नवरात्रीतील देवीची उपासना

 “सृष्टिकर्त्री ब्रह्मरूपा, गोप्त्री गोविन्दरुपिणी, संहारिणी रुद्ररूपा” 

- श्री ललितासहस्रनाम 

ह्या विश्वामध्ये तीन मूलभूत क्रिया आहेत ज्या सर्व चराचरामध्ये समाविष्ट आहेत आणि त्या म्हणजे निर्मिती (ह्या क्रियेला सृष्टीनिर्माण, उत्पत्ती असं पण संबोधलं जातं), निर्वाह (ह्या क्रियेला स्थिती किंवा लालनपालन असं पण संबोधलं जातं) आणि संहार (ह्या क्रियेला लय असं पण संबोधलं जातं). कुठलीही वस्तू, मनुष्य, प्राणी, वनस्पती, इतर जीव, खनिज, अगदी सूक्ष्म विचार, देवदेवता, एवढंच काय तर हे अखिल विश्व असो. ह्या सर्वांना ह्या तीन स्थितींतून किंवा तीन क्रियांतून जावंच लागतं. वरील प्रत्येक क्रियेला एक अधिष्ठान देवता आहे म्हणजेच ह्या प्रत्येक क्रियांची जबाबदारी त्या त्या देवतांवर सोपवली आहे. सृष्टी निर्मितीची जबाबदारी ब्रह्मदेवाची आहे, सृष्टीपालनाची जबाबदारी भगवान विष्णूंकडे आहे तर सृष्टीसंहाराची जबाबदारी भगवान शंकरांची आहे. पण हे सगळे देव आपापली कार्य करण्यासाठी त्यांच्या शक्तिंवर अवलंबून आहेत. ह्या शक्तिंशिवाय ही कार्यं करण्यास ते असमर्थ ठरतात. म्हणूनच एखादा माणूस कुठलं कार्य करू शकत नसेल तर तो शक्तिहीन आहे असा वाक्प्रचार आहे. आपण कधी तो ब्रह्महीन आहे, विष्णूहीन आहे, किंवा शंकरहीन आहे असे शब्द वापरत नाही. म्हणजे कुठल्याही क्रियेमध्ये शक्तिंचं महत्व ह्या देवतांपेक्षाही अधिक आहे. म्हणूनच शक्तिहीन वस्तू प्रेतरूप होते. 

मनुष्यदेह ह्याच सृष्टीमधील पंचमहाभूतांपासून बनल्यामुळे सृष्टीचे सारे नियम आणि क्रिया (निर्माण, पालनपोषण आणि संहार) ह्या मनुष्यदेहाला पण लागू पडतात. त्यामुळे आपण दिवसा उठून रात्री झोपेपर्यंत, इतकंच काय तर झोपेत सुद्धा निर्मिती, निर्वाह आणि संहार शक्ति आपल्या शरीरामध्ये कार्यरत असतात. अगदी आपले विचारच घ्या. ते निर्माण होतात, स्थित राहतात आणि नंतर लय पावतात. ह्या विचारांच्या सकारात्मकतेप्रमाणे त्या त्या क्रिया आपल्याला सकारात्मक फळं देतात. तसेच नकारात्मक विचारांमुळे ह्या क्रिया नकारात्मक फळं देतात. आपले विचार सकारात्मक होण्यासाठी त्या त्या शक्तिंची उपासना मदत करते. आणि म्हणूनंच आपल्या थोर ऋषीमुनींनी ह्या शक्तिंची उपासना केली आणि अत्यंत प्रेमभावनेने आपल्या सर्व मानवजातीला ह्या शक्ति अनुकूल व्हाव्यात म्हणून ह्या उपासनांना प्रचलित पण केलं. 

देवि शक्तिरूप असल्यामुळे नवरात्रीमधील देविची उपासना ही सर्वश्रेष्ठ मानली जाते. नवरात्रीमध्ये ह्या तीनही शक्तिंची म्हणजेच दुर्गा देवि (संहारिणी रुद्ररूपा), लक्ष्मी देवि (गोप्त्री गोविन्दरुपिणी) आणि सरस्वती देवि (सृष्टिकर्त्री ब्रह्मरूपा) ह्यांची उपासना केली जाते. ह्या उपासनेमुळे आपल्यातील सृजनशक्ति, पालनपोषण शक्ति आणि संहारशक्ति ह्या तीनही शक्ति आपल्याला सकारात्मक आणि अनुकूल होण्यास मदत होते. नवरात्रीनंतर जो दिवस येतो तो म्हणजे विजयादशमी. म्हणजेच थोडक्यात नऊ दिवस ह्या तीन शक्तिंची उपासना केल्यामुळे आपण शक्तिपूर्ण बनतो आणि विजय प्राप्त करू शकतो. असं म्हणतात की राम-रावण युद्ध चालू असताना जेव्हा प्रभू श्रीरामांना आपल्या शक्ति रावणावर काम करत नाहीत हे जेव्हा प्रतीत झालं त्यावेळी ते काही क्षण हतबल झाले. त्यावेळी अगस्त्य मुनींनी प्रभू श्रीरामांना आठवण करून दिली की विधिलिखित नियमांनुसार रावणवधाचा काळ खूप जवळ आला आहे आणि त्यांनी प्रभू श्रीरामांना देविची उपासना करायला सांगितली. प्रभू श्रीरामांनी अगस्त्य मुनींच्या सल्ल्यानुसार देविची उपासना केली आणि दशमीच्या दिवशी रावणावर विजय प्राप्त केला. म्हणुनच ह्या दशमीला विजयादशमी असं संबोधलं जातं. 

स्वतः मच्छिन्द्रनाथांनीपण  शाबरीविद्येतील काव्य रचण्यासाठी देविची (शक्तिची) उपासना केली होती. 

नवरात्रीमधील सर्वात प्रचलित, सुलभ आणि सोपी उपासना म्हणजे श्रीदेविमहात्म्याचं पारायण. पारायणाची सुरुवात श्रीचंडीकवच, श्रीअर्गलास्तोत्र आणि श्रीकीलकस्तोत्र ह्यांचं पठण करून करावी असा प्रचलित नियम आहे. आणि पारायणाच्या शेवटी शंकराचार्यकृत देविअपराधक्षमापन स्तोत्र म्हणायचा प्रघात आहे. प्रतिपदेला चालू करून नवमी पर्यंत पारायण संपवावे असा नियम आहे. साधकांनी यथाशक्ति श्री देविमाहात्म्याचे १६ अध्याय ९ दिवसात वाचावेत ते असे १) तीन स्तोत्रे व अध्याय १, २) अध्याय २ व ३, ३) अध्याय ४ व ५, ४) अध्याय ६ व ७, ५) अध्याय ८ व ९, ६) अध्याय १० व ११, ७) अध्याय १२, ८) अध्याय १३ व १४, ९) अध्याय १५ व १६

समजा काही अडचणींमुळे आपल्याला पारायण जमलं नाही तर पुढील ९ श्लोक असलेल्या स्तोत्राचं पठण किंवा वाचन केल्याने पण देविमहात्म्य पारायणाचे फळ मिळते असं देविमहात्म्यामध्येच उल्लेखिले आहे. ते स्तोत्र असे 

या माया मधुकैटभप्रमथनी या महिषोन्मूलिनि,

या धूम्रेक्षणचण्डमुण्डमथनी या रक्तबीजाशनी || 

शक्ति: शुम्भनिशुम्भदैत्यदलिनी या सिद्धिलक्ष्मी: परा,

सा चण्डी नवकोटिमूर्तिसहिता मां पातु विश्वेश्वरी || १ ||

स्तुता सुरै: पूर्वमभीष्टसंश्रयात्तथा सुरेन्द्रेण दिनेषु सेविता ||

करोतु सा न: शुभहेतुरीश्वरी शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापद: || २ ||

या सांप्रतं चॊद्धतदैत्यतापितैरस्माभिरीशा च सुरैर्नमस्यते ||

करोतु सा न: शुभहेतुरीश्वरी शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापद: || ३ ||

या च स्मृता तत्क्षणमेव हन्ति न: सर्वापदो भक्तिविनम्रमूर्तिभि: || 

करोतु सा न: शुभहेतुरीश्वरी शुभानि भद्राण्यभिहन्तु चापद: || ४ ||

सर्वाबाधाप्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्वरी || 

एवमेव त्वयाकार्यमस्मद्वैरिविनाशनम् || ५ ||

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ||

शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि  नमोऽस्तु ते || ६ ||

सृष्टिस्थितिविनाशानां शक्तिभूते सनातनि ||

गुणाश्रये गुणमये नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते  || ७ ||

शरणागत दीनार्त परित्राणापरायणे  ||

सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते  || ८ ||

सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे  सर्वशक्तिसमान्विते ||

भयेभ्यास्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोऽस्तु ते || ९ ||

वरील उपासना करीत असताना खास ह्या नऊ दिवसांमध्ये आपल्या आजूबाजूला असलेल्या सर्व जीवमात्रांमधील शक्तिची जाणीव ठेवून त्यांच्या मधील देवत्वाचा अनुभव घेण्याचा प्रयत्न सतत ठेवावा. वरील वृत्ती कायम ठेवण्यासाठी सात्विक आहाराची नक्कीच मदत होते. 

Kadaiyur Mayanam - Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple at Thirukadaiyur Mayanam

This Shiva temple is located at Thirukadaiyur in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is at about 2 kilometers from Thirukadaiyur Veeratteswarar Temple on Mayiladuthurai- Karaikal route. This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams on the southern bank of kaveri. Lord Shiva of this temple was revered by sacred hymns by Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar.

Mulavar: Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Peruman Adigal

Devi: Sri Aamalagujanayaki, Vadumulai Ambika, Malarluzhal Minnaammai

Sacred Teertha: Brahma Teertha, Aswathi Teertha, Kashi Teertha

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva, Bahava (Kondrai in Tamil)

Puranik Name: Thirukadaiyur Mayanam

Present Name: Thirukadaiyur Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

This is a west facing temple. There is no Rajagopuram. There is a gopuram inside the temple complex which is three tiered. Lord Shiva is in the form of a swayambhu linga.

Special features, deities and other shrines:

Since Lord Brahma was destroyed and created later and given dnyana updesh by Lord Shiva, the place is known as Brahmapuri, Thirumeidnyanam and Kadaiyur Mayanam. Lord Shiva is known as Brahmapureeswarar. In the koshta we have the koshta murtis - Lord Dakshinamurti, Ardhanareeswarar, Lord Vishnu, Vishnu Durga, Bhairav, Chandikeshwar, Nardana Vinayaka. Lord Dakshinamurti in the koshta is along with six of his disciples but he is not seating under kallal tree (Indian rock fig, Kallalashwattha, Audumbar in Marathi) though he usually sits under it.  There is a separate shrine of Lord Muruga. He is with his consorts Valli and Devasena and he is called as Singaravelar. The idol of Singaravelar is unique. He is depicted with a bow and a spear in his hands in a warrior posture ready for going to the war. He wears a rudraksha mala and wears slippers known as kurradu in Tamil. He is slightly slanting towards the left. The idol resembles that of Lord Sriram. Singaravelar is considered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu who is his maternal uncle. Similar to Chandikeshwar in Lord Shiva’s temple there is a Chandikeshwar in Lord Muruga’s shrine also. He is known as Guhachandikeshwar. Lord Vinayaka is here known as Pranava Vinayaka and he is depicted with a flat stomach. It is believed that he also heard the updesh given to Lord Brahma by Lord Shiva with folded hands and full concentration. Hence he has a flat stomach. In the corridors we have the idols of Nataraja, Kalyana Sundarar, the four shaiva saints known as Nalavar, Lord Mahavishnu (known as Sri Pillai Perumal), Gajalakshmi, Chandeshwari, Sri Bhikshatanar and Bhairav. One of the 18 great sidhhars Sri Pambatti Siddhar lived here. 

Sthala Purana:

According to Purana, at the end of each yuga Lord Shiva is believed to create a great deluge (pralay) to destroy the universe. In the process, Lord Brahma also gets destroyed. When the new yuga starts, Lord Brahma is recreated by Lord Shiva. During one such yuga Lord Brahma was destroyed and brought back to life at this place. Lord Shiva gave Shiva dnyana updesh (Brahmadnyana updesh) so that Lord Brahma could start the creation. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Brahmapureeswarar at this place. This is the third such place where Lord Brahma was given Shiva-dnyanopadesh. 

According to kshetra purana Lord Shiva created a well (pond) with water from Ganges for Sage Markandeya to continue his worship of Lord Shiva at this place. This well is located very near the sacred tank of the temple. Even now water is taken from this well to Thirukadaiyur temple (Amirthakadeswarar Temple) daily for abhishek of Lord Shiva. The water from this well is used only for the Amirthakadeswarar. According to another kshetra purana, Chalukya king Emakeridan who was defeated in a battle and lost his kingdom came to this place to worship Lord Shiva after worshiping at nearby Shiva temples. He prayed to the lord for getting his kingdom back. When he came and prayed at the shrine of Singaravelar, Lord Muruga took the form of a king. He went with the king's army and defeated the enemy and got the kingdom back for King Emakeridan. That's why the idol of Lord Muruga (Singaravelar) is in warrior form. The king donated about 53 acres of land to the temple of Singaravelar which is still known as Singaraveli. 

Festivals: 

Aipassi (Oct-Nov) - Skanda Shashthi

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Thirukarthikai

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) - Thiruvadhirai

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Shivaratri

Panguni (Mar-April) - Teertha vari festival on ashwini nakshatra. It is believed that Ganga visits this place on this day every year. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are taken in procession to the well. 

Pradosha puja is done regularly.

People worship here for getting knowledge, removal of marriage obstacles and for a child boon. 

Courtesy: Following sites 
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and
https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

Nallur Mayanam - Sri Dnyanaparameshwarar Temple

This is a shiva temple at Thirumeyidnyanam. This is the fifth mayanam sthalam. At present this place is known as Thirunallur Mayanam. During puranic days this place was known as Chaturvedi Mangalam. 

This is about 16 kilometers from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Kudavasal route (via Thirucherrai). This is on the southern bank of river Kaveri. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam. Lord Shiva of this temple was revered in sacred hymns by shaiva saint Sambandhar.

Mulavar: Dnyanaparameshwarar, Sri Mayanathu Parameshwarar, Sri Mayanathu Mulathanathu Peruman

Devi: Dnyanambika, Periyanayaki

Sacred Teertha: Dnyanateertha, Chandra Teertha 

Sacred Vruksha: Palash, Bilva

Puranik Name: Thiru mayanam, Thiru Nallur Mayanam, Nathur

Present Name: Thirumeyidnyanam

District: Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The temple has no rajagopuram. The present temple structure is about 1500 years old. The temple was originally built by Chola king using stone. The temple is east facing. It has a beautiful entrance on which we find sculpture of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The latest structure was built by Aditya Chola I. There are 23 stone inscriptions in the temple which give the detail history of the temple. Shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. According to the local people, a serpent is seen coiled around the shiva linga even now. Sambandhar has also mentioned this event in his sacred hymn. This temple is Madakovil style i.e. built in such a way that elephants cannot enter. The sanctum sanctorum vimanam has a gaja prushtha shape. The sanctum sanctorum itself is square shape with a rounded shikhar. The pillars which are circular have  beautiful scupltures. 

Deities and other shrines in the temple:

The main shrine houses shiva linga and goddess parvati. There is a shrine of Lord Mahavishnu, a shrine of Lord Muruga, a shrine of Navagraha, a shrine of Thiru Dnyanasambandhar. The koshta murtis are present in the koshta. We have the idols of Naga, Chandikeshwar, Lord Dakshinamurti, Atmalinga, Shanishwarar, Bhairav, Surya. In the corridor we have shiva linga of Amrutkadeshwar, SattaiNathar, Ekambareshwar. The koshta murtis are Lord Ganesha, Bhikshanathar, Nataraja, Lord Bhairav and Lord Mahavishnu and VishnuDurga. 

Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Brahma, Sage Thirudnyanasambandhar, Four Vedas, and Sage Apastambha.

Festivals, puja and worship:

Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishekam

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri

Aavani (Aug-Sept) - Vinayaka Chaturthi

Trikal puja is performed in the temple daily. People pray here for removal of obstacles in marriage and for educational pursuit and prosperity.

Veezhi mayanam - Sri Nethrabaneshwarar Temple

This is the fourth mayanam temple of Lord Shiva. It is located near Peralam and Poonthottam. It is about 10 kilometers from Poonthottam on the bank of Arasalaru (a tributary of Kaveri) on the southern bank of Kaveri. This is about 27 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai on Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur route.

This is one of the Padal Petra Sthalam. Sambandhar, Appar and Sundarar have sung sacred hymns on Lord Shiva at this place. This temple is about 2000 years old. 

Mulavar: Sri Nethrabaneshwarar, VeezhiNathar, KalyanaSundareshwarar

Utsav Murti: KalyanSundarar

Devi: Sundar Gujambika, SriKatyayani, Sri Azhazhiyavanmullai Ammal, 

Sacred Teertha: Vishnu Teertha, Damodar Teertha and 25 other teerthas

Kshetra Vruksha: Veezhi Tree (Sandalwood Champa Jackfruit and Wood apple trees are together known as Veezhe in Tamil). 

Puranik and Present Name: Thiruveezheemalai,

District: Thiruvarur, Tamilnadu, Taluka:Kudavasal

Once this place was completely covered by dense Sandalwood, Champa, Jackfruit and Wood apple (Kavatha in Marathi) which are all together known as Veezhee in Tamil.

This temple is considered as parihar sthal for marriage obstacles. This temple covers an area of 4 acres. The temple has seven tiered Rajagopuram and three prakarams. There is a 100 pillar mandap known as Vowal (bat in Tamil) mandap. Stone inscriptions dating to the early 10th centuries are found in this temple. The temple is east facing. The temple looks like a fort. The temple tank is very huge. The temple is a madakovil style constructed by Chola king.

There is a very old (about 100 years) papaya tree. The shiva linga is swayambhu linga. The nandi at this temple is known as Patal nandi. The temple is built in such a way that one feels that it is built over nandi. 

Lord Shiva is dressed in his bridal dress and hence he is known as Mappillai Swami(bridegroom). There are no koshta murtis in this temple. 

The idol of Lord Shiva and Ambal are in their bridal dress and the idol is about 15 feet in height. 

Other idols and shrines:

There are no koshta murtis. In the south parikrama we have a shrine of Vinayaka known as Padikkasu Vinayaka. In the west parikrama shrines of Somaskanda, Lord Muruga, and Goddess Mahalakshmi are found. On the northern side we have the shrine of Chandikeshwar and the shrine of Nataraja with Shivagami. Balipeeth is in the east and west corners of the temple. Sanctum sanctorum is supported by sixteen lions. The inner gopuram looks like a chariot. Lord Indra looks like a charioteer and Lord Shiva is seated as bridegroom. We also come across the idols of Bhikshatanar, Kalasamhar murti, Thyagaraja. We have a separate shrine for Lord Dakshinamurti, the four shaiva saints known as Nalvar and shrine of twin Vinayaka known as Irattai Vinayaka in Tamil. Besides this we come across idols of Bala Ganapathi, Bala Subramanya, Shiva Lingas, Mukta Devi and five lingas representing pancha bhutas, MayurNathar, Surya, Bhairav, Meykandar in the corridor. There is a separate shrine of Shaneshwarar. Goddess Parvati is in a separate shrine with a separate corridor along with the shrines of Lord Muruga and Lord Ganapati. The procession idol (i.e. utsav murti) of Lord KalyanaSundarar has the idol of Lord Mahavishnu offering his eye.

Salient features:

Saints Appar and Sundarar stayed here in a mutt. There is a hole in the wall of the sanctum sanctorum through which a parrot is believed to be coming daily for worship of Lord Shiva. 

Kshetra Puran:

Sage Katya and his wife performed severe penance and got Goddess Parvati as their daughter who was named as Katyayani. Acceding to the request of the sage, Lord Shiva married Katyayani in the Tamil month of Chithirai on Magha nakshatra. At that time the Sage requested the couple to stay at this place in their bridal attire. And grace all the devotees. Hence Lord Shiva and Parvati appear in their bridal attire. 

A hunter named Meezhilaikurumbur used to worship Lord Shiva daily with a wood apple. Lord Shiva graced him and gave him ashta-maha-siddhi. People still believe that they can see the wood apple offered by the devotee even today at the feet of Lord Shiva. Hence this place is known as Veezheemalai. 

Once when Appar and Sambandhar stayed at this place a huge famine took place. They sang sacred hymns in praise of Lord Shiva to get over the famine. Lord Shiva appeared in their dream and told them that he will give one gold coin daily so that they can feed the people and avoid starvation. Lord Shiva gave one gold coin to Appar in the west balipeeth and one coin to Sambandhar in east balipeeth daily. These balipeethas can be found even now. And they are known as Padikkasu Balipeetha. Lord Vinayaka at this place is known as Padikkasu Vinayaka. 

Demon Jalandhar had snatched discuss of Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva advised Lord Vishnu to come to this place and worship him (as Lord Shiva was among Veezhee plants) so that he can get back his discuss. Lord Vishnu came to this place and made a pond known as Vishnu Teertha and worshiped Lord Shiva with lotus flowers. He found one lotus flower short and he tried to make up for that by offering one of his eyes. Lord Shiva who was pleased with his worship got the discuss back. It is believed that the eye offered by Lord Vishnu is still at the feet of Lord Shiva. The mulavar Vimanam is believed to have been brought by Lord Vishnu. 

A plant known as Veezhee grows in abundance at this place, hence this place was known as Veezhekadu. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva gave darshan as Thoni Appar at this place. 

It is stated in purana that king Shwetaketu (from North) came here and worshiped Lord Shiva. He was told that he had a very short lifespan and can be saved only by worshiping Lord Shiva at this place. He was saved by Lord Shiva from Yama at this place. 

Those who worshiped here: Sage Vasishtha, Sage Katya, celestial cow Kamadhenu, Ratidevi (wife of Kamdev), Lord Vishnu and King Manu.

Festivals:

Chithirai (Apr-May) - 10 day brahmotsav

Avani (Aug-Sept) - Ganesh chaturthi and Mula nakshatra

Aipassi (Oct-Nov) - Annabhishek

Karthigai (Nov-Dec) - Deep and skanda shashthi

Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri

Adi (July-Aug) - Puram - ardra nakshta, navaratra, pradosh

Kazhi Mayanam - Sri Brahmapurishwarar Temple at Sirkazhi (Tanjavur district)

This shiva temple which is one of the pancha mayanam temples is located at Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu. This is about 20 kilometers of Mailaduthurai on Chidambaram - Kumbhakonam route. This temple is very huge. It is spread over a large area. It houses 3 shrines of Lord Shiva, namely Brahmapurishwarar, Thoniappar and SattaiNathar. It is one of the 275 Paadal Pethra Sthalam. Lord Shiva of this temple was revered by the three shaiva saints namely Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar. Present temple structure is 1500 years old and was originally built by Chola kings. 

Mulavar: Sri Brahmapurishwarar, Sri Umamaheshwarar, Sri Thoniappar, Sri SattaiNathar and Vatukanathar

Devi: PeriyaNayaki, ThiruNilaiNayaki, Sthirasundari

Sacred Teertha: Brahma Teertha and 22 other teerthas

Kshetra Vruksha: Parijat (PavazhaMalli in Tamil)

Puranik Name: Brahmapuram, Sirkazhi, Venupuram, Thonipuram, Sirapuram, Poontharai, Venguru

The first temple is that of Sri Brahmapurishwarar. The main temple consists of three tiers. Shiva Linga is a swayambhu and devi is known as ThirumalNayaki. The temple in the second tier is that of Thoni Appar and devi is known as PeriyaNayaki. Here we find the Lord in a boat (Thoni in Tamil) along with Goddess Parvati. He is depicted as a teacher in temple. In the third tier the Shiva is known as SattaiNathar and he is present as Lord Bhairavar. 

Sirkazhi is the birth place of ThiruDnyanaSambandhar. Sri Kali is worshiped at this place, hence the name was Sri Kali which got changed with time to Sirkazhi. The three shiva saints have together sung seventy one sacred hymns. The main shrine of Brahmapurishwarar faces the east on the bank of temple tank. The shrine of Thoniappar is on an elevated place to the west of main shrine. SattaiNathar shrine can be seen from the southern side pathway. 

The shrine of Sambandhar is located on the outer prakaram. Adjacent to this shrine we have the shrine of devi ThiruNilaiNayaki. Outside the shrine of ThiruDnyanaSambandhar, we have idols of Appar, Sundarar and ManikVachigar. As ThiruDnyanaSambandhar is considered to be Lord Muruga we find his shrine in between Shiva and Parvati. This arrangement is known as Somaskanda arrangement. There are twentytwo sacred teerthas of which BrahmaTeertha, Kali Teertha, Parashar Teertha are considered more sacred. It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested as a bambu in reponse to the prayer of Lord Indra. Bambu is considered as Kshetra Vruksha. In the sanctum we have idols of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. In this kshetra Lord Vinayak is addressed as Runa Teertha Vinayaka. In the prakaram we have the shrines of Lord Muruga, Somaskanda, 63 Nayanmars. There is a separate shrine for Ashtabhairavas. In the corridor of the shrine of Devi ThiruNilaiNayaki we find idols of ShyamalaDevi, Sri Icchashakti, Sri Dnyanashakti and Sri Kriyashakti. 

Salient features:

After the great deluge, Lord Shiva wearing sixtyfour kalas with the pranav mantra Om as a boat (Thoni) manifested as UmaMaheshwar along with Goddess Parvati. He saw this place which was not destroyed during the pralay. He stayed in this kshetra as Thoni Appar and Parvati as Devi ThiruNilaiNayaki. 

Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva as a shiva linga (known as Brahmapurishwarar) as one who destroys ego (SattaiNathar) at this kshetra.

Lord Vishnu got afflicted due to Brahmahatya dosha after killing King Mahabali. As Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu were considered as one and the same Lord Shiva wore the skin of Lord Vishnu as his garment. Goddess Mahalakshmi felt that Lord Vishnu was killed by Lord Shiva. As per the custom she stopped wearing flowers and sacred signs and was in deep sorrow. Hence even now when the women come to this temple they do not wear flowers and men do not wear shirt. This is the place where Lord Brahma got rid of his ego by Lord Shiva.

Goddess Parvati got dnyana-upadesh from Lord Shiva at this place after pralay. At this place Goddess Parvati graces as Goddess Mahalakshmi. This is considered as the eleventh shakti peeth.

This kshetra is considered as a Bhairav sthala greater than Kashi. 

There is a jiva samadhi of ChattaiMuniSiddhar who is one of the great 19 siddhas. It is located on a high pedestal in the sanctum of Lord Shiva. From here one can have darshan of SattaiNathar. Abhishek is done on the pedestal at 10 pm. At 12 midnight, naivedya is offered after alankar. 

Sage Urasana did penance at Kailash requesting Lord Shiva to come to south along with Goddess Parvati to grace the devotees in the south. Once during an argument between Adishesha and Vayu,  Adishesha with his 1000 heads engulfed Mount Kailash. Hidding to the request of Devas, Adishesha just moved one of his heads. Due to Vayu’s force (strength) a small portion of Mount Kailash broke. It was carried by 20 birds and was brought to Sirkazhi by the grace of Lord Shiva. The hillock is known as ThoniMalai (hill). Lord Brahma once became egoistic. In order to remove his ego, Lord Shiva made him forget Pranava Mantra. Realizing his mistake, Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva by establishing a Shiva Linga at this place. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Brahmapurishwarar. In the temple in the first tier, six times abhishek and puja are done. In the ThoniAppar temple the puja is done four times a day.

On a Friday night Lord Shiva as SattaiNathar is believed to have removed the arrogance of Lord Thiruvikrama (known as Ulaganada Perumal). This was due to the fact that Lord Vishnu had destroyed Mahabali and hence got arrogance. 

Special worship for SattaiNathar is held on Friday night and is considered to be very auspicious. 

According to Kshetra Puran, ThiruDnyanaSambandhar was born at this place in a Brahmin family in seventh century. When he was three years old, he went to the Shiva Temple along with his father. He was left on the bank of temple tank as his father went for holy dip in the tank. Sambandhar started crying as he was hungry. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before the child and gave him the milk of wisdom (dnyanapal, pal is milk in Tamil). When his father returned he was astonished to find droplets of milk around the child’s mouth. On enquiry, the child pointed to the sky and sang the first sacred verse of Thevaram. Hence Sambandhar is regarded as incarnation of Lord Muruga. 

Those who worshiped at this splace:

Lord Brahma, Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Muruga, Lord Indra, Brihaspati, Surya, Chandra, Rahu, Ketu, Adi Shesha, Goddess Kali, Sages Parashar, Romesh, Vedavyas and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva known as Chakravarti Shibi.

Festivals:

Chitrai (Apr-May) - 10 days brahmotsav

Adi (July-August) - Adi Puram

Purattasi (Sept) - Navaratri

Karthigai (Nov-dec) - Deepam and Skandashasthi

Margazhi (Dec-Jan) - Ardra Darshan

Masi (Feb) - Mahashivaratri, Pradosha Puja

For UmaMaheshwara murti (ThoniAppar). On the first day of Tamil month Chitrai, Adi, Aipassi, Thai, oil (taila) abhishek is performed.

Special worship is held on new moon of Thai, on Mula nakshatra in Vaikasi, on Rohini nakshatra in Aani and on Shatabhishaka nakshatra in the month of Aipassi

People pray here for child boon and also for settling their litigation cases.

Kanchi Mayanam - Sri Ekambareshwarar Temple at Kanchipuram

We have already given a brief description of this temple in our earlier blog Kanchi Ekambareshwarar Kovil. This temple covers an area of about 40 acres and is about 2000 years old. It is also one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams representing the element earth (Prithvi). The main deity is Lord Shiva and it is a swayambhu linga also known as Prithvi Linga. There is no separate shrine for Goddess Parvati. She is known as Sri Kamakshi. There is no shrine for Goddess Parvati in any of the shiva temples in Kanchipuram as she is considered as the Rajarajeshwari - queen of queens in Kanchipuram. The temple was revered by four shaiva saints - Appar, Sundarar, Sambandhar, Manikavachagar.

Temple address: Arulmigu Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, 631502

Pancha Mayanam Sthala

Mayanam in tamil means cremation ground. It is generally believed that Lord Shiva loves cremation ground. He resides there along with his Ganas. The temples were constructed in these places and are known as Mayanams. There are five such temples in Tamilnadu where according to Puranas there is high cosmic energy and have highest spiritual importance. These five places together are known as Pancha Mayanas or Pancha Mayana Sthalams. 

Following are five Mayanams

Name of Mayanam	Name of the temple	Name of Lord Shiva	Name of consort	Sthala Vriksha	Location
Kanchi Mayanam	Ekambar-eshwar Temple	Ekambar-nathan	Kamakshi Amman	Mango	Kanchi-puram
Kazhi Mayanam	Brahma-purishwarar Temple	Periya-nayakar (Thoni-appar)	Periya-nayaki	Parijatam	Sirkazhi (Tanjavur)
Veezhi Mayanam	Nethrar-baneswarar Temple	Nethrar-baneswarar (Veezhi-nathar)	Brahat Sundara-kusambikai	Sandalwood tree, Jackfruit tree, Champak	Tanjavur (Thiruveezhimizhalai)1
Nallur Mayanam	Kalyana-sundar-eshwarar Temple	Kalyana-sundareshwar	Kalyana-sundari	Bilva	Kumbha-konam
Kadavur Mayanam	Amritha-kadeswarar Temple	Amritha-kadeswarar	Abirami Amman	Gulabi Chameli (Jaathi Malli)	Thiru-kkadaiyur2

1Once this place was dense forest with sandalwood, jackfruit, champak and Vila (Kavatha) trees. Hence this place is known as Veezhi

2Near this place, there is one more temple which is locally known as Mayanam i.e. Brahmapurishwarar temple. Water from this temple pond is taken to Thirukkadaiyur daily for abhishek. It is about 10 mins from Thirukkadaiyur