Sri Arasalishwarar temple Olindiyampattu, near Pondicherry-A padal petra sthalam

Today I was fortunate to visit this temple which is one of the two temples sung by saint Gnanasambandar which is close to Pondicherry.
How to reach:
The temple is very close to the NH 66 between Tindivanam and Pondy about 19 kms from Pondicherry or 27 kms from Tindivanam.I travelled from Tindivanam and after crossing Kiliyanur look for the road to Olindiyampattu on the left take the road and in about 3 kms you will reach the temple<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->

Legends of the temple:
Sage Vama deva who was travelling by praying  to Shiva to repent for the curse he had incurred, he prayed to Lord Shiva here with the leaves of the peepul tree or Bodhi tree(Arasa maram in Tamil) and was absolved of his curse, hence Shiva is known as Arasalishwara here.
Saint Gnanasambandar has described the temple in 10 stanzas as Arasali is the abode of Lord who drove away Kala the God of Death, who conquered kama, living on the alms offered by others, wearing Kondrai flower and sacred ash sprayed over His body.

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As you enter the small temple there is only one praharam with Shivan sannidhi facing east and the Ambal Periyanayaki  on the right facing South seen in the Pic below

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The entrance to Shivan sannidhi is from the south and the Sanctum has a small Shivalingam covered with a Nagabharanam in Silver.The lord is resplendent in his armour here
The Ganapathy here is  varasiddhi vinayakar who bestows all prayers

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Lord Dakshinamurthy graces from the Koshta  the demon of ignorance muyulgan is under the right leg of the Lord holding a serpent in his hand unlike the usual case where he is under the left leg of the lord this is considered a Shanta rupam and a rare sculpture.

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Maha Vishnu behind the sanctum

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Murugan sannidhi

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Brahma and Vishnu Durgai

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Durga devi
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Lord Nataraja is depicted in the Ananda Thandava (blissful dancing) posture. It is said that Lord Dakshinamurthy symbolizes Peace and Lord Nataraja Bliss telling mankind that they have to practice Ananda-bliss through Silence-Peaceful state of mind.
The Ambal sannidhi is small and Periyanayaki amman is a small petite sculpture about 3 feet tall on the pedestal blessing Bhaktas
Chandran

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Suryan sannidhi

These two flank the inner doorway facing the lord Shiva
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Praying to this lord gives mental peace and Happiness

 

I re visited on 13/11/16 a few more pics

The Vinayaka under the tree in front of the pond and temple

Swarnakateswarar temple at Neivanai- A padal petra Sthalam

Among the Nadu naatu padal petra sthalams this is a very ancient temple.  the temple has been renovated recently by devotees who have received blessings in bounty . If the priest Sri krishnamoorthy is to be believed the lord   blesses his devotees and ensures a bountiful harvest in any activity. He is 80 years young and is willing to show you around all day and is a picture of great confidence
How to reach:
The temple can be reached from Tiruvennainellur on the road to Ulundurpet about 21 kms from Tiruvennainallur, take a right turn towards Neivanai and at about 5 kms you will see the ruins
You can also reach the place from Ulundurpet. Enter Ulundurpet and at the main bus stand take a turn north west wards towards Thirukoilur on SH 69 It is called the  Tiruvennainellur  road.About 12kms from the bus stand turn left into the Nemili Rishivandiyam road At about 10 kms you will see the temple on the right.

Legends and Stories:
Sri Gnanasambandar the young savant was travelling here in darkness when the ambal guided him to the lord who gave his bountiful darshan which made the young poet break into song and dance. He is shown here dancing as a  child

Once there was floods in this place  with the lakes and rivers swelling. The lord appeared as a youth and directed the people to build a dam using Nel (paddy) thus the name for the place  Nel anai (paddy dam was the original name which has been corrupted now to Neivanai) The lord then gave the villagers gold to re build their village and admonished them for forgetting their belief in god due to their affluence.He then manifested as a swayumbhu lingam here so the villagers built the temple here.
During the Tamil month of Chittirai the rays of the sun fall on the lingam and the colour changes many hues in the day from gold to red to orange.
There are idols of Vishnu with Lakshmi on his lap in the mandapam with both of them closing their eyes showing prayer attitude.
As you enter you see the Shivan sannidhi. The Nandi in front has both paws crossed in front showing praying attitude
The Shiva lingam is inside the ante chamber and about 3-4 feet tall.
the outer praharam has sannidhis for vinayaga,Agastheeswarar,Murugan 
The Ambal sannidhi Neela malar kanni or Brihannayaki is a majestic 5 feet tall vigraham in a separate sannidhi facing east
the sthala vruksham is the vanni tree a few saplings have been planted recently again a happy devotees contribution
A temple with very positive energy
Contact Sri krishnamurthy gurukkal:   90477859144 .
The temple is open 6 AM to 8 PM