Parikkal

Parikkal Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple 

Parrikal Village is located between two rivers Thenpennai and Kedilam. It has One of the foremost Narasimhar kshetras in South India Parikal near Villupuram  is replete with  puranic lore. In this place Lord Lakshmi Narasimha killed the asura Parikalasuran and hence this place is called  Parikal.  

Parikalasuran was the lieutenant to three asura rulers namely Kamalakshan. Tharakatshan and Vidhyunmali. Parikalasuran had the face of a horse and the body of a human being. The three rulers were burnt to ashes by Lord Shiva . Lord Narasimha also helped Shiva in their destruction. But Parikalasuran escaped unhurt and hid himself in Thirimudhukuram ( Vridhachalam).This place was ruled by King Vasantharajana staunch devotee  of Lakshmi Narasimha. The King wanted to built a temple for the Lord and thus started the  construction work. Mean while   Parikalasuran wanted to avenge  his defeat and wanted to encounter Lord Lakshminarasimha in a battle. Thus he entered Parikal destroyed a part of the place and did not spare even the temple under construction. At this juncture Vasantharajans parents die and the king considers it to be a bad omen and stops the temple work Thirupani.

After some years the King decides to resume the construction  of the temple and consults his family guru Vamadeva. The intelligent guru is aware of the sinister design of Parikalasuran and decides to safeguard  Vasantharajan  whole performing the yagna which precedes the temple  construction. The king is asked to chant Arkshara Amirthakshara  mantra for his safety while performing the yagna . As excepted Parikalasuran entered the  yagasala and tried destroying the place. He also searched for Vasantharajan but  could not find him. After  trying hard he found the King in Samadhi posture  chanting the mantra, blissfully unaware of the surroundings. Parikalasuran  hit the king strongly on his head with a sickle . Lo and  behold  Ugra Narasimha emerged from the  head of the king in all splendour and glory and   tears the body of Parikalasuran in two pieces. With the grace of Narasimha Vasantharajan is brought  back to life and he worships the Lord    and requested that the Narasimha  should appear as Shantha Swaroopam  to his devotees. Since Vasantarajan was blessed with the darshan of  Narasimha  because of Parikalasuran this place came to be called as Parikalapuram or Parikal.

This is one of the 8 temples in Tamil Nadu, where Lord Narasimha provided darshan after the killing of Hiranya.

1) Singarakudi near Pondicherry,

2) Anthili near Thiru Kovilur,

3) Parikkal near Kedilam,

4) Sholingur near Arakonam

5) Nammakkal

6) Singaraperumal Koil near Chengalpet

7) Sinthalavadi near Trichy

8) Poovarasan kuppam  near Panruti

Parikkal - Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple பரிக்கல் - லட்சுமி நரசிம்ம சுவாமி திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Narasimhar
Name	Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar,
Goddess Name	Sri Kanakavalli Thayar
Location	Parikal near Villupuram
Other names	Parikala puram
Significance	Prarthana Sthalam
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Villupuram / Ulundurpet

How to Reach : Parikal is situated 25 kms south of Villupuram and 18 kms north of Ulundurpet.

Parikkal Temple is 3 km on the branch road of Villupuram - Ulundurpet road (Tiruchi - Chennai By Pass NH45). Bus facilities are available from Villupuram and Ulundurpet but not frequent.  We can get down in Gadilam (Kedilam) Junction and get mini buses or Auto service to reach the temple.

Arasili

Arasili - Sri Arasili Naathar Temple

Arasili, The Lord of the temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Tirugnanasambandar. Arasili is the abode of Lord who drove away Kala (Yama Dharma Raja) the God of Death, who conquered  cupid (Manmatha) the deity of passion and lust, living on the alms offered by others, wearing Kondrai flower and tortoise garlands and sacred ash sprayed over his body.

Arasili - Sri Arasili Naathar Temple திருஅரசிலி- அரசலீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Arasili Naathar , Arasaleeswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Azhakiyanayagi
Location	Arasili near Ozhindhiampattu
Historical Name	Tiruarisili
Significance	31st Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Tondai Nadu, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams,
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Viluppuram / Pondy

Significance of the temple:

v  Arasil is the 31st of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India. Arasilinathar is also known as Aswatheswarar.

v  The temple was built by the kings of Salukkiyars.

v  Salukkiyars, Vaamadeva Munivar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

v  In the outer prakaram Naalvar Vinayagar, Sandikeswarar, Vallidevasena Sri Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Kala bairavar and Suryan. There are lot of sudhai sirpam and paintings around the entrance and prakaram walls.

v  Ambal in a separate sannadhi facing south with simha vakanam.

v  Dwajasthambam with Nandhiyamperuman facing moolavar in the front mandapam through a salaram.

v  Other deities are koshtam Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Vishnu durgai and Vaishnavai.

v  We have enter to the artha mandapam through south side entrance. Moolavar is very short and aavudayar is also at the lower level.

v  There are many old tamil inscriptions around the karuvarai walls. These Tamil inscriptions belongs to  Vikrama Chozha  Devar,  Kulothunga Chozha Devar period. During their period this place was called as “Oimanattu Thiruarasili” and “Jayankonda Chozhamandalathu Oimanattu Vijayarajendra Chozhavalanattu PeruvemburNattu Thiruarasili”.

How to Reach :  This shivasthalam temple is located 20 Kms from Puducherry (26 km from Tindivanam). Reach Ozhinthiapattu village by travelling on the Pondicherry - Kilianur - Tindivanam route. A small branch road at Ozhinthiapattu leads you to the temple. 
Another Paadal Petra Sthalam Irumbai Maakaalam is situated at a distance of 8 Kms from here.

Sri Arasaleeswarar Temple,

Ozhindhiampattu-605 109,

Villupuram district.

Irumbai

Irumbai Maakaalam - Sri Maha Kaleswarar Temple

Irumbai Maakaalam is the 32nd and last of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu region. There are 3 maahalam where Shiva gave dharshan, of these this the center of the three ( North – Ujjain, south Ambar Maahalam and this is at the center  ). Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Saint Tirugnanasambandar had praised the Lord of the temple in Thevaram hymn as one wearing the sacred ash, accompanied by the daughter of the Mount (Parvatha Rajakumari), one who stripped the skin of the wild elephant, wearing the crescent moon and worshipped by those of impeccable traits, all merciful in Irumbai.   

Significance of the temple:

v  Irumbai is the 32nd Shiva temple in Tondai nadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

v  A very interesting feature of this temple is that the entire nine planets can been seen with their spouses in the Navagraha Sannadhi.

v  The legend of Kaduveli Siddhar (who lived about 600 years ago) is associated with this place.

Sthala Puranam: Two demons securing boons from Lord Shiva wanted to Have Mother Parvathi for them and marry Her.  Mother Parvathi incarnated as Maha Kali and destroyed them.  For killing the lives, even Mother was inflicted with the Brahmmahati Dosha and was wandering in this place.  She performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the dosha.  Later, a Rishi, Maakalar by name, during his pilgrimage installed one Linga in Ujjaini in North and one at Ambar Makala near Mayiladuthurai in South and worshipped them.  Coming to know the reputation of this place, he installed one Linga here too and named the Lord Mahalanathar. 

Irumbai Makalam - Sri Maha Kaleswarar Temple இரும்பை மாகாளம் - மாகாளேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Sri Maha Kaleswarar
Goddess Name	Sri Mathura Sundara Nayagi, Sri Kuyilmozhi Nayaki
Location	Irumbai
Historical Name	Tiru Irumbai Makalam
Significance	32nd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Tondai Nadu One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams,
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Viluppuram / Pondy

How to Reach :  One has to travel by Tindivanam - Pondicherry (via Kiliyanur) road and get down at Thiruchitrambalam Cross Road. A branch road from here leads to the temple (2 Kms. from this cross road.) This shivasthalam temple is located about 9 Kms from Pondicherry.

Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple,

Irumbai-605 010,

Villupuram district.

Another Paadal petra Sthalam Tiruarisili is located at a distance of 5 Kms to the north-west of this sthalam.

Thiru kanjanoor

Kanjanoor  - Sri Agneeswarar Temple (Sukran Stalam)

Sukran Stalam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tiru Kanjanor, a village which is 17 kms away from Kumbakonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specifically for Sukran.

Shiva is worshiped as Agneeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Karpagambal Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Significance of the temple:

v  The temple is revered by the verses of Appar and hence referred as Padal petra stalam.

v  This is the 36th Shiva temple on the northern side of River Cauvery (63) praised in Thevaram hymns.  

v  This shrine is also referred to as Palaasavanam, Bhrammapuri, Agnistalam and Neelakudi.

v  Kanjanur is one of the nine Navagraha sthalas located in the Cauvery Delta region (Around Kumbakonam) dedicated to planet Venus, called Sukra.

kanjanur - Agneeswarar Temple கஞ்சனூர் - அக்னீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Agniswarar (Shiva) / Agneeswarar
Goddess Name	Karpagambigai(Parvathi)  / Karpagambal
Location	Kanjanoor
Special	Navagraha Temple - Sukkiran Temple (சுக்கிரன் தலம்)
Significance	36th of 63 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Northern side of River Cauvery, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Temple is Famous for Sukran pooja (Sukran Stalam). One of the Navagraha temple in kumbakonam
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

How to Reach :  The kanjanoor temple is located around 17 km from Kumbakonam and 3 km to the east from Sooriyanayanar Kovil, on the Kallanai - Poompuhar road, in Tamilnadu.

Thirunageswaram

Thirunageswaram  - Sri Naganathar Swamy Temple (Rahu Stalam)

Raahu Stalam is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Tirunageswaram, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam, a town in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the nine planet elements, the Navagraha Stalas, and specifically for Rahu. 

Shiva is worshiped as Naganathar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Piraisoodi Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Significance of the temple:

v  It is one of the Panchakrosa Sthalas. List of Pancha Krosha sthalam - Darasuram, Karuppoor, Swamimalai, Thirunageswaram, Thiruvidaimaruthur.

v  Thirugnana Sambandar, Thiru navukarasu Nayanar, ThiruSundramoorthi Nayanar, and Arunagiri Swamigal have praised the glory of the Lord.

v  This is the 29th Shiva temple on the southern side of River Cauvery (127) praised in Thevaram hymns.

v  Many serpents, including Adishesha, Takshaka and Karkotaka, worshipped Shiva at this place, leading to the name "Tirunageswaram". As per Hindu legend, the king of snakes, Adisesha did penace at this place, called Senbaranya Kshetram on account of the presence of large number of Senbaga trees.

v  There is a separate shrine to Goddess Girigujambika. Lakshimi and Saraswathi are standing on either side of Her.

v  This temple is considered most sanctified by its presiding deity ( Moorthy ) location ( sthalam ) and sacred water ( theertham )

v  There are 12 sacred water heads in this place, like Suriya Pushkarani , Gowthama Theertham , Parasara Theertham, Indira Theertham , Prugu Theertham, Kannuva Theertham and Vasishta Theertham and among these Suriya Pushkarani is inside the temple compound and held very sacred.

v  A unique feature of Naganatha Swamy temple is that Lord Rahu is seen with human face. While in other places, Lord Raaghu is worshipped with a serpent face.

v  An important aspect of Rahu Temple at Tirunageswaram is that during milk abhishekam, the milk when poured over the idol, turns Blue which is clearly visible.

Thirunageswaram - Naganathar Swamy Temple திருநாகேசுவரம் - நாகநாதசுவாமி திருக்கோவில்
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Name	Naganathar Swamy, Sanbakaranyeswarar
Goddess Name	Piraisoodi Amman, Girigujambika
Location	Thirunageswaram
Special	Navagraha Temple - Rahu Temple
Significance	29th of 127 Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Southern bank of River Cauvery, One of 275 Devaram Padal Petram Sthalams, Temple is Famous for Rahu pooja (Rahu Stalam). One of the Navagraha temple in kumbakonam
Ancient	1500 years old
Travel Base	Kumbakonam

How to Reach :  Thirunageswaram temple is 6 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Karaikal bus route and by train, there is Thirunageshwaram Railway Station between Mailaduthurai and Kumbakonam and the temple is 1 km. away from station. Frequent bus service available from kumbakonam.