Shri SriKalhasti Shiva temple

This Shiva temple is situated at Kalahasti in Chittur district of Andra Pradesh. In Athara Sthalams it represents Vishuddhi chakra. This is also one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalam representing Vaayu tatva as well as one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. This is about 40 km from Tirupati Balaji temple. This temple is also a Rahu-Ketu Parihar sthala where sarpadosha shanti is performed. The temple is about 2000 years old. The river Swarnamookhi flows nearby. 

Mulavar: Shri SriKalHastiswarar
Devi: Parvati, Gyana Prasunambika

This is a Swayambhu Linga where Lord Shiva is worshiped as Vaayu linga. This is the only temple to remain open during Lunar and Solar eclipse.

According to Purans, Brahma worshiped at this place in all 4 yugas. During Mahabharat, Arjuna worshiped here. As per puran, Vaayu performed penance at this place for about 1000 years with a lingam. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him 3 boons. As per Vaayu’s wish, the lingam is known as Karpur (Camphor) lingam and is worshiped by all including munis, Devas, kinnars, asuras etc. Besides, there are other references also found in puran. Parvati was asked to assume the human body by Lord Shiva. To get rid of this curse, She was asked to perform penance at this place. Pleased by Her penance, Lord Shiva recreated Her with much more beauty than Her previous heavenly body. She was initiated with Panchakshari mantra and with other mantras by Lord Shiva. Hence Parvati is addressed as, Gyana Pasunambika. 

Mayura, Chandra, Devendra were freed from their curses at this place by bathing in Swarnamookhi river and performing penance.

SriKalHasti gets the name according to the puran as per the following legend. During puranik days, a spider (Sri), serpent (Kal) and elephant (Hasti) worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. The spider lived in the inner sanctum and worshiped the Lord by weaving a web over Lord Shiva. Due to breeze, the web was destroyed by altar fire. Spider getting angry tried to gulp the flame and died. Appreciating its devotion it was granted moksha by Lord Shiva. This act of spider as if it was realizing the self (flame) by gulping and endangering its life i.e. its ego gave it moksha. 

A cobra worshiped at this place by offering gems and valuable jewels. After sometime, an elephant came to worship and sprayed the lingam with water brought in its trunk. It placed bilva leaves over the lingam by removing gems and jewels. This process was going on for sometime. At last one day, the cobra getting angry, bit the elephant by entering into its trunk. The elephant dashed its trunk against the wall and both of them died. In appreciation of their devotion, Lord Shiva granted them moksha. At the foot of the linga we can see, the images of a spider, a five headed snake and 2 elephant tusks. 

A staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, Kannappa, sacrificed his both eyes and tried to fix it on the lingam. He had found the lingam bleeding from the eyes during one of his worship. After this incident, he was given moksha in appreciation of his devotion. 

A lamp burns inside the inner sanctum that constantly flickers despite the lack of air movement inside. The Vaayu linga can be seen in motion despite the doors being closed (sanctum has no windows). The Linga is a swayambhu linga and is white in color. The Linga is made of a white stone resembling the trunk of an elephant. 

There is a shrine of Lord Vinayaka which is cut in a rock. It is below the ground level. The idols (images) of Vallabha Ganapati, Mahalaxmi Ganapati and Sahasra Linga are the rare ones found in this temple. There is a large shrine for Gyana Pasunambika. There are small shrines of Kashi-Vishwanath, Annapurni, Suryanarayan, Sadyog-Ganapati and Lord Subramanyam. There are 2 sacred teerthas namely Surya Pushkarni and Chandra Pushkarni.

Festivals: 

Mahashivaratri is the most important festival. Bramhotsavams are celebrated along with Shivaratri for 13 days. 

Karthigai deepam and Maasi festival (Feb-March) are other noteworthy festivals. 

Courtesy: Following sites 

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

Chidambaram Shiva Temple

This Shiva temple is one of the largest Shiva temple in the world (about 40 acres). It is one of the Athara sthalam representing "Adnya" chakra. It is also the Pancha Bhoota sthala temple representing the element “Aakash” as well as one of the 275 Shiva temples revered by Shaivaites Nayanmars. It is situated at Chidambaram in Kadalur district of Tamil Nadu. 

It is one of the places where Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance (Pon ambalam i.e. Golden Sabai).  Chidambaram is also referred as THILLAI (a type of mangrove), as this place was abundant with these type of plants. The temple is also known as Chidambaram Nataraja temple and it is about 2000 years old. 

Mulavar: Thirumulanadar, Koothanadar, 
Devi (Consort): Umayambika, Shivagamsundari
Kshetra Vruksha: Thillai plant
Sacred Teertha: Shivaganga, Vyaghrapada Tirtha, Anant Tirtha, Bramha Tirtha and about a number of others totaling about 10.

The preceding deity is Thirumulanadar which is a swayambhu linga. The ruling deity is Lord Nataraja. On the Western side of Thirumulanadar Shrine, there is a tree made of stone. The shrine of Lord Vishnu (Govindraj Perumal) and the shrine of Thillai-Kali are close by. From the mandap, in front of Lord Nataraja shrine, we can have darshan of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva at the same time. This temple is also known as Chittrambalam (which is a combination of two words Chit + Ambalam) which eventually became Chidambaram.

At this temple we can have darshan of Lord Shiva in 3 forms namely in an idol form as Nataraja, formless as Aakash and as a spathika linga. Sage Vyaghrapada and Sage Patanjali did penance here for the darshan of Lord Shiva. Responding to their severe penance, He appeared here along with 3000 munis (sages) and gave darshan to them. This day, Tamil month Thai (Jan-Feb) on Pushya nakshatra is celebrated here. It is stated that for salvation, one should be born at Thiruvarur or live in Kanchi or think of Thiruvannamalai or die at Kashi. Similarly it is stated that if one worships Lord Nataraja or Lord Thirumulanadar, he is definite to get salvation. A Srichakra was installed by Aadi-Shankaracharya in the Ambika shrine. 

Being very old temple, it has gone through many renovations done by empires of Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Viajayanagar and Chera. One of the notable renovation is gold plated gopurams. 

Legends from Puran: 

Sage Vashishta advised one of the sons (Maadyandinar) of his relative to worship the swayambhu lingam at Thillaivanam for getting complete wisdom. He could not pick the flowers before sunrise. They were considered as impure if picked-up after sunrise as honey in the flowers was sucked up by bees. He prayed to Lord Shiva that he was not in a position to pick the flowers in darkness and as he could not climb the tree in darkness. Lord granted him the legs of the tiger so that he could climb trees and gave sight which could see in darkness. Lord blessed him and stated that he would be known henceforth as Sage Vyaghrapada. 

The main legend is that, Lord Shiva appearing in Thillai vanam to teach a lesson to the rishi who felt that they can control God by their rituals and mantras. Lord Shiva appeared there as Bhikshadanar and Lord Vishnu appeared as Mohini (a beautiful lady) as His consort. The wives of rishis were enchanted by the beauty of Bhikshadanar and Mohini. The rishis who got enraged tried various ways to destroy Lord Shiva. They invoked a fierce tiger on Him. He tore the skin of the tiger and tied it around his waist. A fierce elephant which was invoked by the sages, was also killed and hence Lord Shiva is known as Gajasamhar murti. A demon who was invoked by the rishis was immobilized by Lord Shiva’s anand-tandav. Finally the rishis, surrendered to Lord Shiva and realized the truth that he is beyond magic, rituals and mantras. 

The Shrines in the temple:  

Thiruadimulanadar and Umaiyala – The Linga swaroop worshiped by sages Vyaghrapada and Patanjali.

The Shrines of 63 Nayanmars

Shrine of Shivagamsundari

Shrine of Vinayaka

Shrine of Lord Muruga

Besides these there are a number of smaller shrines. 

The halls (sabha, ambalams) – There are 5 halls namely, 

Chittrambalam – This sanctum houses Lord Nataraja and Goddess Shivagamasundari

Ponnambalam or Kanaksabai – The rituals are conducted from here

Nrityasabai – This is the 56 pillar hall near the dhwajastambha. Here Lord Nataraja out danced Kali and established his superiority

Rajasabai – This is a 1000 pillar hall which symbolizes the yogic chakra, sashastraram. This hall is open only during festival days. 

Devasabai- This houses the panchamurtis, Lord Ganesh, Lord Somaskandha, Goddess Shivanandnayaki and Lord Chandikeshwar.

Significance of the temple – 

Of the 5 Pancha Bhuta sthalams, Shrikalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram stand on a straight line at exactly 79’41” East longitude. Thiruvannaikaval is located around 3’ to the South and 1’ to West of Northern tip of this axis whereas Thiruvannamalai is mid-way between these two.

The nine entrances of the temple signifies the 9 orifices in the human body. 

In the Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which can be reached by the 5 steps, which represents the Panchakshari mantra - SI VA YA NA MA. The entrance to this sabai is from the side and not from the front as in usual manner. The roof of the sabai is supported by 4 pillars representing the 4 vedas. 

Ponnambalam is supported by 28 pillars representing 28 agamas (methods of worship). 64 beams of the roof represents 64 forms of arts. The cross beams represents the blood vessels in the body. 21600 golden tiles of the roof represent 21600 breaths. The tiles are fixed by 72000 golden nails representing the nadis in the human body. The 9 golden kalash represents the nine forms of energy. The artha-mandap has 6 pillars representing the 6 shastras.

The hall next to artha mandap, has 18 pillars representing 18 puranas. 

Festivals: 

There are 6 major festivals performed in a year for Lord Natraja. 

In the Tamil month of Margazi (Dec-Jan) – Thiruvaadhirai 

On the 14th day of the new moon in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-March) festival is held

In the Tamil month of Chittrai (April-May) – the festival is held on Thiruvonam

In the Tamil month of Aani (June-July) – festival is held on Uttiram nakshatra

In the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept) – festival is held on Chaturdashi

On Chaturdashi day of the tamil month of Protasi (Oct-Nov) festival is held

The first 2 are considered to be the most important festivals of the year. 

Natyanjali is celebrated in February. Dancers gather to present Bharatnatyam to Lord Natraja as a mark of respect

It is very difficult to enumerate the greatness of these temples which we have been trying in the last few articles. With this article we conclude the summary of Pancha Bhuta Sthalams.

Courtesy: Following sites

1. https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/ and

2. https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/

3. http://www.indAiatemples.in/

Introduction to Athara Sthalam

Athara sthalams are the abodes of Lord Shiva in various manifestations. They are considered to be the guardians of particular chakra.

Athara sthalam indicates the places which are considered to be divine impersonification of Tantric chakras associated with human anatomy. For example Annamalaiyar temple is called the Manipooraga sthalam associated with Manipura, the human anatomical cause for the spiritual ignorance, thirst, jealousy, treachery, shame, fear, disgust, delusion, foolishness and sadness. Athara sthalam are six temples, out of which four temples are located in Tamil Nadu, one in Andhra Pradesh and one at Varanasi.

In upcoming weeks, we will post the information about each of these sthalas.

Tantric Chakra	Description	Temple	Location	Symbol
Anthagam (Sanskrit आज्ञा, ājňā)	Brain directly behind eyebrow	Natarajar Temple	Chidambaram
Visuthi (Sanskrit विशुद्ध, Viśuddha)	Neck region near spine	Sri Kalahastheeswara Swami Temple	Kalahasthi
Anahata (Sanskrit अनाहत, Anāhata)	Central Channel behind spine	Kashi Vishwanath Temple	Varanasi
Manipooragam (Sanskrit मणिपूर, Manipūra)	Spine directly behind navel	Arunachaleshwarar Temple	Thiruvannamalai
Swasthistanam (Sanskrit स्वाधिष्ठान, Svādhişthāna)	One’s own abode	Thiruvanaikaval	Trichy
Moolatharam (Sanskrit मूलाधार Mūlādhāra)	Basal end of the spinal column	Thyagaraja Swamy Temple	Tiruvarur

Sri Thirukutralnadar at Courtrallam

This temple is one of the 276 Padal Petra Sthalams. It is also one of the Pancha Sabhai Sthalam and represents Chitra Sabhai. Thirunavukkuarsar, Sambandhar, Manikavachagar have sung sacred hymns at this place. 

Mulavar: Kutralanadar

Devi: Parashakti, Kuzalvaimozi. They are housed in two separate shrines

Kshetra Vruksha: Wild Jack tree (in Tamil Kurumpala)

Kshetra Tirtha: Shivamadhuganga, River Chitra, Vadaaruvi

Puranik Name: Trikutamalai, Kuttralam

The present temple structure which is more than 1500 years old was constructed by Rajarajar Cholan. Later on renovation and additional structures were carried out by Pandya and Nayakars. According to archeologists there was originally a vishnu temple by the side of mulavar. 

Rajagopuram is three tiered. As we enter, we come across Vasant Mandap which has three kalashas on the top with a lot of sculpture. Next to this mandapam, we have a mandapam with dhwajasthambha, Nandi and Balipeeth. The temple is conch shaped known as sangukonam (conch represents power of Lakshmi). Lord Shiva is in the form of a swayambhu linga. We can observe the fingerprints of Sage Agastya on the Shiva Linga. Parashakti shrine is one of the 64 shakti peethas. Parashakti is on a Shri Chakra. It is also known as Parashakti Peetham. Also known as Dharani Peetham (because of Bhumadevi). Navashakti puja is performed on full moon night in honor of nine Ambikas (as the peetham is supposed to represent grace and power of Ambika). 

Special features: 

There are five entrances to the temple representing four vedas and one for Pilavandhan who came to witness Lord Shiva’s dance in Manakolamnadar shine (wedding posture). 

As Devi is supposed to be in a furious mood, to calm her down, a Shiva linga known as Kamakotishwara is installed in front of her. In front of the Parashakti shrine, we have peethams of Annaavipillai and other deities. On the southern side, we have the shrine of Kailashnadar. And on the northern side we come across Shri Durga shrine and Shri Vallabha Ganapati. Lord Muruga with a bow in his hand is housed in the shrine with his consorts Valli and Deivanai facing each other. We come across Shiva Linga and a shrine of Sage Agastya. Under the feet of Sage Agastya we have the idol of his shishya Shivalayamuni. 

In the prakara, Lord Shiva is in wedding posture. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi are kanyadaan of Ambika (as Lord Vishnu is the brother of Ambika), Lord Brahma is depicted as priest, Sage Agastya, Sage Bhrungi are the witness to this wedding. We come across the shrines of Lord Vishnu as Nannaagama Perumal and Lord Krishna. The kurumpala (wild jack) fruits are in the form of Shiva Linga. The wild jack fruit tree in the prakara is very old (1000 years) and revered by Lord Shiva himself. Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the shrine are depicted as if they are in conversation. We can have darshan of all five Pancha Bhuta Lingas at this place. Lord Nataraja graces at this sabha in the form of a painting. Arjuna had lost the casket containing his Shiva Linga. He used to worship this Shiva Linga daily and lost it at Kashi. When he reached this place, he found a casket containing Shiva Linga. After performing this puja, he left the same at this place. It is kept in a separate shrine in a prakara. We can observe west facing Vinayaka, Kailash Kutrala Nadar, Trikuta Malai and Kutralam waterfall from a point very close to the shrine. 

Chitra sabhai: This is housed north of the Kutralnadar temple in a separate shrine. Its interior has a large number of murals depicting the epics. The roof of the sabha is made of copper sheet. Lord Nataraja is painted as performing Tripura Tandava. Besides this, we come across paintings depicting Sage Agastya pressing his hand on Lord Vishnu, who becomes a Shiva Linga, miracles performed by Lord Shiva at Madurai and Lord Dakshinamurti in various forms. The paintings were actually painted by colors made from medicinal plants, herbs etc. At the entrance to the Chitra Sabhai, we come across wooden carvings of Shakti Peetham, Goddess Parvati in feeding posture, Lord Krishna playing flute, Lord of south known as Ekapadmurti, Lord Veerabhadra, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Meenakshi, Rishabh Arudhar, Kangalar, Ravana Anugraha Murti and Lord Shiva kicking Lord Yama. At the center of the temple pond, there is a mandap with a gopuram. There are 8 kalashas on the top of a water roof. Carved wooden planks serve as doors, beams and roof structure for the Chitra Sabhai. The festival of Lord Nataraja takes place in the month of Margazhi (Thiruvadurudai) for 10 days, including a chariot festival. At this time a special puja is performed both in the morning and evening in which a lamp is moved up and down depicting the dance of Lord Nataraja. This is known as Pandava Deeparadhana. This Pandava Deeparadhana is also performed during the Brahmostav in the month of Chitrai. Ku stands for the sins committed in the past and present lives. Tralam stands for getting rid of. By praying Shri Kutralanadar we can get rid of our past and present sins. 

Kshetra Puran:

Sages, Munis, Devas and others assembled at Kailash for the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Due to this, the north started going down and south started moving up, i.e. there was a tilt. Lord Shiva requested Agastya to move south so that the balance will be maintained. He stated that when you reach Kutralam, you can revive me from the form of Lord Vishnu. When you reach south you will change the idol of Lord Vishnu into Shiva Linga by placing your hand on the head of Lord Vishnu. Then from that point you can witness our marriage. When Sage Agastya reached Kutralam he was not allowed to enter the Vishnu temple by the temple guards (dwarapalakas). He left that place and reached a temple in the nearby village he made a Shiva Linga of white sand and worshiped Lord Shiva. He begged to Lord Shiva to help him gain entry into the Vishnu temple. Lord Muruga appeared before him and advised him to enter the Vishnu temple in the disguise of a Vishnu devotee. Agastya entered Lod Vishnu temple as directed by Lord Muruga. He worshiped at the temple and at that very instance the conch, tulasi garland and other alankars of Lord Vishnu changed into alankars of Lord Shiva like rudraksha mala, crescent moon, serpent, small drum, trishul etc. When Sage Agastya placed his hand on Lord Vishnu’s head the idol became a Shiva Linga. At that very instant the Sage Agastya witnessed the marriage ceremony. Even today we can see fingerprints on Shiva Linga indicating Sage Agastya placing hand on Lod Vishnu’s head. It is believed that even today the Devas worship Lord Shiva during the day and Sage Agastya during the night. 

People first visit the temple where Sage Agastya worshiped Lord Shiva with a Shiva Linga made of white sand and then come to Kailash nadar temple. 

Festivals:

1. Tamil month Chithirai. 10 days Vishnu festival

2. Aippasi vishnu festival for 10 days

3. Aippasi Thirukalyanam (wedding) for 1 day

4. Margazhi (Margashirsha) festival for 10 days and Thiruvarudrai festival

5. 10 days Navratri festival for Parashakti

6. Aippasi Brahmotsavam

7. Panguni Uthiram festival - 1 day

8. Panguni Brahmotsavam 

9. In the month of Aadi - on new moon day, lamp festival is held with 1 lakh lamps. On the same day 1008 lamps are lit all over the temple known as Patradeep festival

10. In the month of Thai, float festival is held on Magha nakshatra and 1 mahadeep puja is also held

11. In the month of Avani on mula nakshatra, a special worship is done. 

Besides this Skanda Shashti, Karthika Deepam and Shiva Ratri are celebrated.

Daily Makut puja is performed 8 times

Address: Shri Kutralnadar Temple, Courtallam, Thirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu 627802

Phone number: 91-4633-283-138/398, 91-9488-37-40-77

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