04 October 2009

Piranmalai, Thirupattur, Thirukoshtiyur, Thirumayam, Sithannavasal, Kudumiyanmalai,

We have completed Kongu Nadu, Tondai Nadu and Nadu Nadu. We ventured into Pandi Nadu (as called in PPS) and Pandiya Nadu (as in DD). We visited Kodunkundram (Piranmalai), Thirupattur, Thirukoshtiyur and Thirumayam.

We started from Tiruchi at 6am, took the nice highway to Madurai. After about 70km, took a left turn at Pallapatti. After 7km in this scenic road is Piranmalai (Kodunkundram). Piranmalai is reportedly the place Pari gave his chariot to Mullaikodi. Sung in many place in Sangam (Pattupattu, Ettuthogai). Temple is on the foothills. The temple is at three levels - Kodunkundreesar, the Padal Petra Swamy and Ambal, is at the bottom. You climb a flight of steps, you reach the middle level, & the famous Bhairavar and Kasi Viswanathar sannidhis . Another flight of steps leads to Mangai Bhagar - Swamy & Ambal in Kalyana Kolam (not Linga sswaroopam). Temple is under the Kundrakudi Adheenam. Curiously, there area couple of inscriptions from 1970s eulogising Kalaignar, including his achievement of winning against Aryans.

Sambandar padigam. Photos

Kannan Bhattar 96556 70709

We left Piranlamai at 930 & reached Titupattur at 10 (30km). Temple is under renovation. Swamy was worshipped by Lakshmi & hence Thiruthalinathar, Tirupattur etc. Yoga Bhairavar draws many devotees. Legend is that Nagesh, oops, Darumi was a Sivacharyar in Tiruputtur and the Lord composed Kongu Ther Vazhkai for him to be honoured by the king. temple &
Sambandar, Appar padigams. Photos Temple phone 04577 322486. Piranmalai Kannan Bhattar's uncle is the Gurukkal.


Tirukoshtiyur is about 10km from Tirupattur. The place where Ramanujar broadcast Ashtaksharam for the benefit of mankind. There are four Perumals at four levels - at ground level - Krishnan (Koothadiya kolam), first floor- Sowmyanarayanan (Kidantha kolam), Ninra Perumal at third level & Paramapada Nathan (amarntha kolam) at fourth level). It is from the fourth level of the Ashtanga Vimanam, Ramanujar announced for the world the Ashtaksharam.
Vimanam Glold Plating project is on. London Madhava Bhattacharyar ( 97863 09300) is the chief priest. Commanding & demanding. Apparently, he got the title after visiting London. You cannot see him in his current avatar for a long time as he is going to America and you can only see him as America Madhava Bhattacharyar after this. Not sure if Perumals at 3rd & 4th level are worshipped everyday.

Reached Tirumayam at 1230. The temple is one of the olderst in Tamil Nadu, a Pallava construction. Perumal & Siva temples by the side of Tirumayam fort. Two perumals - Ninra Swamy & a huge Kidantha Perumal.


After lunch at Pudukottai, visited Sithannavasal (Rock cut caves & Paintings) and Kudumiyanmalai, famous for Pallava period Inscription on Music (now UNESCO World Heritage Monument).

Reached Trichy at 630.