Sirkali

One day tour of Tamil Nadu: Sirkali.

 Sirkali is located 20 kms south of Chidambaram and about 90kms south of Pondicherry by road. It is one of the important shiva temples. Lodges are available at Vaitheeswarankoil 6 kms away. Connected with Chennai by train

 It is the birth place of Shiva saint Thirugnanasambandar. When Gnanasambandar was young, he was given milk by Ambal herself near the sacred pond situated in this temple and he began singing songs in praise of Lord Shiva and Ambal  from the tender age. One has to climb about 50 steps to have dharshan of Lord Sattanathar .

Tirukolakka is also a place, where Shiva temple is  located and is  about a kilometer away from the temple in Sirkali. Gnanasambandar  sang in this temple for the first time in his divine yatra . It is believed that Lord Shiva provided thalam and Ambal provided  divine sound ( Oosai), when Sambandar sang here.

Vaitheeswarankoil is located about 6 Kilometers south of Sirkali. It is one of the navagraha temples. There is a separate sannathi for Angaraha ( Sevvai). Jadayu, who fought Ravana, when he was taking Sita to Lanka, died at this place and Jadayu was cremated here. It is believed that the prasadam of this temple cures diseases.

Thirupunkur: Nandhi was asked to  move at this place so that Nandanar can have dharshan of Lord Shiva. This place is 3 kms away from Vaitheeswarankoil. One has to take Thirupanandal route starting from south car st/West car St junction and travel 3 kms and then one kilometer on the left side to reach the temple. Three of the shiva saints sung at this place.

Evening:

Tharangambadi:One can visit the Danish fort established at Tarangambadi (as per map). This was established by Danish king Frederick in 1620s to promote trade with south India. It is located  right on the sea shore and also has a museum inside the fort. 

Tirukkadaiyur: On the way back about 5-6 kms away from Tharangambadi, this town is located. There are many lodges and restaurants available in this town.  This  is the place where Lord Shiva bestowed       Markandeyar that he will always be at the age of 16 after killing Yama who came to take the life of Markandeya. There is a separate sannadhi for Yama here. People celebrate their 60^th birthday in large numbers here.

Keelaperumpallam: One has to travel back to Akkur mukkuttu,(5Kms) Karuvili (Karuvilandhanathapuram: 9 kms) and then towards poompuhar and take a left turn to reach Keelaperumpallam (app 5-6 kms). This is kethu sthalam.

Poompuhar: It is here the river Cauvery enters Bay of Bengal. The famous Silappathikaram has its origins here. There is a museum and a statue of Kannagi  located close to the sea shore. There is also a light house.

Tiruvenkadu:  This is a navagraha sthalam for Budhan. The Shiva temple is a big one and there is a separate sannathi for Bhdhan near Ambal temple.