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Major Temples Of Tamilnadu -
Thousands of temples with lofty towers dot the skyline of the entire state of Tamil Nadu. The Tamils have been the greatest of temple builders. Successive Tamil rulers, patrons of art and architecure belonging to the Pallava, Chola and Pandya Dynasty have all contributed greatly.
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The Chayavaneswara temple is located in Chayavanam (Chaikadu), at a distance of two miles from Tiruvengadu and about a mile from the confluence of River Kaveri with the sea, known as "Kaveripatnam".
Much sanctity is attached to this temple and the pilgrims after ablution at the confluence worship Lord Chayavaneswara and seek his blessings. According to Hindu customary rites a bath at the confluence of a river with the sea is considered religiously meritorious. |
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Iyarpagai Nayanar
The temple attained legendary importance for its connection with Iyarpagai Nayanar, one of the sixty-three Nayanmars or Saivite saints of the South. The story goes that the Nayanar used to spend all his wealth for temples, feeding sadhus and satisfying their desires.
It so happened that once an old man approached him with the very absurd request to send his (Nayanars) wife to him as a gift. Without hesitation Iyarpagai Nayanar satisfied the desire of the old man. But this created commotion among his relatives, who never appreciated such a gift. However socially degrading it may be, he insisted upon his wife to follow the sadhu and she did so. The old man transformed into Lord Shiva, praised the Nayanar for his unstinted devotion towards Saivite saints and blessed him with liberation. Lord Shiva tests the depth of devotion of his devotees and rewards them when they stand the test |
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Krishnapuram is a small village in Tirunelveli district at a distance of about six miles from Tirunelveli town. In spite of the innumerable and wonderful temples in Tamil Nadu, Krishnapuram's temple holds its own, as far as sculptural splendour goes. Astonishing is the fact that 300 years later, the figures look alive and young. Interestingly, the Arulnigu Venkatachalapati temple houses statues of deities, as well as scenes from court life. Some of its pillars emanate interesting sounds, when tapped.
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Lord Venkatachalapati has been installed here with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Pujas and abhishekam are being conducted to the Lord daily and some important festivals are celebrated every year. There are a good number of images and idols of sculptural interest in the temple, attracting hundreds of visitors.
The whole body of the man is twisted in an agony of pain. It is a marvel where the, sculptor got a model for his work. The other side of the pillar shows the princess's mother consulting a female palmist. The curves of the feminine body, its dress and ornaments have been depicted in luscious glory and with pointed attention to detail.
The same affectionate care has been bestowed upon the statue of Rati (Goddess of Love), the eternal beauty, full of an entirely human vanity, admiring herself and bearing a look of mixed self-satisfaction and serene contentment.
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