The below-mentioned accounts are not meant for comparison or competition with other religions. They are based on actual events.
Mailaapoor Kabaleeshwarar
Address: Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004.
Mother Karpagaambal prayed to Lord Shiva in the form of a peacock (Maiyil) at this place of devotion, therefore it is known as Mailaapoor. Saints Thiruvaluvar and Vayilaar Nayanar were born here in this state of Mailaapoor.
The presiding deity Lord Shiva is named Kabaleeshwarar, initially, the temple was located at Mailaapoor seaside. Thevaram (Holy scriptures) lines of The Great Arunagirinathar had depicted as such. This site was cleared for the present Santhom Church during the Portuguese occupation.
It was in this temple that Saint Nyanasambanthar brought back to life a deceased girl by the name of ‘Poompavai’ with Lord Shiva’s grace. She died when she was bitten by a poisonous snake while collecting flowers for prayers to the Lord. She was literally brought back to life from the urn that carried her ashes. A shrine has been made at this Temple for the said girl.
Paathaala Maleeshwarar
Address: Thyagarajapuram, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004, India
There is a state called Mannadi in Chennai area and the reason why this place got its name was that the presiding deities Lord Shiva in the form of a Linga and the Goddess Ambika in the form of Emerald statue were found buried in the once Jasmine forested area of the temple. The Lord was named Paathala Maleeshwarar and the goddess Maragathaambal. The origin of these well-chiselled statues remains unknown.
Thiruvohtriyoor
Address: Sannathi St, Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600019, India
Thiruvohtriyoor Vadivudainaayagi Amman temple is said to be the first temple in the world. Therefore, Lord Shiva is known as Aathipureeshwarar here. The lord appears in the form of a sandpit here. Here the Shahasra Linga (1008 in one Linga) reflects the evening sun and projects it on the devotee as if a mirror even if the Linga is made of stone. This is, in fact, a miracle. It is said that the 27 divine stars worship Lord Shiva and Mother at this Temple. The large Linga found in the open-aired sanctum is said to be growing in size mysteriously.
The Vattaparai Amman was appeased by the prayer of Lord Athi Shankarar by installing a Shri Chakra here as she had become horrid before his arrival due to life sacrifices done in her name. It is also mentioned that Saint Vyasa wrote the Ramayana here and later published it at Sri Rangam. It is here that Saint Sundarar lost his eyesight after going against his words pledged in the presence of Lord Shiva.
Aayarpaadi
Address:Aayarpaadi,ponneri,ponneri-601204,thiruvallur,Tamil Nadu,IN
It is here that there is a temple known as Kari Krishnar Kovil, this temple was known as such as there was once an elephant which displayed its devotion to a self-manifested Shree Krishna idol here. Kari means elephant.
The deity Lord Krishna here is self-manifested and has no feet. He appears slanted and is seen playing the flute. This temple’s granite shelter bearing 16 pillars also appear slanted on their own to match the stance of the presiding Lord. This is a miracle!!
Thirumullaivayil
Address: Sri Masilamani Easwarar Temple, North Tirumullaivayil, Chennai.
Here Lord Shiva is in the form of a Mercury Linga that miraculously holds up and is known as Maasilamaneshwarar. Since all the Navagrahams are merged into the Linga of Lord Shiva here they do not have a separate sanctum. A king named Thondaimaan requested to Lord Shiva for Lord Nandi to accompany him during a battle with opposing forces and it was said that the Lord Nandi idol had then turned East, unlike all such idols which usually face the direction of Lord Shiva.
Sinnakaavanam
Address:Chinnakavanam, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu 601204, India
Here Lord Shiva is known as Noothiyeteeshwarar (Sathurvedeshwarar) as the Saint Agathiyar had fused 108 Shiva Lingas to make the Shiva Linga seen here. There is also another Linga named Agatheeshwarar here named after the Saint Agathiyar who formed it.
There is a tree known as the ‘Yezhrinchal’ tree whose fruits stick back to the tree even after the fruits have riped and dropped. This species cannot be found anywhere else in the world it seems. The tree is said to be at least 2500 yrs old. The tree seems to have a magnetic effect on its fruits. The idol of Lord Pullaiyaar (Elephant God) under this tree has no trunk. It is unknown why Saint Agathiyar installed this idol under the said tree.
Thiruvalangaadu
Address:Sri Vandarkuzhali-Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Tiruvalangadu – 609 810, Tiruvallur district.
This temple is the place where Lord Shiva is said to have danced the Anugraha Thandavam on the request of the lady Saint Karaikaal Ammaiyaar. As such the place where this dance took place is known as the Rathna Sabai. It is believed the land here is riddled with Lingas that are self-manifested underground.
There is a wall behind the metal idol of Lord Shiva as Nadarajar. The wall holds a bricked-up room barred from access. It is said that Karaikaal Ammaiyaar disappeared into that room where after seeing the dance of the Lord, no one knows what was inside.
Koovam Thiruvirkoolanathar
Address:Sri Tripuranthakeswarar Temple, Cooum-631 402, Via Perambakkam, Tiruvallur district., Tamil Nadu 631402, India
It was said that Lord Shiva left to destroy Thiripuram which was a place that was formed by three demons who abused the boons he gave them. It is when going there did Lord Shiva forget to inform his son Lord Vinayagar who broke the wheels on his chariot. Here the Lord Vinayagar is known as ‘Achirukku Vinayagar’ it was a play by the Lord. The wheel part that was broken was called Koovaram and this is what gave the state its name as Koovam.
The Shiva Linga presiding here is self-manifested. This Lingam changes colour according to the season, indicating the favourable time for harvest assisting the poor farmers till today!!! The best part is that if there is a danger to India the Lingam turns red.
The temples water tank does not have any frogs living here at all for reasons unknown !! Besides that, the other miracle which happened at Perumaal Street nearby was the then Kaanchi Maha Periyavar gave a coconut to a devotee by the name of Subramaniyam about 50 years ago, and till date the coconut had not rotted!!
Shree Ranganathar
Address:Sri Venkateswara Perumal Temple, Tiruparkadal Post-632 508, Kaveripakkam, Wallajapet Taluk, Vellore district.
This temple is next to Sathurvethi Mangalam in a state called Thiruparkadal (Great Sea), it is said that there is a water reservoir as big as the sea under this temple that was discovered recently but the name of this place was given way before this discovery. How did the people years ago, know this truth and name this place as such? This is evidence that there is something that the ancients knew that surpasses Science.
Thakohlam Jalatheshwarar
Address:Sri Giriraja Kannikambal – Chalanadeeswarar Temple, Thakkolam – 631 151, Vellore district.
This is the place where Lord Shiva took the form of Lord Veerabathrar to behead the demon Thakshan who later learnt from his mistakes and repented for his sin of not respecting Lord Shiva. Thakshan’s actions caused the death of Goddess Sakthi when she was in her human form. The scream (Ohlam), while Thakshan was being beheaded, was later known as Thakohlam. Therefore the place where this occurred was named after this event.
Also in Thakohlam, this temple has a Shiva Lingam that turns colour according to seasons and this Linga was said to be made by Goddess Sakthi using sand. It was during a time of the flood that Mother Sakthi hugged the Linga from being damaged. It is then that her hug made a mark on the Linga which can be seen till today!!
Thiruvohthoor Vedapooreshwarar
Address: Vedhapureeswarar Temple SH 5, Thiruvatoor, Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu 604407
It is here that the Jains challenged Saint Nyanasambanthar to prove the superiority of Saivism as compared to Jainism and lead Saivism to prove that it was indeed superior to the latter. This was proven when Saint Nyanasambanthar’s song writings on Lord Shiva were thrown in the river they floated against the flow of the river current. Whereas the writings of the Jains sank to the bottom of the river. The Jains learnt their mistakes and willingly took up Saivism.
The Shiva Linga here appears illuminated even if the sanctum is dark!! The Lord Ganesha (Valampuri Vinayagar) idol here seems not to have any blemish showing that it was not sculpted and that is, in fact, a miracle.
Thirukachoor
Address:Sri Kachabeswarar, Marundeeswarar Temple, Tirukachur – 603 204, Kancheepuram district.
This is the place where Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise (Kacham) and worshiped Lord Shiva for his blessings. It also here that Lord Shiva begged for alms to feed his devotee Saint Sundarar. It was the play of the Lord.
Thiruidaicharam (Thiruvadi Soolam)
Address: Sri Gnanapureeswarar Temple, Tiruvadishoolam-603 108 (Tiru Idaisuram), Chengalpat.
The presiding deity Lord Shiva in the form of an emerald Lingam is said to be made from herbs that had formed into emerald. When light is brought next to the Linga it is said to look like a flame itself.
It is also said that while Saint Nyanasambanthar was on his way to Thirukazhukundram he was hungry, Lord Shiva disguised as a goat herder approached the Saint with yogurt rice but the Saint declined by stating that he only eats after praying to Lord Shiva. Just so that he ate Lord Shiva brought him to this temple to fulfil the Saint’s prayers.
Sembaakam
Address: Kanchipuram District, Near SSN College, Thiruporur, Tamil Nadu 603110, India
It is here that the demon Soorabathman’s head fell when he was beheaded by Lord Murugan. This temple has a tree that is a merger between two species which is said to be Lord Shiva’s favourite.
It is here that Lord Murugar won Soorabathman in battle while in flight. It is only here that you will find Lord Murugan in his self-manifested form.
Thirunalaaru
Address:Kumbakonam-Karaikal Road, Thirunallar, Karaikal, Puducherry 609607, India
In this temple, Lord Shiva punished a lying caretaker who stole the milk that a good cow herder had provided as a token of devotion to the Lord. The Lord threw his trident towards the caretaker. It is said that the bali beedam (temple structure facing the lord) moved from its position to make way for the trident.
It is mentioned that satellites slow down in space when they orbit over this temple making it evident that the effects of Lord Sani Bagawan are strong here.
Thiru Irumbai Maha Khaleshwar
Address:Shri Mahakaleswarar Temple, Irumbai-605 010, Arovil. Villupuram district.
There was a Sithar (Pure Saint) named Kaduvaeli Sithar he was so great that with his God-given powers he managed to eradicate the famine faced by the people of this state for a lady dancer by the name of Valli had worshipped him with regards.
One day during the peacetime and during a public procession Valli performed a dance that was being viewed by all the people of the state including the King and the Sithar himself. The Sithar was entranced by the dance and felt as though it was Lord Shiva himself dancing. It then did Valli’s anklets broke, seeing this the Sithar went forward to put it back on her. This action was ridiculed by the common folk. To the Sithar who observed celibacy, it was the dance of Shiva but to the common folk, it seemed that he had broken his vow of celibacy. This angered the Sithar who felt that he was betrayed and mentioned “Naan patta avamanathukku kallum pizhanthu kaduvaeli aagattum!!!” which means “Let the rock split and let that place be a barren land.”
True to these words the Shiva Linga exploded and split into 3 parts leaving 2 pieces to be in the temple’s sanctum and the third piece fell elsewhere near the temple making that place a barren land till date!!! Lord Shiva had immortalized the Sithar his devotee even in his play which seemed as though the Lord had ridiculed him. Such is the grace of the loving Majesty.
Soorakkudi Shasta (Aiyanaar)
Address: Sri Paramanatha Ayyanar Temple, Soorakkottai, Thanjavur district
It is known that Aiyanaar is, in fact, Lord Ayyappan who is also worshipped in Kerala. There was an incident when a dead child was brought back to life in this temple. During the occupation of the British one of the district collectors (Official designation) at that time had passed across this temple without respecting the deity and this was punished by Lord Aiyanaar when the collector’s horse died instantly. The collector then paid respect to the Lord realising his mistake.
It was also mentioned that gallops of a horse could be heard around this state during the night without one insight, this horse is said to be the steed of the Lord. In another incident when a boy was due to attend an exam fell ill from smallpox. He could not attend the exam. His prayer to the Lord cured him on the day of the exam. The last incident happened when a student could not get a placement in a school. He suddenly got his placement while he offered his prayer to the Lord via telegram.
Sivapuram Siva Gurunathar
Address: Sri Sivagurunathaswami Temple, Sivapuram, Sakkottai Post – 612 401, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore district.
There was once a man called Thanabathi who heard from someone that a child sacrifice by cutting it above the Shiva Linga would bring him great wealth. He managed to get a poor man’s child for the said sacrifice due to the latter’s poverty. However, it seemed that Lord Shiva saved the child after it started praying to Mother Singara Valli.
The miracle is that the Lord in the main sanctum a Lingam, till today sweats red looking globules of liquid supposedly known to be blood. This seems to be in protest against such mindless sacrifices.
Karupoor Sundareshwarar
Address: Sri Sundareswarar temple, Koranattu karuppur,Kumbakonam-612001.Tamilnadu.
About 200yrs ago a wooden box floated from an unknown destination to this place along the Kavaeri River and in this box, there was Goddess Kali Statue. Mother had eight hands, red eyes, sharp teeth and her Soolam (Speared weapon). The origin of this statue was not known however the shelter that they initially safe kept this statue started catching fire. It is only then that the Kaanchi Shankararchaariyar mentioned that this statute needs to be worshipped kept in a silver box and closed that these bad omens stopped.
Thirupanathaal Arunajadaeshwarar
Address: Sri Arunajadeswarar Temple,Thiruppanandal (Po), Kumbakonam(Tk),Tanjore (Dt). Pin : 612 504.
The demoness Thadakai was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, it was here that she prayed to the Lord to grant her the boon of bearing a child. One day, while she was offering a garland to the Lord her dress, slipped from her waist. She had no choice but to hold the garland with her palms at the same time clutch her dress with her elbows at her waist. At this point, she was not able to move and adorn the Lord with the garland. She then requested the Lord to help her with the situation. The Lord whom is the Father so divine and loving, as a Shiva Linga cast in stone bent his head in a way that she could place the garland on him.
He remained in this position till another ardent devotee Kunguliya Kalaiya Nayanaar vowed to straighten him back to his original posture. The Nayanaar put a noose around his neck and tied the other end to the bent Shiva Linga and pulled it with force stating that he would rather die by suffocation if the Lord did not straighten himself. The Lord once again showed that he loved his devotees. To save the life of the Nayanaar he again bent himself so that the Nayanaar did not die of suffocation.
The beauty and the finale of this miracle are that the Lord’s Stone Linga appears slightly bent till today bearing witness to the divine acts of both his devotees immortalizing their great devotion for him.
Panthanalloor Pasupathinathar
Address: Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Pandanallur-609 807. Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district.
Mother Parvathi was banished to earth as a cow as she had committed the mistake of playing with the 4 Vedas making them into a ball. During this curse, she bathed the Lord who was a self-manifested Linga every day since. She attained her true form when she was hit by a Saint (her worldly owner) with a rod for wasting milk that was meant for his prayers to the Lord instead. It is said that till today there are traces on the said Linga in the main sanctum showing marks of a cow’s hoof on the self-manifested Linga.
The Raja Gopuram (Temple’s Tower) here has Lord Muniswarar as the guardian and as the light from an oil lamp that has been burning on its own for a few hundred years now!!
Thiruarathai Paerum Pazhi, Haridhwara Mangalam, Pathaleshwarar
Address: Sri Padaleswarar Temple, Haridwaramangalam post, Valangaiman Taluk, Tiruvarur district-612 802.
This is the place where Lord Vishnu took the form of a wild boar to bore the earth from under Lord Shiva’s feet to get blessings from him to view his head. Lord Shiva was ever-growing in height due to a competition that had ensued among the trinity (Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu & Lord Brahma). The hole still exists today and is covered up with rounded stone.
Thirupoonthuruthi Pushpavanaeswarar
Address: Sri Pushpavaneswarar Temple, Tirupoonturuthi Post, Via Kandiyur – 613 103, Tiruvaiyaru taluk, Thanjavur district.
It was here that the Saint Appar did some housekeeping for the Temple making it conducive for worship. The child saint Nyanasambanthar had such great respect for Appar that he refused to set foot into the temple that Saint Appar toiled at.
When Saint Nyanasambanthar prayed to Lord Shiva from outside the temple. The rock-solid Lord Nandi’s statue moved as not to block Saint Nyanasambanthar’s view of Lord Shiva. Lord Nandi’s statue appears moved till today!!!
It was also here that Saint Appar without a morsel of ego lifted the palanquin that Saint Nyanasambanthar sat on, even though the latter was just a small child. The place that this occurred is known as ‘Sambanthar Maedu’. Saint Appar’s humility was immortalized by this humble act of his.
Uraiyoor Panjavarnaeshwarar
Address: Woraiyur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620003, India
During an attempt to relocate the self-manifested Shiva Lingam here it was said that after digging to a depth of 15ft the Lingam was still not able to be moved, this meant that the depth of the Lingam is further than that!! Therefore, the attempt was abandoned.
The other miracle was, about 1000 years ago, before the invention of a bicycle, the ancients had drawn a picture with a man riding a bicycle at this temple. This, in fact, was a prediction that leaves one awestruck!!
Thirupainjeeli Gneelivaneswarar
Address: Shri Gneelivaneswarar Temple, Tiruppaigneeli, Trichy
It is here that Lord Yama the God of death came back to life after he was killed by Lord Shiva for trying to harm his devotee Saint Markandeyar at Thirukadaiyoor. It is also here that Lord Shiva disappeared after he provided the famished Saint Appar refreshment during the Saint’s quest to meet the latter at Kailash (Himalayas).
Here Lord Shiva danced on request of Saint Agathiyar as the latter had missed the dance of the Lord when he first danced in Chidambaram.
There are two Goddess Visaalachi statues at this temple because when the Moguls attacked this state they draped the older statue and put her aside. When the Hindu authorities regained power, they decided to make another statue instead of using the older one. However, the Goddess appeared in the dream of one of the heads of authorities and asked him “If your daughter was injured would you cast her aside?” with this two separate sanctums were made for both the new and the old idol.
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