Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) Continuation

Temple 6 - 11th July, 2026

Erumbeeswarar Temple in Thiruverumbur, Trichy

is temple dedicated to the deity Shiva. Built on a 60-foot (18 m) tall hill, it is accessible via a flight of steps. The temple's main shrines and its two prakarams (outer courtyards) are on top of the hill, while a hall and the temple tank are located at the foothills. Shiva is believed to have transformed himself into an ant hill and tilted his head at this place to enable ants to climb up and worship him. Erumbeeswarar is revered in the canonical 7th-century Tamil Saiva work the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The Consort of Sri Erumbeeswarar is known here as Sri Saurabhya Kudalaambal or Goddess Narunkuzhal Nayaki and She is seen in a separate Shrine.

The temple is one in a series built by Aditya Chola (871-907 CE) along the banks of river Cauvery, to commemorate his victory in the Tirupurambiyam Battle. It has several inscriptions from the Chola Empire dating back to the 10th century. The temple has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India and is locally referred as "Kailash of South India". The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm, and three yearly festivals in its calendar. The annual Brahmotsavam (prime festival) is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near. Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Erumbeeswarar by circumambulating the hill barefoot in a practice called girivalam. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

According to Hindu legend, there lived a demon (asura) Tharukasuran, who conquered Prithvi (earth) and Svarga (heaven). Indra, the leader of celestial deities and other gods suffered at the hands of Tharukasuran and sought the help of the creator-god Brahma, who asked them to worship Shiva in Thiruverumbur. In order to deceive Tharukasuran, the devas transformed into ants and reached the temple. Since the surface of the lingam (aniconic form of Shiva) was slippery, the ants found it difficult to climb up and worship. Shiva transformed himself into an ant hill and slid his head, which enabled the ants to climb and worship. Hence the name Erumbeeswarar is derived from Erumbu meaning ant and Easwaran referring to Shiva. This is one of the three places where Shiva slid his head for his worshippers, the other two being the temples at Virinjipuram and Thiruppanandal. The temple is also referred as Rathinakoodam, Thirverumbipuram, Erumbeesam, Brahmapuram, Laskhmipuram, Madhuvanam, Rathnakoodapuram, Manikoodapuram and Kumarapuram in various religious literature. The temple is locally called as Kailash (the abode of Shiva) of South India.

History

Erumbeeswarar temple in its current form was built by the Chola king Aditya I (871-907 CE). Aditya won a battle in Tirupurambiyam and to commemorate the victory, he built a series of temples along the banks of the river Cauvery. The temple has 49 inscriptions from the Chola period (850-1280 CE). The inscriptions numbered 101, 104, 105, 127, 130 and 133 of 1914 are believed to be inscribed during the 5th to 7th year of the reign of Aditya and hence believed to be between 882 and 885 CE. Another set of inscriptions from the Sundara Chola (957-970 CE) period indicate gift of land to maintain four signs of Tirupadigam.[8] One another inscription indicates the donation of ten kalanchu (a measure) of gold to the deity by a temple woman in the year 875 CE. A king by name Siruthavur Sembian Veithi Velan from Kiliyurnadu is believed to have constructed the vimana (structure over the sanctum).[5] The temple was the only temple that Malik Kafur (1296-1316 CE) could not conquer in 1311 CE, during his South Indian expedition.[2] The temple is a declared monument of the Archaeological Survey of India on account of the inscriptions in the temple. During the war between British and French during 1752, the temple acted as an infantry for the French troops. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Sri Erumbeeswarar Temple (Erambu Easwaran Temple) in Tiruverumbur, Trichy, can be reached at phone numbers +91-431-2510241 or +91-9842957568. The temple is located on the Trichy-Thanjavur Highway, Tiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620013, and is open daily from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) Continuation

Temple 5 - 11th July, 2026

The Sri Purushothama Perumal Temple,

widely known as Uthamar Kovil or Pichandar Kovil, is a famous 108 Divya Desam temple located in Uthamarkoil village, about 14 km from the Trichy central bus station.

The Trimurti Presence: This unique temple houses separate shrines for the Hindu Trimurti—Lord Vishnu (Purushothama Perumal), Lord Shiva (Bhikshadanar), and Lord Brahma—along with their respective consorts (Lakshmi, Parvati, and Saraswati) in one complex.

The legend is that, Lord Shiva was cursed for the sin of cutting one of Lord Brahma’s heads, and to get relieved from the sin he had to beg for food in Kabaalam (something like grail). The sin of Lord Shiva was partially released when he worshipped Lord Vishnu at Bhikshadana. And Lord Shiva fully relieved from his sin when he worshipped Lord Vishnu at Thirukandiyur when taking a holy dip in the temple tank. The Kabaalam got filled by Goddess Lakshmi at Thirukandiyur and so, in Purushothaman Temple Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma have separate Sannadhi and hence called as Mummoorthigal.

The other deities found in this Uthamar Kovil are Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Lord Nandheeswarar (the vehicle of Lord Shiva) and the idols of Navagrahas (the nine planets). As per the Tamil literature, Sri Purushothaman Perumal Temple (Uthamar Kovil) is said to be glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. This is one of the temple where six separate holy shrines of Gods with their consort Goddesses are worshipped in a single temple complex.

• Location: Trichy-Salem Main Road (near No. 1 Tollgate / Manachanallur), Bikshandarkoil, Tamil Nadu.

• Timings: Generally open from 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM daily.

• Distance from Srirangam: Roughly 5 to 6 km north of the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.

Contact Nos: 0431-2591351 and 0431-2591405

(to be continued ...)

 Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) Continuation

Temple 4 -11th July 2026

The Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple,

located at Thiruppaingneeli (often written as Thirupanjali) in Mannachanallur Taluk of Tiruchirappalli is one among the most-visited Hindu temples in the region. This antique Hindu temple is one among the 275 Paadal Petra Sivasthalangal and Lord Shiva here offers his blessings in the name of Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar. Thirupanjali Shiva Temple is just 25 km away from the city center of Trichy, 5 km away from the notable Thiruvellarai Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple. The temple is easily accessible from Manachanallur as mini-buses are operated at regular intervals.

Let's get to know more about the significance of the Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple in detail.

This is temple is popularly called as 'South Kailash' and 'Melai Chidambaram' by the devotees of Lord Shiva. This holy abode of Lord Shiva is intricately glorified by the Saiva poet-saints Thirugyana Sambandar, Appar Tirunavukkarasar Nayanar and Sundarar in their divine literary compositions. The Thirupanjali Temple is the 61st sivalayam, situated on the southerly bank of River Cauvery that is named in the Saiva devotional verse of Tevaram. Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar (Lord Shiva), the presiding deity of this temple is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested) deity and is called by several names which include

• Gneelivaneswarar (most common name)

• Paramasambu

• Aaraniya Vallaver

• Kathali Vasanthar

• Eluthariya Peruman

• Sorudiya Eswarar

Legend has it that Lord Shiva defeated Yamadharman (Lord of Death) in Thirukadaiyur (Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu), in order to rescue the distinguished rishi Markandeya, from the grip of death. As the 'lord of death' Yamadharma himself lifeless, people were not subjected to death and the world turned overly populated. People stopped going to temple and poojas were stopped all over. Goddess Bhumadevi (Mother Earth) could not endure the burden of the Earth, which is full of immortal population.

On the other hand, the Thirupanjali Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar Temple was functioning as was common and daily poojas were not discontinued at all. Hence, Goddess Bhumadevi along with the creator and protector of the universe, Lord Brahma and Lord Mahavishnu and several other devotees of Lord Shiva visited Thirupanjali temple. They pleaded Lord Shiva to give rebirth to Yamadharma. Their prayers were answered that Lord Shiva offered a new birth to Yamadharma on the day of Thaipoosam, through 'pilathuvaram'.

There are several others who received blessings of Lord Shiva in this temple, who include Lord Indra (King of the Gods), Kamadhenu aka Surabhi (Mother of Cows), Sheshanaga aka Adishesha (King of all Nagas), Lord Vayu Deva (Lord of the Winds), Lord Agni (god of Fire), Lord Rama, Arjuna (3rd of the Pandava Brothers), Saint-poet Appar, Sage Vashishta, Soothamamunivar and so on. The main temple tower (rajagopuram) of this temple was constructed by the Pandyan king Sundara Pandyan and the tower is not completed fully.

The second tower is called as the 'Ravana Vayil' and just before the entrance is the rare shrine of Yamadharma. The lord of death is in the form of a child as he got his new birth here. The Yamadharma sannadhi is in a cave under the ground level. Devotees offer special poojas to Yamadharma, seeking longevity. Another small sannadhi of Lord Shiva is located close to the second temple tower and the deity here is called as Sorudiya Eswarar. Another unique feature of this temple is that there is no separate shrine for Navagrahas is found. The nine steps leading from the second temple tower are regarded as the Navagrahas that were at the dictation of Ravana.

The primary deity of Gneelivaneswarar (Lord Shiva) offers his blessings in the sanctum sanctorum and there are two separate sannadhis present for goddesses, Arulmigu Visalakshi Amman and Arulmigu Neela Nedunkann Amman. There is a separate sannadhi for Ravanan is also present in this temple.

Presiding Deity (Moolavar): Arulmigu Gneelivaneswarar

Goddess (Amman/Thayar): Visalakshi, Neelnedungannayaki

Temple Tree (Sthala Virutcham): Kalvazhai (Plantain tree)

Temple Tanks (Theertham): Visalakshi, Yama, Kalyana, Agni, Deva, Appar and Maniankarunai

Agamam (Pooja): Kameekam

Vimanam (Tower above Sanctum Sanctorum): Badra Vimanam

Name of the Vinayagar in this Temple: Vasantha Vinyagar

Location and Contact Information:

Arulmigu Gneeliwaneswarar Temple

Thiruppaingneeli (Po), Mannachanallur Taluk, Thiruchirapalli Dist, Tamil Nadu

Pin Code - 621005

Phone Number: 0431-2902654/2902655

Email: eothiruppaingneeli@gmail.com

Transport Information:

Nearest Bus Stand:

Chatram Bus Stand, Trichy - 17.9 km

(via MDR823, SH 62 and Salem - Namakkal - Trichy Road/Trichy Chennai Trunk Road)

Nearest Airport:

Tiruchirapalli International Airport - 28.1 km

Nearest Railway Station:

Srirangam Raiway Station

Temple Timings:

6 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM

Parihara Timings:

8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 5:30 PM

 Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) Continution

Temple No. 3 -

11th July, 2026

Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple

(also called Thirukozhi or Nachiyar Koil) in Uraiyur, a suburb Tiruchirappalli in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu God Azhagiya Manavalan (Vishnu) and Goddess Kamalavalli (Lakshmi). It is one of the 108 Divya desam dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana.

As per Hindu legend, the god Vishnu was pleased by the worship of the childless Chola king Nanda Chola. He blessed the king with a child that was an incarnate of Lakshmi, his consort. The king found the child in a 1000 petal lotus tank while hunting in a forest. Since the child was born out of lotus, she was named Kamalavalli by the king. Time came when Kamalavalli fell in love with Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha, the presiding deity of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The Chola king readily got her married to Ranganatha, who appeared here as the groom. Since Vishnu appeared as Azhagiya Manavalan, meaning a beautiful groom, the temple built here is called Azhagiya Manavalan Temple.[1][2] The event is celebrated as Serthi Sevai festival every year

The temple is believed to be in existence much before the 7th century. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. An Executive officer appointed by the Board manages the temple along with Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple, Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple at Thiruvellarai, Sri Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple and Mariamman Temple at Anbil. Annadhanam scheme, which provides free food to devotees, is implemented in the temple by the Board. Under the scheme, free food is offered to hundred devotees every day in the temple and the expenditure is fully funded by the contributions from devotees.

As per Hindu legend, the god Vishnu was pleased by the worship of the childless Chola king Nanda Chola. He blessed the king with a child that was an incarnate of Lakshmi, his consort. The king found the child in a 1000 petal lotus tank while hunting in a forest. Since the child was born out of lotus, she was named Kamalavalli by the king. Time came when Kamalavalli fell in love with Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha, the presiding deity of Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The Chola king readily got her married to Ranganatha, who appeared here as the groom. Since Vishnu appeared as Azhagiya Manavalan, meaning a beautiful groom, the temple built here is called Azhagiya Manavalan Temple. The event is celebrated as Serthi Sevai festival every year.

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Azhagiya Manavalan and Kamalavalli. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.

Daily Darshan Timings

• Morning: 6:00 AM – 12:45 PM

• Evening: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM [1]

Address: Nachiyar Kovil Sannathi Street, Woraiyur, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

Schedule Match: The temple typically coordinates its opening and closing times with the nearby Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple. Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak heat and local street congestion.

Contact No. +91-431-2762446 and +91-9443188716.

Photo (1) is the current temple and Photo (2) when it was built in 7th Century (old structure).

See less

 Kshetradanam (Temple Visits) - Continuation

Temple No. 2 - 11-7-2026

Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswari Temples, Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy -One of the Padal Petra Temples.

From Adhimooleswar Temple, we proceeded to Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval which is a Siva Temple in Tiruchirapalli. It is one of the five major shiva temples in Tamil Nadu representing the five elements; this temple represents the element of water. In this temple Siva is worshipped as Jambukeshwarar and his consort Parvat as Akilandeswari.

Once Parvati mocked Siva’s penance for betterment of the world. Siva wanted to condemn her act and directed her to go to the earth from Kailasa to do penance. Parvathi in the form of Akilandesari as per Siva’s wish found Jambu forest to conduct her penance. She made a lingam out of water of river cauvery under the Venn Naaval tree and commenced her worship. The lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water lingam), Siva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her siva gnana. Akilandeswari took upadesa(lessons) facing East from Siva who stood facing West. The Siva lingam is in the water.

Behind Siva’s temple there is a temple for Akilandeswari. Following the legend, a priest performs the pooja every day. It is believed that saint Adi Shankara offered ear rings with a Sri Yatra carving on it to goddess. Akhilandeshwari worshipped her husband Lord Siva in this temple, even today at noon the ‘Archakar” (chief priest) dresses like a female and does puja to Jambukeshwarar and cow. The noon pooja is very famous and a host of pilgrims attend it every day. A special variety of black cow, called Karum Pasu is used for occasion. Annabhishekam to lingam (ablution with cooked rice) is daily ritual performed in the temple.

The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu

The timings are 530 am to 1.00 pm and 3.00pm to 8.30pm (upto 9 pm on certain days).

Distance from Adhimooleswar Temple to this temple is 10 kms, even from City is also 10 kms.

Picture: Gopuram of Jambukeswarar, Trichy

 Kshetradanam (Temple Visits)

Happy Travel days are here!

This is the first travel of mine during this year. During the first quarter I was busy in disposing off my flat in Mumbai and in second quarter due to health reasons I could not travel. However in this quarter my friend Moorthy (he moved to Hyderabad from Coimbatore) decided to start our travel and we planned to visit Padal Petra and Divyam Desham temples in and around Trichy plus nearby temples. Hence we reached Trichy on 10th night at Trichy and checked in at Hotel Royal JT (Contact +91 431 246 0455) is a very decent hotel without a restaurant and the tariff is Rs. 2000 inclusive of all taxes. This hotel is located close to Trichy Rail Junction. There are several good restaurants in and around this hotel. Hence non-availability of a restaurant is not an issue.

Our plan was to visit around 14 Padal Petra and 6 Divya Desam temples in four days. All these temples are situated in and around 30 to 40 kms of Trichy city.

First day (11-7-2026)

Exactly at 6 am our driver Ramesh reported in the hotel to start our Kshetradanam trip.

First we decided to visit Adhimooleswar Temple, one of the Padal Petra temples, which is in Thirupalathurai and 19 kms from our hotel. This temple is a Syambu ( self-born) sthalam.

Legend

This temple is revered in the 7th century and has several inscriptions dating back to the Chola period. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The annual Brahmotsavam (prime festival) is attended by many pilgrims. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

As per Hindu legend, a Chola king was chasing a bird, on a hunting expedition in the region. The bird hid inside a bush. The king shot an arrow, towards the bush. Instead of the bird, he found an ant hill, oozing milk when the arrow hit. The frightened king returned to his palace. That night, the god Shiva appeared in the king's dream and informed about his divine presence in the anthill. Consequently, the king established a temple in the place of the anthill.

Temple Timings:

7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The temple hosts six daily rituals (poojas) starting from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

Contact details: +91 431 246 0455.

Photo of the gopuram of this temple is attached.

(To be continued)

Tulja Bhavani temple, Ranu

Tulja Bhavani temple is most popular temple which is situated in small village Ranu near Vadodra Gujarat.The temple is about 700 years old.The statue/ idol was found by one saint. The present mahant offered us food and it was blessing of mother. She is the family goddess worshipped by the Maharaja Gaikwad of Vadodara.During Navratri days, the idol of Tulja Mataji are decorated with precious diamonds & rare jewelry given by Maharaja Malharrao Gaekwad, 150 years ago. After the festival is over, the diamonds & jewelry are kept in locker in Padra.Tulja Mataji are kuldevi of the royal Gaekwad family. The family members still come here to seek the blessings on 8th day of Chaitra Navratri & Aaso Navratri.

Mahant Kavindragiri, the care taker of temple says that 700 years ago Brahmshree Vishwambhar Giriji Maharaj came to Ranu village for worshipping Mataji & to serve the people. From blessings of mataji, they lit an diya near a small temple there. At back side of temple, they dug a small place called Mansarovar, where they found statue of Mataji, which is the idol of Shri Tulja Mataji, now installed in the Temple. One can also see 700 year old diya till lit up inside the temple.

People from Gujarat, Maharashtra,Orissa, Kerala & from abroad come here to seek blessings from Mataji. During 8th day of Aaso Navratri & Chaitra Navratri, Havan is done for peace & prosperity of people & earth