Thirupugalur

Thirupugalur Agneeswara swami Temple 

Sri Agneeswaraswami temple is located in the small village named Thirupugalur, in the district of Nagapattinam, in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.

The primary deity of this temple is Agneeswarar (Lord Shiva) and his consort is Karundharkuzhali. Lord Shiva in this temple is praised by Saint Tirugnana Sambandar in his Thevaram hymns.  This is the 75th Lord Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Significance of Tirupugalur Temple:

• Lord Shiva is Swayambumurthi, Swayambhu lingam (Self manifested).
• Saint Tirunavukkarasar, also known as Appar attained salvation in this place. Muruga Nayanar, one among the 63 celebrated Saivite Nayanars was born here.
• Agni Bagwan graces with 7 Jyoti lines, five hands and three legs, an idol too rare.
• Pregnant women worship Ambica for safe delivery.  According to the Sthala Purana, Ambica Herself as a midwife took care of a woman in labour pain and ensured safety to both mother and child.  A prasad oil is offered in the temple for the purpose. 
• Devotees worship Lord Agneeswarar for mental peace.  They are blessed with boons of wedding, child, job opportunity, progress in trade, promotions and welfare.

Vastu Poojas: Vasthu purity is an important basis for constructing buildings.  Vasthu is a science that deals with the designing of the apartments in a particular direction – Kitchen, bathrooms, main hall, bedrooms etc. – at appropriate sides.  This would avoid any invisible troubles entering in to the home.

Vasthu prayer - Before beginning the construction, people use to bring the bricks to the temple, perform archanas and take them back for the building work. 

Thirupugalur - Agneeswara swami Temple திருப்புகலூர் - அக்னீபுரீசுவரர் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Agneeswarar /  Sharanyapureeswarar / Konapiran
Goddess Name	Karundharkuzhali
Location	Thirupugalur
Stalavriksham	Punnai Tree
Significance	75th of 127 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in southern bank of River Cauvery, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Temple is Famous for Vastu Poojas
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Nagapattinam or Thiruvarur

How To Reach :  Tirupugalur is 10 km far from Nannilam on the Nagapattinam bus route. Bus facilities are available from Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai also. The temple is 20 km from Tiruvarur, 10 from Nannilam, 30 from Mayiladuthurai and 25 from Nagapattinam.

Address : Sri Agneeswaraswami Temple, Thirupugalur, Nagapattinam Dt.

Thepperumanallur

Theperumanallur Ruturaksheshwarar Temple:

Thepperumanallur, is a small village is situate near Thirunageswaram railway station - next station to Kumbakonam on Kumbakonam-Mayavaram route.

The primary deity of this temple is Viswanathar (Lord Shiva) and his consort is Vedantanayaki.

Significance of Theperumanallur Temple:

• The Shiva here is also called Annadhana shiva. The siva linga covered with ' Rudraksha kavacha ' and hence the lord named as Ruturaksheshwarar.
• There is a siva linga in whose Avudiyar a maragada is fixed inside on which sunlight falls every day. The Power of this linga is said to be the combination of all the 12 jothirlingams in India and therefore unique.
• The Dakshinamurthy Idol is unique and is considered more powerful and boon bestowing than Alangudi or anywherelse.
• The Ambal is called Vedantanayaki and swami as Viswanathar. There is a rudraksha kavacha on the sivalinga.
• This is the only temple where archana to siva is done with rudraksha – archana with eka mukha to 12 mukha rudrakshas provides boons and purusharthas as the devotees require.
• There is vigneswara, Shanmuga, navagraha sannathis and also a temple tank on the eastern side.
• The power of the temple is such that Rahu/Kethu doshas are removed, childless couples bestowed with divine child and there are many more plus to benefit the devotee.

Miracle in Thepperumanallur siva temple : (Image Source : Google)

Snake worship shiva in thepperumanallur shiva temple

Cobra doing Archana for Siva Lingam :  At the Siva Temple in Thepperumanallur, large numbers of devotees witnessed a miracle of a Cobra doing Archana for Siva Lingam with Vilvam leaves On the day of the solar eclipse ( 15.1.2010 ) , around 10.30 a.m.

King cobra climbed the vilva tree , plucked the leaf ,entered the sanctum Santorum and placed the leaf on top of the Shiva linga. This incident is reported in the tamil newspapers with photos. Miracle Day is January 15, 2010 – Solar Eclipse day

Theperumanallur Sri Naga Vishwanatha Swamy Temple தேபெருமாநல்லூர் - நாக விஸ்வநாத சுவாமி திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Ruturaksheshwarar / Naga Vishwanathar
Goddess Name	Vedantanayaki
Location	Theperumanallur
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

How to Reach : Thepperumalnallur,  village is  near Thirunageswaram railway station - next station to Kumbakonam. This temple is very near to Ragusthalam,oppiliyappan temple.

Thirumanancheri

Thirumanancheri - Sri Kalyanasundarar Temple

Thirumanancheri is one among the popular temples of Lord Shiva, which resides in Nagai District, Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Near Kuttalam. The Temple is very near to Kumbakonam and Mayiladuthurai. Nearest Railway Junction is Mayiladuthurai.

Here Lord Shiva, is worshiped as Kalyanasundareswarar and His consort, mother Parvati as Kokilaambal. The lord in Sanskrit is also called as Uthvaanganathar. In Tamil they called as 'Arul Vallal' and 'Kuyilinmenmozhi ammai'. Thirumanancheri temple is where the divine marriage of Shiva and Parvati took place, and today, people flock to this temple, praying for an early marriage, thanking the lord for their marriage, and praying for children.

The place is sung in the Thevaram hymns of Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. This is the 25th Shiva temple on the northern side of River Cauvery (63) praised in Thevaram hymns. It is constructed by Chola Queen Sembiyanmadevi during Chola Dynasty. 

Six Kalyana sthalams (Marriage Temples), Around Mayiladuthurai are: Therazhundur, Thiruvaduthurai, Kuthalam, Ethirkolpadi, Velvikkudi, and Thirumanancheri.

Thirumanancheri - Sri Kalyanasundarar Temple திருமணஞ்சேரி - கல்யாண சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Arulvallalnathar, Kalyana Sundareswarar
Goddess Name	Kokilambal
Location	Thirumanancheri
Near by	Kuttalam
Significance	25th of 63 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Northern bank of River Cauvery, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Temple is Famous for overcome the obstacles of Marriage.
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Mayiladuthurai / Kumbakonam

How to Reach :  Thirumanancheri is about 6 Kms from Kuttalam, and about 12 Kms from Kanjanur and in the town of Kuttalam, about 26 Kms from Kumbakonam on the road to Mayiladudurai. 

(Buses to Thirumanancheri are available from Kumbakonam, Kuttalam and Mayiladuthurai, Mini Buses are available from Kuttalam.)

Arulmighu Uthvaganatha swamy temple,

Thirumanancheri, Mayiladuthurai,

Nagai District - 609801.

Maruthur

Maruthur Birth Place of Vallalar   

Vallalar, Ramalinga Adigal (இராமலிங்க அடிகளார்) was born in South Arcot district, at a village called Maruthur, located near Chidambaram. His father Ramaiah Pillai was a village Munsif, and his mother was Chinnamayar. He was born on 5th October 1823 as a 5th child to this noble couple.

Vallalar Birthplace Maruthur

Important Events in Vallalar's Life :

He attained a state of blissfulness of immorality. He tried his level best to put an end to the vaidik domination in the temple of Chidambaram. The vaidik priests of the temple did not allow him to put forth.

1. Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam: His physical body was transformed into divine light. Vallalar cured the diseases of the tow wives of vettavalam zamindar. The zamindar and the people in and around Vadalur offered their lands for the construction of Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam at vadalur in 1865.

2. Dharmasaalai and Gana Sabhai: He constructed Dharmasaalai - house for feeding the poor and ganasabai - the temple of true wisdom. On 23rd may 1867, Dharmasaalai was inaugurated and the Gana Sabhai was dedicated to the public on 25th January 1872 with the star poosam representing the day.

3. Water poured in a lamp kept it burning for the whole night: Vallalar lit the lamp with the help of water in venkat reddiar's house in karunguzhi while reddiar's wife forget to keep oil for the lamp in his room. On 18th april 1872, in Mettukuppam, he wrote Arutperum joythi Agaval in a single day. It explains about his whole transformation.

4. First sanmarga flag hoisted: The first sanmarga flag was hoisted at Mettukuppam on 22nd October 1873 and offered perupadesam on the same day at Mettukuppam - Sidhivalagam.

5. Sidhivalagam: On 30th January 1874, Friday at midnight vallalar locked himself inside the room at mettukuppam -- sidhivalagam and offered his disciples not to open the door until they get the next message.  Later, the govt ordered to open the door. When it was opened, there was seen nothing except Arutperum Joythi. It clearly indicates that Vallalar had transformed into grace light !

How to Reach : Marudur is 10 kms away from vadalur enroute to Sethiyathope

Other Places to See related to Vallalar Life History

v  Vallalar Life History

v  Maruthoor - Birthplace of Vallalar

v  Karunkuzhi -Vallalar stayed here

v  Theenchuvai Theertham

v  Vadalur - SathyaDharmasalai and Sathya Gnanasabai

v  Mettukuppam -Sitthivalaga Thirumaaligai

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை 

Siddhi Valagam

Mettukuppam - Sitthivalaga Thirumaaligai

On 30.01.1874, Vallalar merged with the Great Light of Grace at his room in Siddhivalagam.  He remains a beacon and as well a guiding Master for those in the search of God.

Locked Room: This is known as Tirukappitta Arai (room). Vallalar hoisted the Sanmarga flag (flag of righteousness) in the year 1873 at Siddhi Valaga, at Mettukuppam near Vadalur and preached his principles to his disciples. Later, he lighted a lamp in Siddhi Valagam and advised all to worship it as God. Vallalar entered this room on 19th of Thai month (January-February) in the year 1874 and got united with the Jyothi. The room is called Tirukappitta Arai – locked room.

Avoid the following to obtain Gods grace

v  Non vegetarian Food

v  Smoking

v  Drinking of Alcohol

v  Killing animals in the name of God

Thai Poosam is celebarted every year at Vadalur -  Vallalar’s Divine Light Body attainment.

Siddhi Valaagam - Vallalar Disappearance : In the words of the saint, it is termed as "Three Dega Siddhi". In 1874, he locked himself in a room (Above Pic) in Mettukuppam (hamlet of Karunguli)

How to Reach : Mettukuppam, is 6 Km from Vadalur.

Siddhivalaakam Thirumaaligai  will be open daily 06:00am to 08:30pm. 
Other Places to See related to Vallalar Life History

v  Vallalar Life History

v  Maruthoor - Birthplace of Vallalar

v  Karunkuzhi -Vallalar stayed here

v  Theenchuvai Theertham

v  Vadalur - SathyaDharmasalai and Sathya Gnanasabai

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை 

Theenchuvai Theertham

Theenchuvai Theertham - தீஞ்சுவை தீர்த்தம்

The Theenchuvai canal (Sweet spring water) is on the Karunguzhi-Mettukuppam way. This was created by Vallalar to manage water scarcity. Those suffering from any disease spill the Theechuvai (Theensuvai Neerotai) water on head for a cure. 

Other Places to See related to Vallalar Life History

v  Vallalar Life History

v  Maruthoor - Birthplace of Vallalar

v  Karunkuzhi -Vallalar stayed here

v  Vadalur - SathyaDharmasalai and Sathya Gnanasabai

v  Mettukuppam -Sitthivalaga Thirumaaligai

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை 

Karunkuzhi

Karunguzhi - Vallalar Thanneeril Vilaketria Illam

Vallalar used the water as fuel for the lamp without knowing that he is using the water as oil.

In 1858, Vallalar moved from Chennai and started staying at Karunguzhi (கருங்குழி), a hamlet near his birth place, There he had performed several miracles including burning light with water, bringing up an everflowing spring (which is still there) by digging with his hand, etc.

Vallalar was staying in the house of one Tiruvengadam from where he published the first four Thirumurai of his Arutpa. He would be writing during nights. Once, Tiruvengadam’s wife left a water bowl near him by oversight which Vallalar used as oil for the lamp and the lamp also performed well. During his Karunguzhi days in Thiruvengadam’s house Vallalar had Mustache also and a picture of this could be seen in the temple.

The Annadhanam is a daily ritual here. The Theenchuvai canal is on the Karunguzhi-Mettukuppam way. This was created by Vallalar to manage water scarcity.

Those suffering from any disease spill the Theechuvai water on head for a cure.

How to Reach :  Karunguzhi is 5 kms aways from vadalur 
Vallalar Thanneeril Vilaketria Illam, 
Karunguzhi,  Tamil Nadu 607303, India 

Other Places to See related to Vallalar Life History

v  Vallalar Life History

v  Maruthoor - Birthplace of Vallalar

v  Theenchuvai Theertham

v  Vadalur - SathyaDharmasalai and Sathya Gnanasabai

v  Mettukuppam -Sitthivalaga Thirumaaligai

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை 

Vallalar

Vallalar Life History - வள்ளலாரின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு

 

Sri Ramalinga adigal (இராமலிங்க அடிகளார்) was born on 05.10.1823 at Marudhur, a village 20 kms from Chidambaram at Tamilnadu.  His parents were Ramaiah Pillai and Chinnammai.  His father died shortly after his birth and hence the family moved to Ponneri, native town of his mother, where from they shifted to Chennai after two years.

Vallalar (திருஅருட்பிரகாச வள்ளலார்) had himself reported that he was took over by the Almighty at the age of nine and that his spiritual life began at the age of twelve.  In the initial stages, he used to visit many temples and shrines nearby and worshipped the deities.  Later on, his orientation shifted towards higher realms and his focus was the supreme power beyond all forms.

In 1858, Vallalar moved from Chennai and started staying at Karunguzhi, a hamlet near his birth place, There he had performed several miracles including burning light with water, bringing up an everflowing spring (which is still there) by digging with his hand, etc.  In 1865, he formed the ‘Sanmarga Sangh’ to advocate his principles of One God, Compassion upon beings, Avoidance of killing animals and non-intake of Non Vegetarian food, feeding the hungry people etc.  In 1867, Vallalar established Dharmasala at Vadalur wherein the hunger of poor people was satiated.

As time went, he realized many of his devotees were not ready to follow his principles as per his expectations. Also people started thronging the place at Vadalur. So in search of solitude, Vallalar chose Mettukuppam, a village 5 kms from Vadalur and started residing there.  The house where he stayed was named by him rightfully as ‘Siddhi Valagam’ which means ‘Place of Attainment’.

Vallalar’s spiritual efforts matured and he could achieve immortality by changing his physical coil into embodiment of light.  He could reach the highest point by Grace of the Almighty.  He has expressed his way, life and the truths that he found in various forms of songs, at every stage.  He created ‘Sathya Gnana Sabha’ at Vadalur to indicate the inner experience.

Finally, on 30.01.1874, he merged with the Great Light of Grace at his room in Siddhivalaagam.  He remains a beacon and as well a guiding Master for those in the search of God.

v  Maruthoor - Birth place of vallalar

v  Karunkuzhi - Vallalar stayed here

v  Mettukuppam - Sitthivaalaga Thirumaaligai

v  Vadalur - Sathya Dharmasalai and Sathya Gnanasabai