Sri Palaivananadha Swamy temple

On the Kumbakonam – Tanjore main road, 12 kms from Kumbakonam, just before Papanasam, you find this Sri Palaivananatha Swamy Temple. 

Swayambu linga known as Palaivana nadhar with Dhavalambigai or Dhavala Vennakai mangai, both east facing are the presiding Deity / Shrine. 

Since the temple has paalai as sthala vruksham on the bank of Kudamurutti (a branch of Cauvery) river, the place is known as Paalai-Thurai (river bank). 

The tiger sent by the arrogant rishis of Dharukavanam is said to have been vanquished by Shiva and the skin of the tiger is the dress for Him here. 

Vasishtar, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Arjuna are said to have worshipped here.

The temple with 2 prakarams occupies an area of 3 acres with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram.  There is a world Famous Granary (Storehouse of Paddy) in front of the temple with a breadth of 86 feet (26 m) and a height of 36 feet (11 m) and capacity of 3,000 Kalam (measure) constructed by Nayaks in 1600 – 1634.

Thirucherai – Kadan Nivartheeswarar Temple

Gnanavalli sametha Sara Parameswarar koil at Thirucherai is known as the temple for debt relief. Lord Shiva here is known by different names like Udayar, Senneriyappar and Sara Parameswarar.  Markandeya installed a Lingam here and worshipped the same.  Lord Shiva fulfilled his prayer for prosperity of the people of this region.  The Rinavimochaneswarar Lingam is in the outer praharam (Circumambulatory path).  The general belief is that worshipping Lord Shiva here helps improve the financial status and be debt-free.  It is just the superficial meaning. However there is a deeper meaning to this. Debt includes financial debts and not limited to it.

Most of us are not aware of the other debts.  According to scriptures, every human being is born with three types of debts. They are Deva rina (debt to God), Rishi rina (debt to Sages or Rishis) and Pitru rina (debt to ones ancestors). There are also well-defined means of repaying these debts. If a man does not repay these debts in his lifetime he will have another birth to repay. There is no escape from repaying these debts.

A man clears off his debt to God by performing poojas, visiting temples and most important of all – being good to fellow human beings & other living things and respect to nature. Any act of service goes to repay the debt to God.

The ancient Rishis or sages had framed a set of rules or Code of Conduct which are to be followed by all human beings. The second set of debts i.e. debt to Rishis can be repaid by following and adhering to the Code of Conduct laid down by the Rishis. A man can repay his debt to the Rishis.

Pitru Rina is repaid by performing Shrardham to ones ancestors and performing ones duty to his/her parents.

There also a set of rules called nithya karmas (daily duties) which are to be adhered to.  According to the scriptures, every Grihastha or family man has to perform these six duties as follows:

• Should wake up in the Brahma Muhurtham (one and a half hours before sunrise) – According to the scriptures, sleeping during the Brahma Muhurtham destroys all virtues and is a sin. At this time the environment is calm and without any disturbances. According to Ayurveda life-force is at its peak during this time when the atmosphere is ozone rich. The pale blue light that appears in the horizon during the mornings is full of energy. It is very good for both the mind and the body.
• Immediately on waking up, look at your palms because Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Brahma reside in our palms.  This is an auspicious beginning to the day and is supposed to bring good fortune.
• Pay your respect to Mother Earth.  Mother Earth bears the burden of all the living things in this world.  A biological mother takes care of us until we are grown up, but Mother Earth showers her care and love on us from our birth right through our lifetime until our death.  She provides us food, clothing and shelter.
• After this, having a glimpse of a mirror, gold, diamond, sandal, conch or mridangam (a South Indian percussion instrument) is considered auspicious.
• One must prostrate to father, mother & Guru Every day.
• Then purify your mind. Ensure that you only think good thoughts. Sprinkle water on your head after chanting the following slokam.

OM APAVITHRAH PAVITHRO VA SARVAAVASTHAAM GATOPIVA,

YA SMARET PUNDAREEKA AKSHAM SA VAAHYA BHYANTARAH SHUCHIH

ATINEEL GHANSHYAMAM NALINAYAT LOCHANAM

SMARAMI PUNDAREEKAKSHAM TEN SNATO BHAVAMYAHAM

Arulmigu Sara parameswarar Thirukoil, Thirucherai – 612605, Phone: 0435-2468001

Nallur Sri Kalyanasundareswarar temple

This temple is located 5 kms east of Papanasam. In the Kumbakonam – Papanasam route, after Sundara Perumal koil, take a diversion at Uthani village for about 2 kms to Nallur.  The main deity is Swayambu linga known as Periyandeswarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Pancha varneswar, Sundara nathar, Soundara naayakar with Ambal Giri Sundari, Parvatha Sundari Kalyana Sundari, Malaiazhagi, Vanduvaazh kuzhali,  


The miracle of the temple here is the color of the deity changes 5 times a day as Copper, light red, Molten gold, Emerald and Multicolor for every 2 hours and 20 mins.  And so the other name is PANCHAVARNESWARAR.  Many research has been done for the color changes, but till now the reason is unknown and could not be found.


There are two lingams on a single square avudaiyar (not anywhere in the world).  Since Lord Shiva gave Deeksha to Thirunavukkarasar by placing His feet on him, as a rare custom in a Shiva temple,  the devotees are blessed by placing Sataari as done in Vishnu Temples.  It is believed that the Lingam starts from the land and ends at the top of the mount.  It said that the Jada mudi of lord Shiva is present at the back of temple, so we are not allowed to make a full round. Oblations to the manes take places here.


The lingam has many holes across. Sage Bringi, an ardent devotee of Siva, was not ready to worship the Goddess. So he took the form of vandu (bee family) and worshipped Shiva alone by flying around Him. Hence there are small holes on the Shiva linga. Vaalakilya munivar performed thapas as vandu (beetle) in the holes and attained mukthi here.  


Kundhi devi got rid of her curse by taking a dip in the Saptha Sagar Theertham on a Masi magham day.  Muchukundha cakravarthi who belongs to Dwaparayuga, the third yuga, has worshipped here.  According to Bujandar naadi, Sri Maha Kali who was responsible for defending this region against the invasion of Malik Kafoor is glowing with Her divine presence here. Worshipping Her on Fridays and Ashtami is believed to absolve many doshams of devotees.   Ashtapuja Kali with 8 arms is present in the south prahaaram of this temple. 

Arulmigu Pancha Varnasewarar Alayam
Thirunallur Post, Via Sundraperumal Kovil, Valangaiman Taluk
Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu - 614208, Phone: 04374-312857

Thiruvalanchuzhi Vellai Vinayagar Temple

7 kms from Kumbakoonam en route Papanasam (Tanjore) is located this Valanchuzhi Vellai Vinayagar Temple. The temple is about 100 meters away from the main road, on the road to Swamimalai.  The main deity is Swayambu linga known as Valanchuzhi nadhar with Periyanakai amman; Valanchuzhi Vinayagar or Vellai Vinayagar.  One of 275 Thevara Padal petra sthalams Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh hymns.  The temple is known more for the Dwajasthamba Vinayahar in a separate shrine than the main deity Valanchuzhi nadhar.  This is one of the Panchakrosha sthalams along with the nearby Thirunallur, Patteswaram, Keezha Pazhayarai and Avoor. It is considered very sacred to worship all these 5 places on a single day during Dakshinayanam.


The Valanchuzhi Vinayakar or Sweta Vinayakar or Nuraippillaiyaar here is made of sea foam and is white in colour. So there is no abishekam for Him. Legend has it that the Celestial Gods (Devas) formed this image out of the sea foam that was generated when the milky ocean (Thirupparkadal) was churned by them, in their quest for the celestial nectar (Amritam). Indhra, the King of Devas is said to have had this image in his possession after gaining immortality through Amritam and during his penance at Swamimalai set the image down at Tiruvalanchuzhi after which it could not be moved and became rooted to the spot.


Once (river) Cauvery was flowing through this place and she entered into the hole through which Aadhiseshan came out from the Badhala logam on a Shivarathri day and worshipped Shiva. So Cauvery went down till the Badhala logam. Heranda maharishi entered into the hole and brought Cauvery back to the earth. When she came out she took a turn around right side and started flowing in order to avoid the hole where she was trapped last and hence the name Valanchuzhi. There is a separate shrine for Heranda maharishi. A nearby shrine at Kottaiyur is also associated with Heranda Munivar.  Many sages and Devas attended a yagna conducted by Durvasa maharishi and each one has installed their lingams here. There are about 20 of those lingams present in the outer praharam, some of which have square avudayar.


Ambal Brihannayaki (Periyanayaki)’s shrine is located to the right of Shiva’s shrine here.  Murals from the Nayaka period depicting the Pradosha dance of Shiva and images of celestial nymphs display enormous detail.  This temple is managed as a sub temple of the popular Swaminathar Temple (Subramanya) nearby.  

Avoor Pasupatheeswarar Temple

Vayu God brought some mount pieces of Kailayam one of which is Avoor Pasupatheeswaram and the other is Nallur Panchavarneswarar (nearby).

Since divine cow Kamadhaneu worshipped Shiva here, the place is called Pasu(cow)-patheeswaram.

The temple is located 4 kms from Pateeswaram, which is 6 kms from Kumbakonam.  The name of the Main Deity is Swayambu linga Pasupatheeswarar with two ambals Pangajavalli and Mangalambihai. The 5 main theerthams are Brahma, Kamadhenu, Chandra, Agni, Poihaiyaru.  This kshetram is one of the 275 Thevara paadal petra Sthalams

Brahma, Vishnu, Dasarathar, Saptha Rishis, Indhran, Sun, Vashistar and NavaGraha worshipped Shiva here.

Avoor presented the great Sanga Pulavargal (Ancient Vocalist) Avoor Kizhar, Avoor Moolangizhar and Perunthalai Sathanar to the world.

he temple has five majestic gopurams. This temple is a Maadakkovil built at an elevation by Ko Chengat Cholan. Once it was the fort of Chola Kingdom.

Murugan here is seen with bow and arrow as a hunter.

Udayalur - Selva Maha Kali Amman

The village has four temples dedicated to Hindu deities.The Selva Maha Kali Amman Temple is the most popular of the four,while the Kailasha Nathar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has significant history and due importance.The other two temples are the Palkulatthi Amman temple and a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The annual "Thiruvizha" or the "Thirunaal" is a celebrated during March-end or April-beginning as a token of gratitude to God.It is also a time of celebrations throughout the village and places surrounding it as people from across everywhere gather to the village.This is a common feature of most villages in the state of Tamil Nadu.Street plays are held,which people attend enthusiastically. It is also the hometown of Udayalur K. Kalyanaraman Bhagwathar,is a contemporary stalwart in Dakshina Bharatiya Bhajana Sampradaya.


Udayalur(உடையாலூர்) is a village in the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.Udayalur is a few kilometers away from the historic Chola dynasty stronghold town of Kizha Pazhayarai(கீழப்பைழயாைர).The village was historically called "SriKangeyapuram"(கான்கேயபுரம்).


This village is the final resting place of the Great Chola dynasty emperor Raja Raja Chola I,though it remains less known than the temples he built far off.

Nadhan Koil Nandipura Vinnagaram Vishnu temple

‎14 kms South West of Kumbakonam; 3 kms East of Pateeswaram near Korukkai village is Nadhan Koil Nandipura Vinnagaram Vishnu temple.

IT IS BELEIVED THAT MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE WILL BE SOLVED ON VISITING AND PERFORMING POOJA TO THE SHRINE

Srinivasar in sitting posture, west facing with Shenbagavalli Thayar, and Jagannathan is the Utsava Moorthy. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams and the theertham is Nandhi theertham.

Nandhi, the gate keeper of Lord Shiva, wanted to meet Lord Vishnu at Vaikuntam and entered without securing the permission of the security guards (Dwarapalakas) of Vishnu. This angered the Dwarapaalakaas who cursed the Nandi. Nandi undertook penance here as directed by Lord Shiva, got the dharshan of Lord Vishnu and relieved of curse. Hence the name Nandipura Vinnagaram. An image of Nandi can be seen on one of the walls of the temple.

Goddess Lakshmi wanted to reside in the heart of Lord Vishnu. She undertook a penance at this place facing East. It is said that the Lord appeared before her (facing west) and accepted her wishes.

Another version being that Vishnu, who originally faced the east, turned westward to look at King Sibi saving a bird by providing flesh from his thighs.

Jaganadha perumal with Sword, Bow, Chakram, Sanku and Dandam in his hand. Sthala Vinayakar is Siddhi vinakayar. Built by the Pallava King Nandivarma, the Nathan koil is in the Shenbakaaranya Kshetram, which runs from here up to Mannargudi. 6 pooja services are done daily and the temple timings are from 6.30am to 12.00 noon and from 4 pm to 8 pm. Special poojas are done on Fridays.

Thiru Sakthi Mutram Shiva Temple

6 kms from Kumbakonam; next street to Patteeswaram Durgai/Dhenupureeswarar temple.  Sivakozhundheeswarar with Periyanayakai amman, Theertham is Soola theerthamand One of the 275 Thevara Padal petra sthalams.

Parvathi devi did penance standing in one leg and the Lord appeared as a huge column of fire (Jyotiswaroopam) in front of her. Knowing that the Jyotiswaroopam is nothing but the Lord Himself, she embraced Him and hence the names Sivakkozhundeeswarar and Sakthi Mutham.  This place was once called as Rajarajapuram.

Sthala Vinayagar is Vallaba Vinayagar.  A separate shrine of Parvathi devi penancing in one leg and embracing Shiva in linga roopam is in front of the main shrine. This shrine is very special for marriage prayers. The main lingam has the traces of agni in it.  The shrines for Natarajar and the Sarabeswarar are of importance here.  Thirunavakkuarasar was asked by Shiva to go to nearby Nallur to get deeksha from Him.  

Sekkizhar has mentioned about Shiva of this place in his book Periya puranam.

Guru Baghwan

Abathsahayeswarar Temple at Alangudi, one of theNavagraha Temples in Tamil Nadu, is about 17 km fromKumbakonam on the way to Needamangalam, in Tiruvarur District ofTamilnadu. 
The main deities are Lord Abathsahayeswarar or Aranyeswara, accompanied by his consort, Ezhavarkuzhali or Umai Ammai.  The temple is regarded as a Guru Sthalam (the temple of Planet Jupiter) where Lord Dakshinamurthy (The Guru or teacher form of Lord Shiva) is held in great reverence. 
A special feature is that Lord Guru or Brihaspati (or Brahmanaspati) is engraved on the wall and is not in the form of separate idol, reunited with Shiva.   It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya and Sage Agastya had worshipped Lord Guru at Tiruvirumpoolai Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Alangudi.


Located on the south of the river Cauvery, the Alangudi Temple occupies a large area surrounded by lofty walls. There are around 15 theerthams in this temple and the one which is located inside the temple is referred to as Amrita Pushkarini. Abathsahayeswarar Temple abodes shrines of Surya, Gurumoksheswarar, Somanathar, Saptarishi nathar, Someswarar, Vishnunathar and Bhrameesar, Kaasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi. The inscriptions that date back to the period of Vikrama Chola (1131) refer Alankudi as Jananatha saruppedimangalam. The details of the Chidambaram Natarajar temple are also seen here. The Poolaivala River, which runs east of the temple, is an added attraction.


Legend says that once Devas and the Asuras tried to churn the celestial ocean, 'Parkadal' (sea of milk). They used the celestial snake 'Vasuki' as the rope and the mount 'Mandara' as the rod to obtain the nectar. The snake emitted deadly poison (Ala Visham) which the Lord swallowed to safeguard the universe. Hence Lord Shiva came to be called as 'Abathsahayeswarar', meaning 'savior' for having consumed the poison and the place came to be known as 'Alangudi'. Goddess Parvati is said to have been reborn on the banks of Amrita Pushkarini and later on reunited with Shiva and hence this place is known as Thirumana Mangalam. Sage Viswamitrar is believed to have worshipped Shiva here. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as 'Kalangaamal Kaatha Vinayagar' (the Lord who was firm in saving the devotees) for having murdered the ferocious 'Gajamuhasura' who was a great threat to the Devas.  Kasi Aranyam and Thiruvirumpoolai are the other names of Alangudi.


Alangudi is about 35 km from Tiruvarur which serves as the nearest railway station. Nidamangalam Railway Station, on the Thanjavur-Tiruvarur rail route, is the nearest railhead.