Sapta Matrika - Chamundi - Vadaranyeshwarar Temple at Mayiladuthurai

This temple is also known as Vallalar Kovil.

In this Shiva Temple, Chamundi, one of the sapta matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva in order to get rid of the sin that was acquired by her by killing the demon, especially Mahishasur. 

Description of Chamundi: 

She is also known as Pidari and Bhadrakali. She manifested from the third eye of Lord Shiva with protruding teeth and fierce face. Later she changed into Chamundi. She has one face, 16 hands. She wears tiger skin. She has black complexion and 3 eyes. Sometimes she is depicted sitting on a dead body. She wears a garland of snakes. She has tusks. By worshiping her, one can get rid of his enemies and can obtain all the desired boons. She is considered as Rudramsha. She manifested to annihilate the demon Chanda and Munda. As Chamundi, she has one head, four hands, 3 eyes, sharp pointed teeth, black complexion, wears tiger skin, skull garland. She also wears a skull garland and holds a trishul on the left hand and a severed head. Her top right hand holds a sword, in the left hand she holds a skull. She is seated on a dead asura i.e. Mahishasura. Has a ferocious and fearsome face. She is considered as a goddess of victory. People worship her to win over enemies and protect them from enemies. By worshiping her, the couples get harmony between them. She is the first manifestation of Sapta Matrika.  

At this place she graces as AshtaDashaBhuja Durga.

This temple is also known as Medha Dakshinamurti temple. This is one of the Pancha Dakshinamurti sthalam. It is situated on the northern bank of river Kaveri. 

Mulavar: Vadaranyeswarar, Vallalar
Devi: Gnanambika
Sacred Tirtha: Kaveri River
Location: Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Temple timing: 7 am to 12 am and 4 pm to 9 pm

The temple is about more than 1200 years old. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Chola kings. The temple is under the control of Dharmapuram Adhinam. This is a west facing temple with 5 tiered rajagopuram. It has two parikramas and the temple is spread over 2 acres. At the entrance, we have the idols of Vinayaka, Muruga, Parvati and Dakshinamurti. The presiding deity faces the west. And it is a swayambhu linga. The koshta murtis are Ganapati, Medha Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhavar and Durga. Chandikeshwarar is in a separate shrine. The unique feature of this temple is the idol of Lord Dakshinamurti (known as Guru Bhagwan). He is one of the Koshta murtis facing south sitting on a Nandi. He is under a Banyan tree, wears a crescent moon, right hand has dnyana mudra and in left hand he holds a book. Another special feature is that Nandi is facing Lord Dakshinamurti. At the feet of Lord Dakshinamuri, we find four Sanatkumars. Lord Dakshinamurti is seen here as very young compared to four rishis. Lord Dakshinamurti has Ganga, Fire and smeared with holy ash. There is a demon under his feet, considered to be representing ignorance. 

Devi is housed in a separate shrine. Here we find the idols of Sapta Matrikas, Ganesha, Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Shanishwar, Agastya Linga, Brahma Linga, Surya, Chandra, and Angarakan. 

According to the Puran, once Rishabha (Nandi) carried Lord Shiva to various places. At that very same period, Goddess Parvati was performing Shiva Puja on the earth in the form of a peacock. To participate in this puja Lord Brahma on his mount white swan, Lord Vishnu on Garud and other devatas on their respective mounts, came to this place. Due to Lord Shiva’s grace, Nandi overtook all the others. In doing so, Nandi became egoistic. In order to remove his ego Lord Shiva kept one of his matted hair on Nandi’s back. Nandi became unconscious and started going down. At that very moment he understood his mistake. He prayed to Lord Shiva to excuse him. Lord Shiva directed him to do penance at a particular place in river Kaveri to get rid of his sin as he had disgraced Lord Vishnu. This place where he did penance is known as Rishabh tirtha. Nandi was asked to bathe daily in river Kaveri and worship Lord Shiva with bilva. At the end of his penance, Lord Shiva appeared as Lord Dakshinamurti and gave him upadesh. Nandi requested  Lord Shiva to be at this place forever in the form of Lord Dakshninamurti seated on his back. He praised Lord Dakshinamurti with 8 sacred stotras. And Lord Dakshinamurti is known here as Medha Dakshinamurti. Lord Shiva performed Ananda Tandav for Nandi at this place. 

According to Puran 

1. Those who recite the eight stotras sung by Nandi and worship Lord Dakshinamurti at this place will obtain dnyan, lose their ego and will get rid of all their sins and doshas. 

2. Those who take bath in Rishabh tirtha will get the benefit of bathing in Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada and Tamra bharani rivers. They will also get the same benefit of bathing in Kurukshetra, Prayag and other holy places. 

3. The place is a parihara sthalam for the planet guru. People worship here for the removal of marriage obstacles, child boon, knowledge, intelligence and education. 

Festivals:

Special worship is held on the day of transit of planet jupiter

Special worship in the month of of Aippasi and Tula

In Aippasi, in full and new moon days, special abhishek is performed

On the last Thursday of the month of Kartikeya, special pujas are performed 

The other festivals are Mahashivaratri, Panguni uttara, Masi magham, Karthikeya deepam, Arudra darshan, Aadi Puram, Pradosha puja, Navaratri.

Chandi homam is performed on Chaitra purnima day.

Pancha Dakshinamurti sthalam around Mayiladuthurai are 1. Mayuranathar temple (Mayiladuthurai), 2. Maragasaheshwarar temple at Moovalur, 3. Uchiravaneshwarar at Thiruvilanagar 4. Vedaranyeswarar temple at Mayiladuthurai, 5. Vageshwarar temple at Perumcheri

In 2,3,4,5 temples, Lord Shiva is addressed as Vazhikattumvallal, Thuraiakattum Vallal, Kakattum vallal, Mozhikattum Vallal

There is another place where Chamundi worshiped Lord Shiva along with Parvati during Navratri. The place is known Pullamangai and lord’s name is AlanthuraiNadar (Please note that this temple is already described in earlier blog for Shri Alanthurai Nathar Temple

Courtesy: Inputs are from TamilNadu-favtourism.blogspot.com

Sapta Matrika - Varahi - Vazhuvoor Veerateshwarar Temple

Varahi, one of the Sapta Matrika, worshiped Lord Shiva at this place to get rid of her sin as per the direction of Lord Shiva. She is the shakti of Vishnu’s Varaha avatar. She manifested during the war with asuras from the hind part of Ambika. She wears black silk dress. She has the face of a wild boar. She wears a lot of golden jewelry and she has a broad chest and bosom. She has one face, four hands and three eyes, and has a dark black complexion. She holds a plow, a type of battle axe, and has abhaya and varada mudra. In some places, she carries a conch, a chakra instead of the battle axe and plow. According to some purana, she has a large stomach with six hands, having abhaya and varada mudra, trishul, kapal (skull), musal (a type of battle axe), serpent, conch, chakra etc. Her mounts are lion, male buffalo, black dotted deer and black serpent. It is stated that chaturthi, shashthi and ashtami are the best days for her worship. 

This Shiva temple is the 6th of the Ashtaveerat sthalam. At this place, Lord Shiva killed the rogue elephant (Gajasur). This place is located on Mayiladuthurai – Thiruvarur highway. The temples in which the Nayanmars (Shaiva saints) visited and sang secret hymns are known as Padal Petra sthala. The temples which find a mention in the hymns of Shaiva saints are known as THEVARA VAIPPU STHALAMS. 

The place got the name Vazhuvoor as the place was not submerged during the pralaya (great deluge). This Veerata sthala is believed to be surrounded by Pippli Vanam, Shami Vanam, Daruka Vanam & Badri Vanam. 

Moolavar: Veerateshwarar, Kruthivasar, Gajasamharar, Gajari, Gyansaban
Devi: Balambika, Bala-gujambika, Elankilyai nayaki
Kshetra Vruksha: Shami, Deodar (India teakwood), Kapuri madura (jadi)
Sacred Teertha: Patala-ganga, Panchamukha teertha
Place: Thiru Vazhuvoor
District: Nagapattinam (TamilNadu)
Puranik Name: Daruka Vanam

The temple has 5 tiered Rajagopuram. The structure of this temple differs from others. There is a tank between Nandi and Sanctum-sanctorum. Lord Shiva in this temple is a swayambhu linga. We can have the darshan of Lord’s feet only at this place. The sacred teertha has 5 wells in it and is known as Panchamukha kinaru well in Tamil. The sacred Teertha is also known as Pancha brahma teertha. The temple is about 1500 years old.

Idols and other shrines:

Lord Ganesha in this temple is known as Selva-Vinayaka. In this kshetra, the special feature is the idol of Gaja-samhara Moorthy. It’s a huge one-off Lord Shiva. The Lord has one leg on the elephant's head. He is in the act of skinning the elephant and wearing its skin. Near this idol, we find Goddess Parvati carrying infant Lord Muruga on her waist. Her face expresses fear and she is about to turn away from the scene. The infant Muruga is pointing her towards his father with finger. Just like in Chidambaram temple, here also we have a yantra behind Gaja-samhara Moorthy. The mandap in which Gaja-samhara Moorthy is located is known as Gyansaba. Lord Shiva did a tandav at this place which is known as Urdhwa tandava. There is a separate shrine for Lord Shanishwar. He is standing with a bow in his hand. The teertha in front of the sanctum sanctorum is known as Patal ganga or Eshan teertha. The moolavar has a Nagabhooshan and is very attractive and beautiful. On the walls of the sanctum, the Ashtaveerat stories are depicted as paintings (murals). There are more than 10 stone carvings carrying various details. At this place, Lord Veerabhadra has a dog as his mount. It is believed that he came here to protect Lord Ayyappa who was born to Lord Vishnu in the Mohini avatar and Lord Shiva.  The temple has a dhwaja stambha. 

There are idols of 63 Nayanmars, in a mandap. The shrines of Gajalaxmi, Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. Idols of Surya, Chandra, Shani and Bhairava are found in the corridor. There is a separate Navagraha shrine. 

Kshetra Purana:

Once sages of Daruka vanam started feeling that they are the greatest and their good deeds are sufficient for them to attain salvation. With this ego, they started feeling that there was no need for the grace of the Lords for salvation. Their ego reached a point of no return and their wives also got the same feeling. In order to teach them a lesson, Lord Vishnu as Mohini (a beautiful enchanting woman) and Lord Shiva as Bikshadanar came to Daruka vanam. At the sight of Mohini, the sages were enchanted and captivated. In the same manner their wives lost their sanity at the sight of Bikshadanar. Lord Vishnu disappeared after the manifestation of Lord Ayyappa. This made sages more jealous and angry towards Lord Shiva. They performed a yagnya (homa or Welvi) and created magical (maya) agni, tiger, deer, Mazhu (battle axe), serpent and a demon known as Muyalagan and tried to kill Lord Shiva. But none of them could harm Lord Shiva. Finally they created a rogue elephant (Gajasur) and sent him to kill Bikshadanar. Bikshadanar entered the belly of the rogue elephant and emerged from its stomach by tearing it. He came out performing a tandava known as Urdhwa tandava. The sages realized their mistake and asked for forgiveness. Lord Shiva is known as Gaja-samhar Moorthy as he vanquished the rogue elephant. 

According to another purana, Lord Shanishwar raged a war in Surya Mandal against king Vikram raja. The king lost the war and he fell into the teertha at this place. He took a bath in the teertha and worshiped Lord Shiva who graced him. When Shani came to know that king Vikram raja was a devotee of Lord Shiva, he asked for forgiveness from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva forgave him but made him lame in the 2nd leg. 

According to kshetra purana, 48000 sages did penance at this place and obtained gyan. 

Festivals and worship: 

1. Masi (Feb-Mar):10 days festival on Magha nakshatra known as Gaja-samhara utsav. Daily,  both in the morning and evening, worship is held and the procession of the deities is taken off. On the 9th day, the procession of Gaja-samhar Moorthy is taken out. On the 10th day, the festival known as “Teerthavaari” where the deities are taken to the mandap in the temple tank for worship.
2. Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Ardhra festival for 3 days is held. 
3. Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navratri festival
4. Karthigai (Oct-Nov): On Somwar, special worship is done at night and yantra pooja of yantra in sanctum sanctorum. 
5. Aadi (July-August): Pooram festival
6. Panguni (Mar-April): Uthiram festival, Mahashivaratri, New Moon Pradosha pooja

Special worship is held on the Pongal, Tamil New year and English New year. 

People pray here for child boon and marriage. It is believed that by worshiping the yantra at this place the effect of black magic and evil spirits are removed. People worship Kruthivasar for mental peace. 

Varahi also worshiped Lord Shiva at Pashupatishwarar temple at Avoor, also known as Pashumangai. During Navaratri along with Parvati, she also worshiped Lord Shiva at Kazukkanimuttam near Mayiladuthurai. 

Courtesy: https://temple.dinamalar.com/

Sapta Matrika - Kaumari - Shri Panchawatishwarar Kovil

Kaumari, one of the Sapta Matrikas, worshiped Lord Shiva, to absolve of her sins committed during the war with the daityas. 

Description of Kaumari: She is the shakti of Lord Subramanya, also known as Kumaraswami. She is also addressed as Shasthi Devi and Devasena. She manifested from Parashakti. 

She has six faces, 12 eyes and 12 hands. She has a light red complexion. She has a peacock on her flag. And her mount is a peacock. She represents great valor and she is very bold. She was responsible for the victory of Lord Subramanya over the asura. The six Krittika maidens served her.  She carries trishul, sphear in two hands and has abhaya and varada mudra. Sometimes she has a rooster as her symbol on the flag. She bestows child boon and is believed to be a protector of children. 

Mulavar: Panchavatishwarar, Jataanadar
Devi: Brihnnayaki, Kalyanasundari
Place: Anandtandav puram, district Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Timing: 6 to 10 am and 5 to 8 pm

About the temple:

This is a very small but beautiful temple. A sacred pond (Teertha) is at the front of the temple. It has one parikrama. There is no rajagopuram but we have the idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati at the top of the entrance. Besides this, we have smaller shrines of Kaumari, Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya around this temple. Besides this, we come across the idols of Anandamuni, Sage Bharadwaj, Nalvar. In a further article, we will give details of the other murtis in the temple.

Kshetra Puran:

Lord Shiva performed Ananda Tandav for Sage Anand Muni. Hence the place got the name Ananda Tandav Puram. 

Heeding to the request and prayers of Sage Bharadwaj, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave darshan in their bridal attire at this place. Hence, Goddess Parvati is addressed here as Kalyanasundari. She is housed in a separate shrine. The shiva linga is a swayambhu linga. Devi Brihannayaki is housed in a separate shrine. 

One of the 63 Nayanmars, Manakanjar was a great devotee and worshiper of Lord Shiva. He was chief of the King's army. He served the Lord along with his wife with greatest devotion. He had no child. He used to pray and request Lord Shiva for child boon. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva granted their boon. A female child was born on an auspicious day at an auspicious time for his wife. The child was named as Punyavardhini. When she grew up, she was very beautiful with long thick black hair. Manakanjar arranged the marriage of his daughter with a young man who was also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. One day prior to the marriage a Shiva Muni came to their house. He was wearing saffron cloth with garlands of rudraksha around his neck. He had parted his matted hair into five parts. And wearing it as a sacred thread (hence Lord Shiva is known as at this palace as Jataanadar and Panchavatishwarar). In those days this was a habit of some Shaiva saints and Shaiva muni. The Shiva Muni saw the hair of Punyavardhini, he smiled and told Manakanjar that her hair was Panchavati (sacred thread) for him. Immediately Manakanjar cut the hair of his daughter and offered it to Shiva Muni. He felt that this was a great opportunity for him as his daughter's hair was going to be used as a panchavati for Shiva Muni. People who had come for the marriage were all struck. They felt that this act was not according to the shastras and felt very bad. At that very instance Lord Shiva appeared in his original form and blessed Manakanjar, his wife and daughter. He restored the hair of the bride and disappeared. When the bridegroom came to know about this, he came running to the place and started lamenting. He was crying and stated that he would cut his hair as well as his wife’s hair and give it to Lord Shiva.. He felt very sad as he did not get the darshan of Lord Shiva. Later on, he also became one of the 63 Nayanmars and is known as Kalikama Nayanar. 

Main puja and festival:

Pradosha puja every month and Shiva Ratri besides regular puja, abhishek, prayers etc

People pray here for the removal of marriage obstacles.

For attaining peace and prosperity, vastra is offered to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and abhishek is performed.

There is another temple where Kaumari performed worship of Lord Shiva during Navaratri along with Goddess Parvati namely KeertiVageeshwarar temple and Shoolamangai on Papanasham-Ayyampettai-Thanjavur road.