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Veeraraghava Perumal Temple, Tiruvallur

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         This temple one of the 108 Divya Desam is situated at a distance of 50 km from Chennai on the road leading to Tirupathi. It is a Pallava era temple with inscriptions dating to 9th century. The temple is under the control of hereditary trustees of Shri Ahobila Mutt and the present head  Sri Ranganatha Yatheendra  Mahadesikan Azhagiyasinger is running the affairs of the temple. The mutt has a hoary history of more than 600 years.      The presiding deity of the temple is Vaithya Veeraraghava Perumal who is in a Sayana kolam ( kidantha kolam)in the sanctum blessing his devotees. The right hand is positioned on the head of Salilhotra Muni and left hand in Gyana Mudra blessings Brahma. It is believed the lord here cures the illness of his devotees and they put rock salt and milagu in one of small mantap in the outer prakaram to get rid themselves of their illness.  The moola vigraham of solid granite is around 15 feet in width. The Artha Mandapam reflects the Chola era architecture
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Vijayalaya Choliswaram Temple, Narthamalai

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 Vijayalaya Choliswaram Temple, Narthamalai , Pudukottai, TamilNadu        This is an 9th century stone rock cut Shiva Temple situated on Narttamalai Hill in Pudukottai district of TamilNadu. The approach to the temple is through tiring journey up an hillock. The beautiful stone temple was constructed in second half of 9th century by a  local Mutaraiyar Chieftain Cattan Pudi who was ruling this part of the country and was aligned with the Pallavas. It was latter redeveloped by Tennavan Tamiladi Araiyan. There is also a view that this temple was constructed by the founder of Imperial Cholas Vijayalaya( 850-870 AD) and hence the name Vijayalaya Choliswaram. The controversy still survives to this day.        The stone temple is a beautiful piece of architecture of that era. The temple has a main shrine in the centre and eight sub shrines on the outside of which only six survive now. The main shrine which has the Shiv lingam inside is entered through a small door on both sides of which  ar
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Kote Venkatramanna Temple, Bengaluru

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Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai

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 Thiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple        This more than 1000 year old Temple was constructed around 9th century initially by the Cholas and later developed by Pandyas, Hoysala, Vijayanagar and Nayak dynasties. There is also a belief that the temple was intially built in 7 th century by the Pallavas going by the architecture around the sanctum  from which the temple has developed . Had the opportunity to visit the temple recently . The temple occupies an area of 25 acres and consist of seven prakarams five in the temple  sixth on the mada veethi, seventh on the girivalam path around the hills.        There are nine stately Gopuram  in the temple with four big Gopuram on the four sides and remaining inside the temple. The east Gopuram is the Rajagopuram consisting of 11 tiers and 217 feet in height . It was started by Krishnadevaraya in 1516 and completed by Nayak  rulers later around 1580. The western tower is called Peygopuram, the northern tower is called Ammani Amman  Gopuram
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Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu

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Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu        This ancient Siva Temple is situated at a distance of 64 kms on the Madras - Arakonam railway line. The Temple is at a distance of 4 km from the railway station towards northern side. The presiding deity is called Vadaranyeswarar or Oorthuvathandaveswarar. Ambal here is called Vandar Kuzhali Amman.  This is one of the 276 Thevara padal petra temple and the three Saivite saints Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have sung their Thevara hymns on the presiding deity of the temple. Lord Shiva in the temple is Swayambumurthi and it is one of the five places where the Lord competed with Goddess Kali in dance performance.  It is the home to “ Ratna Sabai”.  The Nataraja idol of the temple can be seen with its left leg almost touching the left ear.  The idol of Sivakami Sundari is expressive with astonishment on its face. Karaikal Ammaiyar has also sung about the Lord here.        The temple traces its origin to Pallava era and followed by expansion and
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Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Thirunindravur

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       Hridayaleeswarar Temple, Thirunindravur     This Siva Temple is situated  at Thiruninravur a distance of 30 km from Madras Central on  the Arakonam Line.  It is situated at a distance of two km from the railway station opposite Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple. The Temple is around 1300 years old and owes its origin to Poosalar Nayanar who was a native of Thiruninravur. He was called Poosalar since he always smeared ash around his body. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and wanted to build a temple for him. But he could not gather enough funds for building the Temple. He instead constructed a temple in his heart on the same pattern he would have liked to construct a Temple for his Lord. King Rajasimha who was the Pallava King ruling at Kanchi heard about his devotion and came to  Thiruninravur to meet him. After seeing his devotion to God the King constructed a grand Temple for Hridayaleeswarar and also placed a statue of Poosalar Nayanar on the sanctum beside the Moolavar.    
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Bhakthavatchala Perumal Temple, Thirunindravur

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      Bhakthavachala Perumal Temple, Thirunindravur         This 58th Divya Desam Perumal Temple is situated at a distance of 40 km from Madras at Thirunindravur on the Arakonam suburban route. The presiding deity here is Bhakthavachala Perumal along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. The moolavar is around 10 feet tall in standing posture. The name of the deity has an interesting legend around it as per the Bhattacharya of the Temple. Once Thirumangai Alwar visited this temple and the lord by oversight did not see him. This was noticed by Devi who requested the Lord to go and see him. By that time Thirumangai Alwar had reached nearby temple of Nithayakalyana Perumal at Tiruvidanthai. Lord pacifies his devotee who sang a Pasuram on the Temple. Since the lord himself went and loved his devotee he is named Bhaktha Vatchala ( lover of his devotee).         The temple is said to have its origin from Pallava era and further renovated by Chola and Vijaynagar Kingdoms. The five tier Raja
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