Kalayiarkovil Temple

3 Sep'2011: We checked out of the TTDC hotel room and went straight to Meenakshi Bhavan(College House) for breakfast of Idli/vada & coffee. Then we left for Kalayiarkovil in Sivaganga distyrict - a 2 hour drive from Madurai - 66 Km South- East of Madurai. “ Kalayiarkoil” derived its name from the Kaleeswarar temple. Kalaiyarkoil was the seat of the kings from very early days. King Vengai Marban ruled over this area during Sangam period. It was the strong hold of rulers of Sivangangai. It was also the seat of the freedom fighters like Muthu Vaduga Natha Thevar and Maruthu brothers. The invading English forces plundered Kalaiarkovil and collected jewels worth 50,000 pagodas. The temple was kept locked and prayers stopped for some time. It was later re opened and substantial repairs and development were done by Devakottai Zamindar. Today this day Devakottai Zamindars continue to be the temple trustees and carry on the family tradition started by their forefathers by conducting the daily temple rituals & pujas.
A lofty Rajagopuram (150 feet) and an imposing Teppakkulam tank (with a mandapam) adorn this shrine. Airavatam the elephant of Indra is said to have created this tank. There are three shrines in this temple associated with the three functions of creation, preservation and completion. The presiding deity lord Shiva is called as Kaaleeswarar, Someswarar, Sundareswarar and the Ambal his consort Parvathy is called as Swarnambikai, Soundara Nayagi, Meenakshi. Stone inscriptions from the periods of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandian I, Jadavarma Sundara Pandian II, Veerapandian and Vanaathirayan are found in this temple.
This is indeed a unique temple with magnificent structures and superb sculptures: We were taken on a personal guided tour by a temple official and were therefore accorded the highest honors by the solitary temple priest who personally accompanied us to all the important sanctums. At the Swarnambigai Sannadhi he opened the Palli Arai for our viewing - it was truly a beautiful sight. Here are some memorable pics taken at the temple:
1.Swarna Kaleeswara & Someshwarar Gopurams
2.dwaja Sthambam at Swarna Kaleeswara Sannithi
3.100 pillar mandapam enroute to Ambal Sannithi
4.Dwaja Sthambam at Ambal Sannithi
5 & 6: Intricate sculptures
7.Chinna Marudu, Peria Marudu & Kizhavan Sethupati
8.Devakottao Zamindar sculpture- 1887
9.Devakottai Zamindars - Venkats forefathers
10&11.Theppakulam views
12-14: Temple elephant Swarnavalli & geese specially reared to keep away snakes from Swarnavalli

Madurai Meenakshi - Pudhu Mandapam

Pudhu Mandapam is a shopping arcade and also has some glorious sculptures> Please enjoy the photo tour:

The Magnificent Nandi
Kanyadhanam of Goddess Minakshi by Sri Vishnu to Sundareswarar Ravana the ten headed king of Lanka Ravana carrying Mt.Kailas with Lord Siva & Goddess Parvati seated aloft Urdhva Thandavam - a dance form by Nataraja Thadathagai - a form of Minakshi before her wedding Shoppers Paradise

Madurai - Thirupuvanam & Thiruvedagam

2 Sep'2011: After Lunch we took some rest and then left for Thiruppuvanam around 5.00 pm. We first crossed the Theppakulam at Madurai before moving on towards Thiruppuvanam - a thevara sthalam as as one of the Pandi Pathinaalu.The four Saivite saints have sung the glory of Poovana Nathar, deity of Tiruppuvanam temple, located 20 km east of Madurai on the road to Manamadurai, on the southern bank of the Vaigai.The place is connected with an legend narrated in the ``Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam." Ponnanaiyall, an ardent devotee of Lord Siva used to take bath in the river early in the morning, offer garlands and dance before the Lord daily. She spent all her earnings and wealth in feeding the devotees of the Lord. To test her, the Lord created in her mind the desire to carve out His idol in gold. Appearing before her as an ascetic (Siddhar) he claimed that He could turn any metal given to Him into gold. Promptly the girl handed over all the vessels in the house. The siddhar smeared holy ash on them and went away telling her that she would find them golden the next morning. So it happened and the girl turned over the collection to a goldsmith to make an idol. And what she saw was so enchanting that she pinched the deity's cheek leaving a permanent mark there. Her statue is found at the entrance of the temple along with those of the Siddhar, Chokkappa Nayak, the king who built many portions of the temple, his queen and his minister. The idol of Somaskandar, which bears the pinch mark on His cheek even now, is known as Ponnanaiyan and Azhagiyapiran. When Gnanasambandar visited this place he was held up on the northern bank of the river. The Lord asked Nandi to stand a little aside to give him darshan. One therefore finds Nandi seated a little aside and not right in front of the sanctum sanctorum. On our return we stopped at a nice roadside Bakery that was selling oven fresh biscuits, cakes and other niceties. We picked up a whole lot of goodies before proceeding further.
1.Theppakulam - dry but green.Presently serves as a playground.
2.The entrance gopuram
3.Lord appearing as Siddar
4.The Naayak King paying obeisance to the Lord
5.Ponnanaiyall the ardent devotee
6 & 7: Pics of & in the bakery.
Our next destination was Thiruvedagam Temple located on the Madurai - Sholavanadam bus route on the banks of the river Vaigai. This is another thevara sthalam as as one more of the Pandi Pathinaalu. Presiding deity is Edaganatheswarar & his consort is Elavaarkuzhali Maadeviyambikai. This is a famous historical place where the palm-leaf manuscript of Saivite Saint Thirunavakkarasar is believed to have washed ashore floating against the currents of vaigai river (upstream). In the Sekkilar's Periyapuranam, this event is described in detail.

Madurai - Thirumogur

2 Sep'2011: This temple is around 8 Kms from Madurai. The temple has sanctums for: Kalamegha Perumal(presiding deity) , His consort Mohanavalli thayar (Meghavalli, Moghurvalli), Aandal, Garuda, Krishna, Alwars & Hanuman. The pushkarni is called Ksheerapthi Pushkarni while the vimanam is Ketaki vimanam. This temple is among one of the Pandiyanaatu Divya desams of Sri Vaishnavas. The Moolavar is Kal
aamegha Perumal in nindra thirukolam or standing posture. The Utsavar is Thirumogur Aapthan.The specialty of the temple is the presence of Chakratalwar with 16 hands and each hand holding a different weapon. There is Lord Narasimha behind Chakratalwar with shanku chakra.
This temple is also known as Mohanakshetram. It got its name as Moghur due to the Mohini avatharam taken by Lord Vishnu to ensure that the devas got the amrutham ( that came out of the churning of the ocean) rather than the asuras so that the devas get back the lost power. It is believed that a drop of amrutham fell into the temple tank.
After visit to temple it was nearing 1.00 O'clock - hence we returned to Madurai city for lunch. We went to Shri Ram mess (located in Kaka Thoppu Street near the Meenakshi Temple) for a nice South Indian meal served on plaintain leaf. It was fairly sumptuous. The rasam was piping hot with superb flavor.Here are some photos of the temple & the mess:
1.The temple outer prakaram with the entrance gopurams in backdrop.
2.The Temple Vimanam
3.Ksheerapthi Pushkarni
4.Lunch South style
5.Excellent service

Madurai - Azhagarkoil

2 Sep'2011: Azhagarkoil is located 21 Kms from Madurai - A Vishnu Temple at the foot of a range of hills called Alagarmalai. Here Vishnu is known as Meenakshi's brother Azhagar(the beautiful one). The Main tower entrance (Mukya Gopuram) always remains closed, with the shrine of Karupanna Swami. The very closed door itself is worshipped as Patinettam padi or 18 steps. There are various legends associated with this. Only once a year, the door is opened and Sudarshana Chakra(Or ChakrathAlvar as the temple devotees mention), the famous Vishnu's wheel, passes over through the open door. This is a centuries old practice. The style of the architectuer denotes, 3rd or early 4th Century construction.
The main deity is called Paramaswamy and the utsavar is known as Azhagar & also Sundararajar. There are also shrines for Kalyana Sundaravalli, Chakrathalwar & Andal.
On top of this hill is Pazhamudirsolai subrahmanyar temple, one of the 6 Murugan shrines known as Arupadai Veedu. This is a contemporary temple built about 50 years ago. A small spring known as Noopura Gangai runs near this temple. The waters of this mountain spring are considered sacred and devotees normally have a bath here.
Here are some pics taken during the trip: 1.The main Gopuram at Azhagarkoil from outside
2.The main gopuram as seen from inside
3.The Vimananam and main mandapam in front of the sanctum
4. Enroute to Chakrathalwar Mandapam
5.Monkeys atop a jeep 6.The Temple Chariot used during festival time - when the presiding deity is taken the temple town pulled by thick ropes.

Madurai - Thiru Appanoor

2 Sep'2011: This temple lies in the shadow of Meenakshi Sunderaswarar temple in Madurai city.. The name 'Aappudaiyaar' comes from the word 'Aappu' - a wedge that was worshipped as a Shivalingam by a Pandya ruler solandhagan because, he cant cross the flooded river vaigai to reach the meenakshi amman temple on the other side. That 'Aappu' is said to have transformed miraculously into a Shivalingam. Shiva is also believed to have miraculously caused sand of the river to turn into rice during the time of an unbearable famine, hence he got the other name Anna Lingeswarar.The temple is initially constructed by the Pandya rulers and further developed by Nayakars.The presiding deity lord shiva is called as Aappudaiyar, Rishabeswarar and the female deity his consort is known as Kuravankamazhum Kuzhalammai, Sugandha Kudalambal. A shrine to Subramanyar is situated between the shrines of Siva and Ambal. Thus the temple is said to be in Somaskanda type.
We found some fascinating sculptures on pillars located outside the Natarajar-Sivakami mandapam. These are presented below: