Spiritual

Tirupperunthurai

Tirupperunthurai (also called the Athmanathaswamy temple) is located in Avudaiyarkoil village,near Aranthangi in the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu.

Main deity

It was built to honor Lord Shiva. One of the sacred books of Tamil Saiva Siddhanta, Manikkavasagar's Tiruvasakam, originated from this shrine.

History

Manikkavasagar is said to have converted the king to follow Shiva, and built the temple with money that had been intended for war-horses. The temple covers an area of over 10 acres (40,000 m2) with three enclosures and faces south, constructed so that the setting sun strikes the sanctum even though it is cloistered within three circumambulatory paths. The presiding deity is formless (Atmanatar); there is no Śivalingam but only a pedestal (Āvudayār) located in the sanctum, hence the name Avudayar Koil.The God faces South in this temple- in Dakshinamurthy or Guru form. His consort is worshipped as Śivayoganāyaki (Yogāmbāl) in iconless form. There is no Nandi bull icon as is conventional in almost all Shiva temples.

Nearest airport

Trichy

Brahmapureeswarar Temple

The Brahmapureeswarar Temple is located in Thirupattur near Trichy, Tamilnadu, India. Worshippers believe that a person can change his fate by seeking the blessings of Brahma and Brahmapureeswarar Shiva Temple, Tirupattur.

Main deity

Brahma and Lord Shiva

History

The god Brahma's overwhelming pride as the Creator of the Universe. Brahma felt that He was more prevailing than Shiva – since He had the supremacy of creation. This sense of pride provoked Shiva, who destroyed Brahma’s Fifth Head, and also cursed Him that He would lose His power of creation. To relieve himself of this curse, Brahma started out on a pilgrimage of Shiva Temples. During the course of His pilgrimage, Brahma also visited this temple and installed 12 Shiva Lingams around Brahmapureeswarar and worshipped Shiva here for a considerable time. Being moved by Brahma's prayers, Shiva, on Devi Parvathi’s appeal, gave him Darshan under the Magizha tree and liberated Him from His curse. Shiva also restored the power and responsibility of creation to Brahma. Shiva also blessed Brahma that He would have a separate shrine at this temple. He also advised Brahma that since Brahma himself had His destiny rewritten here; He should rewrite the destiny of His devotees visiting this temple.

Nearest airport

Trichy

Vekkali Amman Temple

Vekkali Amman Temple is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Vekkaali, a form of the goddess Kali. It is located in Woraiyur, a neighbourhood in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

Main deity

Goddess Vekkali Amman

History

The central shrine of the temple houses the image of Vekkali Amman and the major feature of the temple is the absence of roof over the sanctum. The roof over the sanctum was constructed during different times, but is believed to be burnt by the power of Vekkali Amman. The position of the leg of Vekkali Amman is different from other Shakti temples without roof where the right leg is placed over demon. As per Hindu legend, the position requires lot of energy and while Nataraja, during his dance switched his legs, Vekkali Amman remained in the position to show her energy levels. The posture is also believed to signify kindness, love, affection and compassion to her devotees. Historically, temples facing north, are considered to provide victories on endeavours. The Cholas worshipped the deity before proceeding to military campaign. The people of Woraiyur see Vekkali Amman as the saviour deity during difficult times.

Nearest airport

Trichy

Thennangur Panduranga Temple

Thennangur Panduranga Temple is located in the Thennangur village in the district of Tiruvannamalai in Kanchipuram. The town is also known as the birthplace of Goddess Meenakshi.

Main deity

Lord Panduranga And Rukmayee

History

The main idol of the temple was installed by Swami Haridas Giri which he had brought along with him from Pandharpur about 500 years ago. The striking temple also houses an idol of Achyutraja Perumal which is a rare find India. It is said that no temple in India has an idol of Achyutraja Perumal, making it a unique find in the country. The idols are grand and elegantly dressed with great enthusiasm and spirit in colourful clothes and beautiful jewellery. The sight of the beautifully decorated idols is a treat to the eyes. Many get mesmerised by the dazzling beauty of the idols and witness, not just the blessings of the Almighty, but also the magical vibe in the temple atmosphere.

Nearest airport

Chennai

Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple

Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple (also called Thirukozhi or Nachiyar Koil) in Uraiyur, a suburb in Tiruchirappalli

Main deity

Lord Vishnu Azhagiya Manavala Perumal & Kamalavalli nachiyar

History

Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Azhagiya Manavalan and his consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli. Azhagiya Manavalan is believed to have appeared to Kamalavalli, the daughter of Chola king Nanda Cholan, in this place to marry her. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and bodies of water. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower.

Nearest airport

Trichy