S Venkateswaran

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star  Moolam SRI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE MADURAI The Vimana in the shrine of Sundareswarar is gifted by Indira the King of Devas. He was on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples to cleanse himself of a killing sin. His sins disappeared when he found a beautiful Swayambulinga in this place praised as Kadamba Vanam – a forest dense with Kadamba trees. It is said that as a token of his gratitude to Lord Shiva, he built this temple with Indira Vimana. This temple enjoys a special importance among the 51 Shakti Peetas in the country, named Rajamadhangi Shyamala Peetam. The idol of Mother Meenakshi is made of pure emerald stone – Maragatham stone. This is also the land of Sundaranandar, among the 18 Siddhas. This is the first temple among the 366 Shiva temples in Tamilnadu in the name of Meenakshi Sundareswar. The land-Madurai- is revered as Kailash on earth –Bhooloka Kailasam. Chanting the very name of Madurai ensures salvation to the devotee.. Lord Ketu God

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Moolam SRI SINGEESWARAR TEMPLE MAPPEDU There is an idol of Sri Anjaneya in front of Lord Shiva shrine playing the Veena, an ancient divine musical instrument of Tamilnadu. Those aspiring skill in music pray to Him. Lord Ketu God Symbol Crouching Lion Zodiac Zodiac Sagittarius Moolavar Singeeswarar Amman / Thayar Pushpagujambal Old year 1000-2000 years old City Mappedu District Tiruvallur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Moola Deity Nirrti Sri Singeeswar Temple, Mappedu Post – 631 403, Via–Perambakkam, Tiruvallur district. Phone: +91 44 -2760 8065, 94447 70579, 94432 25093 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Pradosham, the 13th day either from new moon or full moon and Mahashivrathri in February–March are important festival days of the temple. Sri Nandi Deva, also known as Singhi, played the Mridangam an accompanying instrument to the dance of the Lord at Tiruvalangadu, one of the five Sabhas related to Shiva

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Kettai/Jyeshta SRI ANGALAPARAMESWARI AMMAN TEMPLE PALLADAM Majority of the devotees to the temple are women. The temple is filled with turmeric and kumkum smell. Women place a lime fruit at the feet of the Goddess keeping their sari pallu also there with some prayer. If the fruit rolls and falls at the sari piece, it indicates their wish will be fulfilled, it is believed. Lord Budha God Symbol Umbrella Zodiac Zodiac Scorpio Moolavar Sri Angalaparameswari Amman Old Year 1000-2000 years old City Palladam District Coimbatore State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Jyeshta Deity Indra, chief of the gods Sri Angala Parameswari Temple, Palladam, Coimbatore district. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Shivarathri and Masi Magam crematorium robbery festival in February-March, Aadi Fridays in July-August and New Moon day pujas are celebrated in the temple.

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Kettai/Jyeshta Lord Varadaraja Perumal granted darshan to Peria Nambi, Guru of Sri Ramanuja and salvation to him in this temple. Lord Budha God Symbol Umbrella Zodiac Zodiac Scorpio Moolavar Varadarajaperumal Amman / Thayar Perundevi Old Year 500-1000 years old City Pasupathikovil District Thanjavur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Jyeshta Deity Nirrti Sri Varadarajaperumal Temple, Pasupathikovil, Ayyampettai–614 201, Papanasam Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone: +91 97903 42581, 94436 50920 The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Margazhi Kettai in December–January and Purattasi Saturdays in September-October are celebrated in the temple. Sri Ramanuja, his Guru Peria Nambigal and disciple Koorathzhwar were staying in Srirangam. A Chola king jealous of the growing popularity of Sri Ramanuja, sent his men to capture Sri Ramanuja. As they could not identify Ramanuja, the disciple Koorathazhwar, posing as his Guru in

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Anusham SRI MAHALINGESWARAR TEMPLE TIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR The Lord of this holy place graces as 'Swayambu Moorthi'. The Thiruvitaimaruthur Mookambigai of this place is as famous and great like the Karnataka Kollur Mookambigai. In India, only in Kollur and Thiruvitaimaruthur, Mookambigai shrines are seen. Lord Sani God Symbol Lotus Zodiac Zodiac Scorpio Moolavar Sri Mahalingeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Bruhath Sundarakusaambaal Old year 1000-2000 years old City Thiruvitaimaruthur District Thanjavur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Anuradha Anuraadha (in Hindi) Anusham (in Tamil) Anizham (in Malayalam) Arulmigu Jothi Mahalinga Swami Tirukkoil, Thiruvitaimaruthur - 612 104, Thanjavur District. Phone: +91- 435- 2460660. The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.00 am and from 5.00pm to 8.00 pm. In the month of Thai – Thaipoosam – 10 days festival – Brahmotsavam. Everyday there will be the procession of the Lord, both in the morning and evening, in different

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Anusham SRI MAHALAKSHMISWARAR TEMPLE TIRUNIDRIYUR Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthi. Lord Sani God Symbol Lotus Zodiac Zodiac Scorpio Moolavar Mahalakshmiswarar Amman / Thayar Ulaganayaki Old year 1000-2000 years old City Tirinindravur District Nagapattinam State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Anuradha Anuraadha (in Hindi) Anusham (in Tamil) Anizham (in Malayalam) Shri Mahalakshmiswarar Temple, Tirunindriyur – 609 118, Tirunindriyur Post, Via. S S Nallur, Sirkali Taluk, Nagapattinam district. Phone: +91 4364 - 320 520 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Aani Tirumanjanam in June-July, Mahashivrathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple. History has it that Sage Jamadagni could not excuse his wife Renuka for appreciating the handsomeness of a Gandharva whom she saw in the shadow of water. He ordered his son Sage Parasurama to chop off her h

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Vishakam SRI PRALAYANATHAR TEMPLE SHOLAVANDAN This is an important temple for devotees seeking relief from Mars planet adversities. Lord Guru God Symbol Truimph Arch Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Pralayanathar Amman / Thayar Pralaya Nayaki Old year 500 years old City Solavandan District Madurai State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Vishakha Vishaakha (in Sanskrit) Visaakam (in Tamil, Malayalam) Deity Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire Sri Pralayanatha Swami Temple, Solavandan–624 215, Madurai district. Phone: +91- 4542- 258 987 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Monthly pradosham days; Shivrathri in February–March; Karthikai Mondays in November–December; Navrathri in September–October and Skanda Sashti in October–November are the days celebrated in the temple with special abishek and pujas. A few centuries ago, a Pandya king brought a Shivalinga from Kasi, installed it on the banks of the Vaigai River

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Vishakam SRI KUMARASWAMY TEMPLE PANPOZHI The temple was built by king Pandala. It is noteworthy that temples of Lord Aiyappa importance as Ariyangavu, Achankoil, Kulathpuzhai are around this place. Lord Guru God Symbol Truimph Arch Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Muthukumaraswami Amman / Thayar Poonchunai Old year 500-1000 years old City Panpozhi District Tirunelveli State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Vishakha Vishaakha (in Sanskrit) Visaakam (in Tamil, Malayalam) Deity Indra, chief of the gods; Agni, god of Fire Sri Tirumalai Kumaraswami Temple, Panmozhi – 627 807, Sengottai, Tirunelveli district. Phone: +91 4633- 237 131, 237 343, 94435 08082, 94430 87005 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Step festival on the first of Chithirai falling mostly on April 14, Vaikasi Visakam in May–June, Skanda Sashti in October–November, Karthikai float festival in November–December and Thai Poosam in January-February are the

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Swathi SRI JAMBUKESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUVAANAIKAVAL Lord Jambukeswarar is a swayambumurthy. Of the Panchabudhas-Water, Fire, Earth, Air and Space on which world exists, the temple belongs to Water importance–Appu sthala. Lord Rahu God Symbol Wheat Sprout Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Sri Jambukeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Akilandeswari Old year 1000-2000 years old City Tiru Aanaikkaa (Tiruvanaikaval) District Tiruchirapalli State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Swati Swaathi (in Sanskrit and Tamil) Chothi (in Malayalam) Deity Ahir Budhyana Sri Jambukeswarar-Akhilandeswari Temple, Tiruvanaikaval–620 005, Trichy district Phone: 91-431- 2230 257. The temple is opened from 5.30 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Panguni Brahmmotsavam in March–April and Aadi Pooram and Fridays in July–August are the festivals elaborately celebrated in the temple. Mother Ambica was born as a human as directed by Lord Shiva. She made a Shiva Linga with the waters of River

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Star Swathi SRI THATHEESWARAR TEMPLE CHITHUKADU Wedding worship is mainly followed in this temple.. Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva appears soft in look, hence there is no nose rope. Lord Rahu God Symbol Wheat Sprout Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Thatheeswarar Amman / Thayar Poonguzhali Old year 1000-2000 years old City Chithukadu District Chennai State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Swati Swaathi (in Sanskrit and Tamil) Chothi (in Malayalam) Deity Ahir Budhyana Sri Thatheeswarar Temple, (Chithukadu), South Mada Street, 1/144, Thirumanam Village, Via Pattabhiram, Vayalanallur Post, Chennai - 600072. Phone: +91 93643 48700, 93826 84485 The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Sri Panchamurthy procession on Chitra Poornima day in April–May, Vinayaka Chaturthi in August–September, Shivrathri in February–March, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December–January, Tirukarthikai in November–December, Aadi Kruthika in July–Au

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Chitra/Chithirai SRI CHITTIRAIRATHA VALLABHA PERUMAL TEMPLE KURUVITHURAI Guru Bhagwan (Jupiter) and Chakarathalwar (the discus of Lord Vishnu) grace as swayambumurthis. The idols of Perumal with His consorts are made of sandalwood, a salient feature of the temple. Jupiter graces as Yoga Guru. Lord Mangal God Symbol Chitra - Four legs of bed Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Chittirairatha Vallabha Perumal Amman/Thayar Sri Sridevi, Sri Bhoodevi Old Year 1000-2000 years old City Kuruvithurai, Cholavandan District Madurai State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Chitra Deity Eight vasus Sri Chitraradha Perumal Temple, Kuruvithurai – 625 207, Vadipatti Taluk, Via Cholavandhan, Madurai district. Phone: +91 94439 61948, 97902 95795 The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December–January and Jupiter transition days also called as Guru Peyarchi are celebrated in the temple. In a war between the Devas

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Hastham SRI THIAGARAJAR TEMPLE TIRUVARUR Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthi in the temple. Lord Thiagaraja is praised as the Raja-King of Gods. The temple is huge in size with 9 Rajagopuras, 80 Vimanas, 12 tall walls, 13 mandaps, 15 wells of Theertha importance, 3 gardens, 3 prakaras, 365 Shiva Lingas representing the days of the year, shrines numbering above 100, 86 Vinayaka idols and temples within the temple numbering above 24. The temple is indeed great, huge, tall and a castle of Hindu Faith designed and built in stone. Those worshipping the Face Darshan of Lod Thiagaraja in Tiruvarur are advised to have His Feet darshan(Pada darshan) in Vilamal, 3 km from this place. The 1000 pillars constructed many years back were meant to make tents (Pandal in Tamil) during festival days. Abishek is not performed to Lord Thiagaraja but to the Maragatha Linga at 8.30 a.m., 11.00 a.m. and at 7.00 p.m. each day. After the abishek is over, the Linga would be pl

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Hastham SRI KRIPAKUPARESWARAR TEMPLE GOMAL The presiding deity is swayambumurthy in the temple. Lord Chandra God Symbol Hasta - Four legs of bed Zodiac Zodiac Virgo Moolavar Sri Kripakupareswarar Amman/Thayar Sri Annapurani Old Year 1000-2000 years old City Gomal District Nagapattinam State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Hasta Deity Indra, chief of the gods Sri Krupakupareswarar Temple, Gomal 609 805, Kuttalam Taluk, Nagapattinam. Phone: +91 95002 84866 The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Mahashivarathri in February-March, Margazhi Tiruvadhiai in December–January and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple. Mother Parvathi wanted to know how Lord Shiva is conducting the affairs of this world and asked Lord Himself about it. Lord played a trick that Mother Parvathi in a playful mood covered His eyes with Her hands. Within a fraction of second, the activities of the world came