Kottrallishwarar temple-Koviloor, Karaikudi,Tamil nadu

The Kottarleeshwarar temple is about 1000 years old, built by Pandya kings and is situated in pristine surroundings at Koviloor near  Karaikudi, 

First time, when I visited the temple it appeared neglected and was in bad shape . My second visit, a few months ago left me  speechless as the temple had transformed into a magnificent structure. The sparkling bright colors  made it easy  to recognize the well carved statues on the tower and around the temple. Lord Siva, here, is known as Kottralishwarar and the  Goddess is known as Tirunellai Amman. More information about the temple can be read at this link .http://www.kovilur.com/temple.htm

The temple recently had a Kumbabhishekam . The temple tank is right in front of the temple and is maintained well with its circular pillared  mandapam in the center. There is yet another  beautiful mandapam in Southern side of the temple which has fabulous paintings on the ceiling made with natural dyes. In the center of the ceiling the Rasi chakra is depicted. Go through my album and enjoy the visual treat.

This temple is just about 6-7 Kms from the famous Pillayarpatti temple.

How to reach-

 Karaikudi,Can be reached from Madurai and Trichy which is  at a distance of 70 Kms and 82 Kms respectively.

Buses ply from all the towns in Tamil Nadu to Karaikudi and all the above temples are on regular bus routes and are easily reachable.

Karaikudi town has good number of hotels for boarding as well as lodging.

Pictures here.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMfze0kmrXYHjDOtyXZu81RH4s9hh7T4ZaaguDa

Karuppana Swamy Koil,-, the village deity, Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu

Karuppanna Swamy is a deity worshipped in rural areas of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and  if you travel through the villages of Tamil Nadu you'll find huge colorful statues of this deity in each and and every village with a sword or a club in hand, riding a horse. The villagers adore and respect this deity a lot as they believe he is the one who protects them.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuppu_Sami.

pictures here

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOqaMoXHFVZCV-5eqMiDSFP1mvghu4dIsg1OdZ3

Nemam temple, Jeyam Kondeswararar Temple, Tamilnadu

I have already blogged about some of the 'Temples in and  around Karaikudi', and 'Soumya Narayana temple', in Sivaganga district of Tamilnadu. This is yet another temple I visited recently which is just 6 kms from the Pillyarpatti koil.( click the first link )

The deity of Nemam temple is Siva, known as Jayamkondeswarar and His consort is  Soundaryanayaki. Just outside the main shrine, we find a disfigured idol of the same Goddess which is  supposed to be the original idol. Usually disfigured , damaged idols are not worshipped  in any temples but here it is  worshipped as per the wishes of the Goddess.  The temple is a treasure trove of  art work and has richly ornamental pillars and life size statutes from mythology. There are shrines for  Vinayagar and Muruga on either side of the main shrine.

The temple has a beautiful pond with lot of lillies . Water tanks in front of the temple is a common sight in most of the Karaikudi temples. There is also a shrine for Vinayaka near the tank. The ceiling of the temple has a Rasi chakra representing all the Zodiac signs and also has paintings related to Siva Puranam. This temple is situated in serene and calm village and the trees around the temple is a safe haven for parrots. Bees also have made the ceiling their homes. Could find 2 beehives at the entrance itself.  

How to reach Karaikudi

Can be reached from Madurai and Trichy which are at 70 Kms and 82 Kms respectively. Both the cities have airports and railway stations. Karaikudi also has a railway station.

Buses ply from all the towns in Tamil Nadu to Karaikudi and all the above temples are on regular bus routes and are easily reachable.

Karaikudi town has good number of hotels for boarding as well as lodging.

Check pictures here

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipM0_Fba7ObYcsssxH3JyfiRgHWatctuT9Blw34W

Shatrughna temple- Payyamal, Kerala

Temple of Shatrughna, the youngest brother of Lord Rama is situated at Payyamal in Kerala . The temple also forms  part of Nalambala darshanam. The temple is situated in a serene and clean village atmoshphere and the huge peepul tree in front, forms a canopy of sorts; as if holding an umbrella for the Lord here. This temple unlike other three temples Koodalmanikkam temple, Triprayar Rama temple, Lakshmana temple doesn't have a dwaja - flag post in front. This temple is just 6 Kms from the Koodalmanikkam temple in Irinajalakuda, Trichur district.

The temple was under renovation when I visited almost a year back and I have heard that work is still in progress. Those who wish to visit this temple must reach there before 9 a.m to have a good darshan or one has to visit the temple in the evening. I could capture some pictures from outside. The temple is very small  and there are no sub shrines outside.

This temple can reached from Ernakulam as well as from Trichur.


Pictures of the temple.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipP2_jtmoE8WY3bLHJK45gU_IATR1kFKGo4Jfbkw

Lakshmana temple, Moozhikulam, Kerala

Lord Lakshmana is the presiding  deity of Moozhikulam temple .

Moozhikulam temple is  believed to be 5000 years old. The idol here resembles that of Vishnu.  This temple is on Alwaye - Mala route in Ernakulam district.

The temple has a  Vatta sreekovil ( circular  shaped structure where deity is enshrined) and a dwaja sthamba .On the south side there are shrines for Ganesha and Siva  - Dakshina Moorthy.

Unseen manifestations of Lord Srirama , Seeta and  Hanuman are also worshipped here . There are sub shrines for for Ayyapa and Bahgavathy.( Mother Godess),Goshala Krishnan.

There is a mandapam with beautiful carvings of  Ashtadikpalakar carved in wood on the ceiling .

Devotees offer worship here to ward off the ill effects of Nagadosha. This temple  is very  famous and forms part of the Nalambala darshanam , other temples being Koodal Manikkam temple , Sree Rama temple Triprayar and Payyamel Shathrughna temple( shall post soon)

How to reach- This temple is easily accessible from Ernakulam.
More pictures below .
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNo0ubQpB4PyMHb_YXkX4TrPSTny_wUOcd_MNKB