“நாடி வந்தால் கோடி நலம்”
Kodi Thatha
Welcome to Ponmudi Surya Nandeeswarar temple
In ancient times, the goddess Akhilandeshwari (Ambikai), who is an integral part of Parameswaran, lived in Chennappamalai, a place that is revered as the 'Southern Kailash' located in the Panangattu region. This sacred site is believed to bring salvation not only to the 84 lakh living beings on earth but also to deities such as the Sun, the Moon, Indra, and Kubera, by offering them liberation from their curses.
At the goddess's request, Parameswaran granted her wish, and later, it is said that on the day of Maha Shivaratri, a Brahma guru at the same place blessed the site, saying, "On this day, a divine light will manifest here, and all beings who worship it will attain liberation from the curse of birth." As a result, Lord Shiva appeared both in the heavens and on earth in the form of light, manifesting as a Jyotirlinga, a divine stone, to grant liberation from curses to all living beings.
The temple is particularly special because it offers liberation from curses to not only all living beings but also to the deities and celestial beings, without any discrimination. This makes the temple significant. Moreover, these four deities, who have been freed from their curses, bless the devotees who come to seek their grace, ensuring that the happiness they experienced also spreads throughout the world. Indra blesses with joy, Chandra with peace of mind, Kubera with wealth, and Surya with positive thoughts and actions.
This sacred place has been celebrated for its divine fragrance for ages. It has always been referred to as the Southern Kailash. Parvati and Parameswaran, residing in the Kailash mountains, are venerated here as Akhilandeshwari, and Nandiswaran with his golden crown. The Sun God, who spreads light across the world and gives shape to creation, is said to bless this place daily in the form of Nandi, to remove all curses. The temple's deity is called 'Ponmudi Suryan Nandeeswarar,' and the name signifies the grace of the Sun God, who, along with Nandi, helps remove the curses of all beings.
Each Jyotirlinga temple has unique worship practices and rituals suited to its specific significance. In this regard, the worship practices at Chennappamalai Jyotirlinga are special and unlike any other.
Here, there is no discrimination based on status, wealth, education, gender, age, or caste. All beings, from the highest to the lowest, from the rich to the poor, from the learned to the unlearned, and from men to women, children, and the elderly, are blessed with prosperity by Lord Shiva in this divine temple. It is a place where divine blessings are granted to all beings at all times.
Simply closing the eyes and opening the inner eye to think of Lord Shiva while worshiping here is enough to receive blessings of purity, and positive thoughts are reflected, resulting in complete blessings. Any task that is thought of will come to fruition, and Lord Shiva will speak the secrets to those who are devoted. By touching and worshiping the Jyotirlinga once, one's body and thoughts will be purified. Thoughts are filled with vital energy, and this earth itself is a great magnet of energy. The Jyotirlinga is a massive spiritual energy source, and when we worship with the mind, our thought waves are purified and reflected back to us from the Jyotirlinga, helping to purify us. We attain liberation from the curse of birth.
Those who worship the Ponmudi Suryan Nandiswarar, along with Akhilandeshwari Ambikai, residing in this temple complex, will receive blessings of fertility, knowledge, and prosperity. Those who strive will also attain liberation.
By meditating in Padmasana for nine hours, divided into three parts, in the temple complex of the Jyotirlinga, devotees can have faith that Lord Shiva, in a state of self-forgetfulness, will come within and grant liberation from the curse of birth. This sacred place, Chennappamalai, proclaims this belief to the world. After the worship, sitting with the head tilted to the left in the Mandapam opposite the temple, one can sense the presence of good omens.
This temple has one more unique feature. It is a special practice that is not found in any other temple in the country. On Maha Shivaratri day, devotees can perform Abhishekam to the Jyotirlinga with fresh milk and Bilva leaves using their own hands. They can touch and worship the deity, and participate in the Homa and Yaga rituals that take place on that day.
13thJyothirlingam
In a way that astonishes the entire world, the great sage, who bloomed from the divine essence of Paraman and who has witnessed many yugas, led and demonstrated this manifestation event here as the Brahma Guru Kodi Thatha.
A remarkable spiritual event in human history occurred in Chennappamalai, located near Ambur in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, South India, on March 12, 2002, during the Maha Shivaratri festival. On this day, the 13th Jyotirlinga of the world manifested in a miraculous and unprecedented way before thousands of devotees, following the prescribed rituals and customs.
This Jyotirlinga manifestation not only grants liberation from the curse of birth but also imparts peace, joy, safety, and guidance for a righteous life. The Chennappamalai temple has become a symbol of divine grace and a land of spiritual blessing for all who visit.
The manifestation of the Jyotirlinga here is a miraculous event, for those who see it, it appears as a Lingam, and for those who experience it spiritually, it reveals itself as the supreme divine light (Parama Jyoti).
While the 12 Jyotirlingas that are already known across India manifested in earlier yugas, and only a few recorded historical or mythological accounts remain of those events, the manifestation of the 13th Jyotirlinga here in 2002 was witnessed by the present generation. This event has been recorded in ancient scriptures, but many finer details remain hidden in the realm of spiritual mysticism.
Jyotirlingas are living manifestations of divine energy, holding within them the sacred power of the five elements (Pancha Bhutas). These Jyotirlingas manifest as divine lights, purifying the thoughts of devotees and radiating blessings that transcend physical reality. They are embodiments of cosmic power, encompassing all living beings and non-living entities.
Simply thinking of them brings peace, and gazing upon them leads to spiritual ecstasy.
The divine light within the earth, arising from a stone with life, rises and manifests as the Jyotirlinga to bless the world. It is believed that from the day the world began, 12 Jyotirlingas manifested across India, as documented in history. Though these events are recorded in the scriptures, many mysteries remain hidden and can only be comprehended by enlightened sages.
According to natural laws based on the five elements, the divine event occurred naturally at a preordained time and place on Maha Shivaratri, an auspicious day for universal worship. On this day, the temple was filled with rituals, mantras, and prayers, and 330 million deities worshipped as the divine presence manifested as the Jyotirlinga, creating a cosmic connection between the earth and the heavens.
This divine event is known as the 'Lingodbhava,' the miraculous emergence of the Jyotirlinga in its divine form. The manifestation of the Jyotirlinga on Maha Shivaratri is believed to occur with the purification of thoughts and the attainment of liberation by all beings who worship it with a pure heart and mind. In this temple, a unique feature distinguishes it from all other Jyotirlinga temples. In every other temple in India, devotees are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum or touch the idols. They must offer prayers from outside the sanctum. However, in Chennappamalai, devotees are permitted to enter the sanctum and personally touch and worship the Jyotirlinga. It is believed that touching the Lingam seven times grants immediate liberation from the curse of birth, and all negativities are removed. Troubles are alleviated, and the soul is purified. Those who come with pure intentions and faith receive the blessings of the Satguru. Material and spiritual prosperity are also assured.
Devotees who worship with sincere devotion will find their path illuminated with the blessings of Lord Shiva, who grants them the strength to face life's challenges with confidence and faith.
