The Paadal Petra Sthalam also known as Tevara Thiru Stalamgal, are the 276 temples that are mentioned in the Shaivite Holy text, ‘TEVARAM’ by the Shaiva Nayanars between 6th-9th century AD, similar to The Divya Desams(108 Vishnu temples) glorified by the Vaishnava Alvars mentioned in the Vaishnavite Holy Text ‘NALAYIRA DIVYA PRABHANDAM.
There are around 276 temples that are revered by the verses of Shaiva Nayanmars and are amongst the greatest Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. 267 temples in Tamil Nadu, 2 temples in Andhra pradesh, 1 temple in kerala, 1 temple in karnataka, 2 temples in Uttarakhand, 2 temples in Sri Lanka, 1 temple in Nepal, and Tirukailayam in Mount Kailash.
Why Paadal Petra Stalamgal are considered to be more important? The reason behind is, these these temples are sanctified by the Nayanmars and their precious songs can be found in the holy text, ‘TEVARAM’. These temples are once visited by the Nayanmars, and their foot prints can be also seen by us provided we keep great faith and bhakti on them.
Shaivites are advised to visit all of these 276 temples during their life time, since by doing so, chances are there to get liberation. Even some tour operators are taking the tourists for all of these 276 temples, and the travel time period may cover for a few months.
Nayanmars are the shaivite saints who lived a few thousand years ago. They are the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva, and they found Shiva in their each and every body cell, and worshipped him with great bhakti. They crossed many hurdles in their life, and they are tested by Lord Shiva, in order to bring out their purity, and to show their great devotion to the entire universe. Each and every Nayanmar saints are tested in a different manner, and they passed in the divine tests successfully, and finally reached the abode of Lord Shiva, Mount Kailash. The divine texts Thevaram tells the devotion of the Nayanmar saints, and contains the greatness of Lord Shiva. The Nayanmar saints preached the importance of Shaivism among the people, visited holy temples throughout India, and also cleared the sins and diseases of the people through the grace of Lord Shiva.
Does anybody know about the current situation of all the 63 Nayanmar Saints, who are famously worshipped in the Shiva Temples as Shaivite Saints, and they are the first and foremost Shivanadiyars, ancient Shiva devotees. It is believed that at this present period of time, all the Nayanmars would directly have the divine vision of Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati, in his holy abode Kailash, and they would keep singing the glories of Lord Shiva, by shedding joyful tears from their eyes. While the Divine Devas enjoys lot of pleasures in the heaven, Nayanmars would never enjoy any other pleasure in the Shiva Loka, but they would keep enjoying only the spiritual pleasure by continuously worshipping Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati. They would never get hunger, tiredness and sleep, since they had attained the position of “IMMORTALS”.
“SHIVAYA NAMAHA NAMAH SHIVAYA NAMAHA SHIVA SHIVAYA NAMAHA OM NAMAH SHIVAYA NAMAHA”
Sent By
R. HARISHANKAR
