Masilamani Eswarar Temple,Located in tirumullaivayal (ambatthur) near chennai.Lord Shiva known as Masilamani Eswarar & Female deity known as Kodiyidaiamman .

This temple is 2 Kms from Ambattur, the industrial hub of Chennai city and is well connected by town buses. There is also a suburban railway station known as Tirumullaivayil on the Chennai Central - Arakonam section of Southern Railway and the temple is 1.5 Km from the railway station.


Sundarar has composed hymns on the God of this temple. Sundarar when he lost his eye sight at Tiruvottriyur, came to Tiruvadamullaivayil and composed a Pathigam consisting of 11 songs. This temple is more than 1200 years old. The king Thondaiman, who ruled Thondai Naadu with Kancheepuram as the capital, was once defeated at the war by his enemies Kurumbars. The king, dejected by the defeat, was returning from the battle field on his elephant. When the elephant's legs got entangled with mullai creeper on the ground, the king cut the mullai creeper with his sword to free the elephant's legs. To his surprise he found blood coming out from underneath the mullai creeper. When he cleared them, he found a Sivalingam. After prayers to the God, the God sent Nandi along with him to fight his enemies once again. The king won the war, and in appreciation of God's help in conquering his enemies, he constructed the temple at Thiruvadamullaivayil.

Because Nandi went to war along with the king, the Nandi in this temple is facing east instead of facing the God as seen normally in other Shiva temples. There is a grand tower on the southern entrance to the temple. It is considered very special to pray the female deity Kodiyidaiamman here in full moon days. In this temple, there is no seperate shrine for Navagrahas, the nine planets. Sage Vasishtar has visited this temple and did penance and got Kamadhenu.

Prior to Indian independence Tamil Nadu was under British colonial rule as part of the Madras Presidency. The main party in Tamil Nadu at that time was the Congress Party. Regional parties have dominated state politics since 1916. One of the earliest regional parties, the South Indian Welfare Association, a forerunner to Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu, was started in 1916. The party was called after its English organ, Justice Party, by it opponents. Later, South Indian Liberal Federation was adopted as its official name. The reason for victory of the Justice Party in elections was the non-participation of the Congress Party, demanding complete independence of India. Freedom movement saw great leaders like Subramanya Bharathi (a poet who inspired the freedom movement by his poetic skills), Subramania Siva, V O Chidhamdaranar (Industrialist, who managed ships under the free India banner), Thirupur Kumaran, Rajagopalachariar (Rajaji), L. Sriramulu Naidu (first Mayor of Madras), and Sathyamurthi.

Periyar E. V. Ramasamy popularly known as EVR, believed in agitational politics and took the Justice Party away from its original path. The Justice Party which had a moribund existence under E.V.Ramaswami. He renamed the party Dravidar Kazhagam (DK for short) in 1944. DK was a non-political party which demanded the establishment of an independent state called Dravida Nadu. However, due to the differences between its two leaders EVR and C.N. Annadurai, the party was split. Annadurai left the party to form the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK decided to enter politics in 1956.

In the 19th century, western scholars discovered that the Dravidian languages dominating South India formed a different linguistic group than the Indo-Aryan languages predominant in North India. They also classified Indians into distinct Aryan and Dravidian races. It was proposed that the generally darker-skinned Dravidians constituted a distinct race. This concept has affected thinking in India about racial and regional differences and had an impact on aspects of Tamil nationalism, which has appropriated the claim that Dravidians are the earliest inhabitants of India, and the Aryan population were oppressive interlopers from whom Dravidians should liberate themselves.

Re-organisation of Indian states according to linguistic and ethnic basis has moderated Tamil nationalism, especially the demand for separation from the Indian Union. The Anti-Hindi agitations in mid-1960s made the DMK more popular and a more powerful political force in the state. The DMK routed the Congress Party in the 1967 elections and took control of the state government, ending Congress' stronghold in Tamil Nadu. C.N. Annadurai became the DMK's first Chief Minister.

Muthuvel Karunanidhi took over as Chief Minister and party leader after Annadurai's death in 1969. Karunanidhi's leadership was soon challenged by M.G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR. In 1972, he split from DMK and formed the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) and later renamed the party as All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam. He was the Chief Minister of the state from 1977 until his death in 1987. After the death of MGR and the defeat of AIADMK in the 1989 assembly polls, J. Jayalalithaa took control of the party. She was elected as the General Secretary of the unified AIADMK. There have been several splits in both the DMK and the AIADMK, but since 1967 one of those two parties has held power in the state. The rise of Congress Party, Vijayakanth's DMDK, Vaiko's Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Dr. Ramdoss's PMK in the recent years has ensured that no single party is in majority to run a government and thereby giving rise to coalition politics.

Lord Shiva known as Ekambaranathar, Ekambareswarar and Female deity known as Kamatchi Amman.

Temple Location :

Kancheepuram is well connected by train and road from Chennai, the Capital City of Tamilnadu and also from other parts of the state. It is situated at a distance of 80 Kms from Chennai by road. Kancheepuram railway station is on the Chengalpattu-Arakkonam section of the Southern Railway.

Known as the "City of Temples", Kancheepuram is one of the seven great holy centers of ancient India. It was a royal capital once, a flourishing Buddhist and Jain center mentioned in the Tamil Epic Manimekalai, was intimately associated with Pallava and Chola Kings and was connected with the lives of saints. During the Chola period it was a seat of art, religion, education and trade. The Chola kings built several temples in and around Kancheepuram, also known as Kanchi.

Ekambaranathar temple is situated in this holy town of Kancheepuram, one of the Panch Bootha Sthalangal of God Shiva. This vast temple covers an area roughly 40 acres. It is one of ancient temple reported to be in existence from the year 600 AD. Pallava, Chola and Vijanagara Kings have contributed to the building of this temple. The presiding deity Shiva is worshipped here as Prithvi Lingam (Lingam of Earth). There is no seperate shrine for the Female deity as is customary in all the Shiva Temples found in Kancheepuram. All the 4 famous Saivite Saints, Appar, Sambandar, Manickavasgar and Sundarar have sung the glory of this temple.

There is a sacred mango tree inside the temple which is supposed to be more than 3000 years old. This tree is the Sthala Vruksham (Temple Tree) of this temple. The four branches of this tree represents the 4 Vedhas and the tree bears 4 different type of mango fruits in 4 different seasons. Goddess Parvathi, once seperated from her husband, came to Kancheepuram and made a Sivalingam out of sand and installed it under a mango tree on the banks of a river and worshipped it and got Shiva's hand in marriage.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of South India. It is the seat of Dravidian culture.

There are spiritual associations to the name Madurai. Once a merchant noticed Indra worshipping a Swayambhu Siva linga and informed King Kulashekhara of this. Lord Siva appeared in the king’s dreams as Sundareswar. Drops of nectar fell from Siva’s hair on the spot and as nectar is supposed to be the sweetest of all sweets, the place was called Madhurai. Madhurai is also called the Kadabhavanam Kshetram as the place used to be full of kadambha trees. The pandya king built the temple for Lord Sundareswar and his consort Meenakshi.



But this temple was destroyed during the Moslem invasion. It was subsequently rebuilt by the future generations. The temple was named Meenakshi temple because fish or meen was the emblem of the Pandyan kings.



The vision is that, like how the mother fish casts a gaze at her spawns to instill life in them, similarly Goddess Meenakshi just has to cast her eyes on her worshippers to instill a spiritual life in them.


There are legends associated with the origin of goddess Meenakshi. She was supposed to have been born out of the sacrificial fire during the Putrakameshti sacrifice by the Pandyan king Malayadhwaja. Another legend says that she was born as a Pandyan princess who vowed to marry only the one who could defeat her in a combat. Lord Siva disguised as Sundareswar defeated her and thus married her.


The origin of the Tamil sang am took place here. There are stories attached to this incident as well. The original members are said to be the 48 parts of goddess Sarawati following a curse from Brahma. They went on to become great scholars. The temple is also famous for its pond with golden lily flowers. The art and sculpture of this place is also beyond comparison.
There are a lot of brilliant carvings here.

The Teppakulam, which is a tank that never dries up, is also an important site here.



Madurai being a famous town is easily accessible. The Madurai railway station is well connected with important cities.

This temple is located at about 4 Kms from Tiruvalankadu railway station on the Chennai - Arakonam section of the Southern Railway. Autos are available at the station for going to the temple. The temple can also be reached by road from Tiruvellore on the Tiruvellore - Arakonam road and getting down at Tiruvalankdu village. The temple is very nearby from the bus stop.

Lord Shiva known as VadaAranyeswarar, Aalankatteesar, Oorthuvathandava Murthy and Female deity known as Vandarkuzhalammai.Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar & Sundarar has written Pathigam ( slokas ) on this temple.

Ramanathaswamy Temple



Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the island of Rameswaram (Devnagri, Tamil) in the state of Tamilnadu, India.Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, which is in the shape of a conch. The island is connected with the main land at Mandapam by an awe-inspiring rail bridge and a road bridge. In ancient days, the shrine was only a thatched hut. Over the centuries, the small shrine was gradually developed into what it stands today as a massive and magnificent structure According to Shaiva mythology, Lord Rama is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva here to absolve any sins that he might have committed during his war against the demon king Ravana. The temple along with Viswanathaswamy temple, Varanasi is one of the holiest Hindu shrines that has to be visited in one's lifetime and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas the holy abodes of Shiva.
To worship Lord Ramanatha or Ramalinga, the hallowed sand Linga made by Sita and installed by Sri Rama, pilgrims enter through the eastern gopuram. They offer prayers to Lord Anjaneya smeared with sindhoor. Then comes the Nandi Mandapa, which houses the flag staff and the Nandi. The stuccoed massive image of the bull is made of lime stone, measuring 17.5 feet high, 23 feet long and 12 feet wide. On either side of the Nandi, one finds interesting sculptural representations of the ocean gods Mahodathi and Ratnakara. The sanctum is flanked on either side by shrines of Vinayaka and Subramanya. Inside the sanctum, we worship Sri Ramanathaswamy. It is said this Linga contains marks of Hanuman’s tail, with which he tried to uproot it in a fit of anger. The Linga is decorated with silver kavacha. It is customary to offer abhisheka to the Lord with holy Ganga water.
In the front mandapa, there is a canopy, carved under which are images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman with the two Lingas brought from Kailas, and Sugriva, appearing to be informing Rama about Hanuman’s return. In three other canopies in the front hall, we find exquisitely-carved figures of Hanuman, Gandhamadhana Linga and Agastya Linga.
Parvathavardhini
She is the consort of Lord Ramanatha and is enshrined separately to His right. There is a Sri Chakra installed inside. Special significance is attached to a Devi shrine situated on the right of the Lord’s shrine. In Madurai, too, the shrine of Meenakshi is situated to the right of Lord Sundareshwara. On Fridays, an especially decorated image of Parvathavardhini is taken round the temple corridor in a golden palanquin.
Vishwanatha & Visalakshi
To the north of Ramalinga shrine, Lord Vishwanatha or Vishwalinga has a separate shrine. This is one of the two Lingas brought from Kailas by Hanuman. As per tradition, pujas are first performed to Vishwalinga and then to Ramalinga. In the first inner corridor, Visalakshi, consort of Vishwanatha, is enshrined.
Sayanagruha (Palliyarai)
This is in the north-eastern corner of the corridor around the Visalakshi shrine. The gold image of the Lord is ceremoniously brought here every night from the main shrine and placed in the Oonjal (swing) by the side of the Devi’s golden idol. The Sayana puja and the early morning puja, when the Lord is taken back in a procession to the sanctum, are worth witnessing.
Jyothirlinga
In the first inner corridor, devotees offer worship to the venerated Spatika Linga, installed by Vibhishana. This Linga is the southernmost among the 12 famous Jyothirlingas in the country.
Sethumadava
There is a legend associated with this shrine. Once there ruled a Pandya king by name Punyanithi. As he had no issues, he along with his queen undertook a Sethu Theertha Yatra. Soon he found a baby girl in the palace garden and adopted her as his daughter. As years passed, the princess reached marriageable age. One day an old Brahmin from Kashi, holding Ganga water, appeared in the palace garden and sought her hand in marriage. The king got angry and ordered the old Brahmin to be kept chained in the temple corridor. That night the king had a dream in which he realized that the old man in chain was none other than Lord Vishnu with his daughter, Goddes Lakshmi, by his side. He fell at the Lord’s feet and sought forgiveness. He gave his daughter in marriage to Lord Vishnu at Rameswaram. He is known as Sethu Madhava or Shwetha Madhava (as his image is made of white marble). In Kashi, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Bindu Madhava.

Natarajar Temple, Chidambaram

Chidambaram Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry in Cuddalore District, the east-central part of the Tamil Nadu state of southeastern


The Chidambaram Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva (Siva) in His form of the Cosmic Dancer, Nataraja is a temple complex spread over 40 acres in the heart of the city. It is an ancient and historic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva Nataraja and Lord Govindaraja Perumal, one of the few temples where both the Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined in one place.


The Pallava king Simhavarman,is a well known renovator of this temple. He also known as Hiranyavarman who lived in 5th century A.D. It is one of the few examples of Dravidian architectural and sculptural styles built up over the centuries including that built by the Cholas.
To the follower of Shaivism (Saivism) or the saivaite, the very word koil (Tamil- "temple") refers to Chidambaram. In the same way, to the followers of Vaishnavism it refers to Srirangam or Thiruvarangam.


Festivals

A whole year for men is said to be a single day for the Gods. Just as six poojas are performed in a day at the sanctum sanctorum, six anointing ceremonies are performed for the principal deity - Lord Nataraja in a year. They are the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai (in December - January ) indicating the first pooja , the fourteenth day after the new moon ( chaturdasi) of the month of Masi ( February - March) indicating the second pooja, the Chittirai Thiruvonam ( in April- May), indicating the third pooja or uchi kaalam , the Uthiram of Aani (June- July) also called the Aani Thirumanjanam indicating the evening or the fourth pooja , the chaturdasi of Aavani (August-September) indicating the fifth pooja and the chaturdasi of the month of Puratasi ( October - November) indicating the sixth pooja or Arthajama.
Of these the Marghazhi Thiruvaadhirai ( in December-January) and the Aani Thirumanjanam ( in June-July ) are the most important. These are conducted as the key festivals with the main deity being brought outside the sanctum sanctorum in a procession and include a temple car procession followed by a long anointing ceremony. Several hundreds of thousands of people flock the temple to see the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic dance of the Lord when He is taken back to the sanctum sanctorum. There are references in Umapathy Sivam's 'Kunchithaangristhavam' that the Maasi festival also had the Lord being carried out in procession. However, the same is not in vogue these days.

Location
The Sri Vaidiya Veera Raghavar Temple is situated in Tiruvallur the headquarters of Tiruvallur District, Tamilnadu. Tiruvallur is 40 Kms away from Chennai on the road towards Tirupatti from chennai.The Tiruvallur town is well connected from chennai by road and railway.Sri Vaidiya Veera Raghavar Temple is situated 2 kms away from the Railway station & 0.5kms away from Town Bus stand.
History
The Sri Veera Raghava Swami temple which is one of the 108 sacred shrines of Vaishnavites has an great history .The legend connected with the origin of this temple shows that once upon a time, in Krita Yuga, a sage by name Purupunyar lived with his wife Satyavathi in Badarikashram.They had no children. Purupanyar performed a Sali Yajna. (Putrakameshti Yaga) with great fervor and devotion. The Sage offered 1000 Ahutis (oblations of gheeto the sacrificial fire after chanting the mantra each time) every day, for one full year. 'On the last day, when Purnahuti (the final offering) was performed,Lord Narayana was pleased with the austerity of the ritualistic observances of the Sage, and appeared in the sacrificial fire in a blissful mood to offer boons. The Sage prayed for a noble son.The boon was granted with the condition that he should be named after the name of the Yajna as Salihotran. With this blessing, Lord Narayana disappeared.Then the Sage collected the ash strewn around the Yajna Peetha and gave a handful of it to his consort to take in with great veneration as Prasadam. In the tenth month after that, a glorious son was born to Sage Purupunyar.
The child was named Salihotran as ordained by Lord Narayana. With the growth of years, the child showed signs of precocity and started on a pilgrimage-visiting temple after temple. On Tai Amavasya day (New Moon day in January-February),he reached Tiruvallur where he found that Lord Brahma, other Devas andgreat sages like Vasishtha, were engaged in taking bath in the Hrittapanasini tank.
Next year, on the same Pushya Amavasya day, he completed one year of penance and took a holy bath in the Hrittapanasini tank and observed his morning prayers. As he was fasting for one year without food or drink, he collected on that day some paddy and prepared prasadam out of that. He divided it into three parts; the first part was offered to Lord Narayana.The second part was kept for offering as charity and the third for his own consumption.At this juncture, Lord Narayana took the form of an old Brahmin and came the way where Salihotran was waiting to offer the share to a guest. When Salihotran saw the old Brahmin, he immediately requested him to grace his hermitage. He respectfully offered to the Brahmin the prasadam meant for the guest. Quickly the Brahmin ate up the offering and Salihotran felt from his facial appearance that he was not satisfied.
On inquiry, he learnt that the old Brahmin had had no food for the last 4 or 5 days and his hunger was not fully satisfied. At this, th-2 portion kept for himself was offered to the guest. The guest was satisfied and - left the place.Salihotran commenced another year's penance without food and drink. Again, on the day of Pushya Amavasya at its close, he took his holy bath in the tank and noticed many unusual good omens on his way. After finishing his morning rituals, he procured some paddy and prepared oblations. Like the previous year,he offered a portion to Lord Narayana and was waiting for a guest to offer the second portion, leaving the. Last portion for him.
This time also, Lord Narayana took the form of an old Brahmin and was coming by that way. Salihotran-welcomed him and while accompanying him to the hermitage,the old Brahmin expressed that he was feeling extremely hungry and thirsty and needed a place for rest also. In the hermitage, Salihotran offered the entire prasadam meant for the guest as well as for himself. The old Brahmin was greatly pleased and asked Salihotran, "Where is the place for me to lie (Evvul)?" The prince was so charmed by the beauty of the princess that he voluntarily expressed that he, a prince was on the lookout for a bride. The princess advised the prince to go and worship Lord Veeraraghava in the temple situated on the northern bank of Hrittapanasini tank, if he wanted to marry her.
But the prince did not move, but argued that if the mutual love was real,God Himself would come down to approve of it. The princess then sent for her parents. Arriving there, they enquired about the prince's lineage but the prince would not divulge his identity. However, he swore by Lord Veeraraghava that after his marriage with the princess, he would stay there. This being a very sound proposal, the marriage was fixed; and performed. Following the traditional custom of offering prayer at the temple after marriage, by the newly wedded couple, the prince and princess, accompanied by the parents and the invited guests, went to the temple of Lord Veeraraghava.
When they approached the sanctum sanctorum, to the utter amazement of all present, the newly married couple merged into the deity and stood transformed as Lord Veeraraghava, and his divine consort Kanakavalli, who blissfully blessed the parents and the assembly to attain salvation after their preordained, stay in the world.The sacred tank here is known as Hrittapanasini. The following Sanskrit sloka describes the sanctity of the tank:
"Darsanat sparsanat snanat, Sadyo hrittapanasanah,
Ato sarveshu lokeshu, Namna Hrittapanasanah"
The tank is so holy that evens a sight or a touch or a bath would i

Tiruttani is one among the six abodes of Lord Muruga. The temple is situated on a hillock and has 365 steps. An important Thirtha called Kumara Thirtha, is under this hill this place is also called as Saravana Poigai. The important festivals are Adi Kirthigai Theppa Thiruvizha, Shiva Rathiri, Shasti Thiruvizha. Adi Kirthigai Theppa Thiruvizha is celebrated in mid of July and August.Opening time of the temple is 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Tiruttani with the famous temple dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya is situated 51 miles away from Madras, on the way to Tirupati, on the railway line to Bombay. The temple is situated on a small hill, which is reached over a flight of 365 masonry steps. It is one of the six famous abodes of Lord Subrahmanya. It is considered to be the second place of importance by some, while others give it the first place as Lord Subrahmanya resides in blissful repose here, after his marriage with Valli.
The mission ef Subrahmanya's incarnation was fulfilled when he vanquished the demon Soorapadman and his hordes at Tiruchendur and the huntsman at Merpady in Tondaimandalam. The happy reunion with Valli brought peace to his mind. The agitated physical condition was relaxed, peace and tranquility prevailed at his new abode Tiruttani; that is why Tiruttani is known also as Cheruttani (Cheru means anger, Tani means cooling down).
As Kailas is the chosen abode of Lord Siva, Tiruttani is the chosen home for Subrahmanya. Tiruttani is a great pilgrim centre. The temple is built facing the east. Distribution of food to the poor is considered very meritorious in this sacred shrine and pilgrims make it a point to feed the hungry and the destitute in numbers, according to their might. It is said that any good action done here acquires enormous accretion of merit. As Subrahmanya is in a blissful mood at Tiruttani, divine grace is readily obtained there.
Tiruttani is also known by many other names. As it has all the wealth which was plundered by the Asuras from Heaven, it is called Purnagiri. As the devotees' request will be fulfilled in a second it is known as Kshanikachalam. As Lord Siva, who is the origin of the world (Moolam), worshipped Lord Subrahmanya here, it is called Mooladri. Being full of Neelotpala (blue lilies), this mountain abode of Lord Subrahmanya is called Neelotpalagiri, Neelagiri, Utpalagiri, Alakadri, Kallaragiri, Kavimalai, Kuvalasikhari, Chengalvagiri and Chengalunirkunram. The Lord is also known as Chengalvarayaswamy. As this place will exist even after the deluge, it is called Kalpajit.
Siva learned Pranava Mantra here from Subrahmanya; so it is called Pranavadananagaram. As Indra got boons from Subrahmanya. At this sacred place, it is called Indranagari. As Narada liked this place very much, it is known as Naradapriyam. A Brahmin by name Aghoram got salvation here; hence it is called Aghorakaivalyapradam. As Lord Skanda has taken his abode in this place, it is called Skandagiri.

Pre History


Tamil Nadu's history dates back to pre-historic times. Archaeological evidence points to this area being one of the longest continuous habitations in India. In Adichanallur, 24 km (15 mi) from Tirunelveli, archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India unearthed 169 clay urns containing human skulls, skeletons and bones, plus husks and grains of rice, charred rice and Neolithic celts, giving evidence confirming them to be of the Neolithic period, 3800 years ago. The ASI archaeologists have proposed that the script used at that site is "very rudimentary" Tamil Brahmi. Adichanallur has been announced as an archaeological site for further excavation and studies. About 60% of the total epigraphical inscriptions found by ASI in India are from Tamil Nadu and most of which are in Tamil language

Recently there have been more discoveries of the evidence of prehistoric creatures inhabiting the landscape of what is now modern Tamil Nadu in the shape of eggs of dinosaurs and other animals of their kind. Geologists in Tamil Nadu have stumbled upon a Jurassic treasure trove buried in the sands of a river bed. Sheer luck led them to hundreds of fossilized dinosaur eggs, perhaps 65 million years old, underneath a stream in a tiny village in Ariyalur district.Researchers from the Salem-based Periyar University found clusters of eggs of what they believe to be the most aggressive Carnosaur and the docile, leaf-eating Sauropod at Sendurai village. While Carnosaurs were large predatory dinasaurs, Sauropods were long-necked, herbivores which grew to enormous heights and sizes

Reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tamil_Nadu


Age of Empires (600–1300)


The medieval period of the history of the Tamil country saw the rise and fall of many kingdoms, some of whom went on to the extent of empires, exerting influences both in India and overseas. The Cholas who were very active during the Sangam age were entirely absent during the first few centuries. The period started with the rivalry between the Pandyas and the Pallavas, which in turn caused the revival of the Cholas. The Cholas went on to becoming a great power. Their decline saw the brief resurgence of the Pandyas. This period was also that of the re-invigorated Hinduism during which temple building and religious literature were at their best. The Cheras ruled in southern India from before the Sangam era (300 BC - AD 250) over the Coimbatore, Karur, Salem Districts in present day Tamil Nadu and present day Kerala from the capital of Vanchi Muthur in the west, (thought to be modern Karur). They traded extensively from nearby Muziris, in spices, ivory, timber, pearls and gems, with the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Phoenicia, Arabia, Mesopotamia and Persia. The Kalabhras invaded and displaced the three Tamil kingdoms and ruled between the third and the seventh centuries CE of the Sangam period. This is referred to as the Dark Age in Tamil history. They were expelled by the Pallavas and the Pandyas in sixth century.


During the seventh century CE, Tamil Nadu saw the rise of the Pallavas under Mahendravarman I and his son Mamalla Narasimhavarman I. The Pallavas were originally executive officers under the Satavahana Empire . After the fall of the Satavahanas, around 550 AD under King Simhavishnu they emerged into prominence. They subjugated the Cholas and reigned as far south as the Kaveri River. Pallavas ruled a large portion of South India with Kanchipuram as their capital. Dravidian architecture reached its peak during the Pallava rule. Narasimhavarman II built the Shore Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Pallavas were replaced by the Pandyas in the 8th century C.E.. Their capital Madurai was in the deep south away from the coast. They had extensive trade links with the Southeast Asian maritime empires of Srivijaya and their successors, as well as contacts, even formal diplomatic contacts, reaching as far as the Roman Empire. During the 13th century C.E. Marco Polo mentioned the Pandyas as the richest empire in existence.[22] Temples such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai and Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli are the best examples of Pandyan temple architecture.[23][24] The Pandyas excelled in both trade and literature. They controlled the pearl fisheries along the South Indian coast, between Sri Lanka and India, which produced some of the finest pearls in the known ancient world.

Reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tamil_Nadu#Age_of_empires


Chola Empire

By the 9th century, during the times of the second Chola monarch Aditya I, his son Parantaka I, Parantaka Chola II itself the Chola empire had expanded into what is now interior Andhra Pradesh and coastal Karnataka, while under the great Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola, the Cholas rose as a notable power in south Asia. The Chola Empire stretched as far as Bengal. At its peak, the empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km² (1,389,968 sq mi). Rajaraja Chola conquered all of peninsular South India and parts of the Sri Lanka. Rajendra Chola's navies went even further, occupying coasts from Burma (now Myanmar) to Vietnam, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Sumatra, Java, Malaya in South East Asia and Pegu islands. He defeated Mahipala, the king of the Bengal, and to commemorate his victory he built a new capital and named it Gangaikonda Cholapuram.

The Cholas excelled in building magnificent temples. Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur is a classical example of the magnificent architecture of the Chola kingdom. Brihadshwara temple is an UNESCO Heritage Site under "Great Living Chola Temples" . Another example is Annamalaiyar Temple located at the city of Tiruvannamalai and the Chidambaram Temple in the heart of the temple town of Chidambaram.

Raja raja chola and rajendra chola period is said to be the golden period of Tamil Nadu, and under-them the Chola empire rose to be the toughest and most powerful empire in all of South-India. With the decline of the Cholas towards the end of the 11th century, the Pandyas rose to prominence once again, under Maravarman Sundara Pandya.

This revival was short-lived as the Pandya capital of Madurai itself was sacked by Alauddin Khilji troops under General Malik Kafur in 1316. The Muslim invasion led to the establishment of the Madurai Sultanate.


Reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chola_dynasty


Vijayanagar and Nayak period (1300–1650)


These Muslim invasions triggered the establishment of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the Deccan. It eventually conquered the entire Tamil country (c. 1370 CE). This empire lasted for almost two centuries till the defeat of Vijayanagara in the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
Subsequent to this defeat, many incompetent kings succeeded to the throne of Vijayanagara with the result that its grip loosened over its feudatories among whom the Nayakas of Madurai and Tanjore were among the first to declare their independence, despite initially maintaining loose links with the Vijayanagara kingdom.". As the Vijayanagara Empire went into decline after mid-16th century, the Nayak governors, who were appointed by the Vijayanagar kingdom to administer various territories of the empire, declared their independence. The Nayaks of Madurai and Nayaks of Thanjavur were most prominent of them all in the 17th century. They reconstructed some of the oldest temples in the country such as the Meenakshi Temple.


Tamil Nadu under European rule (1750 - 1947)


Around 1609, the Dutch established a settlement in Pulicat. In 1639, the British, under the British East India Company, established a settlement further south, in present day Chennai.

The British exploited rivalries between the provincial rulers to expand their sphere of influence throughout the Nizam's dominions. The British fought and reduced the French dominions in India to Pondicherry. Nizams bestowed tax revenue collection rights on the East India Company by the end of 18th century. Some notable chieftains or Poligars who fought the British East India Company as it was expanding were Maveeran Sundaralinga Kudumbanar, Veerapandya Kattabomman, Puli Thevar and Dheeran Chinnamalai. In early 19th century, East India Company consolidated most of southern India into the Madras Presidency coterminous with the dominions of Nizam of Hyderabad. Pudukkottai remained as a princely state under British sovereignty.


Tamil Nadu in Independent India

When India became independent in 1947, Madras Presidency became Madras State, comprising present day Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh up to Ganjam district in Orissa, northern Karnataka, and parts of Kerala. The state was subsequently split up along linguistic lines. In 1968, Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu, meaning Country of Tamil.

Tamil Nadu (தமிழ்நாடு) is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai (formerly known as Madras). Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by Puducherry (Pondicherry), Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is bound by the Eastern Ghats in the north, the Nilgiri, the Anamalai Hills, and Palakkad on the west, by the Bay of Bengal in the east, the Gulf of Mannar, the Palk Strait in the south east, and by the Indian Ocean in the south.

Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area (about the size of Greece) and the seventh most populous state.It is the fifth largest contributor to India's GDP and the most urbanised state in India.The state has the highest number (10.56%) of business enterprises in India, compared to the population share of about 6%. It is one of the foremost states in the country in terms of overall development.

The region has been the home of the Tamil civilization since at least 1500 BC, as attested by numerous archeological sites in and around Adichanallur. Its classical language Tamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for 2500 years. Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, grand Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It is believed that Kancheepuram stands first among the seven sacred cities of India.
Kanchi was the capital of the pallavas and remnants of the pallava art and sculpture is visible in the many temples here Kanchi is considered to be one of the three most important centers of Vaishnavites, the other being Srirangam and Tirumalai, with the addition of Tirunarayanpuram in Mysore. Lot of saints have visited here and worshipped the Lord. There are several noteworthy temples here. The temples belonging to the Vishnu kanchi are as follows. The temple of Varadarajaswami is situated on the top of the elephant hill or hastagiri. Vishnu in the form of Varadaraja helped Brahma complete his yaga by protecting him from the Vegavati River. On Brahma’s insistence he was manifested in the physical form here. The yathotakari temple is very famous. It is believed that the whole of Kancheepuram descended into darkness when the devoted kanikannan was banished from the court following which the saint Tirumazhisai and the Lord himself left the city. They returned however after the king apologized. The Vilakkoli Perumal Temple is a temple wherein Mahavishnu is given the name Deepa Prakasa. Here Lord Vishnu is supposed to have illuminated a dark place inorder to allow Brahma carry out his yaga.
Sri Vaikuntha Perumal temple is famous for its architecture Here the Lord is in the sitting posture and the Goddess is Vaikunthavalli Tayar. Sri Ulagalandar Temple is based on the mythological story of Vishnu taking the vamana avatar and making Bali the king of the underworld. Sri Ashtabhujam temple has the image of Lord Vishnu with ten eight hands. The Chitraguptaswami temple is one of the rare temples that worship Chitragupta. The Siva Kanchi temples are also many.
The most famous of the Siva temples here is the Ekambareswara temple wherein he is worshipped in the form of Prithvi linga. It is said that Parvati regained Siva under a mango tree here; the temple was called Ekamranatha and later Ekambareswara. The Kailasanatha temple and the Kanchapeswara temple are the other famous temples. The temples dedicated to other gods include Sri Kamakshiamman temple, Kumarakoshtam, Satyavrateswara and Sri Agastswarar and Sri Upanisahd Mutt.

Kancheepuram is very popular and is easily accessed by road and rail from chennai

About the Temple:

This Divyadesam is situated in Tamil Nadu District. One mile away from Thinnanoor railway station which is on the railway lane between Chennai to Arakkonam. Bus facility available from Chennai - Poonamalle and Thiruvallore.

Sthlapuranam :

When Thirumangai Alwar came here to see and get the seva of the Perumal, he didnt notice him, as the Perumal was talking with Periya Pirattiyaar. Getting angry on him, Thirumangai Alwar just worshipped him without doing Mangalasasanam. From there he came to Thirukadal Malai (Mahabalipuram) he worshipped Kadalmalai perumal and did Mangalasasanam on Thirundraoor perumal Pattharavipperumal of Thirunindraoor.

The basic principle of worshipping the God is both Perumal and Thaayar has to be worshipped all along the way. No one should be left out. If Sriman Narayanan is the God who protects all the human of the world, then it is periya pirattiyar who recommends for the people to take of them to Sriman Narayanan.

Worshipping only Perumal and leaving Pirattiyaar is said to be the worship of Sooranaga (Sister of Ravana) and worshipping only Pirattiyaar and leaving Perumal is said to be the worship of Ravana. Both these worship are not 100% pure and it is basically due to jealous and anger.

But it is said that once Ravana wanted to get Siva Peruman's wife Parashakthi and then he wanted to get Sri Vishnu's wife Sita Piratti. But, in Rama Avathaar, Sri Ramar treated Vibeeshana as his brother there by making both Ravana and Soorpanaka as his brother and sister.

Both the love of Ravana on Parasakthi and the love of Soorpanaka on Rama is one of the way of love, they want to express.

This sthalam is under the control of Periya Jeeyar of Tirupathi - Tirumala.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Bhatavatsala Perumal. Also known as "Bhatharavippermal". Moolavar in standing position facing east direction.
Prathyaksham for Varunan (the Rain God).

Thaayar

Sudhavalli Thaayar. Also called as "Ennai Petra Thaayar". She is found in a seperate Sannadhi.



Mangalasasanam:

Thiru Mangai Alwar - 2 Paasurams.
Total - 2 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:

Varuna Pushkarani. Viru theekshura river flows here.

Vimanam:

Sri Sreenivasa (Uthabala) Vimanam.