Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Kandaswamy Desikar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Nettapakkam, Puducherry

Kandaswamy Desikar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Nettapakkam, Puducherry
Kandaswamy Desikar Jeeva Samadhi Temple is the burial place of Siddhar Kandaswamy Desikar located at Nettapakkam Commune in Union Territory of Puducherry, India. Jeeva Samadhi is situated on the way to Nettapakkam Ramalingeswarar Temple near Government School. He had lived in this area 300 years ago. His blessings relieve the devotees from their problems. After his demise, people installed a Shiva Linga on his Jeeva Samadhi and started worshipping him.

History
The original name of Nettapakkam is called as Nedumpakkam then as time passes it changed into Nettapakkam. Nettapakkam played a vital role in the merger of Puducherry UT with Indian Union. It was at the Nettapakkam police station that the Tricolor was hoisted for the first time on March 31, 1954, by Socialist party leaders in favour of a merger with the Indian Union.
Connectivity
Jeeva Samadhi is located at about 300 meters from Nettapakkam Bus Stand, 500 meters from Nettapakkam Ramalingeswarar Temple, 7 Kms from Madagadipet Bus Stop, 9 Kms from Thirubhuvanai, 20 Kms from Villianur, 13 Kms from Chinna Babu Samudram Railway Station, 27 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 28 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 29 Kms from Puducherry Airport, 22 Kms from Villupuram Railway Station, 24 Kms from Villupuram and 159 Kms from Chennai.
The Temple is located on the Puducherry – Villupuram Road. Bus facilities are available from both Puducherry and Villupuram. Buses are available for every 10 minutes from Puducherry Main Bus Stand and Villupuram Bus Stand. Get down at Madagadipet Bus Stop and take another bus to Nettapakkam. Local Buses from Puducherry Main Bus Stand will take you directly to Nettapakkam. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chinna Babu Samudram, Villianur, Villupuram and Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple, Villupuram

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple, Villupuram
Mahakaleshwarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Irumbai Village in the vicinity of Auroville International Township (near to Pondicherry) in Villupuram District of Tamilnadu. This place is also called as Thiru Irumbai Maakalam. There are 3 Maakalam where Shiva gave Dharshan, of these this is the center of the three (North – Ujjain, south Ambar Maakalam and this is at the center). Tirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the 32nd and last of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.





Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
It is believed that this temple was built by Chola King Kulothungan III. As per the inscriptions on the stone walls of the temple, the village’s name is mentioned as “Iruncheri”. This temple is associated with the legend of Kaduveli Siddhar, a famous yogi who lived in the area about five hundred years ago. 





The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Masi Magam and Shivarathri in February-March, Tirukarthikai in November-December and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The shrine to Subramanyar here is of significance, and Panguni Uthiram is celebrated in splendor here. Mondays in the month of Karthikai are also considered to be special. Also, all Pradosham are celebrated in a grand manner. 
Literary Mention
For brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
People pray to Lord Mahakaleshwarar for longevity.  Innocent people blamed unjustly pray for the removal of such scars. Devotees perform special abishek to Lord with vastras on realizing their wish. Those who suffer from speech impediment and aspiring musicians pray to the Goddess by offering her honey and partaking the honey prasadam. The belief is that she cures the speech impediment and endows the aspiring musicians with a great voice.
Contact
Mahakaleshwarar Temple,
Irumbai Mahalam,
Vanur Taluk,
Villupuram District – 605 111
Phone: +91 413 268 8943
Mobile: +91 98435 26601 / 80981 44813
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Connectivity

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Connectivity
This Temple is located at Irumbai village in the vicinity of Auroville International Township. The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road, 4 Kms from Moratandi, 5 Kms from Moratandi Prathiyangara Devi Temple, 4 Kms from Panchavati Anjaneyar Temple, 4 Kms from Auroville, 9 Kms from Thiru Arasili, 6 Kms from Sedarapet, 9 Kms from Vanur, 14 Kms from Kiliyanur Agastheeshwarar Temple, 12 Kms from Pondicherry, 26 Kms from Mailam, 27 Kms from Mailam Murugan Temple, 33 Kms from Tindivanam and 158 Kms from Chennai.
By Road:
This temple can be reached either from Tindivanam or Puducherry. The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from 3 Kms from Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road Bus Stop, 12 Kms from Pondicherry Bus Main Station and 33 Kms from Tindivanam Bus Stand.
From Pondicherry:
From Pondicherry, just after a km from Moratandi enroute to Tindivanam, there is a road going to right (east) to Auroville. Take this road and at one point you will encounter a T junction in front of a village temple. Here take left to Auroville Information Centre/ Matrimandhir and you will encounter another T junction where the road at the right goes to Auroville Information Centre and Matrimandhir. Here you have to go straight further for about 3 – 4 Kms to reach the Irumbai village. At the village, there is a X crossing and you have to take the left road for another 1 Km to reach the temple.
From Tindivanam:
The placed called Irumbai is located on the highway 66 from Tindivanam to Puducherry passing via Kiliyanur. One has to travel by Tindivanam - Pondicherry (via Kiliyanur) road and get down at Thiruchitrambalam Cross Road. A branch road from here leads to the temple (3 Kms from this cross road).
There are no direct buses to the temple. Auto facility is available from a nearby place called Thiruchitrambalam Koot road which can be reached by bus from Tindivanam and Pondicherry.
By Train:
Nearest Railway Stations are located at Pondicherry (12 Kms) and Tindivanam (32 Kms).
By Air:
Nearest Airports are located at Pondicherry (8 Kms) and Chennai (138 Kms).

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Literary Mention

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Literary Mention
The temple is praised in the hymns of Saint Gnanasambandhar and Arunagiriar. Saint Arunagirinathar has also sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. This is the 32nd and last of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Saint Tirugnanasambandar had praised the Lord of the temple in Thevaram hymn as one wearing the sacred ash, accompanied by the daughter of the Mount (Parvatha Rajakumari), one who stripped the skin of the wild elephant, wearing the crescent moon and worshipped by those of impeccable traits, all merciful in Irumbai. 
Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.
மண்டுகங்கை சடையிற் கரந்தும் மதிசூடிமான்
கொண்டகையாற் புரம்மூன் றெரித்த குழகன்னிடம்
எண்டிசையும் புகழ்போய் விளங்கும் இரும்பைதனுள்
வண்டுகீதம் முரல்பொழில் சுலாய்நின்ற மாகாளமே.
வேதவித்தாய் வெள்ளைநீறு பூசி வினையாயின
கோதுவித்தா நீறெழக் கொடிமா மதிலாயின
ஏதவித்தா யினதீர்க் கும்மிடம் இரும்பைதனுள்
மாதவத்தோர் மறையோர் தொழநின்ற மாகாளமே.
வெந்தநீறும் எலும்பும் அணிந்த விடையூர்தியான்
எந்தைபெம்மா னிடம்எழில்கொள் சோலை யிரும்பைதனுள்
கந்தமாய பலவின் கனிகள் கமழும்பொழில்
மந்தியேறிக் கொணர்ந்துண் டுகள்கின்ற மாகாளமே.
நஞ்சுகண்டத் தடக்கி நடுங்கும் மலையான்மகள்
அஞ்சவேழம் உரித்த பெருமான் அமரும்மிடம்
எஞ்சலில்லாப் புகழ்போய் விளங்கும் இரும்பைதனுள்
மஞ்சிலோங்கும் பொழில்சூழ்ந் தழகாய மாகாளமே.
பூசுமாசில் பொடியான் விடையான் பொருப்பான்மகள்
கூசஆனை யுரித்த பெருமான் குறைவெண்மதி
ஈசனெங்கள் இறைவன் னிடம்போல் இரும்பைதனுள்
மாசிலோர்கண் மலர்கொண் டணிகின்ற மாகாளமே.
குறைவதாய குளிர்திங்கள் சூடிக் குனித்தான்வினை
பறைவதாக்கும் பரமன் பகவன் பரந்தசடை
இறைவன்எங்கள் பெருமான் இடம்போல் இரும்பைதனுள்
மறைகள்வல்லார் வணங்கித் தொழுகின்ற மாகாளமே.
பொங்குசெங்கண் ணரவும் மதியும் புரிபுன்சடைத்
தங்கவைத்த பெருமானென நின்றவர் தாழ்விடம்
எங்குமிச்சை யமர்ந்தான் இடம்போல் இரும்பைதனுள்
மங்குல்தோயும் பொழில்சூழ்ந் தழகாய மாகாளமே.
நட்டத்தோடு நரியாடு கானத் தெரியாடுவான்
அட்டமூர்த்தி யழல்போ லுருவன் னழகாகவே
இட்டமாக இருக்கும் மிடம்போல் இரும்பைதனுள்
வட்டஞ்சூழ்ந்து பணிவார் பிணிதீர்க்கும் மாகாளமே.
அட்டகாலன் றனைவவ் வினான்அவ் வரக்கன்முடி
எட்டுமற்றும் இருபத்திரண் டும்மிற வூன்றினான்
இட்டமாக விருப்பா னவன்போ லிரும்பைதனுள்
மட்டுவார்ந்த பொழில்சூழ்ந் தெழிலாரு மாகாளமே.
அரவமார்த்தன் றனலங்கை யேந்தி யடியும்முடி
பிரமன்மாலும் மறியாமை நின்ற பெரியோனிடம்
குரவமாரும் பொழிற் குயில்கள் சேரும் மிரும்பைதனுள்
மருவிவானோர் மறையோர் தொழுகின்ற மாகாளமே.
எந்தையெம்மா னிடமெழில்கொள் சோலை யிரும்பைதனுள்
மந்தமாயம் பொழில்சூழ்ந் தழகாரு மாகாளத்தில்
அந்தமில்லா அனலாடு வானையணி ஞானசம்
பந்தன்சொன்ன தமிழ்பாட வல்லார்பழி போகுமே.

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Legends

Irumbai Mahakaleshwarar Temple – Legends
Kaduveli Siddhar:
The temple is particularly associated with the legend of Kaduveli Siddhar, a famous yogi who lived in the area some four to five hundred years ago. According to the legend, Kaduveli Siddha was performing harsh penance sitting under a Peepal tree in yogic pose for days. The heat of his body was so intense that the rain gods suffered, no rains came and the people were exposed to hardship and drought. The situation was so bad that it finally came to the ears of the King, who ruled from Edyanchavadi village.
No one dared to disturb Kaduveli in his penance as he chanted the mantra of Eshwara, and soon an anthill started to rise up around him. Finally, a temple dancer, named Valli, devoted to the Lord Shiva, decided to do her best to get the attention of the yogi, and to rescue the King and his people from the adverse effects of his tapasya (penance). She observed that occasionally the Siddha would, with his eyes shut, put out his hands to catch and consume the falling, withered Peepal leaves.
So, she prepared some thinly fried Appalam (pappad), and started placing them in the yogi’s outstretched hands, as he tried to catch the falling leaves. Soon he started eating the Appalams and getting his taste back. Slowly he grew fatter until finally the anthill broke and he was once more exposed to the rays of the sun. Finally, he opened his eyes. Valli was extremely happy and was able to take him back to her house where she kept him happy, dancing for him and learning songs for him.
Meanwhile the God of Rain was relieved from the torture he felt from the heat of the yogi’s tapasya, the rain fell in plenty, and the people were happy once again. In order to celebrate this event, the King ordered a big Puja to be held at Irumbai temple, which was to be followed by a classical performance by Valli in which she would act out the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva, in the form of Nataraja. During the performance, however, one of her anklets fell off, and she started to lose her balance and rhythm.
Kaduveli, who saw the Lord Shiva in Valli, picked up the anklet and put it back on her feet. This exposed him to the ridicule of the King and court for having touched the feet of a dancing girl, and he was heckled and jeered. Furious, he invoked the Lord Shiva to come out of his temple by singing a song and prove his innocence by causing a rain of stone.
The song that the Siddhar sang is as follows:
வெல்லும் பொழுது விடுவேன் வெகுளியை
செல்லும் பொழுது செலுத்தினேன் சிந்தையை
அல்லும் பகலும் உன்னையே தொழுதேன்
கல்லும் பிளந்து கடுவெளியாமே
Immediately the lingam in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple exploded into three pieces, and wherever those fragments fell, that place became a desert. The Siddhar cursed that these places would become uninhabited and devoid of all vegetation. To this day, there is such a desert called “Kaduveli” at a distance of about three kilometers from this village.
On realizing the truth and power of the Siddhar the King begged for forgiveness and pleaded him to quench the effects of the curse. The Siddhar was appeased by the King’s request and said that although he could not change what had already happened, in the future, people from far-off lands would come and make the deserted lands green and fertile again.
Further, the Siddhar was also requested to mend the broken Shivalingam. He sang the following song to join the broken fragments. When he finished this song, the fragments were joined together.
எட்டும் அறிந்த உந்தனுக்கு
எட்டும் அறியாத எந்தனுக்கு
எட்டு அறிந்தும் ஒன்று சேருமே
Today, there are villagers who feel that the Aurovilians are the people from far-off lands mentioned by the Siddha and that the curse is now beginning to leave them. This story was put together by several Aurovilians, based on a tape-recorded conversation with the temple Brahmin at Irumbai.
Mother performed penance on Lord Shiva:
Two demons securing boons from Lord Shiva wanted to have Mother Parvathi for them and marry her. Mother Parvathi incarnated as Maha Kali and destroyed them. For killing the lives, even Mother was inflicted with the Brahmahatti Dosha and was wandering in this place. She performed penance on Lord Shiva and got relieved of the Dosha.  
Makalanathar:
Later, a Rishi, Maakalar by name, during his pilgrimage installed one Linga in Ujjaini in North and one at Ambar Makala near Mayiladuthurai in South and worshipped them. By knowing the reputation of this place, he installed one Linga here too and named the Lord Makalanathar.
Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki:
Ambica was watching the penance of Kaduveli Siddhar and was telling Lord the greatness of his penance in her sweet voice, hence, the name Kuyil Mozhi Nayaki.
Irumbai:
Another reasoning behind the name Irumbai is that this place was once densely populated by Iluppai trees and so the village got the name Iluppai. Over a period of time this name got changed to Irumbai.