Tamilnad temples - Kalyana Sundarar Temple, Tiruvelvikkudi

Why the name Tiruvelvikkudi?

Tiruvelvikkudi means thiru (a salutation attached to divine or holy or great personalities) velvi (wedding or marriage) kudi (house, dwelling place, temples). The temple place where a holy marriage took place. Whose marriage was that, that took place here? The earthly marriage of Lord Shiva as Kalyanasundarar and goddess Parvathy (goddess Uma) as Parimalasugandha Nayaki was the one referred. Kalyanasundarar means handsome personality in marriage attire. Parimalasugandha Nayaki means the great fragrant female personality. Parimala and sugandha means same thing as fragrance, scent. 

The place of earthly marriage of Lord Siva and goddess Uma

Though the name suggests that the marriage of the Lord Kalyana Sundarar (Siva) and goddess Parimalasugandha Nayaki (Uma) took place here, the marriage was performed at a nearby place called Thirumananjeri. However, the pre wedding Vedic rituals mainly of Homa related to wedding were done in the place Tiruvelvikkudi for the marriage of the divine couple – the Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy. A temple was built in the place as it was sanctified by the Homa done which purified this place. Those who built the temple wanted the benefit of the divinity of the place to be available to all devotees who come here to offer worship. This is one of the ancient Siva temples in whose honour praising songs were composed and sung by the great Siva devotees Sambandar and Sundarar who along with about 64 are known as the ‘Nayanmar’.  Naturally the main deities of this temple are the Kalyanasundarar and Parimalasugandha Nayaki. 

Kalyana Sundarar temple structure

The temple is not a huge one as the temples around this village. It is a medium one with 3 tiers Gopuram (main entrance structure). Tiruvelvikkudi temple has 2 prakarams, an inner one and an outer one. A prakaram is an outer part to the Sanctum (the holy shrine where the deities are installed). This can be a closed one or an open one. While many temples have a closed one, some are having open prakaram or pragaram and some will have partially closed one. The Prakaram will have a path for circumambulation (walk around the shrine) for the devotees.  It will also have normally at least a partially closed (wall and roof but not fully enclosed) place for doing namaskarams (prostrations), chanting stotras, cooking the offerings to the deities, dress chanting place for the Archaks (priests, poojaris), an office or counters for offering/prasad tickets etc. In addition to this prakaram there is also an outer pragaram (outer pathway around the temple complex) which is open around the prakaram around the shrine.  The outer walls of the sanctum have the carved images of the sub deities of the temple, Lord Ganapathy, Agasthya Maharishi, Dakshinamurthy (an aspect of Lord Siva representing the planet Guru - Jupiter), Lingodhbhavar (manifestation as Linga the symbol of Lord Siva), Chandrasekharar (Lord Siva with the crescent moon) and Ardhanareeswar (half woman and half man form of the Lord Siva symbolizing the unity of Siva and Sakti (power – energy). The temple walls have the inscriptions from the periods of Sembian, Mahadevi, Rajaraja and Parantaka Cholas.

Tiruvelvikkudi temple location 

As mentioned this temple is located near the Thirumananjeri temple about 5 km from Ktthalam on the Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam Road. Buses are available to Tiruvelvikkudi temple from Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam. At Kuththalam autos are available for this place and other nearby temples either on single place basis or packages. 

Postal address of the temple

Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple
Tiruvelvikkudi, Kuththalam Post
Mayiladuthurai Taluk, Nagapattinam District
PIN code: 609801

Tamilnad temples - Rare temple of Lord Siva with 2 consorts

Normally deities in the temples of Lord Siva will the lord with his consort Parvathy in the same name. Gauri, Girija, Dakshayani or Uma etc all different manifestations of goddess Parvathy. There is one temple where Lord Siva is seen with goddess Parvathy on one side and goddess Ganga on the other  side. The lord is in the posture of sitting in Padmasana. The temple is in a village called Devampadi Valas near Pollachi, Coimbatore District in Tamilnad.

Tamilnad temples - Navagraha Suryanar - Sun temple at Thirumangalakudi

Suryanar  - Sun temple 

 As per the astrology the sun placed in favorable position in the horoscope gives intelligence, perception, strength and character, endurance, stamina, vitality, positive spirit, courage, confidence and leadership. If the placing is not correct then the result will be dullness of intellect and perception, weak will and character, eyes and head  troubles. The Surya's worship benefits us by giving strength, health, good eyesight, intelligence, relief from skin ailments and longevity of life.The worship include among other things abhishek (sacred bathing) by cool water, offerings of wheat and archana with lotus of red color to please the lord Suryanarayan. Those of the devotees who are unable to go to the other Navagraha temples or the problems from other planets may offer the necessary worship or parihara pooja to the respective planets in their respective shrines in this temple. The best way is to go to the temples dedicated to the respective planets which are withing 50 km from here. Preferable days to worship here is Sundays. Reciting Surya mantras, Surya gaythri etc are good.

First worship Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi

Before worshiping at the Suryanar temple the devotees have to go to worship Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi. Long back the place where this temple situated was a forest of Vellerukku (white Calotropis gigantea of the Asclepiadaceae plant family). Now there is no forest but still the Erukku plants are there. The Suryanar temple is situated in the same village at a distance of about one km. After offering worship at the Prananatheswarar and Mangalambigai at Thirumangalakudi the devotees are to proceed to the Suryanar koil (temple).

 Procedures of worship at the Suryanar temple

Before worshiping at the main deity other procedures are to be followed.  In the Suryanar koil (temple) first we worship lord Ganapathi in his shrine. Here the Lord Ganapathi (Ganesha) is known as the Kol Vinai theertha vinayakar. Vinai theertha means one who removed the sins. It is the legend that the Navagrahas gave relief to a muni who had sinned and the Lord Brahma cursed him to be afflicted with disease. When the Navagrahas cured the muni suffering from the curse of Brahma, Brahma got angry and cursed in turn the Navagrahas to contract the disease cured by them in the muni. The muni now was upset as also the Navagrahas, as for his sake the Navagrahs had to suffer. He along with the Navagrahas prayed to Brahma for relief to him and the Navagrahas. Brahma advised them to go to Vellerukkakadu (Velle means white, erukku means Calotropis gigantea of the Asclepiadaceae plant family and kadu means forest - forst of white calotropis giganta plants) at Thirumangalakudi village and worship the lord Prananatheswarar and his consort Mangalambigai for release from the curse and cure. Accordingly they went to Thirumangalakudi and worshipped there. After this they went to a place little away from here and installed an idol of Lord Ganapthi and offered penance to please him. Lord Ganapthi (Ganesh) was pleased with them and they got the papa vimochan (release from the effect of curse - salvation). The muni as a mark of gratitude to the Navagrahas who suffered for his sake built a temple in this place where they had done the penance. Since worshiping to the lord Ganapathi gave them release from the sin - curse the lord was named as Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayakar.

After offering worship at this Vinayagar shrine, we go to the narthana (dance) mantapa (hall) and worship the Natarajar there. From here proceed to the sanctum of the main shine of Suryanar. There on the left to the entrance, offer worship to the idols of deities of Kasi Viswanathar (in lingam form) and Visalakshi. Proceed from here to the Deity of Suryanar (sun god) offer worship and after that offer worship to Guru bhagavan (Bruhaspathi) whose idol is facing the Sun deity. After this come out and go to the shrines of other Navagrahas in anti clock direction and worship Saneeswaran (Saturn), Budhan (Mercury), Angarakan (Mars), Chandra (Moon), Kethu, Sukran (Jupiter) and Rahu. From there proceed in clockwise direction and return to the Kol Vinai Theertha Vinayagar. There are sign broads placed to guide the devotees correctly. These are to be carefully observed and followed. 

The sthala vriskham (holy tree of the temple) is Vellai Erukku (white mandar - Calotropis gigantea). It is considered that idol of Pillayar (Ganesha, Vinayaga) made out of Vellerukku is very auspicious. Such idols are sold in shops here. The only problems is there are also duplicate idols painted like vellerukku idols.

Tamilnad temples - Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple

Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple

There is a Bhagavathi (goddess) temple which is for the women like the famous Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple of Kerala is for men. It is known as the Ladies Sabarimala temple. This temple is in a place known as Mandaikadu (also pronounced as Mondaikadu) in the sea coast. The shore is covered with coconut trees. It is near to the Colachel Port on the North East side. It is temple of 7^th century, a temple of 14 centuries (1400 years) old. As the name suggests the temple is dedicated to Bhagavathi Amman. Women go to this temple with ‘vratha’ (a set of rituals to be observed by devotees) and at the end of the ‘vratha’ they carry an ‘iru mudi kettu’ (a cloth bundle with two bag like pouches) containing the Pooja items and offerings, to the Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman, on their heads just as men do in their worships to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple. As per the local people the temple was renovated thrice. 

Peculiarity (specialty) of Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple 

The deity in this temple is special and rare – it is in the form of an ant hill (puttu) with 5 heads. At present the height of the ant hill is about 12 feet and the belief of the local people and others connected with the temple is that the ant hill is growing gradually. The face of the goddess is at the upper end of the ant hill. There is a Srichakra (holy disc) near the ant hill on ground level. It is a temple built in Kerala temples style though it is in Tamilnad. It may be because the entire District of Kanyakumari was in Kerala and at the time of States reorganizations parts of the areas were exchanged between Kerala and Tamilnad. If I remember correctly this area went to Tamilnad and the Malabar area which was under Tamilnad was released to Kerala. The Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple is a very simple styled one unlike most of the temples of Tamilnadu with the clay (mud) tile roof. 

Offerings at Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple

Those who want t get married with good spouse or where there is delay in marriages, the devotees offer silk cloths and mangalsutra to the goddess with a prayer. 

Those who are handicapped offer limbs made of silver to the deity for their cures.  

Those who go with the prayer for children offer cradles for their getting the blessings from the goddess for children. 

Those who feel that they are affected by evil looks of bad persons offer crackers for relief from the effects of evil looks.  

Devotees suffering from incurable or terrible headaches offer an item like a kind of pudding made out of rice flour, sugar/jaggery and water called Mandaiappam and take part of it as prasadam. 

Some devotees place the food on the floor and eat it after Pooja as prasadam. This prasadam and offering is called the ‘man soru’ eating. Man means mud and soru means cooked rice. 

The general belief f the devotees is that the goddess do not disappoint those who go to her with sincere devotion with the requests. 

Festivals of Mandaikadu Bhagavathiamman Temple

The annual festival is known as the Mandaikadu Kodai. This falls in the month of March – April of the English calendar. The festival is celebrated for 10 days known as the Masi (Masi is the name of a Tamil calendar month) festival. During the festival the Tamilnad Tourism Department arranges photographic exhibition and other programs. This festival draws huge crowds of around 10 lakh people.

Apart from the above festival, Pournamis (Poornima), Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays are important days in this temple. 

Poojas are performed 4 times a day and the timings are

Morning	-	5.00hrs
Noon	-	12.30hrs
Evening	-	18.30hrs
Night	-	20.30hrs

The Holy trees for this temple are Bo Tree (peepal) and Neem tree.

How to reach Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman temple

The temple is situated in Mandaikadu village in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnad on the sea shore neat to the Nagarcoil – Colachel State Highway. It is about 4 km from Colachel, 5km from Thingalnagar, 22 km from Nagarcoil, 41 km from Kanyakumari, 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram and 100 km from Tirunelveli.

Bus facilities are available from Nagarcoil. Nearest Railway Station is Iranial and Nagarcoil.

Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai.

Accommodation facilities

The temple complex is having facility for staying. Charge may be around Rs 100. At Nagarcoil lodges are available for charges ranging from Rs. 250 to Rs. 400

Legend about the Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman temple

His Holiness Sri Sanklaracharya was performing pooja to the Sri Chakra here with his devotees. One day the Srichakra did not turn as was the custom after the pooja was over. The Acharya stayed back here and he attained Samadhi in this place. The present ant hill grew in the place where the Srichakra existed at that time. Over a period of time the place was deserted and became like a forest area. Once when some children were playing in the area and hit the ant hill and they were injured. This news went to the then ruler of the area the King Marthanda Varma of Travancore kingdom. He came to know of the incidents and he ordered a temple to be built in this place and arrange for Poojas regularly. Gradually the temple became famous with the satisfied devotees becoming its advertisers.

Tamilnad temples - Jvarhareswar - Lord Siva where jeera and pepper are Offered for fever cure

Sangameswrar/Jvarahareswar

There is a Siva temple in Tamilnad where the special offerings are black pepper and cumin (jeera). The temple is in Bhavani a place in Erode district of Tamilnad. The Siva temple is dedicated to Lord Siva in the form of Lord Sangameswara (Lord of sangam - joining - uniting). This may be probably due to the joining of the rivers Kaveri and Bhavani at this place. Just as at Allahabad (Prayag) a third river but invisible to the eyes, Saraswati (flowing underneath) is joining with the Ganga (Ganges) and Yamuna to make the sangama, at Bhavani a 3rd river invisible (flowing underneath), Amuda River is joining the the other 2 rivers of Kaveri and Bhavani. This place of the temple of Sangameswara is also known as the Southern Prayag (Dakshina Prayag) due to the confluence of the 3 holy rivers. The principal deity of the temple,  Sangameswara is facing river Kaveri. There are sub shrines for upa devathas namely Lord Ganesh, Lord Dakshinamurthy (a form of Lord Siva), Lord Subrahmania, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Venugopala (Sri Krishna), Goddess Durga and Lord Nataraja (another form of Lord Siva), Lord Saneeswarar. Next to Lord Saneeswarar there is a shrine with Jvarahareswar in it. Besides there are special place for the 63 Nayanmars (staunch devotees of Lord Siva who can visualize the Lord and who have sung many verses in praise of the lord which are codified and made stotras. The consort of the presiding deity is powerful Goddess Veda Nayagi and has a shrine for her in the complex. On the bank of the river there is a Peepal tree and beneath the tree there are naga devathas.

This place is  holy place as explained as the same is considered as the Dakshina Prayag. Pilgrims come here take bath in the river and offer their worship to the deities here. The Jvarahareswar (jvara means fever and hareswar means the lord who eradicate = remover of fever) deity is considered as a very powerful deity. Patients with mental trouble may get relief from their mental problem by offering special offerings like 'abhisheaka' (sacred bath) to the Jvarahareswar with cooling items and offer cooked rice, black pepper, jeera, rasam, leaf vegetables etc with praying to the Lord with archana of Bilva dala (Bael leaves). The belief of the devotees is that by heartfelt prayer to the Jvarahareswara will relieve the patients of their diseases especially the fever.

How to reach Sangameswrar/jvarahareswar Temple

The temple is 16 km away from the Erode Railway Station. Nearest airports are Coimbatore and Trichy.

Bhavani Town is the nearest town from where and Erode Town plenty of buses are plying to this place.

Accommodation: Nearest place with accommodation is Erode and the hotels may of budget type hotels.

There are many other temples around Erode.

Tamilnad temples - Ulagalanda Perumal Koil, Singanallur

Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

Ulagalanda Perumal means the Perumal – Lord who measured the universe. The Whole earth was measured by one step and the sky was measured in another step. And for third step there was no place as promised by Mahabali to the Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana (Bachelor Brahmin). So to fulfill his promise Mahabali sat on the ground and request the Lord to keep the 3rd step on his head. The Lord Vishnu gave darsanam to Mahabali and kept his foot on the head of Mahabali and pushed him to the Patala Loka and made Mahabali the ruler of Patala and the lord himself served Mahabali there. Since he measured the world, he is known as Ulagu Alantha Perumal (Lord who measured the universe) and gave darsanam to the devotees as Ulagalanda (he who measured world) Perumal. The measuring of the world was supposed to have been done at Vedhapuri. The name Vedhapuri was later changed to Singanallur. It is said that this place was called as Vedhapuri originally as Vedas were chanted and taught here at ancient times.

Ulagalanda Perumal Idol

The idol in the sanctum sanctum is believed originally to be in the Ulagalanda Perumal temple of Kancheepuram of the Pallavas. It is said that the idol was looted by Tippu Sultan and the idol somehow changed hands and was later brought to the Vedhapuri and was kept in a temple built there. Some other opinion is that this bronze idol belongs to the Pandya period. This was brought to Vellalur and later from there it was brought to Singanallur for safety of the idol from the invasion of Kancheepuram. The idol worshiped here is a beautiful panchaloha one. This is supposed to be the oldest panchaloha icon in India. Some experts have expressed the opinion that the idol belongs to the 8th century as they feel that the idol was made in the fashion of that period. The deity is Thrivikrama (Lord Vishnu as Vamana in the posture of measuring the entire universe). The left leg of the lord is in the raised posture measuring the sky with 8 hands with holding weapons in each. There is no stone (granite) idol in this temple. There is another Panchaloha idol in the temple for festival purposes. This is the utsava murthy. There are Pancha Loha idols of Ramanujachariar, Chakrthazhvar, Andal and Anjaneya installed outside the sanctum on the left side when we face the Perumal in the temple. These must have been added recently by the archakar along with the names of the priests as the hereditary trustees.

Festivals of Ulagalanda Perumal temple

Brahmotsavam will be conducted every year in the month of Avani (around September of English calendar). The festival starts with the hoisting of the temple flag on the Vinayagar Chathurthy day. The festival is celebrated for 10 days. On the day of Vamana avathara which is on the Thiru Onam (Sravana star) day of Avani month, car festival (chariot procession) is taken out through the street. It is believed that this is the day Vamana in the form of Ulagalanda Perumal sent Mahabali to the Patala loka. Another day of grand celebration is on the Vaikunta Ekadasi day. On that day all the Vaishnav temples will specially decorate the main entrance to the inner praharam as Swarga Vaasal (door to heaven). There is a belief among the devotees that those who walk through this Swarga Vaasal on Ekadasi day will be taken to Vaikunta (Swarga – heaven) as and when the devotee dies. Another yearly festival is during the Navarathri (Dussera) days. Most of the day evenings Sahasranama Parayanam (recital of Sahasranamam – 1000 names f the Lord) will and every Sundays Bhajans are done by the devotees during 6 to 7.30 pm.

The daily rituals of the temple are taken care by the priest Sri Rajagopala Iyengar (0422 2595281) (a Vaishnava Iyengar Priest). According to him he is the 7th generation priest of the temple from his family.

There are several regular devotees visiting the temple everyday as a daily routine since 50 years. According to the locals residents one of the resident here is visiting the temple since the last 28 years. Another devotee is visiting the temple regularly from her age of three for the last 55 years.

Temple position

The temple and the sanctum sanctorum are facing the North. It is guarded by Garudalvar and Anjaneya (Hanuman). The temple opens at 6 am. Everyday there will be special poojas at 7 am and at 9 am. At 11 am the temple will be closed for the morning session. Again in the evening at 4.30 pm the temple will open for evening pooja. At 6 pm evening pooja is performed. Everyday Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted from 5 to 6 pm. Similarly the songs of Thiruoppanazhvar – Alamarathin elaimel Balaganai (the child on the peepal tree leaf), Thondan Vannanai are sung. The goddess of the temple in an adjacent shrine is Goddess Mahalakshmi and this idol is also facing north. The idol of the goddess is also made of panchaloha (a combination of 5 metals mixed and moulded) metal. The goddess shrine is a recent addition and everyday poojas are done along with the poojas of the Perumal.

Upa devathas (subsidiary deities)

Near to the South side entrance of the temple on the South West side there is a shrine for the Prasanna Maha Ganapathi. The shrine is under a Neem and Pipal tree. There is also a vahnni tree (Prosopis Spicigera) here. Which is the Sthala Vriksha (sacred trees of the temple) not known. Poojas supposed to be done to Lord Siva like Pradosha Poojai are offered to this Prasanna Maha Ganapathi. Poojas for special festivals of Ganapathi like Sangadahara Chadurthi are done regularly. Normally there will be Siva temple in all places. But in this place there is no Siva Temple. There is a belief that the Vedhapuri (present Singanallur) was a Vaishnava Sthala with Lord Vishnu as the presiding deity.

Age of the Temple

The temple of the Perumal is a very old one in the Singanallur suburb of Coimbatore City. Earlier it was an independent Agraharam village. The temple is several hundred years old. In fact the main road of Singanallur is known as the Koil (temple) street. The temple is at the South West end of the Agraharam and at the West end of the Koil Road. The Road branching from the Coimbatore – Trichy Highway goes by the side of the Singanallur Police Station towards Vellalur. The temple stands abutting this Road. The temple is a small one. Few years back a Raja Gopuram was consecrated. There appears to be some records suggesting that the temple was administered by a village committee. The original village people migrated to other places for jobs or other purposes. Except for few original dwellers, others are later settlers her. There is a granite stone with inscription of the names of the priests as the hereditary trustees have been fixed to the wall of the sanctum sanctorum. There seems to be a note of 1835 from the then Dy collector of Coimbatore to the effect that the Singanallur area was given as Inam Zamin (free land) by Karaikal Cholan. Incidentally it is the same Cholan who built the famous Pattiswarar Koil in Perur. That means that the Singanallur temple was in existence  much earlier to 1835 so as to warrant the gift from the Cholan.

During the year 2000 the temple was renovated. In 2005 the present 7 story Raja Gopuram was constructed and Kumbahishekam was performed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singanallur

As mentioned earlier Singanallur was a village known as Vedhapuri few years back. It was one of the two known Agraharam (Iyer Brahmins settlement) and the other being Perur. Perur Agraharam was having the settlement of Saivaites (followers of Lord Siva). The Singanallur Agraharam was that of Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu). Of course both group worship all gods and goddesses and there is not much difference. One difference is that the Saivaites will have the family deity of Siva. The followers of Siva smear vibhuthi (sacred ash) on the forehead, chest, upper arms etc. The Vaishnavites apply sandal paste. There is a reference about the Singanallur Agraharam in the Glossary of the Madras Presidency edited by one C. D. Maclean.

There is a big lake in Singanallur on the side of the Highway going from Coimbatore to Trichy. Singanallur is a suburb of Coimbatore city is 9 km. Buses are available from all parts of Coimbatore. Near to Railway station Bus route 1-c goes via Singanallur. There are many other routes from all parts of Coimbatore. Get down at Police Station bus stop. Cross the highway and go to the Agraharam Koil (temple) about half km.

Address

Ulagalanda Perumal Koil Agraharam, Koil Street, Singanallur, Coimbatore – 641 005 Tel No. 0422 2595281