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Tamil Podcast #7 Vaaram Oru Alayam- Sri Garbarakshaambigai sametha Mullaivananathar Thirukovil,Thirukkarugavur
- By Nataraj Prakash
- Published 07/17/2007

Sri Garbharakshambal karu kaatha Nayagi kovil
This week’s Podcast is about “Sri Garbarakshaambigai sametha Mullaivananathar Thirukovil,Thirukkarugavur.
This temple is situated on the banks of the river Vettaar. Can be reached from both Thanjavoor and Kumbakoenam . From Thanjavoor and Kumbakonam town buses are available . A small village situated on Papanasam - Chaaliyamangalam road . Papanasam is on Thanjavoor - Kumbakonam road.
There is a main rajagopuram on the east and the temple has also got an entrance on the south side. Both the shrines of Lord Mullaivana Nathar and Goddess Garbha Ratchaambikai are situated in the main outer prakaram facing the east direction.
The sivalingam in the main sanctum of this temple is a Swayambu Lingam, one out of the 64 in the world. This Lingam is made up of ant hill mud. Hence there is no water abhishekam for this Lord. Instead, the Lingam is merely pasted with a kind of must called "Punuhu" in tamil. People who are afflicted with incurable diseases come to this temple, offer "Punuhu Chattam" to the Lord and get themselves relieved of their diseases.
It is believed that the Nandi and Karpaga Vinayagar inside the temple are also Swaymbu. In the Sivalingam one can see even today the impression of jasmine creepers which once covbered the Sivalingam. The shrine for presiding female deity Garbharatchaambikai is situated to the left of the Siva temple.
There is also a shrine for Lord Subramanian. Inscriptions from Raja Raja Chola's period as well as those from Parantaka Chola’s period (early 10th century) are seen inside the temple. The special feature of this temple is that the moon's rays falls on the Siva lingam on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Panguni (March/April) every year.
Pregnant women from elsewhere come here and pray to the God and Goddess for a safe child birth. No one in this place has ever had a miscarriage or pregnancy problem. It is told that worshipping the Main deity God Shiva will cure all kinds of skin diseases. Beema , garkiyar , Kouthamar and a lot of ancient kings worshipped the God in this temple
To hear more:
Download Episode 7: Sri Garbharakshambal karu kaatha Nayagi kovil
Tamil Podcast #6 Vaaram Oru Alayam- Sri Vellai Vinayagar Alayam Thiruvalanchuzhi
- By Nataraj Prakash
- Published 07/17/2007
Sri Nurai pillayar swetha vinayagar alayam
This week’s Podcast is about “Sri Vellai Vinayagar Alayam “ Thiruvalanchuzhi.
This temple is best approached via Swamimalai, which is about 15 km from Kumbakonam. Swamimalai is well known in the area as one of the Arupadai Veedus of Lord Muruga. Swamimalai to Thiruvalanchuzhi is another five kilometres.
Sweta Vinayakar (Vellai Vinayakar or Nuraippillaiyaar): A white colored image of Ganapati - Sweta Vinayakar is the center of worship here. Legend has it that the Gods (the Devas) fashioned this image out of the foam that was generated when the milky ocean (Ksheera Samudram) was churned by them, in their quest for the celestial nectar Amritam.
As famous as the temple were the circular pillars with the gopuram motifs repeated on them. Crossing another gateway embellished with stucco figures one reaches the shrine of Valanchuzhinathar or Kapardaneswarar. The prakaram ceiling also had geometrical designs, which have been eroded. An intriguing, unfinished (badly damaged?) composition was a pictorial representation of the various important Siva temples on either bank of the Cauvery. The artist had even mentioned the names of the temples! Sambandar (Circa AD 600-700) also sings of the beauty of the temple:
"Thiruvalanchuzhi has groves where, the fragrance of the blossoms, compete with the humming of the bees. Thirunavukkarasar has sung two songs on the Lord here extolling his acts of heroism and beauty. Arunagirinathar also sings of the Murugan in this temple.
To hear More about this temple.Click on Podcast link below:
Download Episode 6: Sri Vellai Vinayagar Alayam Thiruvalanchuzhi
Tamil Podcast #4 Vaaram Oru Alayam-Sri Kurungaleeswarar Alayam Koyambedu Chennai
- By Nataraj Prakash
- Published 07/16/2007
This week's podcast is about Sri Kurungaleeswarar ,Sarabeswarar Alayam Koyambedu Chennai .Koyambedu, suburb of the city, has acquired name and fame as the place housing Bus Terminus (CMBT) and wholesale and retail markets But many are not aware that it has Puranic connections with two temples dedicated to Narayana and Siva, situated close to each other.
To hear More about the temple (sthapurana etc).
Download Episode 4: Sri Kurungaleeswarar ,Sarabeswarar Alayam Koyambedu Chennai
Tamil Podcast #3 Vaaram Oru Alayam - Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Alayam
- By Nataraj Prakash
- Published 05/8/2007

This week's podcast is about Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar Alayam, Parikkal.
Nammazhwar explains in his THIRUVAIMOZHI about one of the incarnations of Lord Narayana, the fearful and powerful form, the half-lion/half-human Narasimha
Click here to listen.
Tamil Podcast #2 Vaaram Oru Alayam - Nithya Kalyana Perumal Kovil
- By Nataraj Prakash
- Published 05/7/2007
The Lord has his consort, Lakshmi on his left, the place came to be known as Tiruvidandhai. (Thiru - Lakshmi, Ida - Left). The place was also known as Sreepuri, Varagapuri, Asurakula Kala Nalloor, Vaamagaveepuri. The Lord here is considered very powerful. Being the "nithya kalyana perumal", He is believed to bless his devotees with the holy state of matrimony. The temple is on the East Coast Road, about 42 km from Chennai, about 16 km before Mamallapuram. Click to Listen



