Naina Malai Varadarajar Temple

Name : Sri Nainamalai varadharaja swamy

Location :

Around 20 kms South of Rasipuram and 15 kms North of Namakkal

Legend :

The Boodha Ganas (an army like division of Lord Shiva's empire) approached Lord Vishnu for relief from a curse spelt on them by Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu created a spring here through a serpent named Ananha (Anantha Saras Theertham), gave darshan to the Bhoodas from its bank and relieved them of the curse.

As a token of their gratitude, the Bhoodha Ganas erected this temple for Lord Vishnu. Hence, the place is called Bhoodhapuri. The Lord is named Adikesava Perumal.

It has been there for many yugas and rishis had done topas there. The temple is called Nainachalam, because Naina rishi, the guru of Thirumalai Naicker, did penance here. Every 12 years, Lord Indira come and worship the Swamy in the form of thunder. There’s even a sculpture of his in one of the elaborately carved pillars.

The temple is considered to be present in all the 4 yugas in various names like Indhra Jalam, Padma jalam, Yadhava jalam and Naina jalam.

Description :

Nainamali varadharaja swamy is one of the most ancient temples in tamil nadu. This temple is called as "Thirupathi of Salem". Main deitials Sri Varadharaja Swamy and Kuvalayavali Thayar.

During the month of Puratasi lakhs of devotees come to the temple on saturdays. The temple is situated at a hill top. The hill top can be reached by climbing 3500 steps which would hardly take 3 hours trek up the hill. Thala vrucham is nali tree which is said to be there for four yugams in the temple.

In the maha mandapam, the sculptures of Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanan, Krishnan with butter pot, Narasimhar, Veera Anjaneyar, Manmadhan, Rathi, Ayyappan and Dasavatharams are present.,
From the 1st of Tamil month Aani to the 30th of Aadi, Sun rays fall on the Lord. There are 3 water streams.

Here Thirumanjana deepam is very famous and is visible to the near by surrounding villages and town.

In the foot the nainmalai hills is the Sendamanagalam town. Here there is a big temple built during Nayakar kings time. The main deties are Sri Perundevi samathe Lakshmi Narayana swamy

Festivals :

Brahmotsavam (feb in the tamil month of Masi (feb7thfeb19th-2013)
and Puratasi viratham on saturdays 5weeks in month of september & October

Websites :
http://nainamalai-varadarajar.blogspot.in/
http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/salem/

Address for contact and communication
Soundaraja Battachariar
No 3, perumal Kovil Street,
Sendamangalam
Namakkal District
Tamil nadu
637409
Cell     :   9443499854 & 9442397876
email :  soundararajan26@gmail.com 
email :  vararajar2012@gmail.com

Thathagiri Murugan Temple

Name : Thathagiri Murugan Temple

Location :

Kongu region is dotted with Murugan temples in top of the hills. This is yet another famous temple located in a small hill near Sendamangalam of Namakkal district.

Description :

This temple is located 10 kilometers from Namakkal towards Sendamangalam. Kripananda Variyar visited this temple frequently.

Websites :

http://www.nativeplanet.com/namakkal/attractions/thathagiri-murugan-temple/

Arapaleeswarar Temple

Name : Sri Arappaleeswarar temple

Location :

Shri Arappaleeswarar Temple, Kollimalai, Salem district, Tamilnadu

Legend :

In olden days, the temple area was an agricultural land. Once, when a farmer ploughed the land, he found blood oozing out. Surprisingly, he found a Shivalinga. Pujas began to the Lord. The scar caused by the plough injury is still visible on the head part of the Shivalinga. This is a significant feature in the head part of the Shivalinga.

Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi. A scar on the head of the Shivalinga is visible caused by a hit of a plough. The construction of the shrine is such that a devotee could enjoy the darshan of Lord Arappaleeswarar, Mother Thayammai, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga standing from a single spot

Temple :

There are shrines in the inner corridor of the temple for Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Lord Vinayaka, Lord Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Dakshinamurthy, Chandikeswara, Durga, Kalabhairava, Sun and Moon.

Devotees seeking child boon, removal of obstacles in marriage talks and brilliance in education pray to the Lord in the temple.

Description :

The beauty of Kollimalai is the sum total beauty of nature clothed by hills spanning a distance of fourteen miles far and wide with a proud history dating back to 2,500 years. It is "Kollipavai" that has crowned the fame of the region. Kollipavai is a most beautiful feminine form created by a divine sculptor to create lust in the minds of the demons who came down to Kollimalai with evil designs.

Kollimalai has the reputation of being ruled by the Chera kings. One of them, Valvil Ori was known for his charitable and compassionate traits. He was also a great warrior capable of defeating an elephant, deer, wild pig and such other animals with a single arrow. A part of the region ruled by him was known as Arappalli.

As Lord Shiva graces this place as a Swayambumurthy, Arappaleeswarar temple came into being here. There is a statue for Valvil Ori here. The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Ganasambandar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar as Araipalli.

Devotees use to feed the fishes in the Panchanadhi river and use to do nose-boring to them. Due to ignorance, a devotee caught the fishes and began to cook them for food. When the curry began to boil, live fishes began to jump and run. Symbolizing this incident, the Lord is praised as Arapaleeswarar who joined the fishes cut by the devotee.

Arapaleeswarar Temple is situated in an area called Valapur Nadu. The Lord graces the devotees along with Mother Thayammai, Lord Vinayaka and Lord Muruga. The devotee can have the darshan of the Gods standing at one place in the temple.

The carvings around the temple bear the history of the visit of Madevi, the great grandmother of Rajaraja Chola and wife of Sivagnana Kanadarathitya Chola and her gift of invaluable jewels to the Lord.

Enjoying a pleasure bath in the falls and the darshan of the Lord in the temple devotees become healthier both physically and spiritually.

There are five ever permanent rivers on the northern side of the temple, the falls of which look like flower showers from a height of 150 feet. They bring rare medicinal properties from the plants around the hills. There are plenty of fishes in the rivers. Devotees believe that Arapaleeswarar is in the form of a fish. Therefore, they offer food to the fishes in the people before entering the temple.

Rivers are flowing here even when there would be no rain. They are never dry.

Festivals :

Adi Perukku (July-August), Maha Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June), Navarathri in Purattasi (September-October), Karthikai Deepam in November-December, Annabishekam and Tirvadhirai in Margazhi (December-January).

websites :
http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=1023

Sri Madhuvaneswarar temple

Name : Sri Madhuvaneswarar temple

Location :

Nannilam city, Tiruvarur District of Tamilnadu

Legend :

Vayu the God of wind and divine serpent Adisesha claimed supremacy of their prowess in the court of the Devas.  Adisesha covered the peaks of Mount Meru with his thousand heads.  Vayu could not shake the mount.  This created panic in the world and yielding to the appeal of Devas Adisesha gave in one peak.  Vayu shook the peak and took it to south when one small piece fell in this place, according to sthala purana.
The piece of the peak that fell here became a small mount which was earlier a plain.  The temple is believed to have been built on this mount.  Lord Shiva appeared here as a Tejolinga as the result of the penance of King Bruhadrajan in Krutha Yuga.  During the Dwapara Yuga Lord changed all Devas into bees to protect them from the harassment of demon Vruddhasura.  Lord also advised the Devas to make bee-hives in the sanctum and worship Him.  As bees worshipped here the Lord is named Madhuvaneswarar (Madhu in Sanskrit means honey), Mother as Madhuvana Nayaki and the place as Madhuvanam.  There are bees around the place even now but they do not harm anybody.

Description :

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambulingamurthy. All festivals mentioned above are organized by Sri Madhuvaneswara Swami Vazhipattu Kazhagam, a body devoted to celebrating all festive events.

Devas in the celestial world including their king Indira, Bruhadrajan had worshipped the Lord in this temple.  It is built on a land covering an area of 270 feet in length and 135 feet in width.  The 30 feet tall 2 tier Rajagopuram is facing east with five Kalasas.  Lord Shiva in sanctum sanctorum is facing east and Mother the south.

In a small hill within the temple are shrines for Lords Nardana Ganapathy, Somaskanda, Dakshinamurthy, Annamalayar, Brahmma and Mother Durga.  In the prakara down the hill are Lords Siddhi Vinayaka, Subramanya, Chandikeswara, Agastheeswarar, Brahmmapureeswarar, Bhairava and Saturn (Sani Baghwan), Sun God and Navagrahas the nine planets and Mother Mahalakshmi.  Lord Nataraja graces from a separate shrine near the sanctum.

Moolavar : Madhuvaneswarar
Amman / Thayar : Madhuvaneswari
Thala Virutcham : Vilwa
Theertham : Brahmma theertham, Soola theertham
Agamam / Pooja : Shivagama
Year : 1000-2000 years old

Importance of this Temple :

It is believed that those bathing in the sacred spring in Masi Month-February-March and worship the Lord will gain all benefits in life and those worshipping on Ekadasi days-11th day of full moon or new moon days and pradosha days-13th day in both fortnights will reach Moksha-salvation.

This is one of the Mada Temples built by Chola king Kochenganan.  Yama the Lord Death in the south, Varuna the God of rains in the west, Indira in east and Kubera in the north installed Shivalingas in the place and worshipped the Lord.

Festivals :

Vaikasi Visakam in May June, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai festivals are celebrated with procession of Lord. Other festivals are Guru Puja for Saint Sundarar in Aadi Swati star day in July-August; monthly pradoshams and Shivrathri and all Shiva related auspicious days.

Websites :

http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=355

Thirukoilur kabilar kundru

Name : Kabilar Kundru

Location :

Kabilar Kundru or Kabilar rock is a hill rock in the middle of the Ponnaiyar River near Tirukoilur in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Description :

East of the Tirukoilur has the Sivan Temple situated on the banks of River Pennar. Near to the temple on the banks of the river, there exists Kabilar(Saint) Kundru (tiny mountain).

Tirukoilur is one of the "Ashta Veeratanams" [Ashta - eight Veeratanam - Place of Bravery].
Lord Shiva took various forms(incarnations) to destroy evil and establish justice, of which eight Avatars(forms) are very famous and Tirukoilur is one of them.

Kapilar (Tamil: கபிலர்) was refliterature Sangam poet. He was a contemporary of Karikala Chola, Irunkōvēl and Vēl Pāri. He was the close friend and confidant of Vēl Pāri, one of the Vēlir kings. He was born in Thiruvadhavur in the Pandyan Kingdom. Initially a poet at the Pandyan court, he would leave at an early age and show his talent at various places before finally ending up at the court of Vel Pari.Kapilar would hear about the generosity and virtue of Vēl Pāri, a powerful Vēlir King who ruled over Parambu nādu, a heavily fortified kingdom that comprised about 300 villages, and pay him a visit. They would go on to become the thickest of friends. He would be his confidant and stay with Vēl Pāri until the latter's last breath.
During this period the three crowned Tamil kings were in the process of expanding their empires and turned the independenet Velir chiefs into sub-ordinates or eliminated them. When the three crowned Kings besiege the kingdom of Parambu, Vēl Pāri a warrior like no other will refuse to bow and face them head on. Kapilar would sing some of the most notable poems in praise of his patron during this time. In the end, Vēl Pāri would finally be killed by treachery after defying them for years.

Kapilar, a true friend, would then take the two daughters (Angavai & Sangavai) of Vēl Pāri and go in search of appropriate grooms. He would knock on the doors of the other Vēlir kings and unsuccessfully plead with each before finally giving up. He would be let down each time as the other Vēls would fear retribution from the 3 crowned kings. The most notable of these encounters is when he sings to Irunkōvēl and the latter would throw an insult and shut the door on the great poet. He would finally leave the two princesses in the care of Brahmins.

The death of his friend will affect him so greatly that he would perform vadakirrutal, one of the Tamil acts of committing suicide. He would sit facing north and starve himself to death. The place where kabilar committed suicide by starving is now called as Kabilar Kundru.

It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu by the Archeological Survey of India.

Websites :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabilar_Kundru

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/voyage-junction/17129-not-easily-seen-but-exceptional-temples-tamil-nadu-villupuram-dist.html

Ibudhou Pakhangba

Name :   Ibudhou Pakhangba Temple

Location : 

Uyal Hill, Thoubal, Manipur, India

Description :

The Newly constructed temple of Ibudhou Pakhangba was inaugurated by MLA Landhoni Devi on 09, July 2014. The temple was constructed by Ibudhou Pakhangba Seba Committee and Wangbal Gram Panchayat Pradhan H Dijen.

Legend :

Paphal: the mythical assumptions of Lord Pakhangba, ruling deity of Manipur

This article explores the science of Meitei belief system culminating with traditional pre-vaishnavite form of religion. Worship of Pakhangba and beliefs and practices associated with Paphal cult are instrumental in the cultural and social integration of the people of Manipur. The abode of Paphal in sacred places, groves, lakes, mountains, river, caves and forests are merely not a matter of its cultural existence but also prove its biological concern by taking a decisive role in conserving nature.

Paphal representing Ningthouja (royal) clan

Religion plays an important role in the growth of human civilization and every society are religious in expressing culturally laid resolution of social and psychological problems. Every society, be it ancient or modern, passes through naturalism and animism. The animistic and naturalistic faiths, those of which are deeply rooted in the beliefs and practices of a society, remain to exist in some forms even if it has undergone changes.

Before the advent of Hinduism in Manipur, the traditional religion or the pre-Hindu religion existed in a polytheistic, animistic and naturalistic form loaded with belief and practices associated with spirits, animistic and naturalistic faiths, ancestral worship, totemic cult, fetishism and so on. Apart from this, curiously shaped stones and objects, possessing some life-like forces, are often venerated and worshiped by them. Existence of malevolent spirits in the surrounding environment, forests and jungle, lakes, rivers and swamps constitute traditional belief of the Meitei people of Manipur. Free and liberated souls like Timu-Laimu,Sharoi-Ngaroi(deomons and evil spirits), Heloi (nymph), Hingchabis (witch), etc. according to the Meitei belief, roam in their surroundings, the influence of which may result a person to suffer from diseases, unconsciousness and sometimes meet sudden death. These are warded off with different levels of magical, ritual and ceremonial conducts by the concerned spiritual specialists, commonly referred to as the Maiba and Maibis (priests and priestess). Scholars have viewed the religion of Manipur in its historical perspective into two broad categories viz. (a) traditional religion or pre-Hindu religion and (b) the advent and rise of Hinduism in Manipur.

The chronicles and ancient literary texts reveal that the ancient people of the land worshiped a number of gods and goddesses. They included natural phenomena such as Sun, Moon, Sky, Stars, Darkness, Wind, Water, Fire, Lighting, Earthquake, etc. and also many mythical and legendary figures, cultural and political heroes, tribal and clan progenitors, and the like. Concept of High God emerges with the Meitei Trinity Atiya Guru Sidaba or Soralel (immortal Guru of Heaven/ Sky God), Pakhangba (Moon God) and Sanamahi (Sun God) and they are considered to be the manifestations of the Universal lord Taibang Panba Mapu.

Temple of Lord Pakhangba in the heart of the holy palace Kangla Photo: L. Ibomcha Meitei, Secy. CYCA, Manipur

Temple of Lord Pakhangba in the heart of the holy palace Kangla

Photo: L. Ibomcha Meitei, Secy. CYCA, Manipur

Nungjeng Pukhri: the Sacred Pond inside the Holy Kangla

Photograph: L. Ibomcha Meitei, Secy. CYCA, Manipur

According to a popular Meitei myth of creation, the newly created earth was to be ruled by the sons of the Atiya Guru Sidaba (immortal Guru of Heaven). In order to choose the most able son to ascend the thorne of Kangla, Atiya Guru Sidaba decided to examine the ability of Pakhangba and Sanamahi by hiding himself from their sight. Sanamahi, the eldest son took 7 rounds of the earth to find his father, while the youngest son Pakhangba took the help of Mother Ima Leimarel Sidabi (Immortal Mother goddess) and took 7 rounds of his father's throne to find. Pakhangba was successful in finding out his father . Being found cheated, Sanamahi started quarreling with his brother Pakhangba. The conflict between the two brothers become so dreadful that it raised to the level of destroying the newly created earth. Finally, Atiya Guru Sidaba intervened and resolved the matter. Pakhangba was crowned as the ruler of the earth and Sanamahi as the ruler of every household. In this way, Pakhangba became the most important public deity while Sanamahi is regarded as a household deity.

Horn like projection and front gable of the Kangla gate bears elements of Paphal. Coiled and twisted appearance of projection with thorny structure of the gable represents the mythical assumption of Pakhangba. The thorn signifies the dorsal spine of Pakhangba Paphal.

Pakhangba, other than its human existence is also believed to have appeared in a divine form called Paphal. At the time of creation, the thousand crested form of his assumption laid on to fill soil for creating earth. According to Meitei belief, earlier there was a vast expanse of water with no patches of soil. This mythical assumption called Paphal exists more than 364 different forms and the illustration of which are given in the ancient manuscript called Paphal Lambuba. These forms are associated with divine power to control and protect places. Many forms of Pakhangba are revered as the presiding deity of River, Lakes, Hills, Ponds, Caves and Islands while Taoroinai forms of Pakhangba represent the divine existence in the human body to control the nervous systems. There are as many as 108 Taoroinai Pakhangba Paphals live in the human body as its divine assumptions.

Pakhangba and its forms in are regarded as the creator of seven salais (clans) of Meitei. The Paphal illustrations in the manuscripts appeared with codified colours of these seven clans. Reflections of these divine assumptions also appear in the Meitei numerals and scripts. These assumptions were used as icons and symbolic representations of the Meitei social and political organisations called Panas. Paphals were also the symbol of royal flags. Some of these sacred assumptions are means of healing with proper writings of mantras on the intricate postures, and the Pandits (royal scholars), and Maibas (traditional healers) use it in their healing practices. Some of these intricate postures are guidelines of Thengourol & Khousarol (steps) to the traditional Meitei Martial form called Thang-Ta.

The impressive royal dressess and dance costumes of Manipur, be it folk or classical, are derrived from the assumption of Pakhangba. It is also said that, some elements of Pakhangba Paphal were taken up in the Sringara of Lord Krishna, and the beauty of Lord Krishna represented in the classical Rasa Dance and temple idols of Manipur are well accomplished with the blending of Manipuri art and aesthetics.

Moreover, many religious preachers of all hues also passed through this land or settled here. These immigrants and religious preachers brought new cultural and religious ideas into Manipur, which affected the cultural and religious life of the the people. In course of evolution, the traditional culture and religion of the Meitei have been further enriched with the absorption and assimilation of elements from other alien cultures.

Displaying the image of Pakhangba (Paphal) in front of
the house is believed to be auspicious

A painting on creation myth associated with Pakhangba displayed front wall of Meitei house

A painting on creation myth associated with Pakhangba displayed

front wall of Meitei house

Paphal is synonymous with Lord Pakhangba. People of Manipur know Pakhangba as their ancestor, their King and as their Lord and his symbolic representation called Paphal is also referred by them as Ibudhou Pakhangba (the great ancestor Pakhangba). These assumptions are not only sacred to them but also a part of their life and culture. Attraction of Pakhangba assumptions is not isolated from the contemporary Manipuri society and other sects of people. Many of the social organisations, clubs, market and shops, display Pakhangba forms, 'Paphal', as their icon, symbol and souvenirs to welcome you to the land of Pakhangba.

Photographs of  Pakhangba in Temples and Meitei Architectures in various temples

Pakhangba in the form of Meitei Numerals
displayed on the wall of Pakhangba Temple, Sagolband, Imphal

The belief system associated with Pakhangba and ancestral worship is deeply rooted among the Meiteis of Manipur. Even in the changing scenario, the cultural elements loaded with incredible form of art and aesthetics maintained from the mythical assumptions of God Pakhangba still exists into the psyche of Meitei people. Pakhangba cult in other sense is truly the baseline of Meitei culture.

Websites :

http://shakmachanongmaithem.blogspot.in/2012/04/paphal-mythical-assumptions-of-lord.html