Vishnu portrayed Vishvarupa a giant form to all the courtment and also to Dhritarashtra the blind king and father of Duryodana Sri NilathingalThundathan Temple inside Sri Ekaambareshwarar temple to Pandavperumal Temple 350 ms from previous point 3 mins drive

16. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Sri AadhiVaraha Perumal- Day1 • When Kamakshi and Sri Lakshmi were taking bath in Kama Koshtam, Emperumaan saw them by hiding behind a pillar and hearing what they weer speaking. • Parvathi, who resembled as "Kamakshi" found that Sriman Narayanan is watching them and so she gave the punishment by first making him stand and then to sit and finally to Kidantha stage. • Becaue of this, he is found in all the 3 sevas (i.e) Nindra, Irundha and Kidanthaseva on the North side of the pond of this koil. • Since, Sriman Narayanan saw them taking bath without knowing them, parvathi kept him the name as "Kalvan" and this Divyadesam is called as "Thirukkalvanoor". PandavperumalKovil to Sri AadhiVaraha Perumal Kanchi inside Kamakshi Amman Temple 800 ms from previous point, 5 mins drive

17. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Tour- UlagalandaPreumal temple, Jagadeeshwarar Temple, Karunakara Perumal, ThirukkaarVaanar Temple – Day1 • This Divyadesam is found in Big Kanchipuram and is closely situated near to Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple • The temple complex actually houses four DivyaDesams in its different precincts, namely Thirukkarvaanam, Thirukaaragam, Thiruneeragam, and Thiruooragam, that last of which is present with in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple. • Thiruooragam: Mahabali Chakravarthy comes along the family of BhakthaPrahaladhan, a great devotee of Sri Vishnu. Inspite of coming through that kind of family, he wanted to rule the Deva lokam, which belongs to Indiran. And at the same time, Devendran - Indiran wanted to rule all over the world. • So to teach both of them a lesson, he took the Thirivikramakolam, thereby reducing the leadrship and over head of Mahabali and on the other hand, by raising his feet and measuring over the sky, he states to Devendran that Deva Lokam also belongs to him. Lord Gave darshan to Mahabali in the form of Adhisesha • Jagadeeshwarar: Neer, the water is the primary and necessary element for all the things in this world to survive • ThiruKaaragam: The legend behind this divyadesam is that Kaar, black clouds. The clouds give the rain to the world. Since, Karunakara Perumal resembles as Kaar the blackclouds, Lord doesnt expect anything from his bhaktas but only pure bhakthi or devotion from them • ThirukkaarVaanar:Sriman Narayanan explains that he himself is the black clouds which gives the rain for the humans and all things to survive. So, this perumal is called as "ThirukkaarVaanakkalva Sri AadhiVaraha Perumal Kanchi inside Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple to UlagalandaPreumal temple, Jagadeeshwarar Temple, Karunakara Perumal, ThirukkaarVaanar Temple. 0.5 kms from previous point, 3 mins drive

18. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Vaikunda Perumal Temple – Day1 • Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram or Vaikunta Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Kanchipuram. • The temple is considered the second oldest extant temples in Kanchipuram after the Kailasanthar temple • There are 3 partitions in this temple in AstaangaVimaana style. •  Bottom Floor  - Emperumaan in standing thirukkolam. •  Middle Floor  - PeriyaPirattiyar and Bhoomi Piratiyar in KidanthaThirukolam. •  Top Floor  - NindraThirukkolam no pooja for them.  Ulagalantha perumal temple to Vaikunda Perumal Temple 800 ms from previous point, 5 mins drive

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

20. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour- Day2 Stay at Kancheepuram Hotel: Day 2 Night

21. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Overall Tour Map: 105 KMs - Day2

22. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour: Sri Sathynathaswamy Temple : Day 2 • 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

23. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District: Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour: ThiruMakaraleswarar Temple Day 2 • 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

24. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : ThiruValeeswarar Temple Day 2 • 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

25. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Vedapureeswarar Temple Day 2 • 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

26. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Thalapureeswarar Temple Day 2 • 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

27. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Ekambareswarar Temple Day 2 • 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

28. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Onakkandhan Thali Temple Day 2 • 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

29. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Anegathangapadheswarar Temple Day 2 Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : Anegathangapadheswarar Temple • 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

30. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Padal Petra Shiva Temples : Devotional Tour : ThiruMetraliNathar temple Day 2 • 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

31. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Devotional Tour : to EdayarpakkamMahadevar temple Day 3 • Mahadevar Temple is located in Edayarpakkam village, Sriperumbudur taluk, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu • There are four inscriptions belonging to the later Chola period, especially that of KulottungaChola I (1070 - 1120 A.D.),  KulottungaChola II (1133 - 1150 A.D.) and RajadhirajaChola II (1163 - 1178) are found at EdayarpakkamMahadevar temple near Kanchipuram. The inscription (ARE 251/1910), (த நா அ தொ து 524/2013) dated 13th in the reign (year 1083 A.D.) of king KulottungaChola I opening with his venerated Prasasti (also known as Meikeerthiமெய்க்கீர்த்தி) is considered as the earliest inscription in this temple. • The entire temple structure is made out of granite and therefore it is a 'katrali' (கற்றளி). The vimana and ardhamandapam stands on a molded pada-bandha adishtana (பாதபந்தஅதிஷ்டானா) with upa-peeta (உப பீடம்), jagadi (ஜகதி), tripattakumuda (முப்பட்டைக் குமுதம்), khanta (கண்டம்) with pada and flanked by kampa (கம்பு) and pattika (பட்டிகை) mouldings. The east facing sanctum measures 3.05 m in width in the north-south direction and 4.65 m in length in the east-west direction. • The sanctum entrance is 1.35 cm in width. The sanctum houses "TiruppadakkaduudaiyaMahadevar" (திருப்படக்காடுடைய மகாதேவர்) in the form of Shivalingam. • This temple is at remote place in Kachipuram, we have to visit the Priest house to take the key of the temple Kancheepuram Bustand to edayarpakkammahadev temple: 44 min (24.9 km) via Parandur Rd and MDR651

32. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : DivyaDesam : Devotional Tour- Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple Day 3 • This Divyadesam is situated about 7 miles away from Kanchipuram in west direction. 1/2 km away from BaluchettiChattiram which is in between Chennai - Vellore highway • Emperuman, Sriman Narayanan born to King Dasaratha as Sri Ramar, left all of his properties and went to the forest as told by his father. When they went to the forest, Seetha pirattiyaar asked for the deer, which was actually not the deer, but it was Maareeshan, sent by Ravana. • Then, Ravana came to Seetha piratti and took her along with him to Lanka, On the way to Lanka, Jadayu, the Eagle bird stopped him and fought with Ravana to release Seetha. But, in the end, Jadayu's wings were cut by Ravana and fell down on the earth. • When Rama along with Lakshmana came there in search of Seetha Piratti, they found Jadayu fell down in the Land. Jadayu told that Ravana has took away Seetha along with him and on finally telling this, he died. • Since, Lord Ramar gave the Sthanam (level) to Jadayu as his father, he did all the final ceremony to it and stayed there for a while. • As sugessted by Jadayu, the Perumal here gives his seva in the form in which he did the final funeral to Jadayu. • Jadayu belongs to Pul (a separate family of eagle ) family was burried in the pit (kuzhi) , this sthalam is called "Thiruppukkuzhi" Edayarpakkammahadev temple to Vijayaraghavaperumal temple 45 min 32 Kms

33. Tamil Nadu: Kancheepuram District : Back to Tambaram from Kancheepuram Temple devotional tour Vijayaraghavaperumal temple to Tambaram 1 hour 35 min 62 Kms Via sriperumbudur - Mudichur

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