Sri Veda Narayana Perumal, Nagalapuram

ஸ்ரீ வேத நாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், நாகலாபுரம்
Many time we travel to Tirupati via Uthukottai, but very few will have a break at Nagalapuram to visit this Temple. ( I Never had  it) But recently we exclusively planned to visit this temple, combined with Surutupalli and Thiruvallur. (3 Temples 1. Sri Veda Narayana Perumal,2. Sri Palli Kondeshwara
Swami (Lord Siva), 3. Sri Veeraraghava Perumal)

Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple is located in Nagalapuram, 70 km south-east of Tirupati. and approx 90 KM from Chennai. Via Uthukottai.

It is believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, killed the rakshasa (demon) Somakudu here, and retrieved the Vedas from the latter. The presiding deity is Sri Veda Narayana Perumal. This temple is called Mathsya Avataara Sthalam as Lord here is seen in Mathsya Avatar, which is the first and foremost avatar (incarnation) among 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu.

The sanctum sanctorium houses an image of the Matsya form of Vishnu, with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. A peculiar feature of the idol is that it holds the Sudarsana Chakra in prayoga (ready for release).

The temple was constructed by Sri Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijayanagara emperor, and is a fine specimen of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.

The temple spread on a very vast area has grand Gopurams and huge prakaarams. This temple is wonderfully maintained by Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam with beautiful gardens along the prakaarams.

The rarity of this temple is the Surya Pooja which happens annually during the temple’s Brahmotsavam on Sukla Dwadasi, Trayodasi and Chathurdasi days of Tamil month Panguni which is approximately around last week of every March.

On the above 3 days one can witness the Sun’s rays from the horizon, entering the sanctum and falling at the Lord’s Feet on the first day, Naabhi (Navel) on the second day and Forehead on the third day, during the sunset, as the Lord here is facing towards west.

All this happens not from the ceiling or any opening in the temple, but from the entrance of the temple. The deity is about 600 meters from the main Gopuram entrance and the Sun’s rays have to pass through such a distance to fall directly on the deity.

This miracle never happens again throughout the year except these 3 days.



Main Gopuram



Also it is still not understood whether it is the architectural or astronomical brilliance by our ancestors, as this has been happening for ages from now.

This event signifies Sun God’s (Surya) Seva to the Lord to warm up his chilled body, as the Lord has been under water for many years during his war against Somukasura.

 Large numbers of people throng this temple to witness this rare event.

Inside Praharam



with my relatives



Kalayar Koil ( Arulmugi Swarnakaleeshwarar )

 

Many times, the God will make us to visit to the temple (though it's not in our itinerary) I had that oppourtunity to visit this giagantic temple at Kalayar Koil.  Its not a planned visit and i never know about this temple. One of my friend Mr. Hanife from Madurai travelling to his sisters house at Thamaraki a village near Devakottail. Fortunately i was also with him. While travelling he told so many interesting things about Karaikudi, Devekottai, etc.. during the discussion, he told about Kalayar temple and while retrun from his sister house, he took me to this temple. Ah...... After seeing the front Gopuram... astonished ... huge gopuram... tall, gigantic temple gopuram, is visible even as we enter the small hamlet.

The Swarna Kaleeswarar temple was built by Muthu Vaduga Thevar who died in the patriotic war against the British at this very place, Kalaiyar Kovil. His generals were the famous Maruthu Brothers who also died then. The temple lives on in their memory. A huge sprawling campus it epitomizes, everything that South Indian Temples stand for i. e. Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. The Wisdom of the Kings who built them, The strength of the structures themselves which have stood the test of time and lastly the beauty of the carvings and intricate detail that has been brought out in the wall frescoes and pillar decorations.

The Theppa Kulam at Kalaiyarkovil is huge and full of water!

One only wishes that these symbols of our ancient glory were preserved well instead of being allowed to become dust through sheer neglect and insensitivity!
En route to Kalaiyar Kovil is Nattarasankottai where the author of the Tamil version of Ramayan, Kambar was laid to rest. The Kannathal temple is also at Nattarasankottai.

Pillayarpatti Temple

Pillayarpatti Temple : பிள்ளையார்பட்டி To be very frank i never know about this temple untill i listen the song of Ajith Movie (பிள்ளையார்பட்டி ஹீரோ கணேசா) Please dont laugh at me or dont look at me stingy... I am just sharing my experience

My first visit to this temple in the year 1999 01 January. You know very well its New Year Early Morning the temple was flooded with people, very long queues, and one of my friend father was a DSP in Karaikudi, so with his help I had a darshan without any hassle. Wow.. It was a great vibration while seeing karapaga vinayagar at Pillayarpatti.The விபூதி அபிஷேகம் to கற்பக விநாயகர் was the best part

Pillayar Name in this shrine is Karpaga Vinayagar ! We can say its a Cave Temple located close to Karaikudi 12 KM away from Karaikudi City.

The only temple in Tamil Nadu that holds the pride of having a 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide idol of lord karpaga vinayaka is Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar Temple located at pillayarpatti . The idol of lord ganesh at pillayarpati is carved out of a rock by a sculptor named Ekkattur Koon Peruparanan has done who has put his signature on a stone inscription that is found even today in the sanctum.

The idol of lord Vinayaka here is very different from other idols of vinayaga .The Speciality of lord karpaga vinayaga idol here is he appears with two hands unlike others with 4 hands, with his legs folded and the trunk (thumbikai) curled towards his right in the valamburi mode and hence also called as valumburi vinayagar Karpaka Vinayagar here is with two hands (unlike other vinayaga idols with 4 hand)with his legs folded and the trunk (thumbikai) curled towards his right in the valamburi mode and hence also called as valumburi vinayagar .

The other special feaure of vinayaka’s idol here is his left hand rests on the waist while the right hand holds a sivalinga and Lord Vinayaka here faces north which is said to be direction of Kubera (God of Wealth) .

 History : There are several inscriptions within this temple that date back to the period between 1091 AD and 1238 AD, making it apparent that the Pillayarpatti Nagarattar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century AD during the second growth phase of this temple, when Vimanams and Rajagopurams were built.

The third phase of growth is much more recent and it involved the repair, rebuilding and refurbishment of the entire temple complex, including the renovation of the temple tank. The tank and the two Raja Gopurams provide an attractive approach to the temple, in this rather remote town of Pillayarpatti.

Karaikudi -13 kms

Madurai to Pillayarpatti - 70 Kms

Trichy - 100 Kms

chennai to pillayarpatti - 386 kms

My recent visit to Pillayarpatti with my friend

 

பிள்ளையார்பட்டி அருகே குன்றக்குடி மற்றும் வைரவர் கோயில் உள்ளது. மறக்காமல் சென்று வரவும் .
நன்றி வெங்கடேஷ்