#KandaSashti
"Subrahmanya Parakramam," a book authored by Na. Kathiraiver Pillai talks about 46 rare forms of Shri Subrahmanya Swamy (Murugan) with beautiful illustrations.

Sharing with you a few of those namas and illustrations from the book in this thread.
In order.
1. Shri Subrahmanya Swamy
2. Pathankabavarka murthy
3. Singamukaasuravadha murthy
4. Sarvavibuthva murthy


5. Abhishekakumara murthy
6. Madhukavala murthy
7. Mavittapura kangeya murthy
8. Varunendra mardhana murthy

Juradevar is depicted with 3 heads, 3 legs, and 3 arms, holding a rod, a bell and a trishulam in many ancient Shiva temples in TN. He is worshipped by devotees by anointing pepper paste, performing abhishekam with hot water, and lighting a ghee lamp for curing high fever.
Who is Juradevar? Check this thread.

Note: Pic from Mayiladuthurai Shri Mayuranathar temple When Dakshayani self-immolated due to the humiliation inflicted by her father on her and Mahadeva, Veerabhadra emerged from Shiva's divine locks, destroying the yagna and slaying Daksha.
At that moment, yagnapala took the form of a deer and began to ascend. Shiva captured it, and as he did, a drop of his intense sweat fell on the ground.

On the auspicious occasion of #Ganeshchaturthi, let's have darshan of some of the ancient Vinayaka murtis of Tamilnadu.

1. Alangramam Vinayakar: This ancient vinayaka, possibly the oldest in TN, can be dated back prior to 4th century CE, is in Alangramam Yama Dhandeeswarar temple. The inscription below this murti is in the ancient Tamizh Brahmi/vattezuthu script. It reads

"பிரமிறை பன்னூரு சேவிக…. மகன்…. கிழார் கோன்….. கொடுவித்து”. Pillayarpatti Karpaga Vinayakar: One of the oldest rock cut temples in TN, the Karpaga Vinayakar can be traced back to 7th Century CE. Known to bless his devotees with abundance like Karpagavruksham, he is most popular in TN.

Snakes, Snakes, and Snakes was what was heard before this Uzhavaarapani started. Several members of Annamalaiyar Arapani Kuzhu encountered snakes in their dreams as the preparation of cleaning this ancient Shri Rama temple at Nemili Mathura Mathapuram, 15 kms from Tiruthani went ahead. Disturbed by the visions and past accounts of seeing large poisonous creatures in this dilapidated temple, Ramachandran sir @pollaavinayen to sought guidance of Devaprasna. Devaprasna revealed that this is the abode of Shri Ananta padmanabhaswamy and the presence of Adishesha and Vasuki here. The temple is the parihara sthalam for pre mature birth and other pregnancy related complications.

A thread on Sastha/Ayyanar worship. Do read.
Since time immemorial, Sastha worship has been prevalent across the globe. Sastha is widely worshipped as Ayyanar/Chathan in TN & Kerala with Shri Ayyappan of Sabarimalai as Dharma Sastha, one of the eight incarnations of Sastha. (1/n)

Sastha refers to teacher/ruler/respectful one while Ayyanar derived from Ayyan, which literally means the same. Ayyanar/Chathan references can be found in ancient Tamizh literary works Puranananooru, Silapathikaram with Kanda puranam calling him "son of Shiva". (2/n)

Do you know there is another Navapashana Murugan installed by Bhogar, one of the 18 siddhars? Yes, It's in Poomparai, 19 kms from Kodaikanal.
I was fortunate to visit Kuzhandai Velappar temple at Poomparai that contains the Navapashana Murugan as its presiding deity. #KodaiTales Located at the centre of this picturesque hilly village, this ancient temple possibly more than 2000 year old was built by Chera King.
Few centuries back, Arunagiri nadhar stayed here and extolled Poomparai Murugan with a Thirupugazh.

Skanda/Kandan worship was once prevalent across geographies but now mostly restricted to southern India, Malaysia etc. Let's see some ancient skanda iconography.
1. Khmer Kandan - 7th CE- Kdei Ang Temple, Kampuchea
2. Skanda - 2nd CE - Gandhara, Afghanistan 3. Skanda - coin of Yaudheya - 1st CE - Punjab
4. Karthikeya - Gupta Period - 5th CE

Check the video clips in this thread to see how a 800 year old Pandya era Shiva lingam and Nandi were reinstated near Sankaran Koil. #Uzhavarapani

Massive 6 ft Shivalingam unearthed at Arasampalayam in Karur dt, TN near the sangam of Amaravathy & Kudakunaaru rivers. Happened on Diwali day. It seems the land owner received divine direction in his dream to unearth after few dharmics approached him. Check this thread for pics. Om Namah Shivaya 🙏

Aap Chronology Samajhiye..
1. 300 kg heroin, 5 AK-47 rifles & 1,000 live rounds of 9mm ammunition seized off the coast of Vizhinjam, Kerala in March 2021.

2. Suresh Rajan, a Sri Lankan, arrested in August 2021 from Angamaly, Kerala linked to Pakistani drug lord, Haji Salim.
1/n 3. 5 Srilankans arrested in Chennai near Porur, in March 2022 with fake passports.Check the names Mary Jensika, Reginold, Mary Sanchika

4. Annamalai exposes fake passport scam involving Srilankans in 12-13 July 2022;ADGP Intelligence David Devaseervatham directly implicit
2/n

My first impression on #PS1 teaser #PonniyinSelvan1
1. Looks completely devoid of Shaivaite symbols. No Vibhooti/Thiruneeru on anyone's forehead.Cholas were stauch Shaivaites.. removing such symbols is a grave injustice.Remember Raja Raja called himself 'Sivapatha Sekaran' 1/n 2. Cholas were pioneers in engineering, spiritually, art, literature, democratic civic system, Navy. Yet, the teaser portrays them as some barbaric warlords
3. Chola's Shiva Bhakti is world renowned. Not an iota of this very important dimension is shown in the movie
2/n

Om Namah Shivaya 🙏
During these challenging times, Gurukataksham trust has been doing Annadanam for last 30 days in Chennai.
Till date, the trust has distributed 7300 meals and 450 grocery kits to the needy. Meals and Grocery kits were distributed to sanitation workers, homeless people, Irulars (Adivasis), elderly in Sembakkam , Selaiyur , Hasthinapuram, Perungalathur, Madambakkam, Chittlapakkam, Vengadamangalam, Rathinamangalam areas.

As we remember one of the greatest sons of this soil Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary, there is another great son whose contributions are long forgotten was also born today
Dr. U.Ve. Swaminatha Iyer
@narendramodi @annamalai_k @BJP4TamilNadu Fondly called as Tamizh Thatha, he was instrumental in bringing to light the forgotten Tamizh literary classics like Silapathikaram, Seeva Chintamani, Purananooru etc. thro' his five decade long dedication.
His contributions to one of the oldest living languages is unparalleled.

#PromoteRuralTemples
Puduthurai Shiva temple: Puduthurai is a small village located near Thirunagari on Seerkazhi-Sattanadhapuram route in Seerkazhi dt, TN.
Here lies a 11th century large Shiva temple in highly dilapidated state
@punarutthana @TheSaveTemples @ReclaimTemples It is very heart wrenching to see most of the temple structure completely collapsed. This temple is a treasure of inscriptions which give huge details on contributions/grants given to this temple by several Chola kings like Utthama Chola, Raja Raja Chola and Vikrama Chola.

Temple revival updates:
Sri Aanandhavalli Ambal Samedha Somasundareshwarar Swamy Temple , Keezhakurichi Village , Pudukottai District.

This ancient dilapidated temple is being renovated and current status can be seen below. Few more pics of the ongoing restoration activities.

As I visited many ancient temples across length and breadth of TN, one aspect that struck me is the unique names of Ambal/Amman. These names are unique, beautiful and aptly describes the beauty, grace and greatness of the Supreme Mother. Thought of sharing with you all. The list is endless. With HER grace, I will try to share as many as possible particularly the lesser known ones. Please give your comments.

1. Sathgunambal/Nallanayaki - Thiruvetkalam Paasupatheeswarar temple
2. Kanakambigai - Sivapuri Uchinadhar temple

Sri Sivalokanadhar temple, Mangudi near Mayiladuthurai, Tamilnadu @punarutthana @pollaavinayen @HinduTemples7 In our Dharma, the three significant realms of existence are Booloka, Pathalaloka and Sivaloka. Around 15 kms from Mayiladuthurai, there are 3 temples representing each. Boolokanadhar in Thirumangalam, Naganathaswamy in Poigaikudi and Sivalokanadhar in Mangudi.

TEMPLE OF THE DAY: Rishis proclaimed that the panchakshara mantra ‘Na, Ma, Śi, Vā, and Ya’ representing the five elements, five senses as the very essence of Vedas.
Today’s post is about a temple where the Lord reflects our inner self and reveal himself in enchanting five colours Located in the southern banks of River Cauvery, Thirunallur is the abode of Shri Panchavarneshwarar/Kalyanasundarar and Maa Kalyanasundari. This ancient temple is also deeply connected with two Nayanmars (63 shaivaite saints). @punarutthana @kshetrapalas

As I see renewed interests among youngsters and dharmic oriented people who are keen to learn about our temples, our glorious history and scriptures, thought of sharing this.
Do listen to ‘Periyava puranathil Periya Puranam’ by Balaji Bhagavathar.
Wonderful upanyasam on Periya puranam with beautiful anectodes and descriptions. Total 102 episodes and I just completed 50.
Immerse yourself in bliss listening to Nayanmars’ glorious lives full of unbridled Bhakti, Sacrifice and mesmerising Tamizh.

TEMPLE OF THE DAY: On this auspicious day of Karthigai Somavaram, let us know about a glorious temple which stands witness to a divine play and bears the footsteps of Lord Shiva in its premise.

Sri Kripapureeshwarar temple in Thiruvennainallur, Villupuram dt, TN @punarutthana This is that divine place where Lord Shiva appeared as an old man claiming Sundarar ( first of 63 Nayanmars Shaivaite saints) as his attendant on his wedding day.
Here, the Lord is called ‘Atkondanadhar’ and Supreme mother blesses us as ‘Mangalambigai’

Om Namah Shivaya 🙏🏻
Nattrunaiyavadhu Namachivayame 🙏🏻

With divine grace, Annamalaiyar Arappani Kuzhu led by @pollaavinayen is involved in Uzhavarapani of dilapidated temples since 2006.
Today’s post is about one such revival activity done in 2019. @punarutthana @raaga31280 An ancient dilapidated Shiva temple probably as ancient as 700 years was lying in ruins in Koogaiyur around 250 kms and 12 kms from Chinna Salem on Salem-Perambalur road.