Vedapureeshwarar Temple at Thiruvedikudi

This Shiva temple is located at Thiruvedikudi near Thiruvaiyaru. This is one of the 276 shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This temple was revered by Appar and Sambandhar. This is fourth of Sapta Sthanams. 

Mulavar: Vedapureeshwarar, Vazhai-madu-nadar, in Tamil - vazhai means banana plant. Madu is tank, 

Devi: Mangaiyar-arasi

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva

Sacred teertha: Ved teertha

Present and Puranik name: Thiruvedikudi

District: Tanjavur, Tamilnadu

The shiva ling in this temple is a swayambhu linga. Lord Shiva manifested from the roots of a banana tank (madu) and hence he is known as Vazhai-madu-nadar. This temple was built by chola kings about 1500 years ago. The temple is east facing and rajagopuram is 3 tier. There are 2 parikramas. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (agazhi in Tamil). The sanctum sanctorum gopuram is completely made of granite stone and the lord is seated below it. On the four sides of the vimanam, we have four Nandis representing the four vedas. There is an idol of Manonmani Ambika who is idol is found with Lord Shiva on the northern side. The idol of ardhanarishwarar is on the wall behind sanctum sanctorium and has a special feature. 

The unique feature of the temple is that there are 276 shiva linga representing 276 padal pethra sthalam. By visiting this place one gets the benefit of visiting all 276 shiva temples.

The unique feature of ardhanarishwarar is that Lord Shiva generally has Parvati on the left. But in this place he is on the right of Lord Shiva. This is to indicate the greatness of women in particular Goddess Parvati. That is why she is known as Mangaiyar-arasi (queen of women). As Lord Brahma and four vedas worshiped Lord Shiva at this place, this place is known as Thiruvedikudi and Lord is known as Vedapureeshwarar. Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Dakshinamurti.

Idols and shrines:

In the prakaram we have the idols of Shevi (ear), Saytha (bent), Vinayaka (ShreviSaythaVinayak). Lord Vinayaka’s head is lighly bent as if he is hearing the four vedas. So he is known as Vedavinayaka. And he is in a separate shrine. In the corridor we have 108 Shiva Lingas, Lord Subramanya, Lord Dakshinamurti, Ardhanarishwarar, Durga, Mahalakshmi, Nataraja and Sapta Sthana Lingams. In a stone inscription Lord Shiva is addressed as Thiruvedikudimahadevar and Parakeshari-chaturved-mangalam-mahadevar. The renovation work of this temple was done by the Pallava kings. As there were lot of number of brahmins who had learnt all four vedas, the place was also known as chaturved-mangalam. The shiva linga was on the bank of a tank containing a special kind of fish known as Vazhai. Hence lord was also called Vazhai-madu-nadar. As devi is depicted as the queen of all women (mangala ambika) and as she bestows boons and sushasini status to those who worship her, she is addressed as Mangalambika. There is an idol of Lakshmi Narayana; the idol of Lord Anjaneya is found worshiping him and he has a crown.

Kshetra Puran:

The pranav mantra Om is considered as the peak of all vedas. Hence it is believed that vedas follow pranav mantra everywhere. As the pranav mantra worshiped Lord Shiva at this place, the vedas also followed him. It is believed that Lord Shiva gathered (collected) the priest (vedhiyars) for Nandi’s marriage from this place. The Sun’s rays fall on the Shiva Linga on the 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Panguni (March-April). Hence it is believed that Sun worships Lord Shiva on these days.  

A demon had stolen vedas from Lord Brahma and hid them in the deep sea. Lord Vishnu recovered the vedas by killing the asura. As the vedas were handled by the asuras, they became tainted (they acquired dosha). In order to make them purify the vedas worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. So Lord Shiva is known as Vedapureeshwarar. 

A Chola king who was worried by the delay in the marriage of his daughter came to this place and worshiped Mangaiyar-arasi seeking a boon for his daughter’s wedding. As his boon got fulfilled in a very short time as a token of gratitude to the devi, he changed the name of his daughter to Mangaiyar-arasi. 

Those who worshiped here: Lord Surya, Lord Indra, Lord Brahma, four vedas, Sage Vyasa and shaiva saint Appar and Sundarar.

Festivals: 

1. Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav, 
2. Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi, 
3. Purattasi (Sept-Oct) Navaratri, 
4. Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival, 
5. Kathigai (Nov-Dec), Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam, 
6. Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti, 
7. Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri. 
8. Besides this the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosha pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan

Shri Odhavaneshwarar Temple at Thiruchotruthurai

This is the third shiva temple of the sapta sthanam. It is situated on the southern bank of river kaveri. This is one of the 276 padal pethtra sthalams revered by three Shaiva saints Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar. The temple is situated at Thiruchotruthurai in Thiruvaiyyaru taluka of Tanjavur district.

Mulavar: Odhavaneshwarar, Chotruthurai-nadar, Tholayachelvandar, Sri Oppilllachelvar, 

Devi: Annapurni, Tholayalachelvi, Oppilaambika

Kshetra Vruksha: Bilva, Rishyagandha (Panner flower tree in Tamil)

Sacred Teertha: Kaveri, Kudamurutti, Surya Teertha, 

Puranik Name: Thiruchotruthurai, Gautamashram

The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. The temple is facing the east. There is no rajagopuram. In its place there is a sculpture of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva seated on rishabh (nandi). There are two prakarams or parikramas. At the second entrance there is three tiered gopuram. The temple is about 2000 years old built by chola kings. 

Shrines and Idols:

In the main hall (artha mandap) we have Lord Muruga’s shrine. The idol is very huge with six heads and twelve hands, known as Shanmukha. The shrine of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva face east. Goddess Parvati’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva and she is in a wedding posture. Stone sculpture of sage worshiping Lord Shiva. Another stone sculpture depicts war between two groups. There is an idol of Kaal Samhar murti. In the mahamandap, Nandi faces the sanctum sanctorium. There is an idol of Lord Ganesha and Kashi Shiva Linga. There is an idol of a devote couple who got a akshay patra from Lord Shiva. In the inner corridor, we have shrine of Mahaganapati, AdhikarNandi, Lingodbhavar, Navagraha, Surya, Bhairava, Sapta Matrikas, Panch Bhuta Linga and Sapta Sthana Linga and AyyarAppar. The koshta murtis, Lord Ganesha, Lord Dakshnimurti, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga, and Chandikeshwar exist in their respective places. To the right side of sanctum, we have the shrine of Subramanya facing the east, Mahasiddha, idol of a gana worshiping Lord, balipeetha, Nandi and Dhwajasthambha. Devi Annapurni in her wedding attire is in a separate shrine. There is also Nandi facing her shrine at the entrance. We have Subramanya, Ganesha and Mahalshmi idols also. 

Those who worshiped here:

Ramalinga Vallarar, Ganesha, Surya, Indra, Sage Gautam obtained salvation at this place. Hence the place is known as Gautamashram. 

Kshetra Purana:

Lord Indra got rid of his curse which he had incurrred due to Sage Gautama. 

After Lord Shriram went to forest, King Dasharatha came to worship Lord Shiva at this place. 

It is believed that once upon a time rice instead of unhusked rice was grown at this place due to the grace of the Lord Shiva and Devi Annapurni. 

It is believed that once upon a time the lake nearby had rice instead of water due to the grace of Lord Shiva, so that no one in the region died of starvation without food. So Lord Shva is known as chotruthurai-nadar (who gave not only food but also salvation to the souls).

Once there was a very severe famine, a staunch devotee known as Arulalan, along with other men, women and children was starving. The priest too had stopped coming to the temple. Arulalan who was sitting in the dark corner of the temple, cried to the lord and dashed his head against the steps of the entrance to the temple requesting the lord to save them. Suddenly there was rain and the whole area was flooded. A bowl (patra) came floating in the flood water. At that time Arulalan heard a celestial voice stating that patra was a akshaypatra which will help him to feed the people. He did as per the command of the celestial voice and got rid of the starvation and the famine in the region. Hence Lord Shiva is known as chotruthurai-nadar and devi as Annapurni.

As Goddess Parvati provided abundant food (rice) she is known as Annapurni. This is one of the seven places where Lord Shiva fed his devotees.  

Festivals: 

1. Chitrai (April-May), Sapta Sthanams festival and Brahmotsav, 
2. Avani (August-Sept) Ganesh chaturthi, 
3. Purattasi (sept-oct) Navaratri, 
4. Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Annabhishek and Skanda shashthi festival, 
5. Kathigai (Nov-Dec), Festival of light known as Karthikeya Deepam, 
6. Thai (Jan-Feb) Makar Sankranti, 
7. Masi (Feb-Mar) Shivaratri. 
8. Besides this the daily rituals, weekly pujas and fortnightly pradosh pujas are conducted. Arudra darshan 

Apathsahayar temple at THIRUPAZHANAM

This is a Shiva temple located at THIRUPAZHANAM on Thiruvairuyar – Kumbhakonam route. This is the 2nd sapta sthana temple and is also one of the 276 padalpetra sthalam revered by neyenmars. This temple is very close to Thingalur Navagraha (Chandra temple). The temple is about 1500 years old. This is the place where Lord Shiva collected fruits for the marriage of Shri Nandi deva. Hence this place got the name THIRUPAZHANAM (Pazham in Tamil means fruit). 

Mulavar: Shri Apathsahayar, Shri Amrutlingeshwarar, Shri Pazhanapiran, Shri Pirayana-pureeshwarar, Shri Parmeshwarar

Ambaal (Devi): Shri Periya-nayaki, Shri Shiva-sundari, Sundar-nayaki, Kalyani, Bogashakti-amman (ambaal/Ambika)

Sacred Tirtha: Kaveri river, Devi Kupam, Amrut tirtha, Kuber tirtha, Muni kupam, Mangal tirtha (now it is destroyed), Panchakshar tirtha

Khetra vruksha: Bilva, Kadali (Banana), Punnag

Pouranik Names: Kadali vanam, Kaushika aashram, Pirayanapuri, Palani pathi

The mulavar (Shiva linga) is swayambhoo. The temple is facing east and has 2 corridors (prakarams). The raja-gopuram is 5 tiered. There is no flag staff in this temple. We find Nandi and Bali peetha in front of Shiva linga. Vimanam (tower) above sanctum sanctorum is made of granite. This entire place is surrounded by fertile green field. 

Other shrines and idols at this place

In the outer corridor, we have the shrine of Ganesha and Subramanya. On the right hand side of the mandap, we find the mounts (vahan) that are used for festivals. After worshiping Lord Ganesha, when we move towards the left we have the shrines of sapta-matrika idols, Ganesha, Venu-gopala, Shiva lingas, Nataraja sabha, Bhairavar and Navagraha shrine. 

Two days before and two days after the new moon day and on the new moon day, the rays of the Moon in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-April) and Puratasi (Sept-Oct) fall on Shiva linga. 

In the koshtam, we have the koshta moorthis, Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamoorthy and Durga. In the shrine of Lord Dakshinamoorthy, we come across the idols of sapta-rishis, Kamadhenu pouring milk over the Shiva linga (known as Pashupatishwarar) and a devotee Appu-adigal. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Parvati facing the east. In the shrine of Subramanya, in the outer corridor, Lord Subramanya has six faces. Goddess Parvati’s shrine is to the right of Lord Shiva i.e. in her bridal form. At the first tier of gopuram we have, in the east Shiva Parvati, in the west Annamalaya, in the south Lord Dakshinamoorthy and the north Lord Bramha. The linga worshipped by Lord Maha Vishnu, the idols of Aadi-Vinayaka, Arumuga (Murugun) with his consort Valli and Deivanai, Veerabhadra, Nrutya Vinayaka, Kaashi Vishwanath, Gajalakshmi and Chandikeshwar are found in the temple. 

Outside temple premises, we have the holy jackfruit tree, the kadali (banana) tree and a holy tirtha. There is a place near this jackfruit tree where people feel that sage Agastya has worshipped. 

Kshetra puran:

As per puran, in the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Goddess Parvati cannot be seen though She is present there. 

Goddess Lakshmi worshipped Lord Shiva and got a number of boons and She went back to Her place. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Shri Pirayana Pureeshwarar and the place is known as Pirayana Puri. 

According to the kshetra puran, a bramhin boy named Susarithan was on a pilgrimage in search of peace as he had lost his parents. When he was staying at THIRUPAZHANAM village for the night, Lord Yama appeared in his dream who informed him that he will die in 5 days. The boy sought the refuge of Lord Shiva who saved him. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Apathsahayar. 

Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi came to this place and installed a Shiva Linga. They got rid of their curse by worshipping the Shiva Linga at this place. Therefore, there is a separate shrine for Lord Venu-gopala whose kshetra vruksha is jackfruit tree. 

Sage Kaushika had kept his share of nector at this place, safely. Asuras who came to know about the nector, came to steal the same. Lord Shiva created, Lord Aiyanar and Goddess Kali to save the nector. Sage Kaushika made Shiva linga out of the nector and worshipped Lord Shiva. Hence the Lord is known as Amruteshwar, the place is known as Kaushik-aashram and Amrutpuree. 

Others who worshipped at this place 

Lord Maha Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, Kubera, Budha, Aaiyan (Bramha), Chandra, Sage Kaushika, Sapta-rishi, Ashta-dikpals, a devotee known as Dharamsharma. 

Festivals: 

1. Pradosha pooja is held regularly besides the daily worship
2. The sapta sthana festival is held in the month of Cittirai (Mar-April) on Vishakha nakshatra
3. In the Tamil month of Aani (Jun-Jul), thirumanjam of Lord Vishnu.
4. In the Tamil month of Aadi (Jul-Aug), festival known as Aadi-pooram (purva falguni nakshatra)
5. In the Tamil month of Avani (Aug-Sept), Ganesh Chaturthi
6. In Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Navaratri
7. In Aippasi (Oct-Nov), Anna abhishek and Skandhashasti
8. In the month of Kartigai (Nov-Dec), Karthigai deep festival 
9. In Margazi (Dec-Jan), Aardra darshan
10. In Masi (Feb-Mar), Shiva ratri
11. In Panguni (Mar-April), Panguni utthiram (Uttara falguni nakshtra)