Friday, March 28, 2008

Ariyathurai Sri Varamoortheeswarar

Ariyathurai village is located off the Chennai – Kolkota highway and about 50 kms from Chennai. While going from Chennai, there is a junction called Thachur cross road. After crossing this junction, one has to go further about 2-3 kms to reach Kavarappettai where one Durga Devi Polytechnic is seen. Opposite to this polytechnic, one has to take left from the highway and go about 3 kms inside to reach this temple.

Ariyathurai has an ancient temple for Lord Shiva, which is said to be about 6000 years old. The main deity here is Sri Varamoortheeswarar and Goddess Sri Maragatha Valli. The name of the place Ariyathurai (அரியதுறை) itself signifies the inimitable value of the village. In Thamizh ‘Ariya’ means ‘rare’ and ‘Thurai’ means ‘a place on the river bank’.

Lord Shiva has 5 faces; Isaanam, Thathpurusham, Vaamadhevam, Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are 5 Shiva temples (called Pancha Brahma Sthalams) near Chennai, representing each of the 5 faces of the Lord. Out of 5, this temple represents the 'Sathyojaatha' face of Lord Shiva.

The other 4 being Aarani Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar (Vamadhevam), Ramagiri Sri Vaaleeswarar (Isaanam), Suruttuppalli Sri Pallikondeeswarar (Sathyojaatham) and Karungaali Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar (Agoram). Interestingly, these entire 5 temples lie on the banks of Brahmaranya (Arani) river, till the river merges into the ocean at Karungaali.

This temple is located on the banks of river Arani, which is also called as Brahmaaranya Theertham. According to the legend, this river is believed to be created by Lord Brahma. It is said that once when an ancient sage called Romasa Rishi wanted to perform a Yagnya, Lord Brahma churned the Arani trees to create fire. After the fire evolved from the friction, water started flowing due to churning, which ran through this place and came to be known as Brahmaaranya River.

It is believed that Romasa Rishi worshipped the Lord here for over 100 years. Lord Shiva appeared to Him and the Rishi prayed the Lord to take abode here in Ariyathurai and bless the world. Lord Shiva was pleased with the Rishi’s worship and took abode here.

There was another sage called Mukundha Rishi who also is said to have stayed in this place for many years and worshipped the Lord here. After few years of worship, Mukundha Rishi wanted to go on a pilgrimage to Kaasi (Varanasi) and prepared to leave Ariyathurai. He heard a holy voice of Lord Shiva asking him not to leave Ariyathurai and said that the Holy Ganges will flow on the banks of Brahmaaranya River itself for the Rishi to take the holy dip.

A small spring of water had originated on the banks of river Arani. Mukundha Rishi with much joy took holy dip in the Ganges and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva gave dharshan to him as Bhairavar. He requested Lord Shiva that the spring of Ganges should flow in this village perennially so that people who are not able to make it to Kaasi can visit Ariyathurai to have bath in Ganges. The Lord agreed and the spring of Ganges is flowing there till today.

There is a small square trench found on the river bank, little away from the temple, in which the water is originating from it. It is said that even when the river Arani dries up, this holy Ganges fountain never dries. Kanchi Paramachaarya Sri Chandrasekarendhra Saraswathi Swamigal had visited Ariyathurai during 1965 and bathed in this holy water. It is said that worshipping the Lord at Ariyathurai is equivalent to worshipping Him at Kaasi (Varanasi).

There lived a king called Chithrasenan who was childless and Goddess Maragatha Valli Herself was born to him. After she grew up, the king arranged for the Swayamvaram for the princess. Lord Shiva went to the palace, brought the Goddess here on a horse and took abode.

Knowing this, the king along with his troupes came chasing and reached here. Nandhigeswarar stopped them from entering the temple and the God gave dharshan to them along with Sri Maragatha Valli. Then the king was made to realize that the Goddess Herself was born to him and she had reached the right place.

There is an Arasa Maram (Peepul) near this temple. It is said that Lord Vishnu once brought a Paarijaatham tree from Devaloka to offer flowers to his wives. He took permission from the queen Indrani but forgot to ask the tree before transplanting it. The tree is said to have cursed Lord Vishnu to become a tree and stay on earth for 1000 years. Lord Vishnu is said to have stood here as Arasa Maram for about 1000 years.

There is a beautiful pond near the temple which serves as the Theertham for the temple. This temple tank was built by a local land lord. It is said that there lived a beautiful Devadasi in this village, who was an ardent devotee of Sri Varamoortheeswarar. The land lord was fascinated by her beauty and proposed to her for his pleasure. Devadasi agreed with a condition that the land lord must build a tank for this temple after which she would agree to be with him. The land lord fulfilled her wish by building a beautiful tank for the temple and went eagerly to meet her. To his shock, he was only able to find her dead to reach the feet of Lord.

The temple is constructed beautifully on the banks of river Arani. This temple is facing south. Temples facing south are called ‘Parihaara Sthalams’ meant for finding remedies to one’s problems.

The main deity ‘Sri Varamoortheeswarar’ is seen facing east. Goddess Sri Maragatha Valli is facing south. The main deity here is said to represent the ‘Sadhyojaatha’ face of Lord Shiva. The Aavudaiyaar (base) of the Lingam is of square in shape. It is said that the Shiva Lingams which were installed by Rishis or Sages would have the Aavudaiyaar in square shape.

This temple does not have Navagrahams. Instead, Sri Surya Bhagavan (Sun God) and Sri Chandra Bhagavan (Moon God) are seen on the pillars just outside the sanctum, facing the Lord.

Kaala Bhairavar is present in the Ardha Mandapam and is a Swayambhu murthy (self evolved).

There are carvings of the images of snakes on the ceiling of the mandapam outside the sanctum, which indicates that this temple is meant to find remedies for Sarpa Dhosham or Naga Dhosham.

An ancient Nandhi is seen on the outer praakaaram facing the sanctum.

A stone slab containing some old inscriptions is kept on the outer praakaaram.

There is also a small shrine for Romasa Rishi just behind the temple. Ariyathurai certainly lives up to its name having many rare features.

16 comments:

  1. Thanks, Saravanan, for yet another gem.
    Kamini.

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  2. ty saravanan,

    the temple is so nice and seen newly got KUMBABHISHEGAM. get so many news from this, like VISHNU became arasamaram, ganges in a small ortu. it is great Periyava got snanam in it. also it is a remedy SHETHRAM. now only i know that the Avudaiyar will be in square shape where the LINGAM installed by rishi.
    ty so much and go ahead. pray HIM to give more strength to do the same

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  3. Very very interesting. Never knew such an ancient shrine existed so close to the place where I stay. Thank you Saravanan.

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  4. Dear Sri. Saravanan
    Your write up on the Siva Temple in Ariyathurai is very interesting
    and precious. This place is worth a visit.
    By the way the sculpture showing the serpents also include a Moon.
    Perhaps this is to tell that the Lunar eclipse is caused by Rahu the serpent swallowing the moon? A lesson in Astronomy of those times!
    thank you very much.
    Dr.R.Krishnan

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  5. Very interesting & informative, thanks a lot

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  6. Hi!

    Great! Tons of info man. Keep it up and keep going.

    By the way how to go there from koyambedu bus stand. Any idea?

    Thanks a lot in advance.
    - Mani

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  7. Hi the info man

    U r great. i am planning to go to ariyathurai temple, i dont know the place ( way ). U guided me in a excellent manner and the explanation about the temple is pakka. Thanks for ur info.

    Sanjeevi

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  8. I visit the ariyathurai temple it is a nice experience. there the lord SIVA idal is spoke to me like that I have feeling. thank the lord to call me to his plaec.

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  9. I visit the ariyathurai temple it is a nice experience. there the lord SIVA idal is spoke to me like that I have feeling. thank the lord to call me to his plaec.

    ReplyDelete
  10. really u are doing great work sir.. god will give u good health and peace ...

    if u have any age related troubles i can help u thanking u , meenakshisundaram physiotherapist and acupuncturist

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  11. today i visited this temple and met saravana gurukal the person who maintains the temple and also enriches the devoties by revealing great historical moments of the temple.........

    Regards,
    Mahesh Kiran.B
    [bmaheshkiran@yahoo.com]

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  12. 6th April 2012 we go to this temple god is great

    b.selvam

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  13. ARIYA DHARSANAM,ARPUDHAMANA VILAKKAM
    .MIGHA ARUMAYANA KOVIL.

    NADRI SARAVANAN SHANKAR

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  14. Thanks for the valid info Mr. saravanan. Please check the writeup; Surutapalli is also mentioned as "Sathyojaatham"; should it be "thathpurusham"? ... Usha Rao

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  15. thanks for the valuable info Mr. saravanan. Please check if Surutapalli is "thathpurusham"; its mentioned as sathyojaatham" in the write up.

    ReplyDelete