Monday, August 25, 2014

Sri, Sivakozhundeshwarar temple Thirthanagari near Cuddalore- A padal petra sthalam


This temple has been in existence over 4 yugams and has been re built many times over, The last time by a local chieftain VeeramanMaharaja. There are many legends associated with this temple. It is on the banks of a huge water body called Perumal lake
How to Reach:
Theerthanagiri is 18 km far from Cuddalore on the east coast road towards chidambaram. After crossing alapakkam on the left in 5 kms will see a board to thirthanagari it is about 4 kms on this road. IMG_0049
Legends of the temple:
Perumal worshipped shiva here and killed a demon called Murasuran and he hence came to be known as Murari
Siva rahasyam which was told by shiva to parvathy was overheard by Murugan who instructed Agasthiyar the same and the same are documented in palm leaf writings in the Connemara library
Durvasa cursed Bhringi rishi and he received salvation after worshipping shiva here
Perumal lake or Garuda theertham was  dug out by Garuda.
There were an aged couple who cultivated Thinai (hence thinai oor ). They used to eat only after feeding a guest. One day an aged man came and said he would work in the fields and then eat. He started sowing seeds and when the aged couple came to feed him they fount a bountiful harvest of thinai here and when the couple asked how this was possible Shiva revealed his real form to them, Thinai cultivation was the main agriculture here and even today the local farmers start cultivation after prayers to Dakshinamurthy here who is sitting in Padmasana without his sishyas and in the posture he had food . He is called Yoga Dakshinamurthy
Suryan prayed to Shiva here and in March April (Panguni month) the sun rays fall directly on the swayumbu lingam
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The ambal sannidhi is in the first praharam on the right of the Nandi and the Dwajasthambam seen above
Below is the second praharam with entrance from the south
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The  saints Appar, Sambandar Navukkarasar and the builder Veeraman Maharaja are housed in the enclosure on the left
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The main enclosure has a shivalingam  and also houses a rare Nataraja. Shiva is east facing and has a majestic avudiar.
The nataraja is ardhanari with ganga on the head and anklets on one leg. There are figures of Brahma playing drums and Vishnu blowing the Conch. The earrings are different on both sides. Agni is held in one hand and the damaru in anotherIMG_0076
This place is considered as holy for the performing arts and many vidwans come here to exhibit their artistry and pray for success
The Kosta vigrahas are unique. The story of the aged farmer is depicted around the kosta G


anesaIMG_0057 IMG_0056
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The yoga dakshinamurthy in padmasana on a lotus with no maram or sishyasIMG_0058 IMG_0062
Lingothbhavar shiva with Brahma and Vishnu on either side. Sadly the epigraphy has been whitewashed
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Brahma
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Rare Chandikeshwara with consortIMG_0066
Murugan sannidhiIMG_0065
The sthala vruksham KonraiIMG_0068
The ambal sannidhi is in the outer courtyard facing South. Goddess Oppilla nayaki one who has no comparision (Karunthadankanni)is about 5 feet tall and majesticIMG_0086
A few paintings inside of the nayanmarsIMG_0085 IMG_0084
Contact:
Manikantan gurukkal :9047140464 / 8870740464

pics sent by ShriManikantan on 18/1/15
Siva kozhundheeshwaran

Oppillaaman

Utsava moorthy

Oppilla amman
25/2/15
These pix were sent by Sri Manikandan after the Shivarathri pooja



02/04/2017

Last week I received these pictures from Sri.Manikandan who displayed the serial pics where the sun rays fall on the lord _surya pooja , an annual feature that happens in march            IMG-20170401-WA0039IMG-20170401-WA0040IMG-20170401-WA0041IMG-20170401-WA0038IMG-20170401-WA0042IMG-20170401-WA0044IMG-20170401-WA0049IMG-20170401-WA0051IMG-20170401-WA0053

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