Travel Guide - Mayiladuthurai Temples-Part 1

Mayiladuthurai, a town in Nagapattinam district serves as an important hub for many of the significant temples in South Tamilnadu. So I decided to embark on a pilgrimage to Paadal petra sthalams and Divya desams around Mayiladuthurai, details of which are given below. It was a three day trip starting from Chennai and each day is presented as a part. We started from Chennai (Korattur) at 5 am in the morning to reach Thiruvamur (via Arasur road - although it is longer by 10 kms road it is better than Vikravandi Panruti route since the road is bad) by 9:30 am. 

1. Thiruvamur, birthplace of Appar
Thirunavaukarasar also known as Appar was a seventh century saint poet and prominent among the 63 nayanmars. He was born in Thiruvamur, a small beautiful village located at about 11 kms from Panruti. 

His childhood name was Marulneekiar. His sister, Thilagavathiar was betrothed to a military commander who died in a war. When his sister was about to end her life, he pleaded with her not to leave him alone in the world. She decided to lead an ascetic life and bring up her only brother. 

In his early boyhood life, Appar was very much interested in Jainism and started studying its scriptures. He went away from home and stayed in their monastery and was renamed Darmasena.Appar had travelled to ThiruPadhiripuliyur (Cuddalore) to join a Jain monastery where he was given the name Dharmasena. 


After a while, afflicted by a painful illness in his stomach , Dharmasena returned home. He prayed for relief at the Siva temple where his sister served and was cured. He sang his first praise on Lord Siva at Veeratteswarar Temple at Panruti where he was cured of his stomach ailement. After hearing his song, Lord Himself named as Navukkuarasar(king of tongue - meaning one who is proficient in composing great poems)He was also involved in converting the Pallava king, Mahendravarman to Saivaism. The house where he lived initially has been converted into a temple and named as Appar Swamy Temple. There is a 1200 years old tree in this temple called as Kalar Ugai which had helped in curing the stomach ailment of Appar, few leaves of the tree were offered as Prasadam.

Kalar Ugai Tree - 1200 years old - believed to have cured the stomach ailment of Appar

At a walkable distance from this temple, there is a small and beautiful Lord Shiva Temple. The presiding deity is Pasupathieswarar and the Ambal Thirupura Sundari. This is one of the vaipu sthalam where Appar has made a reference to in his thevaram pathigam. Lord Murga in this template has been sung by Arunagirinathar temple in Thirupugazh.

Since this is located in a small village, not many people were there in the temple. It seems only during Sadaya natchara days, devotees will be visiting. 

2. Chidambaram Temple
After having darshan at Thiruvamur, we proceeded to Chidambaram via Vadalur and Bhuvanagiri to reach by 11:45 am. Whenever there is an opportunity we would visit Chidambaram and since it was enroute to Mayiladuthurai we decided to make an halt and had delightful darshan of Natarajar and Govindaraja Perumal. Good thing about Chidambaram is that you will see lot of Prasadam distribution and were lucky to get some ghee laden Kesari and Curd rice which quenched our hunger. Since there is lot of info about Chidambaram online, I am not repeating them here.

Then we started our travel to Mayiladuthurai and reached by 1:45 pm. We decided to have lunch at Kaliakudi hotel which is near Mayiladathurai tower clock as per the recommendation from our cab driver. Lunch was excellent and we decided to have our food in this hotel only for the next two days stay there. Then we moved to Ranga Residency where we have booked our stay for two nights. This residency is situated at about 2 kms from the town in a quiet residential area and just adjacent to Parimala ranganathar temple. Triple room was booked for INR 1100 per day as per the prevailing deal and it was good value of money. Facilities were decent considering the town infrastructure.

3. Therazhundur  Vedapureerwarar Temple (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
After resting for a while at the residency, we started our journey around 3:30 pm from Mayiladuthurai to visit Therazhundur. After travelling about 11 kms on the Kumbakonam highway turn left onto the road leading to Komal, temple is located at about 4 kms on this road. There is an arch for Kambar memorial. We reached the temple around 4:30 pm and it was opened by 5 pm.

Therazhundur is a small village in the nagapattinam district and famous two major temples - Vedapureeswara temple and Amaruviappan temple (Divya Desam). Both the temples are exactly situated opposite to each other with a street separating them, another unique feature which is rarely found.This village has the privilege of being the birth place of Kambar, a great tamil poet who wrote Ramayana in Tamil.Many Tamil poets, statesmen, kings, and common people have praised Kambar for his Kambaramayanam, which has more than 11,000 songs and 45,000 lines, forming one of the greatest of Tamil epics.

We first visited the Vedapureeswarar Siva temple. The very look of the temple clearly tells this is a age old temple (at least 1500 years old). Features of the temple are

•  The presiding deity is Vedapureeswarar and the Ambal Soundara Nayaki.
• The Theertham is Sidhaamritam. Thirugnanasambandar composed the Pathigam. 
• As per the legend, once Lord Siva and Lord Lord Vishnu were engaged in a game of dice and Parvati was the referee to the game. Parvati rules in favour of Vishnu in a game dispute and Lord Siva curses her to be born in earth as a cow. This is depicted as a painting in the temple mandapam leading to the main shrine. Having separated from His consort, Siva happened to be reciting Vedas in this temple, hence the name Vedapureeswarar
• King Oorduvaradhan did a penance on Lord Brahma and got a Chariot. With this, he had the power to fly in the chariot and had become arrogant and incurred the wrath of the rishis, whose curse resulted in the chariot coming crashing down into this place . Ther (Chariot) Azhundia (stuck) Oor (place), hence the name Therazhundur

4. Therazhundur Sri Devadirajan Temple (Divya Desam)
After having darshan at Vedapureeswarar temple, we just walked across to the Devadirajan temple across the street. 

As the name Devadirajan suggests, 13 feet Lord Vishnu stands like the king of Devas showering His Grace showering on devotees. This temple is one (23rd) among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu sung by Thirumangai Aazhwar.(45 pasurams)

• Moolavar is Devathi Rajan Grand Standing Posture, East Facing and Utsavar is Aamaruvi Appan and Goddess is Sengamala Valli .
• As per the legend, Lord Brahma stole all the cows of Ayarpadi which were under Lord Krishna's custody and locked them at Theruzhunthur. Lord Krishna, taking cognizance of this,created a whole new herd of cows at Gokulam. Lord Brahma then asked Lord Krishna to forgive him and persuaded to stay permanently at this place and bless the devotees.
• Unique feature of this temple is that Garuda is present in the main shrine along with the Lord the reason being Garuda gave the Vimanam at this temple at Thiru Vazhandur( the Gold ornament was given to Thiru Narayanan at Melkote near Mysore). Happy at this gesture of Garuda, the Lord accorded him a special status at this temple with a position alongside him at the sanctum sanctorum, a unique feature at a Divya Desam. Normally one finds Garuda opposite the Lord but here he is seen next to the Lord Himself. 
• One can see picture of Ramanujar fondly holding the Melkote Urchava moorthy near Thayar Sannidhi. There seems to be a link between this temple and Melkote Cheluva Narayana perumal temple.
• There is a separate sannidhi for Kamban at this temple. The place where Kamban resided, on the Sannidhi street, has now been turned into a beautiful new ‘Kamban Mandapam’.

5. Kuthalam Uktha Vetheeswarar Kovil (Paadal Petra Sthalam)
From Therazundhur, then we travelled back on the same Komal road back into Kumbakonam highroad. After reaching Kumbakonam road, turn left and continue to reach Saradha marriage Mahal, at this turn right and continue on Uthira street for about 1.5 kms to reach this temple at Kuthalam. We reached around 6:15 pm.

Kuthalam is a small village in nagapattinam district, ancient name of this place is Thiruthuruthi

•  The presiding deity is Sonnavaararivar, Ukta Vedeeswarar and the Ambal Arumbanna vanamulaiyaal, parimala sugandha nayagi 
• All three - Appar, Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar have sung the praises of the Lord of this temple.
• The Sthala Vriksham is Kutrala Maram and the Theertham Kaveri Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar composed the Pathigam. 
• Legend has it that Parvati is said to have expressed her desire to Siva to have the experience of an earthly wedding; Siva obliged and so she was reborn as the daughter of Bharata Muni. Responding to the prayers of Bharata Muni Siva emerged from the lingam at Tirutturutti and lent His hand in marriage to Parvati. 
• The name Sonnavaararivaar stems from this legend that Siva kept his word and the name Manavalanathar is attributed to Him on marrying Parvati. Agni and Varunan are said to have been blessed by Shiva here. 
• Priest of the temple was kind enough to explain the important aspects of the temple. Lord Shiva had come to the temple to marry Parvati and as an evidence the tree (Sthala vriskham) Uthala tree is said to have come along with the Lord as a canopy. There is a small elevated platform at the base of this tree and even now a couple of foot wear is laid inside a glass box. This footwear is said to be the Lord's foot wear, also the small flower buds from this temple is said to possess enormous medicinal value, priest collected some of them and gave it to me as Prasadam.
• Sundarar got cure for his skin ailments after worshiping the Lord here, also it is believed that people with skin diseases can get cure by praying here.

Uthalam Tree - Lord Siva's Footwear can be seen inside the glass box

6. Thiruvelvikudi - Kalyanasundareswarar Temple (Paadal Petra Sthalam)

After having a wonderful darshan at Kuthulam, we decided to go to Thiruvelvikudi which is about 2.5 kms from Kuthalam. Continue on Pandanallur-Kuthalam road for about half km and turn right into Kallanai-Poompuhar road to reach this temple. We reached this temple around 7:15 pm.

• The presiding deity is Kalyanasundareswarar, Manavaleeswarar and the Ambal Parimalasugandha Nayaki 
• Both Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar have sung one pathigam each.
• The Theertham is Mangala Theertham Sambandar and Sundarar composed the Pathigam. 
• Legend has it that Siva is said to have blessed the marriage ceremony of a devout prince here, hence the name Kalyanasundareswarar. 
• Shiva is said to made the promise to marry Parvati here, hence the name (Sonnavaararivaar). 
• As per the priest, this temple is more significant than Thirumanancheri where people offer prayers for removal of obstacles in marriage. Since this is the place where the engagement and commitment to marry Parvati has happened, praying at this temple is said to remove marriage obstacles. When we visited, we could see a yagna being performed by the parents of a son whose marriage was getting delayed due to various reasons.

7. Sri Vanmutti Perumal Temple (Athi Varathar)
Most of us are aware about recent Athi Varathar darsanam in Kancheepuram and how nearly 10 million (1 crore) people flocked and waited in several miles queue for hours together to have a few seconds glimpse of the magnificent Lord Varathar. Many people suffered hardship, some unfortunate ones lost their lives in their mission to see the Lord. While it is good to see that such a vast number of people have a devotional aspiration but the motive behind such a response needs to be carefully analyzed - did they respond just because it is a rare event occurring once in 40 years? This seems to be the case and it is time people should rethink about their devotional outlook - there are several Divya Desams and Paadal Petra Sthalams where the Lord is always bestowing His Grace; one can have a peaceful and hassle free darshan in these temples. In spite of this, if fig tree idol is what you are looking at, then you can visit Sri Vanmutti Temple near Mayiladuthurai.

After visiting Thiruvelvikudi temple, we proceeded to Vaan Mutti perumal temple at Kozhikuthi. From Thiruvelikudi, you have to take Kallanai Poompuhar road towards Poompuhar and travel for 5 kms to reach this place.

If you are travelling from Mayiladuthurai, you have travel west on Kumbakonam highway for about 5 km and turn right just before Margasagayar Sivan temple, travelling 2 kms on this road will take you to the temple. Features of this temple are

• The idol stands majestic with a height of about 14 feet
• The root of the tree is still intact, essentially the template has been built around the tree with the root representing the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu
• Temple is more 1200 years old - built by Kulothunga Chola
• The main deity (moolavar) is Vanmutti Perumal and Urchavar is Yoga Narasimhar.
• Pippalar Maharishi got rid of his curse and skin ailment after worshiping here. As per the legend, Pippalar was shown guidance by Marga Sagaya Eswarar (this temple is also nearby enroute) to do penance and absolve his previous birth sins of killing people.

Day 1 is complete with this visit and concluded by 8 pm to return to Mayiladuthurai.

Trip Map is given below for reference

Click here for trip map - Courtesy Google Map

Courtesy - Google Maps

Links given below for day two and day three travel guide.

Day 2 travel guide

Day 3 travel guide

Kanchipuram - Kailasanathar Temple - Masterpiece of Pallava Architecture

Kanchipuram, a town located at about 70 kms from Chennai has the privilege of being a holy land with hundreds of temples speckled across the breadth and width of the town. There are several important temples there and Kailasanathar temple for Lord Shiva is one among the crown jewel of temples.

This is a magnificient 1300 years old temple with exquisite sandstone sculptures estimated to be constructed somewhere between 685 AD to 705 AD by the Pallava dynasty king Rajasimha (Narasimhavarman II). The entire temple premise contains numbers numerous beautiful sculptures, it contains 58 small shrines for Lord Shiva built into the inner walls of outer circumambulatory passage.It is the first structural temple built in South India by Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), and who is also known as Rajasimha Pallaveswaram. His son, Mahendravarman III, completed the front façade and the gopuram (tower). The Kailasanathar temple became the trend setter for other similar temples in South India.According to local belief, the temple was a safe sanctuary for the rulers of the kingdom during wars. A secret tunnel, built by the kings, was used as an escape route and is still visible.

Currently this is well maintained by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), well manicured grass lands surround the temple and the entire temple compound is clean which greatly enhances the landscape of the temple, no doubt this is one of the popular tourist places in Kanchipuram.



The main shrine houses a giant splendid 16 sided Sivalingam typical to the Pallava signature of Sivalingams. An inner circumambulatory passage is located on the left of the main shrine with narrow entry and exit on the right side of main shrine. One has to enter the narrow entry by crouching, traverse the inner circumambulatory conduit by walking and again exit out on the right side by bending the body as if in a womb position. This is symbolical of the birth and death cycle every living being has to pass through in this world. The difficulty level imposed by this entry and exit implies that every birth and death in the world is a painful process and even in the life time between these extremes, it is always full of dualities - pleasure and pain in cycles, desires that could not be fulfilled, anger, jealousy and what not. In order to attain perpetual divine bliss, one must understand the transitory nature of life and things in the world and pray to the Lord Siva for redemption from this birth-death cycle.

This temple also has an interesting story, there was a great devotee of Lord Siva - Poosalar who lived in a place called Thirunindravur, near to Chennai. He wanted to build a temple for Lord Siva but he did not any wealth for constructing this temple. He tried on with multiple means to get help but could not get the required funds. His unrelenting devotion did not yield, he decided to construct a temple in his heart and stone by stone he was making progress of his virtual temple in his mind and heart. The temple was almost ready and he fixed up a day for consecration (kumbabhishekam). Fascinatingly, Kailasanathar temple construction was also in progress in parallel and the pallava King Rajasimha has fixed the same date for consecration of his temple. Lord Siva appeared in the dreams of King and told him that the date for consecration needs to be postponed as there is a consecration in another temple at Thirunindravur.

The King was wonder-struck as he was not aware of any other new temples being constructed, so he went there and inquired about the new temple being built. No one in the village was aware of such a new temple but they made a reference to Poosalar's quest for constructing a new temple. The King met Poosalar and asked him about the temple construction to which he politely explained about he was constructing the temple in his heart. The King understood the pure devotion of Poosalar which made Lord Siva Himself give priority for his temple rather than his magnificently built temple and promised him to build the temple that he envisaged in his vision. Accordingly, the king built a temple in Thiruninravur and is called Hrudayaaleeswarar Temple. Poosalar is one among the 63 nayanmars.

Lord Siva Temples in Chennai Suburb - I

I decided to explore some of the ancient Lord Siva temples on the southern Chennai suburb. Starting from my residence at Korattur, I first reached Bheemeswara temple at about 7:15 am. Temple was locked and had to wait for until it was opened, had a good darshan and continued my journey in car to Manimangalam on Mudichur-Sriperumpudur road. (8 kms from mudichur). At Manimangalam, visited Kailasanathar temple and Dharmeshwar temple. Then I continued my travel on Karasangal- Manimangalam-Sriperumpudur which meets Tambaram - wallajabad road. After turning right continue for 2 kms to Mel Padappai- Sri Thazhuva Kuzhaindeeswar temple. (5 kms from Manimangalam). After this, I continued further to visit Nandeeswarar temple at Guduvanchery via wallajabad road and then on Chennai- Trichy highway. (13 kms from Mel Padappai). Total time taken is around 4 hours. Route map and temple details are given below.

Courtesy - Google Maps

1. Bheemeswara temple, Mudichur

Bheemeswara temple, popularly known as Siva-Vishnu temple is located at Mudichur close to Tambaram. Small but beautiful temple flanked by a big tank on the right, also there is another Amman temple on the other side of the tank.

Lord is known as Bheesmeswara and His consort Dharmambigai. Temple timings 7:30 am to 10:30 am and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

2. Kailasanathar Temple, Manimangalam.

This is an ancient Chola temple believed to be nearly 2000 yrs old. This is a calm and beautiful temple with good parking space within the temple. There is a big banyan tree on the other side of the temple which provides a nice resting shade. Lord's name is Kailasanathar and his consort is Gnanambigai.

3. Dharmeswarar Temple, Manimangalam

Close to Kailasanathar temple about 200 metres away is located yet another beautiful ancient Siva temple.

The temple is spread over a large premise, fully fenced and under the control of Archaeological Society of India (ASI). It is declared as one of the national monument.

You can see a beautiful Siva lingam inside the sanctum of main shrine. There are inscriptions on the wall on the inner premises. There is a separate shrine for His consort Vedhambigai just outside the main shrine.

Outside the fenced area, you can paddy fields making us to wonder such a serene place exists in Chennai. There is also a huge banyan tree inside. The main shrine is surrounded by a well maintained and groomed garden.

Manimangalam has a very high historic importance because of the battle fought here between Narasimhavarma Pallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II. This battle was fought in Manimangalam during 7th Century AD.

The temple is open from 8 am to 5 pm.

4. Thazhuva kuzhaindeeswar temple, Padappai.

This temple is located at Mel padappai and has a legend similar to Kanchipuram.

Parvati got a curse from the Lord to take a human incarnation following Her closing of the Siva's eyes playfully. She did penance in Mangadu to absolve the curse, Siva directed Her to go to Kanchipuram and continue her penance. On her way, She has installed this lingam and worshipped. After reaching Kanchipuram, Mother created a lingam out of sand and embraced it when there were floods. The Lord became pleased with the embrace, hence the name.

5. Nandeeswarar Temple, Guduvanchery

This temple is located within a short distance from the GST main road off Guduvanchery bus terminus.

This beautiful temple is estimated to be at least 1000 yrs old dating back to Nandivarma pallava period. The Lord is known as Nandeeswarar and His consort as Soundara Nayaki.

Kampaheswarar/Sarabeswarar Shiva Temple - Thirubhuvanam (Near Kumbakonam)

Chola dynasty has contributed tremendously to the growth of temples in South India. Raja Raja Chola, the most prominent king among the Chola Kings constructed the magnificent Brahadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. He was also responsible for founding Rajarajeswaram (currently name is Tarasuram) Temple. His son, Rajendra Chola continued the father's legacy and constructed yet another masterpiece - Gangai Konda Cholapuram in commemoration of his victory and expanding the Chola Kingdom until Ganga. The glory of Chola dynasty was at its zenith during Rajendra's Chola. All these three temples are architectural wonders containing intricately sculpted stone statues and massive temple towers. No wonder, they have been enlisted in the world heritage sites of UNESCO.

Continuing the glory and tradition of building such marvellous temples, Kulothunga Chola III (belonging to the later chola period and considered to be last in Chola dynastry) built this famous Kampaheswarar temple at Thirubhuvanam (approx 1217 AD). Looking at the grandeur of the main temple entrance and the temple complex, one can infer that Kulothunga Chola has proved that he is in no way inferior matching the greatness of his forefathers Raja Raja and Rajendra.  It is the last of the four great temples built by the Cholas—and the last built by the last great Chola king.

Kulothunga Chola III made three wars against the Pandyas. After his victory in the third war, he held a grand celebration at Madurai, the Pandyan capital, and assumed the title of Tribhuvana Vira devar and built, in commemoration of his great victory, a temple here dedicated to Siva in the name of Tribhuvana Viresvarar. It is now called Kampaharesvaram, based on a local legend that a certain Chola king -  got relieved of the evil effects of Kampa(quaking) after his flight from Tiruvidaimarudur to this place where he took shelter, and so this locality was chosen for building the new temple. Hence the lord is referred as Kampaheswarar.

This temple is also famous for housing Sarabeswarar in a separate shrine within the temple complex
 - The Sarabha image, unlike its counterpart at Darasuram which is in a niche on the main wall of the temple, is housed in a separate independent shrine north-east of the central shrine. The Sarabha cult was a new one evolved in the latter half of the Later Ghola period. It is said that in Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu, He continued his rampage even after achieving the immediate purpose of the avatar, namely, the destruction of the demon-king, Hiranyakasipu. Devas and men suffered, and the devotees of Siva prayed to their Lord for protection. Hence Siva assumed the form of Sarabhamurti, and relieved peoples’ distress by destroying the fierce Narasimha and sending back Vishnu to Vaikuntha.

This temple is just 6 kms from Kumbakonam, another famous temple town of Tamil Nadu.

Sivalokanathar Shiva Temple - Thirupungur (Near Vaitheeswaran Koil)

This Shiva temple praised by Thirugnanasambar, Appar and Sundarar is located about 3 kms towards west from the famous Vaitheeswaran Temple on the Kumbakonam-Thirupananthal road.

This temple is famous for Nandanar story. Nandanar was born in a lower case, he was denied entry to the temple due to a cruel practice adopted in those days. He had no choice other than worshipping the Lord from the temple entrance but the Nandi in front of the Lord was a big one which obstructed his view. Nandanar was upset but his devotion and love for Siva was so pure and intense, the Lord himself Graced to moved the huge Nandi and the flag post to one side so that he will have a direct line of vision towards the Siva lingam in the main sanctum. People then realized his greatness and duly conferred as one among the 63 Nayanmars. He is called as Thiru Naalai Povar Nayanar, there is a separate shrine for him inside the temple.

On the entrance we could see that the Nandi and Flag Post are offset towards right instead of being at Centre

Nandanar Shrine within the temple

One among the Paadal petra shiva sthalams - 20th among the templates located on the northern banks of river Cauvery

Lord's Name - Sivalokanathar
Ambal's Name (Consort) - Soundara Nayagi, Sokka Nayagi

The tank in the temple is said to have been created by Lord Ganesha overnight to help Nandanar. Siva lingam in the main sactum is a Swayambu Lingam(self manifested). Hence always enclosed in metal casing, on Mondays the casing will be removed for Swayambu darshan of the Lord. As per the legend, Brahma, Indira, Patanjali and Vyagarapadha have also worshipped here.

Tamil version of this blog is available in the following link

20 வகை பிரதோஷங்களும் அதன் வழிபாடு பலன்களும்

🔥🌙 ௐ சர்வம் சிவமயம்🌙🔥ௐ நமசிவாய 🌙🙏🙏

ஈசன் திருவடியே போற்றி போற்றி போற்றி !!!!

சிவாயநம ,,,,,

*20 வகை பிரதோஷங்களும் அதன் வழிபாடு பலன்களும்- மஹா பெரியவா*

சோம வாரம் எனப்படும் திங்கள் கிழமையில் சிவ வழிபாடு செய்தல் மிக விசேசம்.

அதுவும் அன்று பிரதோஷம் வேறு வந்தால் அன்று சிவ பூஜையும், பிரதோஷ காலத்தில் சிவன் கோவிலில் வழிபாடும் செய்தல் பல்கோடி புண்ணியத்தை தரவல்லது.

குறிப்பாக ஜாதகத்தில் மதி [சந்திரன்] நல்ல நிலையில் இல்லாதவர்கள் சோம வார பிரதோஷம் அன்று சிவன் கோவில்களில் அர்ச்சனைக்கு வில்வம் அளித்து வழிபட்டால் உங்கள் ஜாதகத்தில் உள்ள மதி மட்டுமல்ல உங்கள் மதியும் [புத்தியும் நன்றாகும்]

*மொத்தம் 20 வகை பிரதோஷங்கள்*

1.தினசரி பிரதோஷம்
2.பட்சப் பிரதோஷம்
3. மாசப் பிரதோஷம்
4. நட்சத்திரப் பிரதோஷம்
5. பூரண பிரதோஷம்
6. திவ்யப் பிரதோஷம்
7.தீபப் பிரதோஷம்
8.அபயப் பிரதோஷம் என்னும் சப்தரிஷி பிரதோஷம்
9. மகா பிரதோஷம்
10. உத்தம மகா பிரதோஷம்
11. ஏகாட்சர பிரதோஷம்
12. அர்த்தநாரி பிரதோஷம்
13. திரிகரண பிரதோஷம்
14. பிரம்மப் பிரதோஷம்
15. அட்சரப் பிரதோஷம்
16. கந்தப் பிரதோஷம்
17. சட்ஜ பிரபா பிரதோஷம்
18. அஷ்ட திக் பிரதோஷம்
19. நவக்கிரகப் பிரதோஷம்
20. துத்தப் பிரதோஷம்
20 வகை பிரதோஷங்கள் அவற்றின் பலன்களையும் பார்ப்போம்.

*1.தினசரி பிரதோஷம்:*
தினமும் பகலும், இரவும் சந்திக்கின்ற சந்தியா காலமாகிய மாலை 4.30 மணி முதல் 6.30 மணி வரை உள்ள காலமாகும். இந்த நேரத்தில் ஈசனைத் தரிசனம் செய்வது உத்தமம் ஆகும். நித்தியப்பிரதோஷத்தை யார் ஒருவர் ஐந்து வருடங்கள் முறையாகச் செய்கிறார்களோ அவர்களுக்கு “முக்தி” நிச்சயம் ஆகும் என்கிறது நமது சாஸ்திரம்.

*2. பட்சப் பிரதோஷம்:*
அமாவாசைக்குப் பிறகான, சுக்லபட்சம் என்ற வளர் பிறை காலத்தில் 13-வது திதியாக வரும் “திரயோதசி” திதியே பட்சப் பிரதோஷம் ஆகும். இந்தத்திதியின் மாலை நேரத்தில் பட்சிலிங்க வழிபாடு [பறவையோடு உள்ள அது சம்பந்தப்பட்ட லிங்கம் மைலாப்பூர், மயிலாடு துறை போல்] செய்வது உத்தமம் ஆகும்.

*3. மாசப் பிரதோஷம்:*
பவுர்ணமிக்குப் பிறகு வரும் கிருஷ்ணபட்சம் என்ற தேய்பிறை காலத்தில், 13-வது திதியாக வரும் “திரயோதசி” திதியே மாதப் பிரதோஷம் ஆகும். இந்த திதியின் மாலை நேரத்தில் “பாணலிங்க” வழிபாடு [பல்வேறு லிங்க வகைகளில் பான லிங்கம் ஒரு வகை] செய்வது உத்தம பலனைத் தரும்.

*4. நட்சத்திரப் பிரதோஷம்:*
பிரதோஷ திதியாகிய “திரயோதசி திதி”யில் வரும் நட்சத்திரத்திற்கு உரிய ஈசனை பிரதோஷ நேரத்தில் வழிபடுவது நட்சத்திர பிரதோஷம் ஆகும்.

*5. பூரண பிரதோஷம்:*
திரயோதசி திதியும், சதுர்த்தசி திதியும் சேராத திரயோதசி திதி மட்டும் உள்ள பிரதோஷம் பூரண பிரதோஷம் ஆகும். இந்தப் பிரதோஷத்தின் போது “சுயம்பு லிங்கத்தை”த் தரிசனம் செய்வது உத்தம பலனை தரும். பூரண பிரதோஷ வழிபாடு செய்பவர்கள் இரட்டைப் பலனை அடைவார்கள்.

*6. திவ்யப் பிரதோஷம்:*
பிரதோஷ தினத்தன்று துவாதசியும், திரயோதசியும் சேர்ந்து வந்தாலோ அல்லது திரயோதசியும், சதுர்த்தசியும் சேர்ந்து வந்தாலோ அது “திவ்யப் பிரதோஷம்” ஆகும். இந்த நாளன்று மரகத லிங்கேஸ்வரருக்கு அபிஷேக ஆராதனை செய்தால் பூர்வஜென்ம வினை முழுவதும் நீங்கும்.

*7.தீபப் பிரதோஷம்:*
பிரதோஷ தினமான திரயோதசி திதியில் தீப தானங்கள் செய்வது, ஈசனுடைய ஆலயங்களைத் தீபங்களால் அலங்கரித்து ஈசனை வழிபட சொந்த வீடு அமையும்.

*8.அபயப் பிரதோஷம் என்னும் சப்தரிஷி பிரதோஷம்:*
வானத்தில் “வ” வடிவில் தெரியும் நட்சத்திர கூட்டங்களே, “சப்தரிஷி மண்டலம்” ஆகும். இது ஐப்பசி, கார்த்திகை, மார்கழி, தை, மாசி, பங்குனி மாதங்களில் வானில் தெளிவாகத் தெரியும். இந்த மாதங்களில் திரயோதசி திதியில் முறையாக பிரதோஷ வழிபாடு செய்து, சப்தரிஷி மண்டலத்தைத் தரிசித்து வழிபடுவதே அபயப் பிரதோஷம் என்னும் சப்தரிஷி பிரதோஷம் ஆகும். இந்த வழிபாட்டை செய்பவர்களுக்கும் ஈசன் தரம் பார்க்காது அருள் புரிவான்.

*9. மகா பிரதோஷம்:*
ஈசன் விஷம் உண்ட நாள் கார்த்திகை மாதம், சனிக்கிழமை, திரயோதசி திதி ஆகும். எனவே சனிக்கிழமையும், திரயோதசி திதியும் சேர்ந்து வருகின்ற பிரதோஷம் “மகா பிரதோஷம்” ஆகும். இந்த மகா பிரதோஷத்து அன்று எமன் வழிபட்ட சுயம்பு லிங்க தரிசனம் செய்வது மிகவும் உத்தமம் ஆகும்.
குறிப்பாக திருக்கடையூர், சென்னை வேளச்சேரியில் உள்ள, “தண்டீசுவர ஆலயம்”. திருச்சி, மண்ணச்சநல்லூர் அருகே உள்ள “திருப்பைஞ்ஞீலி” சிவ ஆலயம், குடவாசலில் இருந்து நன்னிலம் செல்லும் பாதையில் உள்ள “ஸ்ரீவாஞ்சியம்” சிவ ஆலயம், கும்ப கோணம் முதல் கதிராமங்கலம் சாலையில் உள்ள “திருக்கோடி காவல்” சிவ ஆலயம் ஆகியவை குறிப்பிடத்தக்கனவாகும். மாசி மாதம் வரும் மகா சிவராத்திரிக்கு முன்னால் வரும் பிரதோஷமும், “மகா பிரதோஷம்” எனப்படும்.

*10. உத்தம மகா பிரதோஷம்:*
சிவபெருமான் விஷம் அருந்திய தினம் சனிக்கிழமையாகும். அந்தக் கிழமையில் வரும் பிரதோஷம் மிகவும் சிறப்பானதாகும். சித்திரை, வைகாசி, ஐப்பசி, கார்த்திகை ஆகிய மாதங்களில்வளர்பிறையில், சனிக்கிழமையில் திரயோதசி திதியன்று வரும் பிரதோஷம் உத்தம மகா பிரதோஷம் ஆகும். இது மிகவும் சிறப்பும் கீர்த்தியும் பெற்ற தினமாகும்.

*11. ஏகாட்சர பிரதோஷம்:*
வருடத்தில் ஒரு முறை மட்டுமே வரும் மகா பிரதோஷத்தை ஏகாட்சர பிரதோஷம்’ என்பர். அன்றைக்கு சிவாலயம் சென்று, ஓம்’ என்ற பிரணவ மந்திரத்தை எத்தனை முறை ஓத முடியுமோ, அத்தனை முறை ஓதுங்கள். பின், விநாயகரையும் வழிபட்டு, ஏழை எளியவர்களுக்கு அன்னதானம் வழங்கினால் பல விதமான நன்மைகள் ஏற்படும்.

*12. அர்த்தநாரி பிரதோஷம்:*
வருடத்தில் இரண்டு முறை மகாபிரதோஷம் வந்தால் அதற்கு அர்த்தநாரி பிரதோஷம் என்று பெயர். அந்த நாளில் சிவாலயம் சென்று வழிபட்டால், தடைப்பட்ட திருமணம் நடைபெறும். பிரிந்து வாழும் தம்பதி ஒன்று சேர்வார்கள்.

*13. திரிகரண பிரதோஷம்:*
வருடத்துக்கு மூன்று முறை மகாபிரதோஷம் வந்தால் அது திரிகரண பிரதோஷம். இதை முறையாகக் கடைப்பிடித்தால் அஷ்ட லட்சுமிகளின் ஆசியும் அருளும் கிடைக்கும். பிரதோஷ வழிபாடு முடிந்ததும் அஷ்ட லட்சுமிகளுக்கும் பூஜை வழிபாடு செய்வது மிகவும் நல்லது.

*14. பிரம்மப் பிரதோஷம்:*
ஒரு வருடத்தில் நான்கு மகா பிரதோஷம் வந்தால், அது பிரம்மப் பிரதோஷம். இந்தப் பிரதோஷ வழிபாட்டை முறையாகச் செய்தால் முன்ஜென்மப் பாவம் நீங்கி, தோஷம் நீங்கி நன்மைகளை அடையலாம்.

*15. அட்சரப் பிரதோஷம்:*
வருடத்துக்கு ஐந்து முறை மகா பிரதோஷம் வந்தால் அது அட்சரப் பிரதோஷம். தாருகா வனத்து ரிஷிகள். நான்’ என்ற அகந்தையில் ஈசனை எதிர்த்தனர். ஈசன், பிட்சாடனர் வேடத்தில் வந்து தாருகா வன ரிஷிகளுக்குப் பாடம் புகட்டினார். தவறை உணர்ந்த ரிஷிகள், இந்தப் பிரதோஷ விரதத்தை அனுஷ்டித்து பாவ விமோசனம் பெற்றனர்.

*16. கந்தப் பிரதோஷம்:*
சனிக்கிழமையும், திரயோதசி திதியும், கிருத்திகை நட்சத்திரமும் சேர்ந்து வரும் பிரதோஷம் கந்தப் பிரதோஷம். இது முருகப் பெருமான் சூரசம்ஹாரத்துக்கு முன் வழிபட்ட பிரதோஷ வழிபாடு. இந்தப் பிரதோஷத்தில் முறையாக விரதம் இருந்தால் முருகன் அருள் கிட்டும்.

*17. சட்ஜ பிரபா பிரதோஷம்:*
ஒரு வருடத்தில் ஏழு மகா பிரதோஷம் வந்தால் அது, சட்ஜ பிரபா பிரதோஷம்’. தேவகியும் வசு தேவரும் கம்சனால் சிறையிடப்பட்டனர். ஏழு குழந்தைகளைக் கம்சன் கொன்றான். எனவே, எட்டாவது குழந்தை பிறப்பதற்கு முன்பு ஒரு வருடத்தில் வரும் ஏழு மகா பிரதோஷத்தை முறையாக அவர்கள் அனுஷ்டித்ததால், கிருஷ்ணர் பிறந்தார். நாம் இந்த விரதத்தைக் கடைப்பிடித்தால் முற்பிறவி வினை நீங்கி பிறவிப் பெருங்கடலை எளிதில் கடக்கலாம்.

*18. அஷ்ட திக் பிரதோஷம்:*
ஒரு வருடத்தில் எட்டு மகா பிரதோஷ வழிபாட்டை முறையாகக் கடைப்பிடித்தால், அஷ்ட திக்குப் பாலகர்களும் மகிழ்ந்து நீடித்த செல்வம், புகழ், கீர்த்தி ஆகியவற்றைத் தருவார்கள்.

*19. நவக்கிரகப் பிரதோஷம்:*
ஒரு வருடத்தில் ஒன்பது மகா பிரதோஷம் வந்தால், அது நவக்கிரகப் பிரதோஷம். இது மிகவும் அரிது. இந்தப் பிரதோஷத்தில் முறையாக விரதம் இருந்தால் சிவனின் அருளோடு நவக் கிரகங்களின் அருளும் கிடைக்கும்.

*20. துத்தப் பிரதோஷம்:*
அரிதிலும் அரிது பத்து மகாபிரதோஷம் ஒரு வருடத்தில் வருவது. அந்தப் பிரதோஷ வழிபாட்டைச் செய்தால் பிறவி குறைபாடுகள் கூட சரியாகும்.

ஓம் நம சிவாய! சிவாய நம ஓம்!
🙏🏻 ஈசன் அடிமை

Famous Temples of TamilNadu

Tamil Nadu is known for its grand and magnificent temples. There are several hundred temples across the state for every major deity of Hinduism starting from Shiva, Vishnu, Ganapathy, Murugan and Amman. The map given below in the link gives a guideline on the locations of the famous temples of Tamilnadu. This is not a full comprehensive list, hence if any significant temple is missing, please provide your comments for inclusion.

Temples Map 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=1L-cTmhCebB9uAp_DB2EUL6Hp4h0&ll=10.711783058517229%2C78.57547205000913&z=7