Famous Siva Temples In Tamilnadu

Sri Ramanaadheswarar temple

This ancient temple from the Ramayana period, where Sri Rama worshipped Shiva, is one of the oldest Hindu temples built around Chennai. The main deity at the temple is that of Sri Ramanaadheswarar, which is huge and beautifully decorated; in a separate shrine is the Goddess Sivakaama Sundhari.

                     

                           

This ancient temple for Sri Ramanaadheswarar is located in Porur, very near to Porur junction, off. Kunrathur Road.This ancient temple is connected to the Ramayana period. According to the history, Sri Rama on His way to Sri Lanka rested here in this place which was then a forest. While resting under an Amla tree (‘Nelli’ in Thamizh), He realized that there was a Shiva Lingam under the ground and his feet had touched the head of the Lingam unknowingly.Sri Rama acquired a Dhosham as He had touched the Lingam with His feet. So he undertook a penance towards Lord Shiva for 48 days with just one Amla fruit as his food, to recover from the Dhosham and to bring out the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva pleased with Sri Rama’s penance came out from the earth and gave Viswaroopa Dharshan to Sri Rama.

Sri Rama overwhelmed by the Lord’s mercy named the Shiva Lingam as Sri Ramanaadheswarar and worshipped Him. Goddess Parvathi too appeared and gave Dharshan to Sri Rama as Sri Sivakaama Sundhari. Sri Rama with sincere prayers worshipped Lord Shiva as His Guru and got to know the directions to reach the place where Sri Sita was kept under custody of Raavana and headed towards Sri Lanka.Also this place is called Uthara Raameswaram, as Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, similar to Raameswaram. Also according to temple sources, it is said that Porur was called as Uthara Raameswaram in ancient days. It is also said that, this temple is equivalent to Raameswaram and those who are not able to go pilgrimage to Raameswaram can visit this place and be blessed by the Lord.

Sri Kasi viswanathar temple

The idol of Lord Viswanatha is not tall. The Nandi, the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva appears very lively. The water in the well (even today) is very sweet. According to the story, Maratha King Shivaji came to this place to worship Lord Shiva seeking his blessing to win the war against the Moguls.

                                          

Women in the southern districts of Tamilnadu wear an ear ring called Pambadam. This has wax base covered with thick gold.  To wear this, they will develop the ear in such a way that it has a large hole.  The Pambadam will hang in the ear which is a status symbol also.  To realize their ambitions, devotees bathe (doing abishek)  the Lord with milk, tender coconut, honey, curd, etc.  They also pour milk on the Nagas for relief from the adverse aspects of the snakes. 

Women in the southern districts of Tamilnadu wear an ear ring called Pambadam. This has wax base covered with thick gold.  To wear this, they will develop the ear in such a way that it has a large hole.  The Pambadam will hang in the ear which is a status symbol also. The place now called Irumbadi was a weapon manufacturing centre of the Pandya kings.  They were producing various kinds of weapons to strengthen their army.  It so happended that those in the production work lost their limbs due to some processing errors.  To avoid such tragedies and ensure their victory in wars, the king prayed to Lord Shiva, brought a Shivalinga from Kasi and installed it in this place.

Sri Kalyanasundaeswarar temple

The Nandhi in Mother Balameenambica shrine facing south is turning towards the Lord. Lord Balasubramania is turning left with His peacock vahan. These turning postures are considered a different feature in the temple.

                                   

         

Mother Meenakshi, born as the daughter of devout Malayadwaja Pandya used to play with Her friends (Thozhi in Tamil) in Pillayar Palayam now Avaniapuram.  When She was leaving the place after wedding with Lord Sundareswara, the Thozhis requested Her to stay there in Her wedding form and bless them.People pray to Lord Kalayana Sundareswarar and Mother Balameenambica performing pujas with Vilwa leaves seeking child boon.  Obstacles in marriage talks also vanish.  People pray to Lord Bhairava for relief from poverty and evil attacks.There was a shrine here for Lord Sevvandhi Easwarar.  There was also a tank called Shenbaga Oorani attached with the temple.  The temple became dilapidated in later days leaving only the compound wall and the Kulam-spring.  No efforts were taken to renovate the temple. 

The devotee did not return to Anna Thatha though it was too late at night. Lord appeared in the dream of Anna Thatha and disclosed that He alone came to his house and asked him to renovate the temple that existed earlier, now in a bad state.The wedding posture is one among the 25 forms of Lord Shiva.  He appears here in His wedding posture with Mother Balameenambica.  It is noteworthy that the temple is situated in Madurai which is one among the three Shakti temples of Meenakshi, Kamakshi and Visalakshi.  Vasiyoga Nandhi is opposite Shiva shrine. The temple is generally open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. On Tuesdays, Fridays and on important days the temple is open till 12.00 a.m. in the first session. No change in the evening time. 

Sri Moovar temple

The shrine of Lord Shiva is so beautifully structured reminding the wedding of Mother Meenakshi with Lord Shiva. Any one truly pious are allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum to function as a priest.

                            

The temple tells the story of three Lords and their actions.  Lord Brahmma creates, Lord Vishnu protects and Lord Shiva destroys, hence all the three (Moovar) Lords are gracing in the temple together.  There also shrines for Their consorts – Saraswthi-Brahmma, Mahalakshmi – Vishnu and Parvathi-Shiva.Starting from Lord Vinayaka to Hanuman, every deity in the temple looks smiling as if they are listening to our appeals with care.  Mother Kanaka Durga shrine reminds us of Her shrine in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.  There are shrines for Thevaram and Tiruvasagam saints – Tiruganasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar along with Saint Vallalar who propagated the philosophy of Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga.  A puja is conducted on the last Sunday of the each English month for Saint Tirunavukkarasar who served the Lord with his spade instrument cleaning the pathways to Shiva temples for the convenience of the devotees.  

There is no hundi in the temple.  The temple administration bears the expenses of lighting deepas (lamps) in the shrines. Abishek is performed to all deities every day changing the clothes.  Considering the importance of cleanliness of the temple, others are not permitted to do this. There are shrines for Lords Balamuruga, Aiyappan, Dakshinamurthy, Nandeeswara, Venkatachalapathi, Chakkarathazhwar, Kala Bhairava, Nagalingam and subdeities as Karuppanasami. The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. and from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Sri Pralayanathar temple

A few centuries ago, a Pandya king brought a Shivalinga from Kasi, installed it on the banks Vaigai River and was performing Shiva Puja.  A devastating flood as a tsunami (Pralaya) took place them threatening total destruction of the place.  

                                     

Lord Muruga is the special deity of the temple.  During the six day Skanda Sashti festival, special pujas and abisheks are offered.  On the 7th day, they prepare curd rice with 40 measures of rice and celebrate ‘Tiru Pavaadai Dharisanam”.  Lord Bhairava enjoys His own importance.  People use to break the nuts of the Vilwa tree, make cups and light lamps, known as Vilwa Deepa.  This prayer brings them success in litigations if their case is just and fair. They pray to the eight handed Mother on Tuesdays during the Rahukalam time (3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.) lighting lamps on lime cups and perform archanas with red flowers.  This prayer is believed to save them from obstacles intervening in marriage proposals, adverse aspects of Mars planet and any danger to the life of their husbands threatening their Mangal Sutras. 

There are separate shrines facing east for Lord and Mother each with Nandhis before them.  Lord Dakshinamurthy blesses devotees from the Goshta wall facing south right of Lord’s shrine.  Behind Lord’s shrine are Lords Valampuri Vinayaka, Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai, Sri Hanuman and Mother Mahalakshmi on the right side and Mother Vishnu Durga on the left. This is an important temple for devotees seeking relief from Mars planet adversities.The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.