Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam, Villupuram

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam, Villupuram

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Alagramam near Thindivanam Town in Thindivanam Taluk in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. Presiding Deity is called as Yama Dhandeeswarar and Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. The Temple is believed to be around 1500 years old and built by Pallavas. The Temple is situated on northern banks of Thondi River.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://lesser-known-temples-in-tamil-nadu.blogspot.com/2021/07/yama-dhandeeswarar-temple-alagramam-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://lesser-known-temples-in-tamil-nadu.blogspot.com/2021/07/yama-dhandeeswarar-temple-alagramam-temple.html

Festivals

Lord Shiva gave boon to Sage Markandeya to be ever youthful in Magam Star day in Chithirai Month. This event is celebrated in this temple. Monthly Pradoshams, Somavara Pooja, Maha Shivaratri and other Lord Shiva related festivals are celebrated here.

Prayers

This temple is considered as the best place for conducting marriages, Shastiapthapoorthi, Bheemaratha Santhi, Sathabishegam and Mrityunjaya Homam. This temple is also considered as Parihara Sthalam for Kala Sarpa Doshas.

Contact

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple,

Alagramam, Thindivanam Taluk,

Villupuram District – 604 302

Mobile: +91 97870 83707

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Mailam Railway Station, 4.5 Kms from Kutteripattu Junction Bus Stop, 13 Kms from Thindivanam Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Thindivanam, 14 Kms from Thindivanam Railway Station, 33 Kms from Villupuram, 39 Kms from Puducherry and 121 Kms from Chennai Airport. The temple is located at about 4 Kms from Kootteripattu junction on Thindivanam – Villupuram Road.

Location | Photos

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – The Temple

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Yama Dhandeeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Linga is housed in a square Avudaiyar.

Mother is called as Thirupurasundari. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam. She is about 6 feet high. She is in standing posture and having four hands. Two hands hold Neelotpala and Lotus flowers and other two hands show Varada and Abhaya Hastha. She seems to appear differently on different days.

There is a small underground room in Mother shrine. The room has not yet been opened till date. There is a unique Lakulisa image holding the club can be seen before Mother Shrine. There is another Lakulisa image holding the weapon can be seen in southern prakaram. There is a Jeeva Samadhi of an unknown Siddhar in the temple premises.

The Vinayaga idol in this Temple is said to be the oldest Vinayaga Idol in Tamil Nadu. The idol was hidden beneath the ground near sanctum and it was found during renovation works. The idol measures 75 cms in height and 40 cms in width. His right hand holds a stick and the left hand with a broken tusk. He worn anklets on the legs.

The Vattezhuthu inscription found at the base of the idol preceded the inscription found at Pillaiyarpatti Cave Temple in Sivaganga District. There is a sculpture of Lord Vishnu carved on a stone tablet situated on western side of the temple premises. This stone tablet is about 4.5 feet height and 2.5 feet long. This stone tablet belongs to Pallava Period.

There are shrines for Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi, Chitragupta, Vinayaga, Murugan and Nataraja in the temple premises. There is no Navagraha Shrine in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Yama Theertham.

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – Legends

Yama Dhandeeswarar Temple, Alagramam – Legends

As per legend, Mrikandu Rishi and his wife Marudmati were both devotees of Lord Shiva and worshiped him day and night for many years, asking to be graced with a child. After many years of penance, Lord Shiva appeared to Mrikandu and Marudmati. He told them that he heard their prayers and would give them a choice. They could either have a gifted son who would live to be only sixteen, or a son of low intelligence who would live a long life. Mrikandu and Marudmati chose the former and were blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of sixteen.

As Markandeya grew, so did his devotion to Lord Shiva. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped the Shiva Lingam at Thirukkadaiyur, even bringing water from the Ganges to the temple via an underground passage. On the day he was destined to die, Yama, the deity of death, appeared with his noose to tie around the soul of Markandeya and take it with him. Markandeya sought refuge in the temple and embraced the Shiva Lingam. Shiva appeared and warned Yama not to touch Markandeya, as he was under his protection.

Yama refused to listen and threw the noose anyway, binding Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by Yama's extraordinary arrogance, Lord Shiva kicked him and held him under his foot, making Yama inactive. Markandeya was blessed by Shiva to remain sixteen years old eternally. Lord Shiva came to be called as Kalasamhara (destroyer of time) at this temple. Meanwhile, with Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth, but people were still being born.

Burdened by the weight of so many people and unable to sustain their hunger, the earth goddess, Bhumi Devi, appealed to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva, feeling compassionate for the earth-goddess, released Yama, allowing death to occur again. However, in order to remind Yama never to try to kill someone while they are worshiping Lord Shiva again. Since it is believed that Lord Siva subdued Yama in Thirukkadaiyur, the Lord is called Mrityunjaya (Conqueror of Death or Victorious over Death).

Though Yama was released, he was afflicted with sin for throwing noose around Lingam. Lord Yama went on pilgrimage to various Shiva temples to get rid of this sin. Finally, he reached Alagramam and performed penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and said his sin would get relieved if Yama takes bath in River Ganga. Having said so, Lord Shiva brought River Ganga to this temple with his divine power. Hence, Lord Shiva came to  be called as Yama Dhandeeswarar. It is said that Lord Yama is under the water in the temple pond. Hence, strange sound of somebody breathing in and out from inside water can be heard inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Pattabi Ramar Temple, Mathi Krishnapuram, Puducherry

Pattabi Ramar Temple, Mathi Krishnapuram, Puducherry

Pattabi Ramar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Mathi Krishnapuram near Mullodai in Bahour Commune in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. Mathi Krishnapuram is popularly called as Krishnavaram. This Temple is one of the famous Vaishnavite Temple, probably oldest Vaishnavite Temple in Puducherry Region.

Legends

There was a historical incident between the construction of this Temple. A King was ruling the surrounding areas with capital at Devanampattinam in present day Cuddalore District . He decided to build a fort at his capital. He informed his plan to his minister Krishnan. He sourced the rocks from Thiruvakkarai Hills. Vehicles carrying the rocks would pass through Mathi Krishnapuram.

Mathi Krishnapuram was abound with lakes and natural scenery, people used to take a break at this beautiful village. Krishnan used to supervise the works. While he was taking rest in Mathi Krishnapuram, he fell asleep. Lord Rama with Seetha Devi in Pattabhisheka Posture appeared in his dreams and blessed him. Krishnan decided to build a temple for Lord Rama in this place.

To realize his wish, he instructed the workers carrying the rocks to Devanampattinam should drop one rock in this village towards the construction of Rama Temple. He built this Temple with these stones. He informed about this Temple to the King and requested to grace the Kumbabhishekam of this Temple. Acceding to his request, he participated in the consecration ceremony and named this village after his minister. Hence, the village came to be called as Mathi Krishnapuram.

History

The Temple is believed to be built in 15^th Century AD. The last consecration ceremony took place on 04.06.2015.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west with an entrance arch. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. The Mukha Mandapam connects the Ardha Mandapam with the entrance arch. Dwajastambam and Balipeedam can be found in the Mukha mandapam facing the sanctum. There is a shrine for Chakrattazhvar immediately after the entrance on the left side in the Mukha Mandapam.

There are ten pillars in the Mukha Mandapam. Each pillar is having a beautiful stucco image of Dasavatharam (Hayagriva, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Narasimha, Parasurama, Rama, Krishna and Balarama Avatharams). Stucco images representing scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vaikunda and Vaishnavism can be seen on the upper side of the walls in the Mukha Mandapam.

Presiding Deity is Pattabi Ramar. He is gracing the devotees along with Seetha Devi, Lakshmana and Hanuman from the sanctum. He is in sitting posture facing west. He is depicted in his coronation form. Utsava Idol of this Temple is Sarangapani with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Garudazhwar Shrine, The Vimanam over the sanctum is about 37 feet high.

There are shrines and idols of Thumbikai Azhwar, Vishnu Durga, Vishwakasena, Nammazhvar, Ramanuja and Alavandar in the Temple premises. Theertham associated with this Temple is Sri Rama Thirukulam. It is located outside the temple premises. It covers an area of about 5 acres.

There are ruins of old pillars can be seen at the back of the sanctum. This temple also has 27 feet tall temple chariot. There is another small Rama Temple situated at about 200 meters from this Temple. The pillars found at the entrance of this temple seems to be ancient. This Temple is situated at about 200 meters from Pattabi Ramar Temple.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Festivals

10 Days Chithirai festival, Theppam Festival, Parivettai, Vaikunda Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Uriyadi Utsavam, Masi Magam and Aatru Tiruvizha are the festivals celebrated here with much fanfare.

Prayers

People pray to Lord to get rid of family problems, for child boon, to get relief from debts and to get rid of enemies.

Contact

Pattabi Ramar Temple,

Mathi Krishnapuram,

Bahour Commune,

Puducherry – 605 106

Mobile: +91 99940 46109

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Mullodai Bus Stop, 1 Km from Kanniyakoil, 6.5 Kms from Cuddalore, 6.5 Kms from Cuddalore Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Cuddalore Port Junction Railway Station, 13 Kms from Ariyankuppam, 18 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 21 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 162 Kms from Chennai Airport and 172 Kms from Chennai.

The Temple is situated on Pondicherry to Cuddalore Bus Route. Devotees can get down at Mullodai Bus Stop. All the buses plying between Pondicherry and Cuddalore will stop at this Bus Stop. The Temple is located at about ½ Km from this Bus Stop. Devotees can reach this temple by walk. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this Temple from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Location | Photos

Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur, Thanjavur

Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur, Thanjavur

Veetrirundha Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Veppathur Village in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is built on top of an older brick temple some of whose remains have survived. The remains constitute one of the two surviving Hindu temples of the pre-Pallava period, the other being the Subrahmanya temple at Saluvankuppam, and one of the oldest ones in Tamil Nadu. Veppathur is situated between River Cauvery and Pazhavaru River.

Legends

It is said that Lord Rama, on his travel in the jungle to locate the whereabouts of Sita took rest in this place with Neela Devi and Bhooma Devi offering solace with a palm fan.  Thus, in this ancient temple, Veetrirundha Perumal offers darshan with the two consorts, Neela Devi and Bhooma Devi on either side.

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://lesser-known-temples-in-tamil-nadu.blogspot.com/2021/06/veetrirundha-perumal-temple-veppathur-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://lesser-known-temples-in-tamil-nadu.blogspot.com/2021/06/veetrirundha-perumal-temple-veppathur-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Veppathur, 1.5 Kms from Thiruvisanallur, 4 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 6 Kms from Thirumangalakudi, 6 Kms from Thiruvidaimarudur Railway Station, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 49 Kms from Thanjavur and 103 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Kallanai to Poompuhar Route.

Location | Photos

Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur – The Temple

Veetrirundha Perumal Temple, Veppathur – The Temple

The temple is built on top of an older brick temple some of whose remains have survived. The remains constitute one of the two surviving Hindu temples of the pre Pallava period, the other being the Subrahmanya Temple at Saluvankuppam, and one of the oldest ones in Tamil Nadu. The Temple was under renovation.

The Sanctum houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in a commanding sitting posture. He is flanked by his consorts, Neela Devi and Booma Devi on either side. It is said that the upper tiers must have housed the idols of Lord Vishnu in reclining and standing postures but the whereabouts of these idols are unknown at present.

The vimana over the sanctum was rebuilt and is about 90 feet high. It is constructed with brick bound by clay mortar. The vimana is of five tiers, in dravidian style with a pyramid shape. The mandapam in the first floor carries frescoes traceable to the Pallava period around 850 AD. The frescoes of the Chola period were painted over the Pallava murals during the rule of Rajaraja Chola 1.

The temple was renovated in 1520 CE during the rule of Krishnadevaraya and fresh murals were drawn over the Chola frescoes. It is extraordinary that this is the only temple in south India that has murals of three dynasties – the Pallava, the Chola and the Vijayanagara. The Murals and frescos are mostly dilapidated. ASI unearthed stone carvings and rare articles which are said to have been in use more than 5000 years back.