Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal Contd...

Out of the 274 temples which were glorified in the Tevaram Hymns sung by the Nayanmars, 264 temples or Shivastalams are located in Tamilnadu (including Pondicherry). Even out of these 264 temples, a majority of them (190) are located in the erstwhile Chola Naadu and are situated on the north side (63) and south side (127) of river Cauvery. 14 Shivastalams are located in what is classified as Pandiya Naadu and 7 Shivastalams are located in Kongu Naadu. Tondai Naadu boasts of 31 Shivastalams and Nadu Naadu boasts of the remaining 22 Shivasthalams.

Chola Naadu : 190 

(North of river kaveri(63) & South of river Kaveri(127))

Pandiya Naadu : 14

Nadu Naadu : 22

Thondai Nadu : 31

Kongu Nadu : 7

These 264 temples are grouped according to the geographical boundaries prevailing in those days as classified above when these temples were glorified in the hymns composed by the  Nayanmars, especially by  Appar (Thirunavukarasar),   Sundarar  and Thirugnanasambandar.  Majority of these temples are situated in the present day Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Tiruchy districts of Tamilnadu.

Read more ..

Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal

Saivism is the major faith in the Indian system of belief, that worships Shiva as its principal God. Shiva temples are spread all over India. Most important among them, glorified by the 63 Tamil Nayanmars, particularly the 3 viz, Thirunavukarasar (Appar), Sundarar and Sambandar in their Tevaram hymn, are revered as the Tevara Paadal Petra Sthalams. They are 274 Shiva temples in number and out of which 264 temples are situated in Tamilnadu. The 274 odd shrines that have at least one Pathigam composed in their honor are referred to commonly as Paadal Petra Stalangal, or more generally Shivastalams.

Thirunavukarasar, Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar were the first Nayanmars who composed songs in the praise of Lord Shiva after visiting the temples of Lord Shiva and brought out the glory of the God by their pathigams. The 3 Nayanmars visited these temples along with their followers in spite of the inconveniences they faced while travelling the nook and corner of Tamilnadu in search of these temples. There are instances when God Shiva himself had directed them and shown the way to some of the temples so that the above Nayanmars could visit these temples and compose Pathigams. These Pathigaams (poems or songs) composed in the classical Tamil language are of immense value to the Tamil literature.

Saivite Tirumuraigal have been grouped into 12. The first 7 Tirumuraigal consists of the Pathigams composed by Thirunavukarasar, Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar and are collectively and popularly known as Tevara Paadalgal. These Tevara Paadalgal convey one message clearly - that the temples referred in the Pathigams were in existence 1000 years before.

There is a saying that Lord Shiva himself had made a comment on the services rendered by the 3 first Nayanmars and it goes like this to quote in Tamil language.

 “Gnanasambandan thannai paadinaan

Thirunavukarasan ennai paadinaan

Sundaran Ponnai paadinaan”

which means that Gnanasambandan composed the songs in the praise of god bringing him also into the picutre, Thirunavukarasar composed the songs purely in the praise of god, whereas Sundarar composed his songs in the praise of god and at the same time requesting the god for wealth.

Read more ..

Lord Shiva Sloka!!!!!

Lord Shiva is both a destroyer and restorer. He is the God of Love and beloved of Parvati. He is one of the trimurthy?s.( Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) He is Satya, Shubham, Sundaram, Sivam, Kantam. Attributes of Shiva are Third Eye, Blue Throat, Crescent Moon, Matted Hair, Sacred Ganga, Ashes, Tiger Skin, Serpents, Trishul, Drum, Nandi. Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Karthikeya and Ganesha. Shiva lives with his family in Mount Kailash. Bull Nandi is his vehicle.

Shiva is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu religion. Shiva is also a kind-hearted god who blesses people. Sloka on Lord Shiva forms the part of prayers offered to the lord. Following is the Shloka for invoking Lord Shiva or Shiva Sloka :

Slogam

"Kailaasarana Shiva Chandramouli

Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee

Kaarunya Sindhu Bhava Dukha Haaree

Thujaveena Shambho Maja Kona Taaree"

Meaning

Oh, Lord Shiva, who is seated on Mount Kailas, whose forhead is decorated with the moon and the king of serpents as a crown, who is the Ocean of Mercy and the remover of delusion, You alone can protect me. I surrender to thee.