S Venkateswaran

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Revathi SRI VYAGHRAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE OMAMPULIYUR This is a Swayambu Jupiter temple. Lord Budha God Symbol Drums Zodiac Zodiac Pisces Moolavar Sri Vyaghrapureeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Poongodinayagi Old year 1000-2000 years old City Karukudi District Mayiladuthurai State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Revati Deity Pushan Sri Pranava Vyakrapureeswarar Temple, Omapuliyur, Cuddalore district. Phone: +91- 4144-264 845 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Jupiter transition day is celebrated annually in the temple. Sage Vyakrapada came to Omapuliyur and prayed to the Lord to grant him dance darshan in Chidambaram. With significance to the visit and prayer of the sage, the Lord is named Pranava Vyakrapureeswara. Mother is praised as Poongodi. A king Sadananda, a staunch Shiva devotee got his leprosy cured with a dip in the holy Varadanan tank here. It is also said of two virgins from the celestial world who came down

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Revathi SRI KAILASHANATHAR TEMPLE KARAIKUDI Lord Shiva graces in the temple as a Swayambumurthi. Lord Budha God Symbol Drums Zodiac Zodiac Pisces Moolavar Sri Kailasanathar Amman / Thayar Sri Karunakaravalli Old year 1000-2000 years old City Karukudi District Trichy State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Revati Deity Pushan Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Karukudi 621 210. Near, Thatha Iyengarpettai, Musiri Taluk, Trichy district. Phone: +91 4177 254 929, 94868 77896, 94861 39289 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. Planet Moon married the deity of the last star Revathi. They wanted to have the darshan of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Mother was so merciful and granted darshan to them with the Lord. Lord is called Kailasanathar and Mother Karunakaravalli. Kar in Tamil means rain clouds. They are 7 in numbers. It is said that these clouds worship in the temple on Revathi star days. It is believed that any special puja

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Uthirattadhi/Uttarapada SRI PANCHANATHISWARAR TEMPLE THIRUVAIYARU Thiruvaiyyaru, the place of five rivers, is a very holy place. The huge temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Sri Ayyaruappan in Tamil and Sri Panchanadeeswarar in Sanskrit, which means the Lord of the 5 rivers. The Devi's name is Sri Parvathi and is located in a separate temple within the same compound. The very name Thiruvaiyyaru brings to one's mind carnatic music since the saint Sri Thiagaraja, though born in Tiruvarur, actually lived in Thiruvaiyyaru and composed all the Kritis while here. Even now every year in the month of January on the death Anniversary day of Sri Thiagaraja, hundreds of musicians come here and sing in chorus the five famous Kritis of St. Thiagaraja known as the Pancha Rathna Kritis and thereafter Aarathi is performed. The five thirthams in this temple are Surya Pushkarani, Ganga Theertham, Chandra Pushkarani, Palaru and Nandhini Theerth

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Uthirattadhi/Uttarabhadrapada SRI SAHASRA LAKSHMEESWARAR TEMPLE THEEYATHUR Lord of the temple is a swayambumurthi gracing eastward. Lord Shani God Symbol Back Legs of death bed Zodiac Zodiac Meena Moolavar Sri Sri Sahasra Lakshmeeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Periya Nayaki Old year 1000-2000 years old City Theeyatur District Pudukottai State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Uttarabhadrapada Uthrabhadra (in Sanskrit) Uthirattathi (in Tamil) Uthrattathi (in Malayalam) Deity Ahir Budhyana Sri Sahasra Lakshmeeswarar Temple, Theeyathur – 614 629, Avudayar Koil Taluk, Pudukkottai district. Phone: +91 4371-239 212, 99652 11768, 97861 57348 The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. Maha shivarathiri Lord Vishnu was performing Shiva Puja each day with 1000 lotus flowers. When the number was short by one, Lord Vishnu to make up the shortage tried to pluck one of his eyes to offer it to Lord Shiva but was prevented by Lord Shiva and granted darshan. Sri Mahalakshmi

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple for star Pooratadhi/Poorvabadrapada SRI THIRUVANESWARAR TEMPLE RANGANATHAPURAM It is said that His Holiness Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal (Kanchi Periavar), Pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, spent a week in this temple in meditation.This is one of the 70 Mada temples built by Kochengat Chola. Lord Guru God Symbol Front legs of deathbed Zodiac Zodiac Pisces Moolavar Sri Thiruvaneswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Kamachi Amman Old year 1000-2000 years old City Ranganathapuram District Thanjavur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Poorvabhadrapada Deity Aditi Sri Tiruvaneshwar Temple, Ranganahapuram Post – 613 104, Via Tirukattupalli, Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone: +91 94439 70397, 97150 37810 The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Special abisheks and pujas are performed in the temple on all Poorattadhi star days in the year. Kala Bhairava, the authority of Time, created seven days under the Poorattadhi

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple -2 for star Sadhayam/Sadhabishek SRI AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUPPUGALUR Lord Shiva graces in the temple as a Swayambumurthi. Sri Agni Bhagwan (God of Fire) in the temple appears with two faces, 7 hands, 7 flames, 4 horns and three feet. Lord Rahu God Symbol Empty Circle Zodiac Zodiac Aquarius Moolavar Sri Agneeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Karundhazh Kuzhali Old year 1000-2000 years old City Tirupugalur District Tiruvarur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Satabisha Shatataraka Shathabhisha (in Sanskrit) Sadayam (in Tamil) Chathayam (in Malayalam) Deity Varuna Sri Agnipureeswarar Temple, Tirupugalur-609 704, Via Tirukannapuram, Nagapattinam district. Phone: +91 4366-237 198,237 176/292300, 94431 13025, 94435 88339/ The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. 10 day Vaikasi Poornima-Brahmmotsavam in May-June with a special programme showing Lord Chandrasekhara granting darshan to Agni Bhagwan – God of Fire, 10 day festival for Saivite

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple for star Sadhyam/Satabisha SRI ARDHANAAREESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUCHENGODE The temple is on the hill which is red in color. One should take 1206 steps to reach the top of the hill to worship the Lord Shiva–Ardhanareeswarar. Cars and taxis are available to reach the temple. The Rajagopuram is five tiered; 260' in length and 160' east–west breath. The period of the temple dates back to sangam period and renovated during the periods of cholas, pandyas and nayak kings. A British officer, Davis, repaired some parts of temple. Tirugnanasambandar wrote 'Tiruneelakanta Pathigam' and Arunagirinathar is believed to have written 'Tiruppugalh' in this temple. One cannot miss the long 60' red colored snake carved along the steps. People worship Adi Seshan–the snake. The path has 11 mandapams–providing shelter to people going up the hill. Lord Rahu God Symbol Empty Circle Zodiac Zodiac Aquarius Moolavar Sri Agneeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Karundhaz

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Avittam/Dhanishta SRI BRAHAMMAGNANA PUREESWARAR TEMPLE KEEZHA KORUKKAI Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. There are two Nandhis (bull vehicle of Lord Shiva) in the same Mandap before Lord and Mother shrines. Lord Mangal God Symbol Flute Zodiac Zodiac Sagittarius Moolavar Brahammagnana Pureeswarar Amman/Thayar Pushpavalli Old Year 1000-2000 years old City Keezha Korukkai District Thanjavur State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Dhanishtha Deity Eight vasus Sri Brahmmagnana Pureeswarar Temple, Keezha Korukkai 61- 401, Near Patteeswaram, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district. Phone: +91 98658 04862, 94436 78579,+91-435-240 2660 The temple is open from 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Mahashivrathri is grandly celebrated in the temple in February–March. Gorakka Siddha came to this temple on his pilgrimage to Shiva temples. He stayed in a mutt here where many devotees were also staying. While he woke up at midnight, he was shock

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Avittam/Dhanishta SRI MAGUDESHWARAR TEMPLE KODUMUDI Historians are not able to estimate the age of the Vanni tree of the temple. It is too ancient. If a leaf of the tree is put in a pot of water, the purity lasts for years. Those carrying Theertha Kavadi –Water Pots–to Palani for Panguni Uthiram (March-April) festival place this leaf in the water pots. Lord Mangal God Symbol Flute Zodiac Zodiac Sagittarius Moolavar Sri Magudeshwarar Amman/Thayar Sri Soudambikai Old Year 2000-3000 years old City Kodumudi District Erode State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Dhanishtha Deity Eight vasus Sri Magudeswarar Temple, Tirupandikodumudi, Kodumudi, Erode district. Phone: +91- 4204-222 375. The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. 11 day Chithirai Tirunal festival in April-May is the main festival of the temple. Devotee crowd will be huge on the Aadi Perukku day in July-August. Special Pujas are performed in the temple on new moon, f

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple for star Thiruvonam SRI PRASANNA VENKATESAPERUMAL TEMPLE THIRUPARKADAL The standing form of Lord Perumal on the Avudayar (stage) on which Shivalingas are installed, represents the philosophy that Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are not different from each other but one to teach those warring on wrong notions. Also, we see a Sorgavasal separately in all Perumal temples through which Perumal is taken on procession on Vaikunda Ekadasi day. There is no one such in this temple. Instead, there are three entrances through which the devotees can have the darshan of the Lord in the sanctum itself on the day. This is a very rare structure in a Perumal temple. Lord Chandra God Symbol Arrow Zodiac Zodiac Capricorn Moolavar Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Amman / Thayar Sri Alamelurmangai Old year 1000-2000 years old City Tiruparkadal District Vellore State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Sravana Shraavan (in Sanskrit) Thiruvonam (in Tamil) Thiruvonam (in Malayalam) Deity Vishnu, prese

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 2 for star Uthiradam/Uthirasadhi SRI DURGA AMMAN TEMPLE MAYILADUTHURAI Lord Surya God Symbol Elephant Tusk Zodiac Zodiac Sagittarius Amman / Thayar Sri Durga Amman City Mayiladuthurai District Sivaganga State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Uttarashadha Uthrashaada (in Sanskrit) Uthiraadam (in Tamil) Uthraadam (in Malayalam) Deity Visvedevas, universal gods

#TEMPLESFORNAKSHATRAS# Temple 1 for star Uthiradam/Utharishada SRI BRAHMA PURESWARAR TEMPLE KEEZHAPUNGUDI Lord Nataraja in a separate shrine in the temple appears ready dressing His hair for His cosmic dance performance. Lord Guru God Symbol Truimph Arch Zodiac Zodiac Tula Moolavar Sri Sri Brahma Pureeswarar Amman / Thayar Sri Brahma Vidyaambigai Old year 500-1000 years old City Keezhapungudi District Sivaganga State Tamil Nadu Nakshatra Vishakha Vishaakha (in Sanskrit) Visaakam (in Tamil, Malayalam) Deity Visvedevas, universal gods Sri Brahmmapureeswarar (Meenakshi Sundareswarar) Temple, Poongudi – 630 552, Sivaganga district. Phone: +91 99436 59071, 99466 59072 The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Chithirai Tirukalayanam-wedding festival in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in May–June, Purattasi Navarathri in September–October, Skanda Sashti and Deepavali in October–November, Abishek with conches on Karthikai Mondays in November–December, Margazhi