My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Sri Sivaloganatha Swami temple inThirupungur, Sirkazhi Taluk, Nagapattinam Dist. of Tamilnadu

THIRUPUNGUR is a small village about 5 KM from Vaitheeswaran koil in Sirkazhi taluk, Nagapattinam district of Tamilnadu on way to Thirupanandal, on the western side. Here, there is a calm, quite and moderately bigger temple for Lord Shiva known as Sri Soundarayanayagi Samedha Sri Sivalogantha Swami temple (ஸ்ரீ சௌந்தர நாயகி சமேத ஸ்ரீ சிவலோகநாத சுவாமி திருகோயில்).    Though this temple does not have the significance of a pilgrimage centre of Lord Shiva temples, yet it has its own historical and legendary importance.  Once this place was surrounded by lot of Punga trees (beech trees) and the name of the place itself was called as Thirupungur.  More so, Lord Shiva gives darshan under a Punga tree (புங்க மரம்) the place itself is named as Thirupungur.

This temple dates back to 1000 - 2000 years back.  As per details available, the temple renovation work was carried out during King Rajendra Cholan period.  Here, the Lord Shiva and Nandi were appeared self manifested (சுயம்பு முர்த்தி ) and because of this rare phenomenon, the place is considered to be a holy place by the devotees. 

ஆலய பிரதான நுழைவு வாயில்

உட்புறமிருந்து கோபுரத் தோற்றம்

சந்நிதிக்குச் செல்ல நுழைவு வாயில்

விமானத் தோற்றம்

It is belived that Lords Brahmman, Indiran, Saint Agathiyar, Chandran, Suriyan Agni, Pathanjali, Vyagrabathar, Saptha Kanniyar, Eeyar Con Kalikkamar, King Rajendra Cholan have darshan of the Lord Shiva in this temple.

Once, Nandanar - an ardent Lord Shiva devotee was born in a low caste family who were not allowed to mingle with upper caste people.  They were not allowed to enter temples.  But, Nandanar had an ambition one day to enter the temple at Chidambaram to have darshan of Lord Shiva.  His family profession was to make musical instrument viz. trumpet tied with animal leather to make different sounds when beaten by hand.  These musical instruments are being used in temples during pooja and festival times.  He was also engaged as a farmer and was working under an upper caste land lord.    But, his mouth will always chant hymns in praise of Lord Shiva in true devotion and bakthi.  Many a times he expressed his desire to visit Lord Shiva temple but his request was turned down chided by the Lord Shiva citing his low caste birth.   However, one day the land lord told him that  his wish would be granted if Nandanar plough his vast paddy field overnight.  Nandanar prayed to his Lord Shiva to save him from the obstacle so that he can have his Lord's darshan.  As the Lord Himself knew Nandanar's devotion towards Him, he assisted him in clearing the obstacle overnight.  Next day morning when the land lord and Nandanar were both surprised to see the vast paddy field has been completely ploughed.    The land lord realised his mistake and prostrated before Nandanar  and pleaded forgiveness.  Then Nandanar was very jubilant to have darshan of Lord Shiva and set out to Chidambaram.  On his way, he stopped at Thiruppungur to have darshan of Lord Shiva at Sri Sivaloganatha Swamy temple.  He was standing at the outside temple to have a glimpse of his Lord but, alas, Lord Shiva's vahana Sri Nandeeswara was blocking the direct view.  He started singing in praise of his Lord.  

"சிவலோக நாதன் திருச் சந்நிதானம்

மலையாக நந்தி மறைத்திடு திங்கே

   பலகாலம் செய்த பாழ்வினை குவிந்து

             மலையாகி இப்படி மறைத்ததோ வென்றார்."

Lord Shiva heard about the plea of Nandanar and ordered Sri Nandeeswara to move away to the side - 

"ஒரு நாளும் வராத பக்தன்

                   திருநாளைக் போவார் எனும் சித்தன்

           உலகெங்கும் பிரசித்தம் கண்டு நீ

                              ஒதுங்காமல் இருந்தது உன்பேரில் குற்றம்."

Then Nandeeswar moved sideways and made a clear view for Nandanar to have darshan of Lord Shiva. Although in almost in all Lord Shiva temples, Nandeeswar will be seen in front of the Lord, but in this temple one can see the Nandeeswar positioning himself to a side.  Usually, tongue of the Nandeeswar will protrude outside the mouth but in this temple tongue will not be protuding outside.

அழகிய நந்தியின் தோற்றம் 

ஓரமாக விலகிய நந்தி 

Later Lord Shiva also helped Nandanar to dig a pond for the temple with the help of Lord Ganesha.  This is called 'Rishaba Theertham' and was dug on a single night by Lord Ganesha.

There is a separate sannadhi for Nandanar in front of Lord Shiva sannadhi.

ஸ்ரீ நந்தனார் சன்னதி 

This temple is one of the Padal petra (பாடல் பெற்ற) sthalams in thevaram and is the 20th among 274 sthalams. 

Great Tamil saints Thirugnana Sambandar, Sundaraar and Thirunavukkarasar have sung hymns about Lord Shiva in this temple and the place Thiruppungur. 

திருஞானசம்பந்த சுவாமிகள் அருளிச்செய்த தேவார பதிகம் - முதல் திருமுறை (1.27) ல் திருப்புன்கூர் பற்றி முதல் செய்யுளில் பாடியுள்ளமை - 


283.  முந்தி நின்ற வினைக  ளவைபோகச் 
          சிந்தி நெஞ்சே சிவனார் திருப்புங்கூர் 
          அந்தம் இல்லா அடிக ளவர்போலுங் 
          கந்த மல்கு கமழ்புன் சடையாரே .....

திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் அருளிச்செய்த தேவாரப் பதிகங்கள் - ஆறாம் திருமுறை  (6.11.1) ல் திருப்புன்கூர் பற்றி முதல் செய்யுளில் பாடியுள்ளமை - 

107.  பிறவாதே தோன்றிய பெம்மான் றன்னைப் 
          பேணாதார் அவர்தம்மைப் பேணா  தானைத் 
           துறவாதே கட்டறுத்த சோதி யானைத் 
           தூநெறிக்குந் துனநெறியாய்  நின்றான் றன்னைத்
           திறமாய எத்திசையுந்  தானே யாகித் 
           திருப்புன்கூர்  மேவிய சிவலோ கனை  
           நிறமா மொளியானை  நீடூ  ரானை
           நீதனை னென்னேநான் நினையா வாறே ......  

சுந்தரர் தனது பதிகத்தின் 8-வது பாடலில்  "திரிபுர அசுரர்களுக்கு அருள் செய்ததை அறிந்து அடியேன் உன் திருவடியை அடைந்தேன், என்னை ஏற்றுக் கொண்டருள்" என்று தனது பாடலில் இறைவனை வேண்டுகிறார். 

சுந்தரமூர்த்தி சுவாமிகள் அருளிச்செய்த தேவாரப் பதிகங்கள் ஏழாம் திருமுறையில் (7.55) முதல் செய்யுளில் பாடியுள்ளமை - 

அந்த ணாளன் 

---

பண் - தக்கேசி

திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்

அந்த ணாளன்உன் அடைக்கலம் புகுத 7.55.1
        உன் காப்பது காரண மாக 
வந்த காலன்தன் ஆருயி ரதனை 
         வவ்வி னாய்க்குன்றன் வன்மைகண் டடியேன் 
எந்தை நீஎனை நமன்றமர் நலியில் 
         இவன்மற் றென்னடி யானென விலக்கும் 
சிந்தை யால்வந்துன் றிருவடி அடைந்தேன் 
          செழும்பொ ழில்திருப் புன்கூர் உளானே. 
 

"மூவெயில் செற்ற ஞான்றுய்ந்த மூவரில் 

இருவர் நின்திருக் கோயிலின் வாய்தல் 

காவ லாளர்என் றேவிய 

ஒருவன் நீகரி காடரங் காக 

மானை நோக்கியோர் மாநடம் மகிழ 

மணிமு ழாமுழக் கவருள் செய்த 

தேவ தேவநின் திருவடி யடைந்தேன் 

செழும்பொ ழில்திருப் புன்கூரு ளானே."

On every Monday night at 8.30 op.m. special poojas are performed to the Lord   adorned with Punugu chattam, applying a cosmetic paste - a civet bag or gland.  Thirukkuvalai (திருக்குவளை மலர்கள் ) flowers are also offered to the Lord by the devotees.  Those who are not able to get married in time, are offering snake (naga) figures made out of gold foils in the hundi kept in the temple with a belief that their marriage will take place soon.

During the Tamil month Vaikasi (வைகாசி ) 10 days brahmotsavam festivals will be celeberated in a very grand manner.  Devotees in large numbers will be gathered during this festival time to worship the Lord. On Pradosham days also large number of devotees will throng this temple to worship the Lord.  Important hindu festivals viz. Diwali and Pongal and new year days will also attract large crowd to this temple to have darshan of the Lord.  Special abhishekams, poojas etc. will be performed during these days at the temple.  

There is an interesting legendary saying -  that once the Lord and His consort agreed for a competition to find out who is most beautiful in the earth.  The Lord suggested he will drop down a dharbhai grass with three knots on it and in any place where it falls down he will accept that will be beautiful.  Lord threw down dharbhai grass and the place it is fallen becomes five lingas (pancha lingas).  Even today also we can see the pancha lingas.  The significance of this place is whoever worship the lingas for their marriage woes gets fulfilled and those afflicted with  naga doshams get cleansed.

பஞ்சலிங்கம் 

There is an yet another legendary tale - that once Tamil saint Sundarar and his friend Eeyar Kon (ஏயர்கோன் கலிக்காமர்  நாயனார்   Kalikkama Nayanar visited  this temple.  At that time, Thirupungur was in a dreadful draught condition as there was no rain for a long time and acute water shortage was there.  Hence saint Sundarar made a challenge to the then King who ruled at that time that if he agrees to give 12 veli (a unit measured for land in those days) of land for the temple rain god will evoke and bestow His boon with plenty of rain.  King also agreed and saint Sundarar sung hymns in praise of Lord and rain came and flooded very heavily there.  The king was having another problem of how to stop the flood which is crossing the level of sufficiency to devastating the whole place.  For this also, saint Sundarar made another challenge, succeeded and got another 12 veli of land from the King for this temple. 

சுந்தரர் "அந்தணாளன் உன அடைக்கலம் புகுந்த" என்று தொடங்கும் தனது பதிகத்தின் 2-வது பாடலில் குறிப்பிட்டுப் பாடியுள்ளார்.

வையகம் முற்றும் மாமழை மறந்து 

வயலில் நீர்இலை மாநிலம் தருவோம் 

உய்யக் கொள்கமற் றெங்களை என்ன 

ஒளிகொள் வெண்முகி லாய்ப்பரந் தெங்கும் 

பெய்யும் மாமழைப் பெருவெள்ளம் தவிர்த்துப் 

பெயர்த்தும் பன்னிரு வேலிகொண் டருளும் 

செய்கை கண்டுநின் திருவடி அடைந்தேன் 

செழும்பொ ழிற்றிருப் புன்கூருளானே.

Timings for darshan at this temple:   Daily morning 7.00 a.m.  to noon 12.00 hours and evening from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Temple contact details:

Arulmigu Sri Sivaloganathar Thirukoil
Thirupungur Post
Sirkazhi Taluk
Nagapattinam District - 609112
Tamilnadu

வணக்கம் 

My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple,Vasavappapuram, Tuticorin District, Tamilnadu.

Vasavappapuram is a tiny village in Tuticorin district of Tamilnadu which is about 18 Km from Tirunelveli junction.  The road leading to the temple diverting from the highway is not a laid one but more like a path used by bullock carts etc.  Four wheelers had to plough through the path to reach the temple.  The temple is not frequently visited by the devotees and more so, is located in a place isolated from the habitat and hence,  proper developmental work to reach the temple is not in the prime agenda of the authorities.

As per details given by the Archaka (Pandit) and also through other sources, and the nearby locals, it is given to understand that this place was once a small village some hundreds of years back with thin populated village farmers.  These farmers were doing cultivation in the lands and making their livelihood and they worshipped this Sri Varadaraja Perumal.  

The perennial river Tambraparni flows through Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts and on the banks of the river on both sides one can see vast  stretch of lush green paddy fields and thick green vegetation.      Once, some hundreds of years back cultivation was one of the prime sources of income for many in the villages around these districts.  The village farmers, in addition to cultivation, grow cattle to supplement their income and to cater to their daily needs.  They lead a calm, quite and self contended life.  Further in search of divine peace and spiritual need, they constructed temples for different Gods  as per their wish to seek blessings and boon to overcome miseries, struggles in life etc.   When all such  needs are at their reach, their mind diverted to attain more earthly comforts to add more charm and happiness to their life.   Aiming these material pleasures, they displaced to other big cities, desserting the villages to perish or to take its own destruction.  One such village is this Vasavappapuram.  Though the village is not there now, yet, one can find some of the reminiscent facts of being a village was in existence once.   

கிராமத்தின் தற்போதைய நிலை  

தனித்து விடப்பட்ட ஒரு கல்வெட்டு  சான்று 

    

The villagers and the village might have gone but, the spiritual fervour is still in existence which can be seen by the presence of Lord Varadaraja Perumal temple who bestows His blessings and boon to His devotees whoever approaches Him.  All these show that spiritualism can never be destroyed.  

கோயிலின் தோற்றம் 

கருடன் சன்னதி 

சன்னதிக்கு முன்னால் உள்ள மண்டபம் 

 

The main deity in this temple is Sri Varadaraja Perummal.  

திவ்ய அலங்காரத்தில் ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜ பெருமாள்  

Some of the old timer local villagers who are alive and migrated from here while narrating their good time in Vasavappapuram, their eyes are gleaming and droven to their old thoughts.   According to details available about this temple, the temple dates back to the 13th century, built by one ruler Seemara Seevallaban of A.D. 835-852. Later in A.D. 1216, this temple was renovated by King Sundara Pandian. Subsequently, when the Nayakkars  ruled the place, they further developed the temple. 

Now, the Pandit who do the pooja for the deity lives in the nearby town.  We made all arrangements with him in advance for performing the pooja.  He accordingly, readied himself for the task and really, did a commendable job.  He has got in him a very good taste and talent to make appeasing alankar to the deity with various beautiful flowers and other paraphernalia.  His spiritual devotion is very much praiseworthy.  When the pooja was over, to those who present there were given prasadams and sumptuous food.

At the back of the temple, a small water channel is flowing catering to the cultivation in the fields of the adjoining villages.   The bridge connects the path and the main road. 

கோயிலின் பின்னே வாய்க்கால் பாலம் 

There are a couple of nearby temples dedicated to village protecting god  (கிராம காவல் தெய்வம் ).   Villagers from nearby worship this Amman deity and do pooja regularly.  In the tamil month of Aadi (ஆடி மாதம்) special poojas are performed to the deity and lot of villagers throng the temple to offer their prayers during the festival times.  

கிராம தேவதையின் கோயில் 

  

கண்களுக்கு விருந்து கொடுத்த ஒரு ரம்மியக் காட்சி 

எல்லாம் இனிதே நடைபெற ஸ்ரீ வரதராஜப் பெருமாளை வணங்கி விடை பெற்றோம்.

வணக்கம் 

My Spiritual Travelogue - Visit to Temples in and around Pappankulam in Ambassamudram Taluk, Tirunelveli Distirct, Tamilnadu

While we were in Pappankulam to participate in the Maha Samprokshnam festivities of Sri Ramaswamy Temple, we had opportunities to visit other temples in and around that village. One among them is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Arulmigu Vadakalai Nayaki  Samedha Thiruvengadar Thirukovil (அருள்மிகு வாடாகலை நாயகி சமேத திருவெண்காடர் திருக்கோவில்). This temple is situated  just opposite to Sri Ramaswamy temple, a little far away on the eastern side.  This  is a beautiful temple and its peaceful admosphere will be liked by the devotees.  

கோயிலின் நுழைவு வாயில் 

கோயிலின் முன்னால் விருட்ஷம் 

அழகிய குட்டை 

கோயில் விமானம் 

கோயில் உட்பிரஹாரம்

As per details, this temple was built by a Pandya King  Adhithya Varman, some thousand years back.  This temple has its own uniqueness viz.  the Shivalinga was made by precious Chandrakantha stone and this type of Shivalinga will be very rare to see anywhere;  another rare uniqueness to this temple which  cannot be seen in any other temple is that the main deity Shivalinga will appear in a bigger size when you are seeing it from near the dwajasthamba area or near kodi maram and if you see the Shivalinga from near the sanctum sanctorium  the Shivalinga will look like a small Shivalinga;  

Legend says that Lord Shiva had once came to this temple from the snow clad mountain Kailash and thus this temple has got its importance.  Devotees throng this temple to worship Lord Shiva even now.  It is also a genuine belief that during monsoon failure times, devotees perform Dhara Homa praying for rains and obtain instantaneous result of getting rain.  Devotees also pray for their well being of protecting them from enemies.  

The goddess Vaadaakalai Nayaki Ambal (ஸ்ரீ வாடாகலை  நாயகி அம்பாள்) deity is sculpted in very special way depicting Her 32 expressions (Samudrika Lakshnam) with minute skill in the single sculpture.  Hence the Ambal deity is being called Vaadakalai (never fading beautiness).

Lord Guru Bhagwan shrine, the sculpture is sculpted with a nagam ( snake) under his feet which goes with the legend that whoever worship Lord Guru Bhagawan here He will save them from the clutches of their Raghu Kethu dosha; 

ஸ்ரீ விநாயகர் சன்னதி 

ஸ்ரீ குரு பகவான் சன்னதி  

Another special feature among the shrines in this temple is Lord Subramanya with His concert Valli and Deivaanai,   is sculpted in a single stone very beautifully perfectly sitting on the mayil (peacock) vahana; 

ஸ்ரீ சுப்பிரமணியர் , வள்ளி, தெய்வானை சன்னதி 

Lord Shaneeswara shrine is also sculpted in a very beautiful manner  and the crow, his vahana in stone  sculpture will appear as if a real crow standing under His feet, such a beautiful craftmanship done by the sculpture.  

ஸ்ரீ சனீச்வர பகவன் சன்னதி

நவக்ரஹா சன்னதி

The legend also says that the Pandya Kings worshipped Lord Shaneeshwara here and through His Blessings got victories over their enemies in wars;   Thus, each and every deities here have been sculpted in its own uniqueness.

Inside the main deity shrine, in one corner there is a open shrine for a siddhar who attained moksha here and He is laid to rest here, about whose details are not available.  It was learnt that on every  full moon day,  this siddhar shrine is beautifully decorated and special poojas are performed to this siddhar and large number of devotees will attend the poojas to seek siddhar's Blessings.

சித்தர் சமாதி பீடம் 

நாயன்மார்கள்  சன்னதி

A big and tall compound wall protects and surrounds the temple.  The temple needs complete renovation to preserve its uniqueness and other special features.  Last Maha kumbhabhishekam to this temple was done in 1945 as per culvert findings.  Now the Thiruppani Committee of this temple has taken up the great task of renovating this temple and to perform Maha kumbhabhishekam for this temple in the not too distant future.  They are seeking funds from devotees, donors, philanthropists and others to complete the task successfully.  

Monthly Pradoshams, Mahashivarathri and other important festivals are being celeberated in this temple.    

Temple timings are:  6.00 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Contact details:  Arulmigu Thiruvengadar Temple, Thirunavukkarasar Thiruppani Arakkattalai, Pappankulam - 627423,  Contact No. +91 98949 62523.  

Next we visited another small Lord Shiva temple inside the Agraharam street, situated on the way to river Gadana nadhi. Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva - (Sankaranarayanan) and His concert Sri Gomathi Amman have separate shrines in this temple and are worshipped by the devotees.  The temple needs complete renovation.    

அக்ரஹார தெரு சிவன் கோயில்

There is another temple called Sri Sadavudaiyar Sastha temple at the end of the street leading to the river side.  The main deity of this temple is Sri Sadavudaiyar Sastha and His concerts are Sri Poornakala Ambal and Sri Pushkala Ambal.  We can see devotees after taking their morning dip at the river, on their way back they will visit and worship this Sri Sadavudaiyar Sastha temple and the Lord Siva temple regularly. Festivals are being conducted at these temples and lot of local devotees participate in the festivities.  Since these temples are isolated from the main village we can see a thin crowd in these temples.    

  

ஸ்ரீ சடவுடையார் சாஸ்தா கோயில்       

Then, we had the opportunity to visit another Shiva temple dedicated for Sri Paramakalyani Samedha Sivasailapathi at Sivasailam, a beautiful village situated on the banks of the river Kadana Nadhi (river), a major tributary of the  river Tamiraparani.  This village is situated near Alwarkurichi (around 3 KM from here) and Pappankulam (around 5 KM from here).  This village Sivasailam is named after Sivasailappar and Paramakalyani Amman.  

Surrounding the temple, greenary vegetation around the temple and the flowing Kadana Nadhi and a cool breeze laced with flowering plants smell will give a feasting view to the soring eyes.  

ஸ்ரீ சிவசைலநாதர் கோயில் நுழைவாயில் 

கோயில் மதில் சுவர் 

கோயிலை சுற்றி இயற்கை காட்சி 

 மரங்களுக்கு இடையே கோபுரம் 

கோயில் உள்முகப்பு தோற்றம் 

நதிக்கரையில் மண்டபம் 

First we enter the tall main mantap where you can on both sides stone pillars adorned with beautifully sculpted various simha figured sculptures.  On the south side Sri Vinayaga shrine, shrine for 63 Nayanmars, on the northern side shrine for Lord Muruga and shrine for Sri Dakshinamurthi  facing south are there.   As we further enter inside we can see a big Nandi  near the dwajasthamba or kodi maram or flag mast.  The dwajasthamba looks majestically very beautiful covered with shining copper sheets.  Regular daily poojas are being performed for this dwajasthamba.   Druing important annual festival times, on the first day special poojas are performed to mark the beginning of the festival and a flag will be hoisted on top of this dwajasthamba.  This flag will ply fast during the entire festival celeberations and on completion of the festival this flag will be lowered down from the dwajasthamba.
It is a belief that the locals not to leave the village during the festival time once the flag is hoisted and to take part in the entire festivals and seek Lord Sailappar  & Amman Paramakalyani blessings.

Beautiful dwajasthamba or kodi maram

Passing this dwajasthamba, we can come to the Nandeeswar sannadhi.  This Nandi is sculpted in a very attractive manner and one can visualise how the sculpture could have made taking into mind all the minutest curves does a real nandi (bull)  have while sitting with its legs folded and tail moving around fanning away the flies.  It is so sculpted that you don't want to take away your eyes from seeing the nandi just like that.  It is so beautiful, giving a majestic look and automatically everybody  bow their head to the nandi to seek blessings.  On a particular day, i.e. on the last Friday of tamil month Aadi (ஆடி மாதம்) every year, this nandeeshwar will be very beauty fully decorated with sandal paste and adorned with beautiful garlands of different color flowers and special poojas will be conducted.  The festival on this day will be considered one of the special days in this temple. Regular monthly Pradosham days poojas are performed for this nandi.   

 

    

                           

Then, we enter further to worship Lord Sailappar in Linga rupa.  The main deity will be adorned beautifully everyday with various flowers and poojas are performed regularly.  We can see Lord Sailappar with ஜடா முடி (long tresses) which is unique in this temple. Nearby, there is a separate shrine is the for His concert Goddess Paramakalyani.  Whoever worship the Goddess will be bestowed with Her boon and blessings and fulfill their prayers.  After worshipping here,  we go round to worship other shrine in the praharas.  Separate shrine for Goddess for Durga is there.

This temple is one of the ancient temples nurtured by the then rulers who ruled south India. These details are available in culverts detailing about the temple history, whoever did renovation or further development to the temple which are dates back to 15 - 16th centuries.  

This is a very beautiful temple with calm and quite atmosphere on the banks of Gadana river (a tributary of river thambraparni) with its crystal clear flowing water perennially in the front,  laced with cool breez and chirping sound of various winged birds, picturesque greenary vegetation, long stretch of paddy fields and the smoky clouds covering the western ghat in the long view surrounding the temple will all attract every visitor to this place.

வணக்கம்