Srivanjiyam Vanchinathar Koil-A padal petra sthalam

This place is more ancient than the great pralayam itself. The Swayumbhu Shivalingam is the oldest in this region.It is also famous for the Yama sannidhi. I was told by people that if someone is sick and tottering  in the ICU and is still suffering prayers here will facilitate their easy passage into the next realm without suffering .
How to Reach:
Srivanjiyam is about 35 kms south east away from Kumbakonam after Nachiyar koil on the road to Tiruvarur. It is about 5 kms before Nannilam.It can also be reached from Tiruvarur the road to Mayavaram.
Legends Of the Temple:
Lord Yama was tired that he was being cursed by all for taking lives he wanted a break and to be regarded with love not hate he complained to Shiva at Tiruvarur and was directed here to pray to Lord Shiva who being pleased with him absolved him of curses and built a temple here for him. The honour of first seeing him before seeing the lord is also afforded to him here.
Ganga was feeling very dirty after washing all the sins of people hence she sought refuge in the lord who  directed here to the pond where she was rejuvenated the pond is called Guptha Ganga as she is still believed to be in hiding here.
Lord Surya lost his lustre after attending Daksha’s yagna he prayed to Shiva here to regain his lustre
There is a seperate Shani sannidhi and sannidhi for Rahu and ketu.There is no seperate Navagraha sannidhi here
Mahavishnu (Sri) did payers to Shiva here wanting to please him to get help to marry Mahalakshmi here hence the name Sri Vanjiyam
Those born of Magam, Pooram, Sadayam and Bharani Stars and belonging to Aries (Mesha), Aquarius (Kumba) and Leo (Simha) Rashis or Lagna pray here for any adverse planetary problems faced by them. Also those who had lost jobs, aspiring promotions and transfers, separated couples for re-union pray here on Karthika Sundays after a bath in Gupta Ganga in November-December.
During the eclipse times  the doors of the temple are open though as a tradition in other Shiva temples they are closed. Special abishekam is performed to Lord of Sri Vanchiam during this time.
The sthala vriksham is sandal wood and instead of Bhilva leaves sandal leaves are used for archana here
The present temple was built by Rajendra Chola in the year AD 850.
There is a 11 tiered Rajagopuram ( Picture from the net Dinamalar.com).
Once you enter this you have to first wash at the Guptha Ganga on the right
Then you proceed to the Yaman sannidhi which is seen on the far right side
Lord Yama is standing in the sannidhi with his assistant Chitraguptha.
After this you proceed to the main temple


At this point on the right side is the Ambal Mangala Nayaki's Sannidhi facing South.The devi is about a 5 feet tall smiling statue .
( Picture fro the net Dinamalar.com).

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The main Shivan praharam is seen further down
Inside the garbagruha the Shivalinga is majestic with the square avudiar facing west and The shiva facing east( Picture fro the net Dinamalar.com).
The praharam here has the Koshta vigrahas and sannidhi for Murugan. The unique feature here is the sannidhi for Shani
  Rahu and Ketu.
There is a seperate sannidhi for Mahishasura mardhini

Sri Kalyana Pasupatheeshwar temple at Karur–A padal petra sthalam

Last Sunday I visited Karur to attend an engagement function and took the opportunity to visit this temple. Since It was night I could not get good photos.  This temple is the foremost of padal petra sthalams in kongunadu. Thirugnanasmbandar,Arunagirinathar,Karur devar have all sung about this temple.The thiruvisaipa of Karur devar was composed here.
How to reach:
Karur is a small place and the temple is very well known. It is in the middle of the town .

History and legends:
Lord Brahma had become arrogant as he was doing the creation.So to teach him  humility the lord directed kamadhenu the celestial cow to come here and pray to him and in turn take over the duty of brahma.The cow used to shower milk on a Shiva lingam daily and once accidently trampled on it. The Shiva lingam has a dent on the head due to this.Brahma’s ego was reduced and he performed puja to Shiva here and was given back his duties.The Sangam era king Muchukundha chakravarthy is supposed to have lived here and had received the invitation to Lord Muruga's wedding with Devayani at this place.
Pugazh Chola Nayanar.  Eripatha Nayanar , Karuvur Thevar,Sivakami Andar all great Nayanmars have lived here and done service at this  place .
Karuruvurar lived here. Some jealous priests complained to the king that devar was doing puja in the vama marga by offering meat and liquor to the lord in the temple.The charge proved baseless and in anguish the siddhar merged into the Siva lingam and this caused the tilting of the lingam.
As you enter the main rajagopuram you see outer praharam with a 100 pillared kalyana mandabam which is called Pugal chola mannar hall.
The dwajasthambam is unique in that there are sculptures of Kamadhenu, muchukunda chakravarthy on an elephant, Pugal chola mannar with a head on a plate and a Ganesha carved in four directions
The Pugal chola mannar kalyana mandabam

The dwajasthambam is seen below with Kamadhenu sculpture seen licking a calf.

The next entrance leads us o the main praharm where there is the sannidhi of Lord Shiva as a majestic Siva lingam which is tilted to the left. The base (Aavudiar) is square.This is the Aanilai appar
The koshta vigrahas are all unique and well carved. We have Ardhanaarishwara in the back, along with Ganesh , Durga, Brahma,Dakshinamurthy and Nataraja also.
There are also sannidhis for vinayaga,Arumugham ,Mahalakshmi and the north west corner has a second sannidhi for Shiva and his consort.
There is aside entrance leading to the ambal sannidhi which is unique in that there are two sannidhis for the ambal Alankaravalli facing North , Soundarya Nayaki facing east .
Both praharams area huge and well maintained. The main Shiva temple also has  well lit enclosure for Chitraguptan and also a navagraha sannidhi and a Bhairavar sannidhi.The huge Bhairavar statue in bronze is exquisite in size and detail as also the nataraja.
The temple is famous for removing obstructions to marriage and is hence very popular