Saptha vitanga Shrines

It is learned that the Chola emperor Musukuntha (12th Century) got seven emerald Siva Lingams from Lord Indra, the King of the Gods, God of Weather and War.  Lord Indra was worshiping these seven emerald Siva Lingams. The emperor never wanted to worship the icon for himself and felt that it was appropriate to install these icons for the worship of his subjects (the common people). Accordingly he made arrangements to install them in seven important SivaTemples located at   Nagapattinam,   Thirukaravasal,  Thirukuvalai, Thirunallar and Thiruvaymur.The milk consecration over the Saptha vitanga Thyaga shrines have medicinal properties. Similarly the sandal paste applied around the emerald Siva Lingams have high amount of medicinal properties.

Thiru Idaisuram

Thiru Idaisuram (also called as Thiruvadi Soolam) is the temple devoted to Lord Siva. It is located between Chengalpattu and Thiruporur and placed about 7 k.m away from Chengalpattu. At this shrine Lord Siva menifested himself as emerald Siva Lingam. The transparent icon reflects the bright greenish colored light when arathi shown before the Lord. The icon was found within the ant mount and the goddess brought out the idol by pouring the milk over the ant mount.

Sirukarumpur Kamatchi Sametha Thiripuranthaka Esvarar Temple

The emerald Siva Lingam at Sirukarumpur, near Kaveripakkam, Vellore District, Tamil nadu is around one thousand years old. It is learned that this idol was stolen.

Maruthasaleswarar Temple, Thiru Engoimalai

The emerald Siva Lingam at Maruthasaleswarar Temple, Thiru Engoimalai, near Musiri, Trichy District appears more greenish and it is also considered as one of the antique valued idol.

Nanjundeswarar Temple, Najankoot, Mysore

At Nanjundeswarar Temple, Najankoot, Mysore the then Muslim Mysore ruler Tipu Sulthan has installed one emerald Siva Lingam.

Mangaleswari Sametha Mangalanatha Swami Temple, Uthirakosamangai

At Mangaleswari Sametha Mangalanatha Swami Temple, Uthirakosamangai, there is world fame Lord Nataraja idol. Lord Nataraja appears in a separate shrine. The idol is about 5 1/2 feet tall. This temple is located near Ramanathapuram town in Tamil nadu. This idol will be covered with sandal paste on all days except the annual Thiruvathirai star day on which the Arudra festival (December month) falls. On this day alone the idol is consecrated and covered again with sandal paste. This temple also possess one emerald Siva Lingam and one Spatika Lingam. Both these idols consecrated daily except on annual Thiruvathirai star day. The reason for covering the idol with sand paste is that the idol has fragile properties and may not bear sound and light waves. The sandal paste removed from the idol is distributed to the devotees.

Siruvapuri Balasubramania Swamy Temple

Siruvapuri Balasubramania Swamy Temple is located on the north western side of Chennai city and is lying 33 k.m. away from Chennai. The visitor needs to take diversion from Chennai Kalkotta National Highway. The except the idols of Lord Balasubramaiya Swamy, Aadhimoolar and Navagrahams, all the other idols are carved out of emerald stone. The beautiful emerald peacock appears near flag post. On the south west corner the emerald Sun god is located. Similarly on the eastern side there is one emerald Vinayaka idol (Lord Rajaganapathy). On the southern side there is one emerald Annamalai (Lord Siva) idol. No such shrine has this many emerald idols in South India. The idols are huge in size and shining