Temple Visits of Parantharami Mani

 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

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

       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.    

      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

      Ponneri is around 36 km from Chennai connected by local train services on the Gummidipoondi line. There is an ancient Siva Temple here called Agastheeswarar Temple. The temple is situated at a distance of 1 km from the railway station. In the good olden days the place where the temple is situated was called Kumbhamuni Mangalam. The lord here is said to have been installed and worshipped by Sage Agasthiar. Sage Agasthya is also called Kumbha muni since he collected the whole of river Cauvery in his Kamandalam.      The presiding deity is called Agastheeswarar and Ambal Anandavalli is by his side with a smiling and graceful look showing her mercy to the devotee. The temple is said to have been constructed during the Chola period as  is evident from the Gajaprishta Vimanam over the sanctum. There is a beautiful Vijayanagar era  16 pillar Mandapam outside the Rajagopuram. The Mahamandapam of the temple is rich in sculptures including the image of Sage Agasthya carved in one of the pi

VARADARAJA PERUMALTEMPLE, KANCHI ================================ Had the opportunity to visit this Temple recently. This is one of the biggest  Chola era temple built around 1050 AD in the  temple city of Kancheepuram.  It was later expanded by Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. The  moolavar here is next in height to Lord  Venkateshwara of Tirupathi. The temple has a 100 pillared hall of Vijayanagar era with exquisite  carvings and stone  rings. The  moolavar faces West  and the Eastern  Gopuram is taller than the  western  Rajagopuram.  The temple is spread over 23 acres and has 32 shrines.         In the year 1688 the Temple idol was shifted to Udayarpalayam in Tiruchirapalli district due to Moghul attacks and the idol was shifted back after normalcy returned. In the year 1532 Achuta Raya the  Vijayanagar King was accused of unequal distribution of land between Ekambaranathar and Varadaraja Perumal Temple.  Achuta raya found that Vira Narasimha SaluvaNayak had made this uneven d