Temples Dharshan - Pradhakashinam 1A

Temple is a place of worship, filled with loads of positive energy. I love visiting temples, knowing about their histories, attracted by their architectural works, and also writing about them to let people know about the temples.

Since I took a year gap after my graduation, I travelled a lot and visited n number of temples. But with this blog post, I’m beginning with a new series called “Pradhakshinam”, where I’m just writing about the temple I’ve visited since the beginning of this year and also will complete the series till the year end. As I’ve visited more number of temples, I’ll write it in many parts.

Beginning with my all-time favorite temple, I’ve visited Brihadheeshwara Temple in Thanjavur many times. I’d still go to the temple as if it’s first time being there, I’ll wonder and surprised with the beauty of the architectural marvel forever.

Second is The Divine Queen of Thanjavur, Bangaru Kamakshi, located in the West Main Street of Thanjavur. I go to this temple every Tuesday and Friday. Bangaru Kamakshi fulfills our wishes if it’s reasonable and deserving.

Third is the Anugraha Anjaneyar, located in East gate Market of Thanjavur. This Anjaneyar is the main reason who made me to serve in many temples.

Thirukkarugavur

Thirukkarugavur, 25 kms from Thanjavur, is a small village. This temple is famous for offerings and prayers related to child birth and a happy marriage life. The main deity is Mullaivana Natha Swamy and goddess is Garbha Rakshambigai. From the name, we could easily understand that the goddess is known for protecting the child from womb, and also famous for giving boons related to child birth.

Patteeshwaram Durga Temple

Patteeshwaram, famous for Durga Temple, still the main deity is Dhenupureeshwarar and his consort Gyanambigai. This temple is located within 8 Kms from Kumbakonam. This temple dates back to the time of Lord Rama, by whom it is believed that the Shiva Linga was installed and worshipped to get rid of sins after killing Ravana. Still the Goddess Durga holds the limelight and is a Shantha Swarupini here.

Aadhi Kumbeshwarar Temple

Aadhi Kumbeshwarar temple, with presiding deity Aadhi Kumbeshwarar and his consort Mangala Nayaki, located in the heart of the town of Kumbakonam. This temple and deity is the main reason that this town got its name Kumbakonam. 

Rukmini Vittal Samsthan, Govindapuram

Built like the same Pandaripur Vittal Mandir, this temple located in Thiruvidaimarudhur, enroute Mayiladuthurai from Kumbakonam. This temple exactly makes us to feel as if we are in Pandaripur. The architecture of this temple is beautiful and this temple is equipped with one of the biggest Goshala.

Ganapathi Agrahaaram

This Mahaganapathy temple located in the parallel road which runs along the river Cauvery from Thiruvaiyaru is a famous temple. Great Saint Agasthiyar installed and worshipped Lord Ganesha and Maharishi Gautama worshipped Lord Ganapathy to save this world from famine. One fact about this temple and the village is, they name every boy born in this village after lord Ganapathy.

Chamundishwari temple, Mysuru

Mysuru Chamundishwari temple is one of the powerful Shakti Peetham. This temple is located atop of a small hill in Mysuru. This temple is also famous for the big Nandi built of Granite.

Mannargudi RajaGopala Swami Temple

Mannargudi’s Raja Gopala Swamy is a world famous deity. This temple is also known as the Dwaraka of South India. Here Utsava Moorthy of Lord Raja Gopala Swamy is Little Krishna in a form of shepherd. One of the biggest temple, famous for the worship of Sengamala Thayar, consort of Raja Gopala Swamy.

Thingalur Chandhiran Temple

This temple is one of the Parihara Kshetram of Navagraham. This temple is dedicated to the deity of Moon, from the Navagrahas. This temple located just next to Thiruvaiyaru within 3 Kms.

Thiruppazhanam Aapathsahayeshawarar

Thiruppazhanam is a small village located in the banks of River Cauvery, located in the parallel road that runs along the river from Thiruvaiyaru. The Main Deity is Aapathsahayeshwarar, means the God who helps in the time of hardships. Chandhran, one of the Navagraha has worshipped Lord Shiva in this Kshethram.

Jagath Rakshaga Perumal, Aaduthurai Perumal Kovil

Jagath Rakshaga Perumal, located in the road that comes along the river Cauvery from Thiruvaiyaru, is a Divya Desam Temple. This comes on the route of Thiruvaiyaru to Kumbakonam, name of the place is locally known as Aaduthurai Perumal Kovil, but the actual name is Thirukoodalur. This temple is where the Lord Vishnu took Varaha Avataram and went inside the land to find the demon Hiranyaksha who fought with mother Earth and hidden inside the land.

Swaminatha Swamy temple, Swamimalai

Swamimalai, one of the six abodes of Lord Karthikeya, located in the outskirts of Kumbakonam. The main deity is Swaminatha Swamy, who here taught his father Lord Shiva the Pranavaa Mantra 'OM'. Mother Earth worshipped Lord Swaminatha to get herself relieved from Goddess Parvati's curse. Even after relieving from the curse, she stayed back in form of Gooseberry tree.

Raja Durga, Thiruvarur

Raja Durga Temple, located just next to Thiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple southern entrance. This is one of the Zodiac sign Thulam and Kanni, chithirai star's Parihara Kshetram.

Thyagaraja Temple Thiruvarur

One of the world faamous temple. It takes a whole day for one to go and worship all the deities of thiss temple. The main deity is Lord Thyagaraja, means the king of all gods. Unlike other temples, Goddess Kamalambikai sits in a different position tilting her legs. Those who born here will attain Mukthi as it is meant for one of the Mukthi Sthalam.

Thiruvaiyaru

The main temple of Thiruvaiyaru. The main deity is Pranathaarthiharar aka Iyyarappar. Thiruvaiyaru is known for the 5 rivers, tributaries of Cauvery flowing and also famous for the Music Trinity Thyagaraja's music festival. This temple is equipped with the Sapta Oli praharam. It is believed that Nandi was born in this Kshetram.

Kali Amman Temple Salem

Located in the Main road of Ammapettai, Salem. This Kali Amman is vibrant and powerful. This temple has Navagraha, Anjaneyar and Naga Devtas sanctum.

Pattamangalam Dakshinamoorthy Temple

Dakshina Moorthy facing east is a speciality of this temple. Biggest Banyan tree located near the Dakshinamoorthy's shrine is the sthala vruksham. This temple is located in the Pattamangalam of Sivaganga district.

Vairavan Patti

This temple is one of the architectural beauty, mainly dedicated to Lord Bhairava. Devotees offer Vadamalai on Ashtami, which is a special day for Lord Bhairava. This temple is located in the Vairavan Patti Village of Sivaganga district.

Thirumayam Perumal Temple

During Pallava period, this temple was constructed along with a Shiva temple in the hill slope, to foster both the Shaivite and Vaishanavite philosophies. This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam, located in Thirumayam.

Prathyangara Devi Temple, Ayyavadi

This powerful Prathyangara Devi temple is located near Nachiyar Kovil. While worshipping Goddess Prathyangara Devi, a chill goes through the spine. Goddess Prathyangara appeared from the Forehead of Lord Sarabeshwarar, so the goddess is with the lion face and 18 hands. Nikumbala Yagnya, which is done using loads of red chilly is the famous prayer. Worshipping this goddess in our homes is strictly prohibited as this is a Ugra(Angry) Devta.


I'm restricting myself to 20 temples for a post. For further details of the temples mentioned, readers can feel free to contact me through comments. Still many temples are there to write about. Stay tuned Makkalay !!!

Yours East gaterr