Thiruverumbur

Thiruverumbur - Erumbeeswarer Temple 

It is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva. Built on a 60-foot (18 m) tall hill, it is accessible via a flight of steps. The temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam,  and it is counted as the seventh in the list of temples in the southern banks of river Kauvery.

Shiva is believed to have transformed himself into an ant hill and tilted his head at this place to enable ants to climb up and worship him. Erumbeeswarar is revered in the canonical 7th-century Tamil Saiva work the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple's main shrines and its two prakarams (outer courtyards) are on top of the hill, while a hall and the temple tank are located at the foothills. 

Thiruverumbur – Sri Erumbeeswarer Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Erumbeeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Narunguzhal Nayagi Amman
Location	Thiruverumbur  (Trichy – Tanjore Road)
Significance	Paadal Petra Sthalam Kaverikarai Sivasthalam Malaikovil
Ancient	Built by Aditya Chola
Travel Base	Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Near By	Tiruchirappalli, BHEL

According to Hindu legend, there lived a demon (asura) Tharukasuran, who conquered Prithvi (earth) and Svarga (heaven). Indra, the leader of celestial deities and other gods suffered at the hands of Tharukasuran and sought the help of the creator-god Brahma, who asked them to worship Shiva in Thiruverumbur. In order to deceive Tharukasuran, the devas transformed into ants and reached the temple. Since the surface of the lingam (an iconic form of Shiva) was slippery, the ants found it difficult to climb up and worship. Shiva transformed himself into an ant hill and slid his head, which enabled the ants to climb and worship. Hence the name Erumbeeswarar is derived from Erumbu meaning ant and Easwaran referring to Shiva. 

This is one of the three places where Shiva slid his head for his worshippers, the other two being the temples at Virinjipuram and Thiruppanandal. The temple is also referred as Rathinakoodam, Thirverumbipuram, Erumbeesam, Brahmapuram, Laskhmipuram, Madhuvanam, Rathnakoodapuram, Manikoodapuram and Kumarapuram in various religious literature.

The temple is one in a series built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery, to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle. It has several inscriptions from the Chola Empire dating back to the 10th century. The temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and is locally referred as "Kailash of South India". The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm, and three yearly festivals in its calendar.

Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Erumbeeswarar by circumambulating the hill barefoot in a practise called girivalam. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This Temple has been declared as Ancient monuments by ASI, Archaeological survey of India.

How To Reach :

Thiruverumbur - Erumbeeswarer Temple

Malaikoil, Thiruverumbur,

Tamil Nadu 620013, India

Thirupampuram

Thirupampuram (திருப்பாம்புரம்) - Paampuranathar Temple

Thirupampuram is considered to be the 59th Tevara Stalams of Chola kingdom located south of the River Kaveri. The name of this village came from the temple name here.

The King of Serpents Nagarajan, Karkotakan, Bhrama and Agasthyar are said to have worshipped Shiva here. The name Paampuram comes from the association with Nagarajan. It is said that 3 days a week snake is seen near the God or Goddess. This place is sung in the Thevaram hymns of Thirugnanasambandar.

Thirunayana Samandhar has sung Devara hymns in praise of this lord. The temple history suggests that snakes are present at this temple and every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday odors of Jasmine and Thazampu are also present. There is a fact that people do not die of snake bite at this place and no history of snake bites although a lot of snakes are seen in this area.

Once Lord Vinayagar was offering prayers to Lord Shiva. At that time the serpent in the neck of the Lord thought that he too is worshipped by Vinayagar. Knowing this Lord Shiva got angry and cursed the serpents to lose all their Shakthi. In order to retrieve it Aadiseshan and other serpents came to earth in one Maha Shiva Rathri and offered prayers to Kudanthai Nageshwaran in the morning, Tirunageshwaram at the noon, Thirupamburam Pambureswarar in the evening and Nagoor Nageshwarar at the night and got the blessings of the Lord.

There are 28 epigraphs found in the Thirupampuram temple. These epigraphs belong to the period of third Kulothunga Cholan, Rajarajan III, Rajendra III, Sundarapandian and the Sarabhoji King. Thirupampuram was known as “Kulothunga Chola Chadurvedi Mangalam” during the Chola period.  

Thirupampuram - Seshapureeswarar Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Paampuranathar ( Seshapureeswarar, Pambupuresswarar )
Goddess Name	Sri Vandaar Poonkuzhali Amman (Pramarambikai)
Location	Thirupampuram Aslo known as Urakapuram and Seshapuri
Significance	Kaverikarai Sivasthalam, Devara padal petra stalam, Raghu-Ketu Sthalam,
Ancient	1000 - 2000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam,  Karaikal

Raghu-Ketu Sthalam  :

Pooja's for Rahu Ketu doshas is done here. In order to get relieved from Nagadosham, people who do not have children and for Raghu-Kethu Dosham people come here and offer prayers to the lord. There is a local belief that the worship during morning, afternoon and evening needs to be performed at the three Nageswaran temples namely Nageswaran Temple,Tirunageswaram and Thirupampuram respectively.

In 2002 May 26 a snake skin was found (8.3 feet) like a Maalai in Lord Shiva shrine. Another snake skin (7.5 feet) is there in Ambal Shrine.

Aadhi Sesha Theertham

How To Reach :  This temple is situated on the Kumbakonam to Karaikal highway, about 3 km from the main road (near Karkaththi village). From Peralam it is 7 km. (It is off Peralam - Kollumangudi - Kumbakonam route).

Tirusulam Shiva Temple

Chennai Tirusulam - Thirusoolanathar Temple : 

Thirusoolam is situated in Chennai, 1.5 km off GST Road, opposite to the chennai Airport. Arulmigu Thirisoolanathar Alayam is one of the several places where Brahma had worshipped Lord Shiva. It is a rare sight to see the temple in the middle of the hills dotted with shrubs.

Lord Shiva is believed to have blessed Brahma and the place was known as Brahmapuri for a while, later as Thirisuram (Suram means hill) . 

According to the legend, originally, Lord Brahma was 5 headed. As Lord Brahma was too proud of himself, Lord Shiva cut one of his heads off to bring down his ego. Later Brahma continued his duty of creation. He prayed Lord Shiva that he couldn’t concentrate on his duty because he was disturbed losing a head. Lord Shiva blessed him and granted peace of mind after which Lord Brahma continued his duties peacefully.

Thirusoolam - Sri Tirusula Nathar Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Thirisoolanathar
Goddess Name	Sri Tripura Sundari Amman
Location	Trisulam - Chennai GST Road
Significance	Brahma worshipped here. Sri Naga Yagnopaveetha Ganapathi Sri Virasana Dakshinamurthy
Ancient	Kulothunga Chozhan Built this temple
Travel Base	Chennai - Pallavaram
Near By	Chennai Airport

This is very ancient temple beautifully located amidst 4 hills at Thirusoolam. It is believed that these 4 hills denote 4 Vedas. ( Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda )

Initially this temple was built by Kulothunga Chozhan ,later renovated by sundara Chozhan. The walls of the temple have inscriptions from the Chola period

Naaga Yagnopaveetha Ganapathi, as he is wearing the Naagam (snake) as his sacred thread.

 Veerasana Dhakshinamurthy, as he is seen sitting in the ‘Veerasana’ Posture, with his left leg folded and his right leg on the Muyalaka Asura

How To Reach :  The temple is on the left from the GST road after the Meenambakkam airport. We have to cross the Tirisulam Railway line, then proceed around 2kms. Frequent Autos available from Pallavaram, Airport & Tirisulam Railway station.

Check this link for more temples in and around Chennai - Temples Around Chennai

Someswar Temple

Kumbakonam - Someswar Temple

Someswara Temple, situated in Kumbakonam, is dedicated to Lord Someshwar and Goddess Somasundari. The temple is easily accessible via the eastern side of the Portamarai tank.  

This temple faces east with a 5-tier Gopuram at the entrance. It also has an entrance in the south. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of the 13th century of the Chola period.

Kudanthai - Sri Someswar Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Someshwar, Chikkesswar
Goddess Name	Sri Somasundari
Location	Thirukudandhai (Kumbakonam) - Potramarai Kulam
Significance	Dravidian Architecture, Chandiran (Moon) , Guru worshipped here. Thirugnanam Sambathar have sung in praise of the Lord
Ancient	13th century
Travel Base	Kumbakonam
Near By	Thanjavur, Thiruvarur

How to Reach : Someswar Temple is 2 km away from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop name is Portamarai Kulam in Tanjore Road.
The bus stop is very near to Temple. There are lot of town buses / autos available for this temple.

One can also access it from the southern road of the Sarangapani Temple.

Sarangapani Temple

Kumbakonam - Sarangapani Temple

Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. This temple is situated in between the rivers,the Cauvery and the Arisolar.

The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and Madurai Nayaks. The temple is enshrined within a huge granite wall and the complex contains all the shrines and the water bodies of the temple. The rajagopuram (the main gateway) has eleven tiers and has a height of 173 ft (53 m). The Potramarai tank, the temple tank, is located opposite to the western entrance of the temple. This temple is one of the 108 Vishnavaite temples, third in order, next only toTirupathi and Srirangam.

The Presiding deity is Sri Sarngapani Swami. Sarngam = bow pani=hand. The deity is having a bow in the hand.

Kumbakonam - Sri Sarangapani Temple
Main Deity	Lord Vishnu
Name	Sri Sarangapani, Aravamudhan
Goddess Name	Sri Komalavalli Thayar
Location	Tirukudandhai (Kumbakonam)
Significance	Divya Desams, Pancharanga Kshetrams, 7 Alwars, & Kambar have sung in praise of the Lord
Ancient	2000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam
Near By	Thanjavur, Thiruvarur

The rajagopuram (the main gateway) has eleven tiers and has a height of 173 ft (53 m). 

Mangalasasanam: Total - 51 Paasurams.

• Sri Aandal - 1 Paasuram.
• Periyalwar - 3 Paasurams.
• Thirumizhisai Alwar - 7 Paasurams.
• Boothatalwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Peiyalwar - 2 Paasurams.
• Nammalwar - 11 Paasurams.
• Thirumangai - 25 Paasurams.

How to Reach :  Sarangapani Temple is 2 km away from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop name is ucchi pilaiyar kovil in Tanjore Road. The bus stop is very near to Temple. There are lot of town buses / autos available for this temple.

Kudanthai Keelkottam

Kudanthai Keelkottam - Nageswaran Temple

Nageswaran temple otherwise known as "Kudanthai Keelkottam kovil".Chola dynasty constructed this temple during 12 th century.This temple stands as a great marvel of Chola's architechcture,building technology.The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows the sun rays inside the temple only during the month of March. The rays of Sun falls exactly on the Lord on 11, 12 and 13 of Panguni (March). 

The Karuvarai of Nageswaran temple has similarity with that of Sarangapani temple,as it is made in the form of a chariot.The temple consists of two Gopurams in the eastern and western directions.

Nageswarar swamy is the main deity of the temple Nageswaran. The deity is Linga (form of God Shiva). The main deity resides into the charriot mandapam. The goddess of the nageswarar swamy is Periyanayagi Amman.

Kumbakonam - Kudanthai Keelkottam Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Nageswarar Temple
Goddess Name	Sri Periyanayagi Amman
Location	Kumbakonam – Diamond HallStop
Significance	Kaverikarai Sivasthalam, Devara padal petra stalam, Swayambumurthi Maha Magam Festivel & Masi Magam Festivel, Sun Rays will falls on Shiva Linga
Ancient	1000 - 2000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

How To Reach: 

Nageshwaran temple
(Kudanthai Keelkottam), 
Nageswaran Sannathi street,
Kumbakonam - 612 001.

Nageswarar temple is about 2 kms  from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop is very near to the Temple and there are lot of town buses available for this temple get down at  Diamond Hall / Theater just 3 mins walks to reach the temple. In city transports like auto, town buses etc., are the best ways to reach the temple. 

Ramaswamy Temple, Sarangapani Temple, Someswarar Temple and Kumbeswarar Temples are the near by Temples to visit.

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple in Kumbakonam

Adi Kumbeswarar temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva located at the center of the Kumbakonam town. One of the famous Hindu festivals of Mahamaham is associated with this temple. This is the ancient temple for more than 1300 years old.

It is also one of the 127 temples on the southern banks of the river Cauvery. It is mentioned as, 'Thirukkudamooku' in 'Thevaram',at present it is called Kumbakonam. It is a prime temple amidst many temples in kumbakonam. The presiding Murti(deity) is 'Adhi kumbheswara' and His consort is 'Mangalambhika'. The Siva Linga is slightly tilted at the top towards left and hence the name kumbakonam (kumba means pot;konam means bend) and the deity kumbeshwara.

During cosmic dissolution, a pot containing nectar (Amirta) was floating and lord Siva came in the disguise of a hunter and pierced the pot with an arrow ,thereby making the nectar to flow through it's nostril on all sides . Hence this place is named Kudamooku (kuda - pot; mooku - nostril or tip). The objects such as mango leaf,sacred grass (Tharppai),hoop (uri), Bell tree leaf (Bilva), coconut and the sacred thread (poonool) which adorning the pot fell into different places due to whirl wind. They appeared as Siva lingas and later on they became Siva temples. As per puranas the genesis of life happened by the the Thiru Vilaiaadal (divne play) of God Shiva here, and from here all the living beings orginated.

Kumbakonam - Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Adi Kumbeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Mangalambhika
Location	Kumbakonam – Mottai Gopuram Stop
Significance	Kaverikarai Sivasthalam, Devara padal petra stalam, Swayambumurthi Maha Magam Festivel & Masi Magam Festivel,
Ancient	1000 - 2000 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

Aathi (Origin) Kumbeswara swamy is the main deity of the temple Aathi Kumbeswarar. The Kumbeswarar (Linga) is on the form of conical lingam. The left of the main deity has another shrine for the goddess namely Mangalambigai. This temple outer prahara has an important shrine called as Kumba muni Siddhar.

How to Reach : 

Aathi kumbeswarar Temple

Valayapettai Agraharam

Kumbakonam (KUDAMOOKKU), 

Tamil Nadu 612001, India. 

Aathi Kumbeswarar Temple located in Thanjavur main road of Kumbakonam city. It is 2 km from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop is called "Mottai Gopuram" bus stop. Many town buses go via this bus stop. 

Near by temples are - Ramaswamy Temple, Someswarar Temple and Chakarapani temple.