The Arankulanathar temple in Thiruvarankulam

The Pathathi team visited several beautiful, fascinating ancient temples that are almost completely unknown. In spite of having had the patronage of great kings in the past. One of these is the Arankulanathar temple in Thiruvarankulam in Pudukottai district. Here we offered some support to the priestly tradition.

Pathathi supports the Athmanathaswamy Temple in Avudaiyarkoil

Pathathi visited Rajendrapattinam

In the ancient place once called called Thiru Erukkaththam Puliyuur, now called Rajendrapattinam, a small village on the road between Vriddhachalam and Gangakondacholapuram. Here an ancient temple is being taken care of by a committed and dedicated Shivacharya. The Lord here is called Thirukkumara Nathar or Nilakanteeshwarar. The sthala purana explains that once upon a time Shiva explained the Agama to Parvati, but when she didn't pay proper attention the Lord cursed her to take human birth as a fisher girl. Parvati's sons Ganesha and Subrahmanyam threw away the Agama because of that. Shiva cursed Subrahmanyam to be born as a boy who was dumb. Eventually he came here to do penance. With his vel or spear he created the sacred pond of the temple. After praying to Lord Shiva he was relieved from his dumbness.

The Chola emperor Rajaraja prayed here for a son, after which Rajendra Chola was born. That is why this village is now called Rajendrapattinam.

In December 2010 the team of the Pathathi Trust visited this ancient temple while on a field trip.

Kandhan and Jayakumar of the Pathathi Trust with the Shivacharya of the temple

Kandhan with the Shivacharya"

Pathathi supports the oral tradition in Adikadaiyur

Thirukadaiyur is a very famous temple in South India. It is one of the Ashtha Veeratta Sthala, where Lord Shiva defeated Yama, the God of Death for his devotee Markandeya. Almost unknown, some two kilometers towards the East is another very ancient temple in a place called Adikadaiyur, or the original Kadaiyur. The Lord of this temple is Shiva as Amirtha Kadeshvarar. In December the Pathathi team visited both temples and was feasted to a rendering of a part of the oral tradition by Sivanantha Swamigal.

Jayakumar and Shankar of the Pathathi team offer their respect and support to the oral tradition, here represented by Shri Sivanantha Swamigal

Pathathi supports the oral tradition

Jayakumar and Shankar of the Pathathi team interviewing Shri Sivanantha Swamigal

The outer prakara or courtyard

The balipitha

Ancient ceiling painting

Ancient paintings on the ceiling of the mandapam

The prakara or inner courtyard