Monday 28 December 2015

Sri Chidambareswarar Temple / Sri Natarajar Temple, Avathana Papaiah Street, Choolai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 28th December 2015.
There are many  temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in and around Chennai.  Some of them are  grouped as Padal Petra sthalangal, Saptha sthana sthalangal ( Mylapore and Triplicane area),  Navagraha sthalangal ( West of Chennai between Porur , Poonamallee, Kundrathur to Pozhichalur ) and Pancha Bootha sthalangal.  The pancha bootha sthalangal  in Chennai are on the northern side ( 1. Sri Kalatheeswarar – Pavalakara Street, near Thambu Chetty street,  2. Sri Arunachaleswarar -  Anna Pillai Street, Chennai 79, 3. Sri Ekambareswarar – Mint Street, 4. Sri Gangadeeswarar – Purasavakkam and 5. Chidambareswara, Avathana Papaiah Street, Soolai – People used to call this temple as Natarajar Temple ).   

On seeing my Aruthra darshan post on Facebook, my friend Mr Krishna kumar T K ( a blogger under the name Indian Columbus ), informed me that there is  a  temple dedicated to Lord Natarajar in Chennai, which has equal power of  Chidambaram Natarajar.  Made a  visit to this temple on this Sunday 27th December 2015.


Moolavar    : Sri Natarajar
Consort      : Sri Sivakami

Some of the important features of this temple are ….
The temple is facing east  with an  entrance arch with sudhai dwarapalakas, between two concrete buildings.. The front  mandapam arch has the Stucco images of Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Natarajar, Shiva and Parvathi are sitting on Rishabam, Ambal on Rishabam, Nandhiammperuman, Brahma, Manikkavasakar,  etc,.

Balipeedam, Rishabam and dwajasthambam are  after the main entrance. Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Navagrahas, Govindaraja Perumal with Sridevi & Bhoo Devi in sayana kolam,  Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Naalvar, Sri Umayambigai samedha Sri Thirumoola Nathar ( Ambal in a separate sannadhi).

Moolavar  Natarajar with Sivagami is on an elevated sanctum  and people are not allowed on the platform in front of moolavar for darshan.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The 1884 CE inscription records that Kanchipuram Annamalai Mudaliar's elder son Venkatesa Mudaliar and his wife Muniammal, installed Nataraja at a House Nos 10, Arumugam Street, Peddanaickenpet,  Chennai, on Maha Shivaratri day. As per the will the income from the properties ie the house at no 10, Arumugam Street at Peddanaickenpet and a house no 87 on Lankapappaiya Street in Choolai, has to be utilized for daily poojas and abhishekams.  
  
The temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu, HRCE department.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Abhishekam is conducted 6 times in a year to moolavar and daily two times ( Morning 08.30 Hrs and 20.30 Hrs ) abhishekam is done for spatika Lingam kept in a box.   Most of the procedures followed are very much similar to Chidambaram Sri Natarajar Temple. 10 days Brahmotsavam,  once in a  year is celebrated. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open  for darshan between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Sivachariyar Prasanna   may be contacted through his mobile number 9940155930

HOW TO REACH :
This temple is called as Natarajar temple.
The temple is about 3 KM from Chennai central Railway station  and  on the road opposite  to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Town bus nos  7E, 37 d, 37G, 38C, 138C, 34, 159A, 159B, 59 are passes through the bus stop at the starting point of the A.P.Street ( Avathana Papiah Street) from various parts of the city.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 






Kothandaramar temple on the same street
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA :--- 

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu, Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Voyalanallur, Sri Sakthimutreeswarar at Temple Voyalanallur, Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Sitharkadu, Dhatreeswarar Temple, Sitharkadu, Thiruthaleeswarar Temple Aranvoyal, Sri Sringandeeswarar Temple at Thiruvur, Korattur Barrage - Cooum a Cultural Mapping Visit

 21st , December 2015.
It was a pleasant journey  to the temples Thiruverkadu, Voyalanallur, Sitharkadu, Aranvoyal, Tirur and the Korattur barrage which diverts the Koovam water to Chembarambakkam  on the banks of holy river Koovam with a like minded peoples who believes in history on the Saturday 19th December 2015. The tour was originally planned on December 6th, 2015,  but the same was postponed  for want of access through road after the rain and flood in the river Koovam.  The  flooded river  Koovam had done an extensive damage to the buildings  constructed  on the banks and the roads which connects to the Villages.

We,  about 24 persons in two vans, started our journey from  opposite to TTD Perumal Temple ( had the Darshan of Sri Balaji but missed the pongal, since we are little late )  after loading the breakfast and the lunch.   The usual road to Thiruverkadu was closed to traffic and we had to detour in many place and finally reached Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple at Thiruverkadu.

SRI VEDAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVERKADU 
This is my third visit to this temple. My previous visits are made in connection with the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal ( for details CLICK HERE ). Every time I visits to these temples I used to learn new things. The temple was constructed  by Sri Rajendra Chozha’s second son Kulothunga  during 1050 to 1063 AD. The temple also has  the contributions of Telugu  Chozha and Nayak rulers.  This place was also called as Mummudi Chozha Nallur. The sanctum is of  Gajabirustam type. There are about 11 inscriptions which are not legible to read due improper maintenance on walls. The special feature in this temple is Sri Subramaniar sannadhi in the inner prakaram with out his usual weapons, vahanam  and concerts. The Sivalingam installed and worshiped by Lord Muruga is in his front.  There are two Chandikeswaras of which one is without mandapam.  Lord Shiva gave kalyana Kola darshan to sage Agathiyar, who could not attend wedding at Kailash.  Lord Shiva and Parvati’s images are on the back of moolavar in sitting posture.

The 5 tier Rajagopuram
 
The meta colour sheet mandapam obstructing the front view of the temple
 
The meta colour sheet mandapam obstructing the front view of the temple
 
Ambal sannidhi entrance arch on the south
 
Gajabirusta Vimanam
 
Padmapriya explains the details of the temple
 
Vimanam ( Mr. Venkatesh saying Ravakesari is very good ) 

Our next stop was at Voyalanallur and had the darshan of Sri Kandha swamy  and Sakthimutreeswarar.  On the way we intimated the Gurukkal Sri Hari ( mobile 9003154640), who does poojas in many temples.

SRI KANDASWAMY TEMPLE, VOYALANALLUR
Sri Kandaswamy’s  ( Brahma sastha ) moortham is more than 6 ½ feet, an original Aditya Chozha’s period under a recently constructed  house like shrine.  The moortham is in excellent condition and very cute with simple alangaram. The arathi by gurukkal enhanced the beauty of Sri Kandaswamy.  There is an inscription pillar of about 3 feet height standing in front of the shrine. There two stone slab inscriptions, belongs to Sri Sakthimutreeswarar temple also was lying in front of the temple.  These inscriptions belongs of 895 AD, of Adithya – I,  recorded during 1952-53. 

Sri Kandaswamy – Brahma sastha  a life size moortham  with out alangaram / decoration  looks very cute 

Sri Kandaswamy – Brahma sastha  a life size moortham  with simple alangaram looks very cute
 
The inscription pillar in front of sannathi
 
The inscription stone slab belongs to Sri Sakthimutreeswarar temple
 

SRI SAKTHIMUTREESWARAR TEMPLE, VOYALANALLUR

From Sri Kandaswamy temple we walked on the banks of Lotus tank to Sakthimutreeswarar temple.  Moolavar Sri Sakthimutreeswarar is little big in size and belongs to Aditya Chozha’s period and Ambal and nandhi are of latter period. The temple structure is of recent one, facing east. The inscriptions are available at Sri Kandaswamy temple.


TEMPLE TIMINGS :
Since there is no fixed time, Gurukkal Hari may be contacted through his mobile 9003154640 for darshan

HOW TO REACH :
The place Voyalanallur is about 2 Km from Kolappancheri.
Town bus 54c from Poonamallee passes through this village.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE/ VILLAGE :CLICK HERE




Temple lotus pond 

We continued our journey to Sitharkadu to get the blessings of Sri Sundararaja Perumal and Sri Dhatreeswarar.  This is my second trip to this Village. ( details of my first visit please CLICK HERE)  During my first visit  after knowing from Alayam Kanden’s blog by Padmapriya, ( Since My son’s birth star also Swathi and this made me to visit this temple ) and  I could not visit Sri Sundararaja Perumal temple.  We had our first darshan of Sri Sundaraja Perumal, since the battar was waiting for us.   

SRI SUNDARARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, SITHARKADU ( THIRUMANAM VILLAGE )

Front view with Vilakkuthoon, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalvar sannadhi 

Moolavar  : Sri Sundaraja Perumal
Thayar     : Sri Sundaravalli

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram . In the outer parakaram  sannadhi for Thayar Sri  Sundaravallai and Sri Andal both are facing east. In the main shrine Moolavar Sri Sundaraja perumal is with Sridevi and bhoodevi. In the front mandapam moorthams of Senaimudalvar, Namalwar, Thirumangai alwar and Thirumizhisai alwar. Garudakodi sithar’s relief is on, one of the sri Andal sannidhi’s pillar.  By worshiping this sithar one can get rid of eye related ailments. There are 17 relief’s Narasimha perumal who was born on Swathi nakshatra day, available on the pillars of this temple.

The temple was constructed during Sundara Pandiyan’s period and presently managed by the Thuluva Velala Sri Nallathambi’s descenders through the income from 100 acres of land.  Searched for the any inscription and finally we are able to locate the inscription tablet on the southeast corner of the outside compound wall.

The mandapam on the north side of entrance
 
Moolavar Vimanam
 
Sundaravalli Thayar sannidhi
 
Andal sannadhi
 
Front view with Dwajasthambam, Garudalvar sannadhi
 

Thirumazhisai Alwar
 
Garudakodi Siddhar


 Sri Krishna Leela relief on the pillar of the mandapam 
( For Comments on the facebook - CLICK HERE )
The Temple viruksham amla tree with Thulasi
 
The inscription installed out side ( south east corner of the compound wall )


DHATREESWARAR TEMPLE ( SRI NELLEESWARAR), Sitharkadu

Main sannadhi view with Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam 

Moolavar  : Sri Dhatreeswarar
Consort    : Sri Prasunakundalambigai

During my first visit to this temple, renovation was in full swing and the temple was under palalayam and could not get the inside details.  ( for the details of my earlier visit CLICK HERE).  After kumbhabhishekam the temple looks cute.

Ambal was found in Nandhavanam and is called as Poongkuzhali.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
There is an interesting detail that Devadasis donated land to this temple.
The temple was built during Sundaravarman’s period with Nayak’s period thirupani at a latter stage.  

LEGENDS
The temple is a Swathi star temple and also a Marriage parihara sthalam.

It was believed that there are three siddhars worshiped Lord Shiva under the Amla ( Nelli ) tree. They are Prana Theerthika Siddhar ( for breathing / lungs related ailments ), Jadamudi Siddhar ( Heart related ailments) and Garudakodi Siddhar ( eye related ailments – whose relief is at Andal sannadhi of Sundaraja Perumal Temple  pillar ).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Some of the important festivals are, On thiruvathirai Shiva & Parvati marriage will be celebrated. In that parivettai is a special attraction, in that Ambal and Swamy will run towards each other from opposite directions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is kept open between 08.00 Hrs to 10.00 Hrs and 17.30 Hrs to 19.30 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
Kumar Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9444793942 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :
Town bus route No M153 from CMBT to Pattabiram and M45C from Poonamallee  to Pattabiram passes through this village.
Also from Pattabiram railway station it is about 4 KM, Share autos are available up to bridge and from there can be reached through a small walk.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Artistically carved panel on the ceiling of Rajagopuram 
Front arch after Rajagopuram 
Main sannadhi view with Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam 


Moolavar sannadhi 
Artistically carved panel on the ceiling of moolavar sannadhi  
Dakshinamurthy  
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar 
Natarajar with Sivakami and Manickavasagar 
Utsavars
Pranatheertha Siddhar - To worship for breathing related ailments  
A Vinayagar sannidhi in front of Main temple

Our next destinations are to Aranvoyal  and Tirur off the main road from Poonamallee to Thiruvallur Road.  These two Villages are opposite to each other little away from the River Koovam. Visited both the temples during  our  heritage tour with R.E.A.C.H  foundation ( for details please CLICK HERE ).

THIRUTHALEESWHARAR TEMPLE. ARANVOYAL


Moolavar    : Thiruthaleeshwarar
Consort      : Sri Maragathambigai

During our earlier visit to this temple renovations are in progress and this time lot of improvements were done and Rajagopuram construction is in progress.  It was sad to see the old pillars of Rishaba mandapam was  dumped in one place with Aditya Chozha Period inscriptions. Pallava period thirupani can also be seen.

 Vinayagar at the entrance of the main shrine – why do he uses snake as belt?
 The south side entrance arch to the main shrine 


 The east side view with Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam ( Rishabam is waiting to install ) 
 Boothagana with Rishabam and moolavar Gajabirushta Vimanam 
 Rishabam mandapam ( Rishabam is waiting to install ) 
 Wooden Rishabam used for urchavam- வாலாட்டும் இடபம்  
Adhitya Chozha Period inscription on the pillar  
 Adhitya Chozha Period inscription- pillars of old Rishaba Mandapam - removed and kept out side

SRI SRINGANDEESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVUR ( TIRUR ).

 The 3 tier Rajagopuram  

Moolavar    : Sri Sringandeeswarar
Consort      : Sri Uthbalambal

It was believed that  Lord Shiva was installed and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.  This an akarshana kshethram and child prathnai sthalam.  Puliyur Sri Shivaraja swamikal  calls ambal as “anuthinamum vazhum ammaye” and shiva as ” amar sivame”.

Sundara Pandiyan’s period inscriptions are available. The inscription stones are separately installed in front of the temple of which one  belongs to Vijayanagara period with their symbol / embalm.
  
It was believed that  muni Rishya singeeswarar installed and worshiped Lord Shiva of  this temple. Hence Iraivan is named after him and moortham and relief on the pillar are available.

Some of the festivals are  Pradosham, MahaSivarathri.  During maha shivaratri day  for artha jama pooja local people are encouraged to involve to bring the holy water from their homes.  On Panguni punarpoosam day marriage function will be celebrated for Nandhikeswarar.

It is worthy to note that the temple is maintained by some devotees of Vallalar through their own fund, there is a Vallalar sannadhi in the outer prakaram.
  
CONTACT DETAILS :
Mr Jayaraman may be contacted   through his mobile 9445693460.

 Vijayanagara period inscription with symbol and other Chozha period inscription installed out side the temple
 
 Nandhiyam peruman’s stucco image in front of Rajagopuram 


 Narthana Vinayagar relief on the front mandapam pillar 

 Ambal sannadhi view
 Moolavar sannadhi view 
 Rishya singeeswarar with Shiva Lingam 



 Rishya singeeswarar worshiping Shiva 
 Rishya singeeswarar Relief on the mandapam pillar and the moortham ( on the right ) 
 Stucco images of Nandi with his concert and Nataraja with Sivagami 
 Dakshinamurthy with Sanakatha Munivars 
 Inscriptions on the moolavar sanctum adhistanam 
 Damaged moorthams of Brahma, Bairavar, Ambal , etc.
 Damaged moorthams of Brahma, Bhairavar, Ambal , etc.
Orchid Tree

KORATTUR BARRAGE ON THE HOLY RIVER COOUM
We had our lunch at  Tirur temple itself and continued our journey to Korattur Barrage or Anaikattu. We are very happy to see the Cooum river with clear running water. We felt become children and played  in the knee deep water.  We could feel the sand under our feet was washed by the current of water and could imagine the force it could generate a huge pressure to washout the check dam on Cooum.

Mr Shaswath explained the korattur barrage on river Cooum from start point at Kesavaram anaikattu. The brief details are, the Kosasthalaiyar river splits at Kesavaram as Cooum and Kosasthalaiyar which continued its journey to Poondi and Puzhal to quench the thirst of Chennai people.  The Cooum river water diverted to Chembarambakkam at Korattur barrage. The reason for the recent  flood in Cooum during this year  rain was due to,  washout of the Korattur  check dam, since the barrage feeding to Chembarambakkam eri  was shut. The excess water had  build a great pressure and washed away the check dam of Korattur and flooded in Cooum.

 Telugu Ganga crosses under the Cooum river
 Cooum river from Tirur bridge 
 Cooum river from Tirur bridge 
 Cooum river from Tirur bridge - King fisher distillery on the right  
 Cooum river from Tirur bridge 
 Korattur Barrage 
 Cooum river view from Korattur Barrage 
 The shutters of Korattur Barrage which lets water to Chembarambakkam lake 
 The remains of Korattur Check dam – after washed away during December 2015 Coovam river flood  
 The crystal clear water of Holy river Cooum with my image 
 The remains of Korattur Check dam – after washed away during December 2015 Coovam river flood  

 The remains of Korattur Check dam – after washed away during December 2015 Coovam river flood  
 The shutters of Korattur Barrage which lets water to Chembarambakkam lake 
 The shutters of Korattur Barrage which lets water to Chembarambakkam lake 

The remains of Korattur Check dam – after washed away during December 2015 Cooum river flood  - A panoramic view 

Our Group in  middle of Holy River Cooum: CLICK HERE 

It was a memorable tour to visit the temples on the banks of Holy river Cooum.  Hope it is a lifetime opportunity to see the Clear water flowing in the river Cooum.I extend my sincere thanks  to Mr Vaidyanathan, Mrs Padmapriya, Mr Venkatesh for organizing  such a wonderful tour with breakfast ( tasty ravakesari ) and lunch in an economical way. I also appreciate Mrs Padmapriya for organizing this tour in the midst of her routine family work &  new assignment and the improvement made in the registration system. Thanks Priya ma. 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---