Siddhalingamadam, Siddhalingamadam, is a village on the is a village on the Southern bank of Southern bank of the sacred river the sacred river South Pennar.South Pennar.

The holy hill of The holy hill of Arunachala casts Arunachala casts its glow on it.its glow on it.

The very name of The very name of the village is the village is suggestive of its suggestive of its association with association with Siddhas.Siddhas.

Siddhalingamadam was once a Siddhalingamadam was once a forest in the midst of which there forest in the midst of which there was a beautiful Siva Linga. was a beautiful Siva Linga.

According to legend, a great According to legend, a great Siva Yogi became the Siva Siva Yogi became the Siva Linga. Linga.

It was discovered accidentally It was discovered accidentally by a king when he came for by a king when he came for hunting. hunting.

The Siva temple is The Siva temple is known as known as Vyaghrapadeswara Vyaghrapadeswara because the Sage because the Sage Vyaghrapada, on Vyaghrapada, on his way to his way to Chidambaram, Chidambaram, worshipped Lord worshipped Lord Siva in this temple.Siva in this temple.

The first temple built enshrining The first temple built enshrining the Siva Linga was of mud and the Siva Linga was of mud and wood. wood.

Later, between 907 and 914 Later, between 907 and 914 AD, the temple in stone was AD, the temple in stone was constructedconstructed

The temple of Siva has more than seventy stone The temple of Siva has more than seventy stone inscriptions bearing evidence of its great antiquity.inscriptions bearing evidence of its great antiquity.

The temple was completely The temple was completely renovated during the period of renovated during the period of Kulottunga Chola I. Kulottunga Chola I.

A prakara was added A prakara was added surrounded by a grove of surrounded by a grove of Aracanut trees and mandapa Aracanut trees and mandapa in the Siva temple.in the Siva temple.

The second Prakara of the temple The second Prakara of the temple with the shrine of Divine Mother with the shrine of Divine Mother Neela Visalakshi, was also Neela Visalakshi, was also constructed in the same period.constructed in the same period.

It was during It was during the reign of the reign of Rajaraja Rajaraja Chola I, that Chola I, that the beautiful the beautiful vigraha of vigraha of Nataraja was Nataraja was installed installed (1013 AD).(1013 AD).

A shrine for Kshetrapala A shrine for Kshetrapala Pillayar was constructed Pillayar was constructed by a Brahmin devotee.by a Brahmin devotee.

There is a beautiful temple There is a beautiful temple car with exquisite carvings.car with exquisite carvings.

Temple tank.Temple tank.

Sadguru Gnanananda, Sadguru Gnanananda, arrived at arrived at Siddhalingamadam in Siddhalingamadam in 1942 and stayed at a 1942 and stayed at a place adjacent to the place adjacent to the temple.temple.

He was attracted to the He was attracted to the kshetra by the subtle kshetra by the subtle presence of presence of siddhas siddhas and and the special spiritual the special spiritual energy of the ancient energy of the ancient temple of Sri temple of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara.Vyaghrapadeswara.

The residents of the village have The residents of the village have come forward to take up the come forward to take up the arduous task of renovation of this arduous task of renovation of this temple of great antiquity. temple of great antiquity.

They approached Pujya Sri Swami They approached Pujya Sri Swami Nityananda Giri of Sri Nityananda Giri of Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam with Gnanananda Thapovanam with the request that the devotees of the request that the devotees of Sadguru Gnanananda might Sadguru Gnanananda might sponsor the construction of a sponsor the construction of a RajagopuramRajagopuram as a superstructure as a superstructure over the existing over the existing kalharamkalharam..

The temple was subject to severe The temple was subject to severe neglect for a very long time due to neglect for a very long time due to absence of Royal patronage.absence of Royal patronage.

Centuries ago, the supporting structure (Centuries ago, the supporting structure (kalharamkalharam) for the ) for the RajagopuramRajagopuram at the entrance of the temple was at the entrance of the temple was constructed. But the superstructure of constructed. But the superstructure of RajagopuramRajagopuram was was not built. not built.

A three tier RajagopuramA three tier Rajagopuram similar to the one of similar to the one of Kilaiyur Veerattana temple at Tirukoilur, was Kilaiyur Veerattana temple at Tirukoilur, was constructed after the approval of the drawings by constructed after the approval of the drawings by the architect of HR & CE Board.the architect of HR & CE Board.

During the process of During the process of Rajagopuram Rajagopuram constructionconstruction..

As the pandal covering the painted As the pandal covering the painted RajagopuramRajagopuram has not yet been has not yet been removed, we are not able to add a picture with the general view of removed, we are not able to add a picture with the general view of the painted Gopuram. the painted Gopuram.

View before laying the tiles on the terraces View after laying the tiles on the terraces

Tiles were laid on the roofs of all shrines and Mandapas, meeting Tiles were laid on the roofs of all shrines and Mandapas, meeting the overrun of the cost (Rs. 1.03 lakhs) over the amount of the overrun of the cost (Rs. 1.03 lakhs) over the amount of Rs.2.15 lakhs sanctioned by the HR & CE Board. Rs.2.15 lakhs sanctioned by the HR & CE Board.

skylight

Skylight in Skylight in Ardha Ardha MandapaMandapa in the Siva in the Siva temple has been temple has been provided with 2 nos. provided with 2 nos. grills and toughened grills and toughened sandwiched glass.sandwiched glass.

This is the same columnThis is the same column

Walls demolishedWalls demolished

View b e f o r e d e m o l i s h i n g t h e w a l l s

A strong room that had been A strong room that had been constructed previously in the constructed previously in the prakaranaprakarana was preventing was preventing the sun light to enter. the sun light to enter.

It has been demolished.It has been demolished.

View after demolishing the walls

In the northern In the northern side and inside side and inside the the ardha ardha mandapamandapa, a , a new strong new strong room has been room has been provided with provided with grill doors, grill doors, proper locks proper locks and burglar and burglar alarm.alarm.

Now the beautiful Now the beautiful utsava vigrahas utsava vigrahas can be seen and at can be seen and at the same time are safe.the same time are safe.

The new strong room has three grill parts. The floor has been leveled The new strong room has three grill parts. The floor has been leveled and the structure for the grill work has been made in concrete.and the structure for the grill work has been made in concrete.

View from inside the View from inside the ardha mandapaardha mandapa

A traditional wooden door made of teak wood and A traditional wooden door made of teak wood and iruppaiiruppai wood wood has substituted a metallic door at the entrance of the has substituted a metallic door at the entrance of the Ardha Ardha Mandapa Mandapa in front of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara shrine.in front of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara shrine.

•Leveling of floor, repairs to the stone Leveling of floor, repairs to the stone pillars, walls and construction of new pillars, walls and construction of new steps inside the Nataraja shrine.steps inside the Nataraja shrine.

•Grill door with proper lock. Grill door with proper lock.

A wooden Vimana for housing the vigrahas of Sri Nataraja, Sri Sivakami and Sri Manikavachakar is being constructed.

Complete dismantling and reassembly over new foundation of Complete dismantling and reassembly over new foundation of stone stone MandapaMandapa in front of Sri Dakshinamoorti. in front of Sri Dakshinamoorti.

Complete dismantling and reassembly over new foundation Complete dismantling and reassembly over new foundation of stone of stone MandapaMandapa in front of Sri Ganapathi in front of Sri Ganapathi

Small ornamented altar in front of the murtis in the niches Small ornamented altar in front of the murtis in the niches of the outer wall of the of the outer wall of the garbha grahagarbha graha. .

Replacement of three Saptamatrikas that are broken.

Replacement of Parvatavardini that is damaged

Murtis of the four great Shaivite saints, Appar, Gnana Sambandar, Sundarar, and Manickavacakar.

Naga-abharanam for Sri Vyaghrapadeswara and tiruvatchi (decorative arch in brass) for Sri Neelavisalakshi are being made.

Replacement of Replacement of sudai work in sudai work in Chandikeswara Chandikeswara VimanamVimanam in Siva in Siva temple and five temple and five colour painting.colour painting.

Sri Vyaghrapadeswara Vimanam sudai work and painting. Sri Vyaghrapadeswara Vimanam sudai work and painting.

Replacement of Replacement of sudaisudai work and five colour painting at the Nandikeswara work and five colour painting at the Nandikeswara VimanamVimanam in front of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara shrine. in front of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara shrine.

The sudai work and five colour painting of The sudai work and five colour painting of Sri Nataraja Sri Nataraja VimanamVimanam..

Replacement of the entire Replacement of the entire sudai sudai work and five colour painting in Sri work and five colour painting in Sri Neelavisalakshi temple. Neelavisalakshi temple.

As the Vimanam is fully covered by the scafolding until the consecration of As the Vimanam is fully covered by the scafolding until the consecration of the temple, we are not able to add a full view of the Vimanam.the temple, we are not able to add a full view of the Vimanam.

Sri Nandikeswara Vimanam in front of Sri Neelavisalakshi Sri Nandikeswara Vimanam in front of Sri Neelavisalakshi TempleTemple

Nandis have been replaced and the wall has been repaired. Nandis have been replaced and the wall has been repaired.

The The sudai sudai work and five colour painting of all the work and five colour painting of all the Vimanas Vimanas and Nandis.and Nandis.

The side walls In the entrance of the Navaratri Mandapam The side walls In the entrance of the Navaratri Mandapam have been removed and a grill gate has been provided.have been removed and a grill gate has been provided.

The The vahanasvahanas for the for the utsava vigrahas are being kept in the utsava vigrahas are being kept in the Navaratri Mandapam. Navaratri Mandapam. With the grill gate they will be seen With the grill gate they will be seen from outside.from outside.

The entire granite flooring of Navaratri Mandapa is being taken up for complete renovation.

A side door in the wall has been removed A side door in the wall has been removed and the roof edges have been repaired. and the roof edges have been repaired.

Before pointingBefore pointing After pointingAfter pointing

•Repair and Repair and plastering of plastering of the wallsthe walls

•Provision of Provision of four steel four steel windows and windows and two concrete two concrete rafters for the rafters for the roof.roof.

•Tiles have Tiles have been laid on been laid on the terracethe terrace

•Replacement Replacement of Nandis on of Nandis on the terrace.the terrace.

The The DvajasthambaDvajasthamba was was broken in the upper portion.broken in the upper portion.

On 2On 2ndnd May May Kala-akarshana Kala-akarshana was performedwas performed. . This ritual is the extraction of the This ritual is the extraction of the spiritual energy from the existing spiritual energy from the existing DvajasthambaDvajasthamba and storing it in a special and storing it in a special tirtha tirtha kalasakalasa. .

After this procedure, the After this procedure, the Sthapati Sthapati dismantled the dismantled the existing Dexisting Dvajasthamba vajasthamba and prepared a new and prepared a new Teakwood core to be Teakwood core to be installed.installed.

Once the Once the carpentry work carpentry work was completed, was completed, the copper the copper kavacham was kavacham was prepared.prepared.

When the copper When the copper cladding (cladding (kavacha) kavacha) was assembled, the was assembled, the energy stored in the energy stored in the tirtha kalasa tirtha kalasa was was retransmitted to the retransmitted to the Dvajasthamba Dvajasthamba again.again.

Once the log was Once the log was made ready, the made ready, the bottom extreme bottom extreme was painted with a was painted with a protecting primer protecting primer and covered with and covered with lead sheet.lead sheet.

The nails that hold The nails that hold the lead sheet are the lead sheet are of copper. of copper.

A new pit was arranged.A new pit was arranged.

On 18On 18thth August the core of the new August the core of the new DvajasthambaDvajasthamba was placed in position was placed in position following all the required procedures prescribed in the following all the required procedures prescribed in the AgamasAgamas..

Coins, noble metals, Coins, noble metals, gems, sacred herbs, gems, sacred herbs, leafs and flowers leafs and flowers were placed in the were placed in the spot before the core spot before the core of the new of the new DvajasthambaDvajasthamba was was placed in position.placed in position.

Finally and Finally and with the help with the help of all, the core of all, the core of the new of the new dvajasthambadvajasthamba was erected was erected and placed in and placed in position.position.

In the Coppersmith workshop, the copper In the Coppersmith workshop, the copper KavachamKavacham was made ready. was made ready.

In the Coppersmith workshopIn the Coppersmith workshop

In the Coppersmith workshopIn the Coppersmith workshop

During the assembling of the kavacham

During the assembling of the kavacham .

Detail of the engraved work in the Detail of the engraved work in the dvajastambhadvajastambha

After renovationAfter renovationBefore renovationBefore renovation

Bali Peetham under renovation.Bali Peetham under renovation.

The remaining works are:The remaining works are:

• Electrification - Electrification - Government has sanctioned Rs.3 lakhs for electrification work. Government has sanctioned Rs.3 lakhs for electrification work. A suitable contractor is to be located. A suitable contractor is to be located.

• Selective sand blastingSelective sand blasting

• Water and drainage arrangements. Water and drainage arrangements.

• Local devotees have undertaken to carry out the repairs to the temple Local devotees have undertaken to carry out the repairs to the temple tank and to the brick flooring around the granite tank and to the brick flooring around the granite prakara prakara wall, besides wall, besides the general cleaning of the temple. the general cleaning of the temple.

• Arrangements for repairs and replacement of existing Arrangements for repairs and replacement of existing kalasas kalasas over all over all Vimanas Vimanas and provision of new ones for the newly constructed and provision of new ones for the newly constructed Rajagopuram and Vimanas are being made. Rajagopuram and Vimanas are being made.

We seek your active participation in the ongoing project of We seek your active participation in the ongoing project of renovation and Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara temple.renovation and Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara temple.

SIDDHALINGAMADAM VYAGHRAPADESWARA SIDDHALINGAMADAM VYAGHRAPADESWARA TEMPLE RAJAGOPURA-THIRUPPANI COMMITEETEMPLE RAJAGOPURA-THIRUPPANI COMMITEE

Contact details:Contact details:

Sri V. Parameswaran – FCASri V. Parameswaran – FCA

““Kamalalaya”Kamalalaya”

E-7, 3E-7, 3rdrd Floor Gemini Apts Floor Gemini Apts

Cathedral Garden RoadCathedral Garden Road

Chennai 600.006Chennai 600.006

Cell: 9444 109 401Cell: 9444 109 401

May Lord Sri Vyaghrapadeswar, Sri Neela Visalakshi and Sadguru Gnanananda May Lord Sri Vyaghrapadeswar, Sri Neela Visalakshi and Sadguru Gnanananda bless us all with bless us all with Sowbhagya, Sowbhagya, prosperity and prosperity and Sreyas, Sreyas, the highest good!the highest good!OM TAT OM TAT

SAT!SAT!

We pray that with Sadguru’s Grace the renovation project of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara We pray that with Sadguru’s Grace the renovation project of Sri Vyaghrapadeswara temple may soon be completed and the Kumbhabhisheka celebrated successfully.temple may soon be completed and the Kumbhabhisheka celebrated successfully.