Temples of Tamilnadu (Contd.)

Tirupparankunram Murugan Temple at Tirupparankunram near Madurai: This is the first of the six shrines special to Murugan. The main shrine is a cave temple. Subseqeuent additions have been made during the Pandya, Vijayanagar and Naik times. The temple architecture is unique and the sculptures that adorn the walls are timeless. The temple's greatness is said to have been expressed even in the literature of the Sangam age.

Tiruttani Murugan Temple at Tiruttani near Madras: It constitutes one of tthe Six shrines special to Murugan or Kartikeya in Tamilnadu. It is built on a hill. The rulers of Vijayanagar and the local chieftans have made several contributions to this temple. Festivals here attract huge crowds.Tiruttani is on the route between Madras and Tirupati. The Tiruppugazh a revered religious and literary work pays rich tributes to Tiruttani. The Saivite Saint poets are said to have visited this shrine.

Tiruvaiyaru Panchanatheeswarar Temple at Tiruvaiyaru near Tanjavur: This large and beautiful temple is of ancient origin, dedicated to Panchanatheeswarar- Shiva and has been sung by the Saivite Saints.

Tiruvalanchuzi Sadaimudinathar Temple at Tiruvalanchuzhi near Kumbakonam: A vast temple with an imposing Gopuram, this temple is enroute to Swamimalai from Kumbakonam. It enshrines Shiva and is also known for the Ganesha idol, said to be solidified from foam. This temple suffers from the want of patronage and staff. There is a wealth of artwork in this temple, partly in ruins. This temple is about 1300 years old and the Saivite Saints have sung its praise.

Tiruvanaikka Jambukeswarar Temple at Tiruvanaikka near Tiruchirappalli: This temple is said to have been built in the 1st century BC and has been patronized by the Chola Pandya, Hoysala and the Madurai Naik kings. Jambukeswarar or Shiva has been sung by the Saivite Saints. This shrine is the Appustalam or the shrine depicting water - one of the five primary elements. There is a natural spring, that fills up the space around the Lingam and is pumped away periodically.

Tiruvanmyur Marunteeswarar Temple at Madras: This is an ancient temple at Tiruvanmyur, in the Southern precincts of Madras. Shiva is worshipped as Marunteeswarar. Chola inscriptions from the 11th century are found in this temple. The processional image here is that of Tyagaraja. The Tamil Saivite Saints have sung its praises. Popular belief is that Valmiki the author of the Ramayana has visited this shrine.

Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple at Tiruvannamalai: This is a vast temple with tall fortress walls, and imposing towers. The Rajagopuram built by Krishnadevaraya is about 217 feet high and the 1000 pillared hall is a very ornate one. The origins of this temple date way back in time. The Saivite Saints have sung its fame. Ramana Maharishi is closely associated with Tiruvannamalai. Tiruvannamalai is the Teyustalam or the fire- shrine in the scheme of the 5 Shiva shrines connected with the primary elements.

Tiruvarur Tyagarajar Temple at Tiruvarur near Kumbakonam: One of the most sacred temples in the Saivite traditions, its origins lie in antiquity. However, it is definitely known to have existed about 1300 years ago. This vast temple houses Tyagaraja, Kamalamba and Vanmikanathar and has been sung by the Saivite Saints. The pillars and the halls here are of great beauty. This temple was held in special esteem by the Chola rulers. This temple is also referred to as a Prithvi (Earth) Sthalam.

Tiruvathigai Veeratteswarar Temple at Tiruvathigai near Chidambaram: This ancient Shiva temple has been sung by the Saivite Saints. This temple dates back to the Pallava times as evident from the Somaskanda panel behind the Sivalingam.

Tiruverumbeeswarar Temple at Tiruverumbur near Tiruchirappalli: This temple is built on a hill and is accessed by a flight of steps. The presiding deity Shiva has been glorified by the Saivite Saints. Hence this temple has been in existence during the 7th Century. It contains several Chola and Pandya inscriptions.

Tiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Temple at Tiruvidaimarudur near Kumbakonam: This huge temple dedicated to Mahalingeswarar abounds in work of craftmanship and is within close reach of Kumbakonam. The colossal Nandi is one of the noteworthy features here. This temple is referred to as Madhyarjuna Kshetram. Stone inscriptions that are about 1200 years old are found in this temple.

Tiruvotriur Tyagaraja Temple at Madras: This vast temple complex is at Tiruvotriur about 8 Kilometeres to the North of Madras. It is said to be over 1300 years old. The revered Tamil Saivite saints of the past millennium have sung it praises. Adi Sankaracharya the great religious leader is said to have visited this shrine. Ancient Pallava inscriptions are found in this temple. Shiva is worshipped as Tyagarajar and Adipureeswarar.

Totadrinathar Temple at Vanamamalai near Tirunelveli: This ancient temple is said to be 1500 years old and is revered as one of the 108 sacred Sree Vaishnavite Shrines. The 200 feet high temple tower, and the artistically decorated mandapams or halls are some of the notewothy features here. This temple is closely associated with the Vanamamalai mutt.

Tribhuvanam Kambahareswarar Temple at Tribhuvanam near Kumbakonam: This is a spectacular temple built in the period of the later Cholas. The sculptured panels and the murals are of great artistic value here. The temple seems to be a blend of the Tanjavur and Darasuram temples.

Trivikrama Temple at Kanchipuram near Madras: This temple enshrines Vishnu in a mammoth form dominating the three worlds, in the process of subduing Mahabali the demon king. The Tamil name for this deity is Ulagalanda Perumaal. The stone image here is about 35 feet high. This is an ancient temple and has been sung by the revered Alwar Saints of the past millennium and is one of the 108 sacred Sree Vaishnavite shrines.

Trivikrama Temple at Tirukkoilur near Tiruvannamalai: This vast temple of Trivikrama - Ulagalandha Perumaal - Vishnu is an ancient one and is one of the 108 sacred Sri Vaishnavite shrines and has been sung by the Alwar Saints. It has imposing towers.

Uppiliappan Koil at Uppiliappan Koil near Kumbakonam: Uppiiliappan or Vishnu is worshipped in this serene temple located close to Kumbakonam. It is one of the 108 sacred Sree Vaishnavite shrines and has been sung by the Alwar Saints.

Vaideeswaran Temple at Vaideeswaran Koil near Chidambaram: An ancient temple dedicated to Shiva - as Vaideeswaran literally meaning the divine provider of cures. Adorned with imposing towers, mandapams and pillars, this well visited shrine has been sung by the Saivite Saint Poets. It is of said that Angarakan - Mars, Kartikeya, Jatayu and the Rig Veda worshipped Shiva here. This shrine is also referred to as an Angarakasthalam. This temple is also known for its shrine to Muthukumaraswami.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram near Madras: This is a vast temple of great beauty and religious significance. Vishnu is worshipped as Varadaraja. This temple is one of the 108 sacred Sree Vaishnavite shrines. The glory of this shrine has been sung by the Alwar Saints.. The Hindu Religious leader Ramanuja is said to have resided in this temple. The Pallavas, Cholas and the Vijayanagar Kings have beutified this temple complex.

Vayalur Murugan Temple at Vayalur near Tiruchirappalli: This is an ancient and well known shrine of Kartikeya built by the Chola rulers. The festival idols here are of great beauty. The Natarajar image here has both his legs on the ground. This shrine has been glorified in the Tiruppugazh.

Vedapureeswarar Temple at Cheyyar near Kanchipuram: This ancient temple enshrines Vedapureeswarar - Shiva and has been sung by the Saivite Saint Poets. It has a 1000 pillared hall, and some unique works of sculpture.

Vedaranyeswarar Temple at Tirumaraikkadu near Kumbakonam: This shrine has been in existence for over 1300 years. Vedaranyeswarar or Shiva is worshipped here. The Chola rulers have made extensive contributions to this temple. The revered Saivite Saints have sung its praise.

Veeraraghavaswami Temple at Trivellore near Madras: This temple was built prior to the 9th century AD. Vishnu in a reclining posture is worshipped in this shrine which is one of the 108 sacred Sree Vaishnavite shrines. This temple has been glorified by the poems of the Alwar Saints.

Virinchipuram Margabandhuswami Temple at Virinchipuram near Tiruvannamalai: This beautiful temple, said to be 2000 years old is sittuated in Virinchipuram, near Vellore. The presiding deity is Shiva. This temple is known for its impressive towers and sculptured images.