8.An Angarakasthalam ,VAIDESWARAN KOVIL

Address	VAIDESWARAN KOVIL, THIRUVARUR (D.T)
City	THIRUVARUR
State	Tamilnadu
Location	South India
Year of Construction	the period of Vikrama Chola (12th century CE), the Nayakas (16th century CE) and the Mahrathas (18th century)
Type of Construction	Ancient Adorned with imposing towers, Mandapams and pillars, Adorned with imposing towers, Mandapams and pillars.
Type of Building	ThisTemple built in the Dravidian style
Managed By	The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department
Histroy (the sthalapuranam )	Tirupulliruku Velur, Jatayu(Pul), Rigveda(Irukku), Muruga(Vel), Surya(Voor) -- popularly known as Vaitheeswaran Koil. This shrine is known under several names like lalayapuri, Vedapuri, Panarapuri, Pathiripuri, Angarakapuram and Ambikapuram Planet : Mars Vehicle : RAM Gem : Coral Flower : Red Arali Mars, Kartikeya, Jatayu and the Rig Veda worshipped Shiva here. Sri Vaidyanathaswamy, is hailed as the healer of all ills. Lord came here as a Vaidya and cured Angaraha of leprosy. Among the Navagrahas, Angaraha is worshipped here with great reverence. Hence this shrine is also known as Angaraha Kshetra. Jatayu, Rig Veda, Muruga and Surya worshipped the Lord here. Muruga enshrined here is known as Selvamuttukumaraswami. At the dying request of Jatayu, Sri Rama brought his remains here and cremated them.All the Navagrahas are also here and among them Angaraka is worshipped with great reverence and thus this shrine is also known as Angaraka Kshetra. Mars is a malefic. He rules over the two sidereal signs of Aries and Scorpio. He is exalted in Capricorn and fallen in the opposite sign of Cancer. Mars is often depicted as a god with a red body exemplifying the natural color of the astronomical body in the sky.
Dedicated To
Saint	the Saivite Saint had rendered songs of lord Siva. Also Nayanmars, Arunagiri Nadar, kumaraguruparar, Ramalinga Adigalaar, kalamega pulavar have visited this temple and sung in praise of the deity.
Main diety	Vaitheeswaran, Thaiyal Nayaki
Other Deities	Vinayakar , subramaniaya swamy , (Muthukumaraswamy ) ,Sandikeswarar.Separate sanctorum for Angaraka is a speciality out here as you cannot find it elsewhere.
Religion	Hinduism
Famous For	Parigharasthalam: prayer to this Angaraka frees one from debts, poverty and illness afflicting the skin. This graha bestows property and conveyance (Locomotion). A prayer to Angaraka can restore loss of eyesight. Their prayers for regaining their health with the grace of the deity. Tuesdays are intended for the worship of Angaraka. one observes the fast on Tuesday for 21 times, the unlucky influence of Tuesday (Mangal) can be got rid off. Angaaraka: The Angaaraka shrine here is also of great significance and is indeed unique to this temple. A bronze of image of Angaaraka is housed in this shrine and is taken out in procession on a goat mount every Tuesday. Angaaraka represents the planet Mars and is described as one with a fiery red complexion attired in red and as the overlord of the zodiac signs of Aries and Scorpia and as being the strongest in the zodiac sign of Capricorn. The Dharumapuram Adhinam has made several endowments to this temple.
Temple (Holy) Tree &threetham	Temple (Holy) Tree (Sthalavirutsha):- the Vembadimal VARIOUS NAMES. It was known as Kadamba in the Kritayugam; Bilva, during the Tretayugam, Vakula in the Dwaparayugam and Neem in the Kaliyugam. Sacred Tank (Theertham):- Theertham
Festival	Six worship sercvices are offered each day. Kartikai is celebrated in great splendour here.T The final worship service (arthayama puja) is offered to Skanda before being offered to Shiva. The annual Bhrahmotsavams are celebrated in the months of Pankuni and Thai. Skanda Sashti is celebrated with grandeur here.
Best Time	All seasons
Opening Schedule	5.30AM to 1.30PM and 3.30PM to 8.30PM.
Visit Timings	5.30a. m to 1. p.m., 4.p.m. to 8.p.m.
Pooja Schedule	7 a. m to 1. p.m., 4.p.m. to 8.p.m. Special Abhisekas are between
special pooja	Dhosa parigharam: FIVE ARCHANA -Rs 51 Laksharchana - Rs.125 ABISHEGAM& DHOOSA NIVARTHI PARIGARAM - Rs. 1500
the custom of worshipping.	Shiva is considered to be the Divine Healer Vaidyanathar. His consort Thaiyalnaayaki is said to accompany him with a vessel containing medicinal oil. There is also a shrine dedicated to Dhanwantari here. The prasadam offered at this temple goes by the name Tiruchaandu Urundai and it is considered to be a panacea capable of curing many ailments. It is made of ashes taken out of the homa kundam in front of the Subramanya shrine. Rituals are performed where a mixture of earth and ashes from the homakundam are shaped into pills and placed at the Thaiyalnayaki shrine and distributed. Another prasadam offered here is sandal paste mixed with saffron again at the Murugan shrine here. It is referred to as Nettirapidi Chandanam. Offereings of salt and pepper are made in this shrine. Offerings of unrefined sugar are placed in the temple tank Siddhamrita Theertham.
Entry Formalities	Free
Accomodation	Many hotels and restaurant are there in Thanjavur and kumbakonam
Accesibility	Thanjavur is accessible by road and train from most cities of Tamil Nadu, which includes of course Madras. Trichy has an airport with flights from Madras and is also an important railhead. The city of Kumbakonam is 40 kilometers from Thanjavur . Bus facilities are available from Thanjavur and kumbakonam (4 Kms. from Mayiladuthurai on the Chidambaram Road). It is nearly 281 km south of Madras and can be reached by trains going via Main line and also through road. Best way to reach Mayiladuthurai from Chennai is through ECR (East Coast Road) via PONDICHERRY. Mayiladuthurai is one of the major junctions in Southern railway with lines branching off to Madras, Trichy, Tiruvarur and Tharangampadi. The town was in the composite Thanjavur district but now it is part of Nagappattinam district. .

16 steps of worship

The Vedas,

the Puranas

and the Shastras (the authorative texts)

recommends that worship unto the dieties be done primarily utilizing the technique of Shodasoopchar.

shodasoopchar is the method of worship whereby which the worshipper performs

a minimum of 16 steps of worship to the devtas,accompanied by the corresponding mantras.

The following are for Purushshuktam worship.

(Though it exceeds 16 steps of worship,

It provides the requirements for a complete pooja.)

Aawahan	Inviting of the Devta
Aasanam	The offering of a seat to the Devta
Paadyam	The washing of the Devta's feet
Arghyam	Water for washing hands
Aachamaneeyam	Water for rinsing the mouth
Panchaamrita Snan	Bathing the murti with nectar comprising of dahee(curds),milk,ghee(cow's butter),honey and sugar.
Udvartan Snaan Devi pooja only	Offering scented water or perfume
Shud Jal Snaan	Bathing the murti with purified water
Vastra	Offering of clothing
Aachamaneeyam	same as above
Yagyopaveetam	Offering of the sacred cord(Janew)
Chandan	Offering sandalpaste
Sowbhagya Sutra Devi pooja only	Offering Mangal Sutra or jewels
Akshat	White rice coloured with Kum Kum
Mala or Pushpam	Offering of garlands of flowers or just flowers
Durva or Doob	The offering of dew grass
Sowbhagya Dravya	The offering of Kajal,Haldee,sindoor and Kum Kum.This can be offered separately or all mixed together.
Dhoop	The offering of incence
Deep Daan	The performance of Aartee or the waving of lights with a deeya(earthen lamp)or any similar instrument
Naivedyam or Madhuparkham	Offering Prasad most acceptable to that particular Devta or a composition of honey,ghee and sugar
Aaachamaneeyam	Water for rinsing the mouth
Phalam	Offering sooparie,desert
Tambool	Offering betel-leaves(paan) with other spices for cleansing and scenting of the mouth
Dakshina	Offering money
Nirajanam	Offering a light
Pushpanjali	Offering flowers

.

15.Thillai Nataraja Perumal Kovil or Chidambaram Natarajar Koil

Address	Chidambaram Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram,Cuddalore District
City	Thanjavur
State	Tamilnadu
Location	South India
Year of Construction	(Chola Period with additions in Vijayanagar Period) the Chola emperor Kulottunga II, 1213 AD the Sangam period (very early on in the Christian era), The later Chola Kings (Aditya I and Parantaka I) adorned the roof of the shrine with gold, and the other Chola Kings treated Nataraja as their guardian deity and made several endowments to the temple as temple inscriptions testify. The Pandya Kings who followed them, and the later Vijayanagar rulers made several endowments to the temple. There is a stone image of Krishnadevaraya in the North Gopura which he is said to have erected.
Type of Construction	Ancient and historic temple 1.The temple is supposed to be located at the Lotus heart of the Universe": virat hridaya padma sthalam. 2.On the spot where the Lord displayed his dance of bliss, 3.The Änanda Thaandavam - a spot exactly south of the "Thirumoolataaneswar temple", today is the Ponnambalam/ Porsabai (Pon meaning gold, Ambalam/Sabai meaning stage) housing the Lord Shiva in his dancing form. 4. The Lord is also hence referred to as the Sabhanayakar, meaning the Lord of the Stage. This gold-roofed stage is the sanctum sanctorum of the Chidambaram temple and houses the Lord in three forms: the "form" - the anthromorphological form as an idol of Lord Nataraja, called the Sakala thirumeni. the "semi-form" – the semi-anthropomorphological form as the Crystal linga of Chandramouleswarar, the Sakala nishkala thirumeni. the "formless" – as the Space in Chidambara Rahasyam, an empty space within the sanctum sanctorum, the Nishkala thirumeni.
Type of Building	Dravidian architectural and sculptural styles
Managed By	The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department
Histroy	(Naga in tamil/sanskrit means Snake and Natha means God) temple for Shaivaites.
Dedicated To
Saint	Thirugnana Sambanthar , Thirunavukkarasar Sundaramoorthy Nayanar , and Manikkavasagar The collected works of the first three are called the Devarams. Thirugnana Sambanthar has composed 2 devarams in praise of the Lord at Chidambaram , Thirunavukkarasar aka Appar 8 devarams in praise of Nataraja, and Sundarar 1 devaram in praise of Lord Nataraja. Manikkavasagar has written two works, the first called Tiruvasakam (The sacred utterances) which largely has been sung in Chidambaram and the Thiruchitrambalakkovaiyar (aka Thirukovaiyar), which has been sung entirely in Chidambaram. Manikkavasagar is said to have attained spiritual bliss at Chidambaram. The works of these saints were stored as palm leaf manuscripts in the temple and were recovered by the Chola King Arunmozhivarman, more famously called Rajaraja Chola under the guidance of Nambiandarnambi. Muthuswamy Deekshitar, one of the foremost composers in the Karnatic Music tradition sings the glory of this temple in his kriti 'Ananda Natana Prakasam'. The Alwar Poems of the Naalayira Divya Prabandam sing the glory of Vishnu, whose image is also housed in this temple, and his shrine is referred to as 'Tiruchitrakootam'. Adi Sankara is said to have presented a Spatika Lingam which is still under worship in this temple. Sekkizhaar's Periya Puranam, describing poetically the life of the Saivite Saints (63 in number) was composed in the 1000 pillared hall,
Main diety	Natarajar, Akasha Lingam, Sivakami Amman (Shiva, Parvati)
Other Deities	Vinayagar , Periyanayagi Amman.,Arthanareeswara Shrine ,GiriGujambika Shrine (Sambandar - South, Appar - West, Sundarar - North and Manikkavacakar - East).
Nataraja:	The dance of bliss, or the Ananda Tandavam of Shiva is said to symbolize the five divine acts (pancha krityas) of creation, sustenance, dissolution, concealment and bestowment of grace. The dance of Shiva has been frozen in metal and held in worships in Nataraja Sabhas, in virtually all of the Saivite temples in Tamilnadu. one of the Five of the foremost Sabhas (Pancha Sabhai) are at Chidmbaram (Kanaka Sabhai the hall of gold), .
Religion	Hinduism
Famous For	Chidambaram is thus one of the panchabootha sthalas .In other words Chidambaram is one of five holiest Shiva temples representing one of the five natural elements - space The image of Nataraja, depicts the Lord Shiva as the Lord of the dance Bharatanatyam and is one of the few temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than a Lingam. The Cosmic Dance of Lord Nataraja symbolises the motion of the universe is sustained by Lord Shiva. The temple has five courts. Aragalur udaya Iraratevan Ponparappinan alias Vanakovaraiyan rebuilt the Siva temple at Chidambaram around 1213 AD. The same Bana Chief also built Tiruvannamalai temple. To the right of Shiva, is the revered Chidambara rahasyam - or a representation of emptiness garlanded with golden vilva leaves. The curtain in front of the Chidambara Rahasyam, representing Shiva (and Parvati) in the formless form (Aroopam) is lifted ceremoniously during worship services, with offerings of lamps.
Etymology	CHIDAMBARAM - MEANS >># chit means-"consciousness", and ambaram, means "sky" (from aakasam or aakayam); thus it refers to the chidaakasam, the sky of consciousness, which is the ultimate aim one should attain as mentioned by all the Vedas and scriptures >> # chit + ambalam. Ambalam means "stage" (for performing arts). The chidakasam is the state of supreme bliss or aananda and Lord Natarajar is the symbolic representation of the supreme bliss or aananda natanam. Saivaites believe that a visit to Chidambaram leads to liberation. >># chithu means "play or dance of God" and ambalam meaning "stage".
Significance:	Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). Shiva is also worshipped in the "formless form" of the Chidambara Rahasyam, while the temple is known for its Akasa Lingam, an embodiment of Shiva as the formless Space. The word "Koyil" or temple in the Tamil Saivite tradition refers to none other than the Chidambaram Nataraja temple.
Temple (Holy) Tree &threetham	Temple (Holy) Tree (Sthalavirutsha):- Tillai tree Sacred Tank (Theertham):- Sivaganga thirtham
Festival	PIRATHOSAM, *** Two annual Bhrammotsavams at Chidambaram are of great significance, as they involve colorful processions of festival deities in the car streets. The grandest of these occurs in the month of Margazhi (Dec 15 - Jan 15), concluding on the full moon day corresponding to the Arudra Darisanam festival (Arudra Darisanam is celebrated in Saivite temples all over Tamilnadu). *** ten day festival # the hoisting of the temple flag on the first day, # followed by colorful procesions of the five deities (Pancha Murthys) on the first eight days on various mounts. # The fifth day features Mount Kailasam, # the sixth day features the elephant mount. # the ninth day that Nataraja leaves his sanctum, and is taken in a procession through the car streets, in the grand temple car. This is a special occasion and crowds throng to see it. Local fishermen communities traditionally offer gifts to Nataraja during this procession. Nataraja then returns to the Raja Sabha of the temple, where in the pre-dawn hours of the next day, while the moon is full, special abhishekams are performed to Nataraja, in the presence of thousands of devotees, and this ritual is followed by the royal audience of Nataraja in the Raja Sabha. In the afternoon, Nataraja returns to the shrine ceremoniously from the Raja Sabha, amidst an enactment of the Ananda Tandavam or the Dance of Bliss. *** The second of the Bhrammotsavams The second of the Bhrammotsavams happens in the month of Aani, and it concludes with Aani Tirumanjanam on the tenth day, in a manner similar to Arudra Darisanam in Margazhi. It is interesting that these annual Bhrammotsavams or festivals happen in the months immediately preceding the summer and winter solstices (ie. Gemini and Sagittarius). Live dance performances have been introduced to the temple recently, in the form of annual dance festivals.
Best Time	All seasons
Opening Schedule	5.30 a. m to 1. p.m., 3.p.m. to 10.p.m.
Visit Timings	5.30a. m to 1. p.m., 4.p.m. to 10.p.m.
Pooja Schedule	7 a. m to 1. p.m., 4.p.m. to 10.p.m.
special pooja	Six worship services are offered in this temple each day the ArdhaJaama Puja (the most special one), where the padukas (footwear) of Nataraja are ceremoniously taken to the Palliarai (night chamber) of Shiva and Parvati after elaborate rituals.
pooja details	Karthigai(3rd Friday) Brahmotsava Margazhi Thiruvathirai-Nartaraja’s Procession Thai(1st day) Punuguchattam-Adornement Masi Sivarathri-Nagaraja Worship-2nd kala Chitirai Singaravelar’s Procession Vaikasi(Visaka) Somaskanthar’s Procession Purattasi Navarathri Festival Aippasi Kandasasti the most special is the ArdhaJamma Puja
Entry Formalities	Free
Accomodation	Many hotels and restaurant are there in Thanjavur , kumbakonam and cuddalore
Accesibility	THE WAYS OF APPROCH TO THIS TEMPLE Pilgrims coming form Madurai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore Salem etc., have to alight at Thanjavur Bus Stand and form there, they can come to Kumbakonam . Pilgrims form Madras, Neyveli, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur etc., have to alight at Kumbakonam bus stand and form there. The temple town of Chidambaram is home to the Annamalai University, and it has several modern lodging facilities. Chidambaram is on the Chennai Tiruchirappalli Main line, between Villuppuram and Thanjavur. It is well connected with Chennai by a host of train and bus services. By road it is only 235 kilometers South of Chennai. Thanjavur is only about 100 kilometers away from Chidambaram. Rail Chidambaram is well connected by rail to important towns and cities of Tamilnadu. Chidambaram can be reached from Chennai (235 Km) in approximately six hours, from Kumbakonam in two hours and from Tanjore in four hours. Road Chidambaram is reachable by bus from almost anywhere in Tamil Nadu and other adjoining states. Air The nearest airport is Trichy at a distance of about 160 Km.

Planet	Meaning
Sun	Physical Manifestation of the Sun Golden god of Prophecy
Moon	Moon goddess Goddess of the Hunt
Mercury	Messenger God
Venus	Goddess of Love
Earth	Goddess of the Earth
Mars	God of War
Vesta	Goddess of the sacred hearth
Juno	Queen of the gods and women
Ceres	Goddess of motherly Love
Pallas Athena	Goddess of Brilliance
Jupiter	Leader of the Gods
Saturn	God of Time
Chiron	Teacher of Centaurean decent
Uranus	God of the Heavens
Neptune	God of the Sea
Pluto	God of the Underworld