Arisirkaraiputtur

Aalagaputhur - Sri Padikasu Nathar Temple

Padikkasu Nathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Arisirkaraiputhur village in Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity is Shiva. He is called as Padikkasu nathar. His consort is known as Azhakambikai.

This Shivastalam is a small temple at Arisirkaraiputtur located south east of Kumbhakonam near Tirunaraiyur, Nachiyar Koyil. It is also known as Azhagaarputhur, Azhagadriputtur and Siruviliputhur. It lies on the southern bank of the river Arisil and is considered to be the 66th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri.  Shiva is said to have blessed Pugazhtunai Nayanar here.

This is considered to be one of the 70 maadakkoyils built at an elevation by Kochengannan Cholan. This temple was reconstructed of stone during the period of Raja Raja Chola I; however the present structure is a result of extensive rebuilding earlier in the 20th century.

The temple has a three tiered Rajagopuram. Images of Surya and Chandra are seen at the Rajagopura entrance. The shrine to Shanmukhar is highly revered and it is believed that worshippers are cured of poisonous bites. There are shrines to Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar and the Navagrahas, Pugazhtunai Nayanar and others.

The temple has a three tiered Rajagopuram. Images of Surya and Chandra are seen at the Rajagopura entrance. The shrine to Shanmukhar is highly revered and it is believed that worshippers are cured of poisonous bites. There are shrines to Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar and the Navagrahas, Pugazhtunai Nayanar and others.

Significance of the temple:

v  The temple is praised in Thevaram hymns. This is the 66th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns (Paadal Petra Sthalam).

v  The temple is praised by Saint Thirunavukarasar in his Thevaram hymns. 

v  Special : The Murugan holds the Sangu and Chakram in two hands. The peacock faces left in this temple.

Arisirkaraiputtur - Sri Swarnapureeswarar Temple அழகாபுத்தூர்- சொர்ணபுரீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Padikkasu nathar , Sornapureeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Azhagammai
Location	Arisirkaraiputhur , Alahaputhur , Azhagaputhur (அரிசிற்கரைப்புத்தூர், அழகாபுத்தூர்)
Temple Tank	Arisilaru
Significance	66th Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam in South of cauvery region, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Lord blessed Pugazh Thunai Nayanar here
Ancient	1000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

 How To Reach :  We can reach the temple from kumbakonam to Nachiyarkovil Road ( way to thiruvarur road). Azhagaputhur is 6 km from Kumbakonam on the Tiruvarur route.

Sri Padikasu Nathar Temple, Azhagaputhur – 612 401, Thiru Arisil Karai Puthur, Thanjavur district.

Acharapakkam

Acharapakkam - Sri Aatcheeswarar  Temple

Acharapakkam (அச்சிறுப்பாக்கம்) is a panchayat town in Kancheepuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located along the busy National Highway(NH45), 96 km away from Chennai and 4 km away from the famous temple town Melmaruvathur.

Atcheeswarar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near the holy village of Acharapakkam, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar. It is famous for its ancient Shiva temple (Arulmigu Aatcheeswarar Temple) which is one of the Devaram temples.

It is believed that the temple here (Arulmigu Aatcheeswarar Temple) is associated with the legend of Tripurasamhaaram (related to that at Tiruvatikai Veerattaanam). Legend here is that when Lord Shiva was heading ahead in his Chariot (தேர் ) to destroy the Tripurams, the Axle (அச்சு) on Lord Shiva's chariot had broken at this village into two pieces ( இரு பாகம் ), reminding him of Ganesha whom he had not meditated upon prior to his setting out on his mission.

It is also believed that A Pandya ruler who was on his way bringing soil from Ganges for constructing a dam on a local river nearby this place happened to pass through this village in his chariot. While passing, the axle of his chariot is also said to have broken at this village in to two pieces.

Hence the name of this village became Achu Iru Paagam ( அச்சு + இரு + பாகம் ) Meaning : "Axle into two pieces" Later this name eventually became Achirupakkam (அச்சிறுப்பாக்கம் ) and then to Acharapakkam ( அச்சரப்பாக்கம்) 

Significance of the temple:

v  The temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 28th shrine in Thondai region praised in Thevaram hymns.

v  Two presiding in separate sanctum sanctorum for Atcheeswarar and Umai Atcheeswarar, and Also two separate amman sanctorums Ilangili Ammai and Umayambigai.

v  Demons Tharaka and Vidyunmali destroyed by Lord Shiva are the Dwarapalakas of this temple.

v  Lord Atchipureeswarar is also praised as Acheswarar and Achu Kondu Arulia Thevar.  Lord Vinayaka is known as Achu Muri Vinayaka. 

v  Kannuva Munivar and Gowthama Munivar are said to have worhshipped Lord Shiva at this sivasthalam.

Acharapakkam - Sri Aatcheeswarar Temple அச்சிறுபாக்கம் - ஆட்சீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Atcheeswarar, Umaiyatchiswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Ilangili Ammai, Umayaambikai
Location	Achirupakkam, Acharapakkam
Historical Name	Achu Iru Bagam
Significance	28th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Tondai Nadu, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams,
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Chennai

How to Reach :  Acharapakkam is located on the 96th km of Trichy-Chennai National Highway (NH45) and 25 km from Maduranthakam. Acharapakkam has its own railhead on the Trichy-Chennai railway line. This temple is well connected by buses from Chennai city and Tambaram. 

Killiyur Falls

Yercaud Killiyur Falls

Kiliyur Waterfalls is a beautiful waterfalls in the Shervaroyan hill range in the eastern ghats, located near Yercaud Salem . 

It is a 300 feet high waterfalls and is about 3kms from the Yercaud lake. The final 500 meters consists only of a rough unpaved steep pathway. But it is a breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum. The waters overflowing the Yercaud Lake fall 300 ft (91 m) into the Kiliyur Valley.

Killiyur Falls Season - The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoon season. Location : Killiyur Road, Pattipadi, Tamil Nadu 636601, India.

Yercaud

Yercaud Hill Station

Yercaud (ஏற்காடு) is a hill station in Salem District, in Tamil Nadu, India with 20 hairpin bends. It located in the Shevaroys range of hills in the Eastern Ghats .

It is situated at an altitude of 1515 metres (4970 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, at 5,326 feet (1,623 m) .

Coffee and citrus fruits, most notably oranges, are grown in abundance apart from bananas, pears and jackfruit. Scenically, Yercaud is as enchanting and picturesque as the hill stations on the Western Ghats and trekking here can be one of the most pleasurable ways to pass time. It is 32kms from salem city. 

Places to Visit in Yercaud

Ø  Big Lake, Yercaud

Ø  Botanical Garden, Yercaud

Ø  Pagoda Point

Ø  Servarayan Temple

Ø  Lady's Seat, Gent's Seat and Children's Seat

Ø  Killiyur Falls

Ø  Anna Park

Lady's seat is located 2 Km south west of Yercaud town and is a point that offers spectacular sights of Yercaud. A wonderful viewing point, the Lady’s seat provides wonderful sights of the plains below and is great for sun rise and sun sets. The best time to spot the river is from 300 p.m. onwards when the sun rays reflect off the river waters.

Killiyur Waterfalls is a beautiful waterfalls in the Shervaroyan hill range in the eastern ghats. It is a 300 feet high waterfalls and is about 3kms from the Yercaud lake. The final 500 meters consists only of a rough unpaved steep pathway. But it is a breathtaking sight in the monsoon time when the water levels are at the maximum. The best time to visit this place is immediately after the monsoon season.

Pagoda Point is also another viewpoint, which is worth visiting. Pagoda point or pyramid point is a viewpoint located on the eastern part of Yercaud hills. This has four piles of stones arranged so as to form a pyramid shape. It is said to be built by the local tribes and now there is a Rama temple located between the piles of stones.

Bear's Cave is situated near the Nortona Bungalow, which is on the way to the Shervaroyan Temple. The cave is now part of a private property, however tourists are allowed to visit. There is a temple near this cave that is considered to be one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga and has its central area carved out of a single rock.

Yercaud Servarayan Temple is situated on the top of Shervaroyan hill and is a modern cave temple located 5326 feet above the sea level. The highest point in Yercaud hill is the Sherveroyan temple. The residing deities in the temple are god Shervaroyan and his consort the goddess Cauvery representing the Shervaroy Hills and the Cauvery river. The temple is inside a large rock. One has to bend and get into the temple because of the lack of space.

Near the Servarayan temple is the Raja Rajeswari Amman temple, dedicated to Raja Rajewsari, the goddess of all the gods.

Silk Farm, not too far from the Lady’s Seat, a silk worm unit is open to visitors to see the entire process of silk making. Worms are bred on mulberry bushes and then taken through the process of spinning and weaving.

Rose Garden and Anna Park is a lovely garden located near the Yercaud lake and has slides that would certainly interest children.

Yercaud Lake is a pool surrounded by well preserved gardens and dark woods. The lake has boating facility in which both paddle boats and oar-drawn boats are available. People boating in the cold water of the lake can feel enchanting as well as refreshing. The lake is also known as emerald lake and it is the only natural lake amongst all hill stations in the southern part of India.