Subramaniaswami (Enkan Murugan) Temple - Tiruvarur District

 History

Lord Muruga demanded Lord Brahmma to explain the meaning of Pranava Mantra. He could not. Lord Muruga put Brahamma in prison and took up the creation job too. Though Brahmma was released later, he could not get back His assignment. Brahamma began worshipping Lord Shiva with His eight eyes. When Lord Shiva asked Muruga to leave the job to Brahamma, Muruga politely refused saying that He was not qualified for the job as He did not know the meaning of Pranava. Lord Shiva advised Muruga to teach the Mantra to Brahmma and reinstate Him in his place. Lord Muruga obeyed His Father and taught Pranava to Brahamma. As Brahmma worshipped Lord Shiva with His eight eyes (En Kan), the place also came to be known as Brahmmapuram. So goes the sthala purana – story of the land

Years 
1000-year old 

 Festival:

14 day Thai Poosam-Brahmmotsavam in January-February is grandly celebrated in the temple. A king, Simmavarman by name was cursed with a Lion’s face by Sage Brugu. For relief, the king prayed to Enkan Lord Muruga bathing in the Vruddha Cauveri River (Vottaru). On a Thain Poosam star day (January-February) combined with Full Moon, Lord Muruga appeared before the king and restored his human face. This festival day is grandly celebrated in the temple carrying Kavadi on their shoulders. Other festivals are monthly Kruthika star days, 8 day Skanda Sashti in Aipasi (October-November), Karthikai in November-December, Masi Karthikai (February-March), Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year Days.

Temple’s Speciality:

In the month of Panguni (March-April), the rays of Sun fall on Lord Brahmmapureeswarar for three days. It is noteworthy that the idols of Lord Muruga in Sikkal, Ettukudi and Enkan temples were sculpted by the same artist showing the Lord on His peacock vehicle. The idols are made with rare sculptural skill that the whole weight of the idol rests on a single leg of the peacock. A rare craftsmanship.

Opening Time:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Address:

Sri Subramaniaswami Temple, Enkan, Tiruvarur district.

Sikkal Singaravelan Temple - Sikkal

 History

This temple is older than 1000 years. As per Thala purana this place is where sage Vashistar had his ashram. He worshiped the Lord Shiva daily. At that time Kamadenu ( a holy cow) have come down to earth due to some curse. Kamadenu took bath in one of the tanks here and it allowed its milk to get mixed with water. Hence the water tank becomes full of milk. Sage Vashistar made a Linga made up of butter using that milk and worshipped. After completing his prayer he tried to take the Linga out of his hand and he couldn’t. So the place is called as Sikkal as per another mythological story. Here the Lord Shiva is called ‘Thiru Vennai Nathar’ (vennai means butter) as he was made up of butter.

Years 
1000-year old 

 Temple Festival : Kanda Shasti – Special. Chithirai- Brahmotsavam

Locaion : 

Sri Navanideswarar Temple, Sikkal P.O- 611108, Nagai Dt.

6km from Nagai.

Temple Phone : 04365-245350.

Temple Timing:  5.30 am to 1pm, 4pm to 9pm.

Avudaiyarkoil - thiruperunthurai- Pudukkottai District

History

Saint Manickavasagar, then heading the cabinet of Pandya king, came to this place Tiruperundurai, now Avudayarkoil to buy horses. He heard sounds of Shivagama Mantras there and saw a Guru sitting there.The prime minister fell at the feet of the Lord and begged Him to teach him wisdom.While learning, Manickavasagar plunged into deep meditation. When he opened his eyes, he found his teacher absent in the place and understood that his Guru was none other than Lord Shiva Himself. He spent all the money he carried for buying horses in building a temple for his Guru-Shiva and dedicated himself in the service of Lord.

Special Feature:

Avudayarkoil temple is home of the pinnacle of Tamil temple architectural skills with its stone chain with a snake spinning around it, musical stones, 1000 small pillars carved in two big stones.

Years 

1500-year old 

Location

The devotee has to reach Arantangi from Pudukkottai. Bus facilities are available conveniently from Arantangi to Avudayarkoil. The place is 100 km from Tiruchi, 48 from Pudukkottai, 14 km from Arantangi and 102 from Thanjavur.

Temple Timing:

The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m