yoga

sirkali

Sirkazhi (சீர்காழி).

Sirkazhi (சீர்காழி)

This holy temple is located near Chidambaram. This place is mostly known for its association with “Thirunayana Samandhar” where he was born and the “Nyanapaal” (ஞானப்பால்) which he drank given by the Goddess and God inside the temple premises.

This temple lord is worshipped by God Murugan, Goddess Kali, God Brahma, God Vishnu, Prakaspathi (குரு), Indran, Chandran, Agni, Aadisheshan, Raghu, Kethu & the sage Vyasar.

This temple other names are listed below

1. As God Brahma worshipped this lord the name “Brahmapuram”(பிரமபுரம்).

2. In this temple the lord is in the form of Bamboo (மூங்கில்) so“Venupuram” (வேணுபுரம்).

3. The Devas who was afraid of the Suran came here for protection hence the name “Pugali” (புகலி).

4. Deva Guru Prakaspathi worshipped this lord so the name“Vengguru” (வெங்குரு).

5. During the time of destruction (பிரளய காலம்) the Lord with Goddess Uma Devi stays here hence “Thonipuram”(தோணிபுரம்).

6. Varaha Murthi has worshipped the lord hence the name “Puntharai” (பூந்தராய்).

7. Since Goddess Kali argued with Thillai Peruman (தில்லைப்பெருமான்) she worshipped the lord so the name “Sri Kali” (ஸ்ரீ காளி (or) சீகாழி).

8. Sage Paracharar (பராசரர்) worshipped hence the name “Kochai Vyam” (கொச்சை வயம்).

9. Raghu devoted the lord so the name “Sirapuram” (சிரபுரம்).

10. Sage Uromasa (உரோமச) devoted the lord so the temple got the name “Kazhumalam” (கழுமலம்).

The temple is located in the middle of the town and has four beautiful gopurams. Kananatha Nayanar (கணநாத நாயனார்) has devoted this lord.

God- Brahampureeswarar (பிரமபுரிஸ்வரர்), Thoniyappar, Sattanathar

Goddess- Periyanayaki, Thirunilainayaki (திருநிலைநாயகி)

Sthala Viruksham- Parijatham (பாரிசாதம்).

Theertham- Brahma Theertham (Includes 22 theerthangal)

In brahma Theertham only Thirunayana Samandhar had “Nyanapaal” (ஞானப்பால்) given by Goddess. For that rememberance only “Thirumulaipaal Urchavam” (திருமுலைப்பால் உற்சவம்) takes place here in Chithirai Peruvizha second day. There is famous saying that “.திருமுலைப்பால் உண்டார் மறுமுலைப்பால் உண்ணார்”

Three forms of the lord are present here.

1. Adibagam (அடிபாகம்) Brahampureeswarar(பிரமபுரிஸ்வரர்) which is performed by Brahma.
2. EdaiPaguthi (இடைப்பகுதி) i.e. middle one is (தோனியப்பர்)which is Guru Vadivam who gave Nyanapaal (ஞானப்பால்) to Samandhar.
3. Sattanathar (சட்டைநாதர்) is the ultimate one-Sangama Vadivam (சங்கம வடிவம்).

Thirunayana Samandhar, Thirunavukarasar and Sundarar have sung Devara hymns in praise of this lord. This temple is maintained by“Dharmai Aathinam”.  Manikavasakar, Arunagirinathar, Pattinathu Adigal, Nambiyandar Nambi and many more have sung many songs about the significance of Sirkazhi and Samandhar.

East Rajagopuram is the main entrance. The famous Devara hymn sung by Samandhar immediately he drank the Nyanapaal “தோடுடைய செவியன்…” is sculptured inside and outside the temple premises. When we go further inside the temple we can see the lord Brahampureeswarar who has ashes (விபூதி) in his body and wearing pattu (பட்டு) dhoti around him near the shrine you can the sculptures of Thirunayan Samandhar’s important events that took place in his life. Sannathi’s for somaskandhar and aruvathimuvar are also there.

Then if we climb the mount steps there we can reachThoniyappar (தோனியப்பர்) sannathi. It looks like kailash. From here we can have a clean view of Brahma Theertham.

At the top of the mount there is “SattaNathar”. We should go inside a narrow way and should climb wooden steps and should get the blessings of this lord. Men should not wear shirts and women should not wear flowers in their head while worshipping this lord at the shrine.

Every Friday after 10 pm finishing the arthajama pooja(அர்த்தசாம) the lord is covered by Punugu and oil.(புனுகுஎண்ணெய்)

Then Vadai and Payasam done in ghee are given as neivethyam(நிவேதனம்) to the lord.

Sirkazhi Arunachala Kavirayar (அருணாசலக் கவிராயர்) has sung the Sthala Puranam of this temple.

Nambiyandar Nambi has sung many poems like “Mumanikovai”(மும்மணிக்கோவை), Thirusanpai viruththam (திருசண்பை விருத்தம்) etc in praise of Samandhar.

Festivals:

For thirunayan Samandhar pooja is performed daily.

“Thirumulaipaal Urchavam” (திருமுலைப்பால் உற்சவம்) takes place here in Chithirai Peruvizha second day

Thai Amavasai, Vaikasi Moolam, Ipasi sathayam are the days where special pooja’s are performed.

Daily four time’s pooja is performed tothe Lord in the top of the mount “Sattanathar”.

Navarathiri and Aadipuram are famous for the GoddessThirunilainayaki (திருநிலைநாயகி).

சட்டைநாதர் சுவாமி