Thiruvanamalai Temple

Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Saivism. The South Indian deity Siva is the God of all countries.Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Siva.

Puranic History

The Creator Lord Bramha and Protector Lord Thirumal entered into a controversy among themselves so as to ascertain who was the greatest. Lord Siva was asked to be the judge. Lord Siva told them that whoever was able to see his crown as well as his feet would be termed as the greatest. Then Lord Siva transformed himself into a Jothi (a column of fire) touching the heaven and earth. Thirumal took the avatar of varaha (wild boar) and dug deep into the earth to find Siva's feet but at last accepted defeat. Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva. Unable to see the crown, Bramha saw a thazhambu flower which had decked Siva's crown falling down. He asked the flower as to the distance of Siva's crown whereby the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness.

The thazhambu flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai.

The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Krithayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, was pon (Gold) during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam as per the ancient legends. On the request of Thirumal and Bramha by their devout prayer, Siva who was in the form of a fire column took the form of a Sivalingam at the foot of the hill hwere the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple is located.

The Significance of Girivalam

In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the HOly hill which is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high.The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.

There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path. The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar. Significance of Worshipping Asta Lingams in Girivalam.

Temples

Temples of Lord Vishnu 





Vishnu is the Supreme God in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God. He is exalted as the highest God in Hindu sacred texts like the Taittiriya Samhita and the Bhagavad Gita. He is the Guru Kshethram, representing Bahaspati, or Jupiter, in the Navagraha, or nine cosmic influences.




Temples of Lord Anjaneyar





Hanuman Anjaneya, Maruti or Maruti nandan, is one of the most popular concepts of devotees of God bhakti devotion to God in Hinduism and one of the most important personalities in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. He is the 11th incarnation Rudra avtar of Lord Shiva, & is considered as the most powerful & intelligent amongst Gods. His most famous feat, as described in the Hindu epic scripture the Ramayana, was leading an army of monkeys to fight the demon King Ravana. He is also referred to as Bajrang Bali

Temples

Temples of God Shiva

Name of Temple	In Tamil nadu
The Patteeswaran Temple	at Coimbatore
The Brihadeeshwara Temple	at Thanjavur
The Vaitheeshwaran Temple	at Mayavaram
The Kapaleeshwarar Temple	at Chennai
The Ramanathaswamy Temple	at Rameshwaram
The Jambukeshwarar Temple	at Tirucharapalli
The Arunachaleshwarar Temple	at Thiruvannamalai
The Nataraja Temple	at Chidambaram
The Ekambaranathar Temple	at Kancheepuram
Naethraarppanaeswarar koil	at Thiruveezhimizhalai
Agneeswarar koil	at ThirukkaattuppaLLi
Brahmapureeswarar koil	at Sirkaazhi
Sornapureeswarar koil	at Azhagaarppuththoor
Yoothikaa Paramaeswarar koil	at Thirumullaivaasal
Thaayumaanavar koil	at Thiruchy
Veerattaaneswarar koil	at Korukkai
Koenaeswarar koil	at Kudavaasal
Maeganaathar koil	at Thirumeeyachur
Seshapureeswarar koil	at ThirupPaamburam
Sangameswarar koil	at Bhavani
Ligusaranyeswarar koil	at Ponnur
Amirthakalasanaathar koil	at Sakkottai
Hayavandheeswarar koil	at Seeyaaththamangai
Maanikkavannar koil	at Thirumarugal
Sookshmapureeswarar koil	at Sirukudi
Uthraapatheeswarar koil	at Thiruchchengaattaangudi
Uchiravanaesar koil	at Vilanagar
Panchanadheeswarar koil	at Thiruvaiyaru
Pasupatheeswarar koil	at Aavoor
Agastheeswarar koil	at AgasthiyampaLLi
Brammapureeswarar koil	at Ambal
AmudhaGataeswarar koil	at Kodikkarai
Kailasanathar temple,	at Kanchipuram
Vazhakarutheeswarar temple	at kanchipuram
Sri Gomathi Ambal Sametha Thiruvazhutheeswara Temple	at Perungulam
Suguvaneshwarar temple	at Salem
Kailashnathar temple	at Tharamangalam-Salem

Temples

Temples of God Shiva

Shiva meaning "Auspicious one" also known as Rudra (the "Feared One is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God. In the Smarta tradition, he is one of the five primary forms of God.

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple

History of Thiruppatthur (Sivagangai District) Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple Of Pillaiyarpatti

• Pillaiyarpatti is located in Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. It is situated between Kundrakkudi and Tiruppatthur. Pilliyarpatti is just one Kilometer away from Thiruppatthur and 3 kilometers from Kundrakkudi.

• Pillaiyarpatti Karpaga Vinayagar is carved out in a cave of Pillaiyarpatti Hillocks. Lord Vinayagar is carved out from the rock of the cave. Lord Thiruveesar ( SIVAN ) is also carved in the rock of this cave. History states that Pandiya Kingshad designed these structures in the caves.

• The age of the cave temple is 2500 years or more. There are 14 stone Sculptures in the cave ( from 500 BC to 1284 AD ). These stone Sculptures state that ancient names of PILLAIYARPATTI as EKKATTOOR, THIRUVEENKAIKKUDI, MARUTHANGUDI, and RAJANARAYANAPURAM.

--- Pillaiyarpatti temple is a rock - cut temple located in Thiruppatthur, Sivagangai District.

It was built after viewing a hillock by the early Pandiya kings and the image of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar and that of a Siva Lingam were carved out of a stone by a sculptor called Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan who put his signature on a stone inscription found even today in the sanctum. He put his signature in Tamil Language which was in use between 2nd and 5th century AD. It can be concluded that the icon of Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar must have been carved around 4th century AD.

Pillaiyar (Vinayagar), the God of Victory is the main deity here in the name Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar.

This temple is the only one in Tamil Nadu which deserves pride for having a 6 feet rock-cut Pillaiyar idol. The Thumbikai of Lord Pillaiyar is curled towards his right side and so the God is also known as Valampuri Pillaiyar. The larger inner shrine with its splendid sculptures make the people wonder on the first

The chettiyar (nagarathar) community has done/been doing an outstanding job in maintaining the temple and the temple IS clean.

The Vyasyas (Now called Chettiars) are people who are good in money lending business and they were known for money handling skills. Initially it seems that they were part of now called Andhra Pradesh (Still Vyasya is a one of the big community in Andhra). It seems Chettiars had animal instict, whenever they sense there is goin to be flood and famine they will leave that place and migrate to an other kingdom. They were very well welcomed by the kings because of their skills in business and of course they were rich..Also migration took place when heavy taxes were imposed on Nagarathars by the kings.. This migration continued until finally they got settled in Sivagangai under Pandya king Soundarapandian.

There was difference of opinion among the vyasyas and they split in to number of subdivisions. That time Ariyalur Manika vinayagar was the temple for vyasyas. Now after the split each division asked for a temple, so pandya king constructed nine temples, one for each subdivision. Pillayarpatti is one among them.

Still now chettiars are the only community whose subcaste are divided based on Sivan Temples. For e.g. there are subcastes like Pillayarpatti, Elayatrankudi and etc.

• From 1284 AD, Rights of this temple were given to Nattukottai Nagarathars STONE sculptures at Thiruveesar Temple cave state this.Just like Karpaga Tree Lord Karpaga Vinayagar grants all Blessings. In view of this Load Vinayagar is named KARPAGA VINAYAGAR. The name “ Thesi Vinayaga Pillaiyar” is also there in the stone sculptures.

• Worship of Lord Vinayagar is found in different parts of the world through ages. In this, Karpaga Vinayagar worship finds first place down through the ages and it is also regarded as First Lord Vinayagar.

• In the world there are 2 Vinayagars who are having 2 hands. One is at Pillaiyarpatti and the other is at AFGHANISTHAN – Lord Vinayagar at AFGHANISTHAN is in standing position with so many ornaments of later age.

• Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar is having only 2 hands which is a special feature.

• The Sculptor who designed the figure of Lord Vinayagar also had registered his signature as “ EKKATTOOR KONE PERUMPARANAN” ( Perunthatchan) is in Tamil letters which was in use between 400 BC and 500 BC. From this we can take for granted that is was carved just before 500 BC.

• From the history of divine architecture and from stone sculptures and from the available documentary evidence Pillaiyarpatti Pillaiyar figure alone is the first Pillaiyar in the world.

• Vinayagar’s trunk is curved at the right side ( Valampuri Vinayagar) which is also a unique feature. Lord Karpaga Vinayagar is seated facing northern side. In view of this those who pray to him get success after success.

• There are deities in this temple such as goddess Karthiyayini ( who arrange marriages) Nagalingam ( who gifts offspring to human beings) Pasupatheeswarar ( who showers all wealth).

• Vinayagar Chathurthi is the very important festival in this temple. It is 10 days festival. Kappaukkattutual and hoisting temple flag begin before 9 days. At the 9 th day car festival and much celebrated decoration of sandal covering ( Santha-na-kkappu) to Pillaiyar takes place.

• Devotees who observe Chathurthi Fast for a year come to Pillaiyarpatti on Avani Sukkilaptcha Chathurthi day (Festival) and fulfills it. They observe fast on Chathurthi day in front of vinayagar sannaidhi and take part in “ KumnaJebam” and receive holy pot of chanted holywater and take bath taking for granted that they bathe Lord Vinayagar seated in their hearts. Observing of Vinayagar Chathurthi Fast for one full year brings all blessings and wealth to devotees and it is also a proved fact.

Other major Murugan Perumal temples

• Six Abodes of Lord Muruga,the six sacred mountains of Tamil Nadu.

S.No	Name of Temple	Name of Deity	Location (Travel Base)	Built around	Notes/Beliefs
1	ArulMegu Swaminatha Swami Thiru Kovil Temple	Swaminatha Swami	Swamimalai(Tanjavur)	-	Once when Brahma, the lord of all creations was proceeding to Kailasa, the ever-playful child Lord Muruga asked him for the meaning of the Pranava OM. When Brahma admitted his ignorance, the Lord imprisoned him. With Brahma imprisoned, all creations came to a standstill and the devas prayed to Lord Siva to get Brahma released. When Muruga insisted that the imprisonment was a just punishment for the ignorance of Brahma, Lord Siva asked him whether he himself knew the meaning of the primordial Pranava OM. Lord Muruga said that he knew the meaning of OM and can expound it to the latter only if he can accept him as guru and listen to the exposition as a devoted disciple. As Lord Siva acceded to the request of Lord Muruga and heard the exposition of OM as a disciple, the place came to be known as Swamimalai and the presiding deity as Swaminathan..For More Detail Web site[20]
2	Sri Navaneethaswara Swamy Temple	Singaravelavar	Sikkal (Tanjavur)	-	Lord Murugan received his weapon, the Velayudham, from his mother Parvathi and used it to perform the Surasamharam at Tiruchendur.[21]
3	Marudamalai Subramanya Swamy Temple	Dandayudhapani Swamy	Marudamalai (Coimbatore)	1200 CE[22]	It's here that The Devas approach Lord Murugan to seek his help in destroying Surapadman.
4	Kumarakkottam Subramanya Swamy Temple	Brahmasaastha[23]	Kumarakkottam (Kanchipuram)	-	Kachiappa Sivachariar wrote the sacred Kanda Puraanam at this temple. Also, Lord Murugan assumed the role of the Creator here, after improsining Lord Brahma for his ignorance of the meaning of the Pranava manthiram.[24]
5	Valliyur Subramanya Swamy Temple	Aanantha Kalyana Subramanyar[25]	Valliyur (Tirunelveli)	-	The Saravanappoigai in this temple was created by Lord Murugan at the request of Valli, his consort.[26]
6	Vallakkottai Murugan Temple	Kodaiyandavar[27]	Vallakkottai (Chennai)	-	The Murugan idol in this temple is the tallest in Tamil Nadu, at 7 ft.[28]
7	Kanda Swamy Temple	Kanda Swamy	Tirupporur (Chennai)	1000 CE[29]	After killing Surapadman at Tiruchendur, Lord Murugan killed the rest of the asuras here, at Tirupporur (literally, 'place of the sacred war')
8	Shanmuganathan Temple	Aarumaga Swamy	Viralimalai (Tiruchirappalli)	-	Sage Vasishtar and his wife Arundhathi pray Lord Murugan here to ward off their curses. The temple is also famous for the peacocks that are found in plenty here.[30]
9	Mayilam Murugan Temple	Aarumaga Swamy.[31]	Mayilam (Villupuram)	-	At the end of Surasamharam, one half of Surapadman assumed the form of the peacock here.[32][33]
10	Vadapazhani Aandavar Temple	Dandayudhapani	Chennai	1875 CE[34]	One of the famous temples built in the modern era, this temple had extensive patronage from the renowned devotee of Lord Murugan Arulmigu Kribanandha Variyar..
11	Sri Vetri Velayudhaswami Temple, Uttukuli	Kaithamalai	Chennai	Not Known but Reconstructed in 1999[35]	Vetri Velyadhaswami appeared in front the great Tamil saint Agastiyar and helped him to perform his pooja Agastiyar.
12	Thindal Murugan Temple	Thindalmalai	Erode		Velyadhaswami temple is a model of Birla Mandir, with Golden Temple Car.
13	Arulmigu Subramanyaswamy Thirukovil	Sivanmalai,Kangayam,	Tiruppur,Tamil Nadu-638701,India.	-	One of the well known myths associated with Siva is his conquest of Tripuram – the three celestial cities which the Asuras (demons) had taken over, and wreaked havoc over them. The Devas ( celestial gods) appealed to Siva for help and asked him to save them from the demons. Siva made mount Meru his bow, and Vasuki the serpent his bow-string and prepared to wage war against the Asuras. The very tip of Siva’s bow ( Mount Meru) fell on earth and that became Sivamalai according to legend. It is also known as Sakthimalai because Parvathi the goddess did penance once on this hill.
14	Arulmigu Balamurugan Temple	Pachaimalai	Gobichettipalayam		One of the two hill temples for Lord Muruga in Gobi, the other one being Pavazhamalai which is only 2 km away from Pachaimalai. Though this temple is very old, the structure has been built starting 1967.
15	Muthu Kumaraswamy Temple	Pavazhamalai	Gobichettipalayam		The second hill temple for Lord Muruga in Gobi.
16	Siragiri Dandayudhapani	Chennimalai	Erode		This hill is also called Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri and Siragiri and is located between Kangeyam and Perundurai. It is one of the most famous temples of Lord Muruga in Coimbatore district where Lord Arunagirinathar was blessed with "Padikasu", wealth of coins. This is where a miracle took place in the year 1984 on 12 February. On that eventful day two bullocks of their own accord pulled a bullock cart up the 1320 steps. Saravana Munivar wrote the most popular Chennimalai Sthalapuranam 700 years ago. Milk and curds are used as special offerings to Lord Muruga in Chennimalai and it is the general belief that curds do not become sour here.
17	Uthanda Velayudhasamy Thirukoil	Uthiyur/Uthimalai	Erode		The temple is located on a small hillock. This place is called Pon Uthiyur which is considered as a Sanjeevani Hill of the south.
18	Vattamalai Murugan Temple	Vattamalai/Konkanagiri	Kangeyam		This famous ancient temple dedicated to Muruga has the special distinction of being visited by the famous Saiva saint Arunagirinathar once. He eulogized the glory of the Lord and Kshetra in fine sweet verses. This hill temple enshrines the beautiful images of Murugan flanked by Valli and Devasena.