“Thirukoil Uzhavarapani at Arulmigu Sri Sornambigai Udanuraai Sri Thokkeeswarar Temple, Villiambakkam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

 06, October 2013

This October 2013, months’ Uzhavarapani was at Arulmigu Sri Thokeeswarar Shiva Temple at Villiambakkam, near Chengalpattu. Lord Shiva has given me another opportunity last  week on  06-10-2013 to join with “Thirukkovil Uzhavarapani Mandram “(திருகோயில் உழவாரப்பணி மன்றம்-வேளச்சேரி, சென்னை -600042 ), under the head of thiru Adalarasan.  The Villiambakkam is  on Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram Train and bus route. The Thirupani was painting and removal of vegetation on the unused land inside the temple. The morning breakfast and lunch was organized through donors.  About 500 Shiva devotees participated from various places. It was like star in the sky, could not count when looked from sky. Most of the devotees  are regular participants  and  very few are new comers like me.  With the Iraivan’s blessing I was lucky enough to participate in October month’s thirupani with out any phone calls.

After reaching Chengalpattu around 06.45 Hrs through train, boarded in a private bus to Villiambakkam, which is about 7 KM. The temple was about a KM from bus stop after crossing the railway line. The temple is small but the area is little large. The total area of the temple was protected through compound wall and Temple Tank is in front on the east side.  The temple was a reconstructed temple and looks like new. Kumbhabhishekam was performed about 5 years before. The Vimanas and stucco images were painted with gold colour. These were not painted during this uzhavarapani.

I joined with a group to clean the cobwebs in the mandapams and cleaning of mandapams kodungai built with concrete. Started little earlier before the breakfast. After the breakfast we continued our job. I was very tired due to sun’s heat  and we worked till 11.30 Hrs. Could not take rest inside the temple due to rush ( devotees are everywhere ) and rested out side. Since I was too tired, after a good lunch pushed off from the temple around 14.00 Hrs. Missed the Kailaya Vathiyam with drums and old horn instruments, sung by the IOC devotees. A devote dropped me in his car at Villiambakkam Railway station to catch train to Guindy where I kept my Motor cycle.

VILLIAMBAKKAM NEAR CHENGALPATTU

 

Moolavar sannadhi with mandapam in front

Moolavar    : Sri Thokkeeswarar

Consort i    : Sri Swarnambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are ....

Only entrance arch from the south side and the temple is facing east with a temple tank is in front. There is also an arch at east side with a small gate. There is no Dwajasthambam.

Sannadi in the outer prakaram for Sri Vijayaganapathy, Sri Vetrivel Murugan with Sri Valli Devasena, Ambal sannadhi with simha vahana, Navagrahas, Sri Bhairavar, Sri Chandran and Sri Suryan. 

In Sri Vijaya Ganapathy sannadhi’s koshtam  Sri Saraswati ( In standing posture - a rare moortham, Sri Lakshmi ( Moortham  is not there ) and Sri Brahmi.

In Vetrivel Murugan’s koshtam, Sri Gugan, Sri Dhandayuthapani and Sri Subramaniar.

In Moolavar sannidhi's koshtam. Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Vishnu, Sri Brahma and Sri Durgai.

In Ambal sannidhi’s koshtam Sri Koumari, Sri Vaishnavi, Sri Brahmi, Sri Maheswari and Sri Varahi.

The temple premises have buildings for a store room, an office room and a class room for the Night study.

It was sad to see a epigraph with old Tamil inscriptions was lying near the gate and is being used for different purposes. Looking at it the temple must be  200 to 300 years old. It was told there is a 15th century Vijayanagara period inscription about donation of Land, which we couldn't trace. It was also told that as per the inscription Iraivan was called as Koteeswarar  

HOW TO REACH :

On the Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram route on bus as well as on train the place called Villiambakkam and the temple is about 1 KM off main road and station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Entrance arch - on the south side

Moolavar sannadhi east side entrance arch

Ambal sannadhi

Moolavar sannadhi vimanam

Navagrahas with their vahanas

Thirukkulam / pond

Entrance arch on the east side

Rishabam with balipeedam

Sri Saraswathi in Vinayagar sannadhi's koshtam in standing posture - A rare moortham

Old Tamil inscription / Kalvettu lying near the gate - proper care is not taken

Moolavar vimanam view from terrace - looks cute

Ambal vimanam view from terrace

Sri Vetrivel murugan sannidhi - view from Ambal sannidhi 

PHOTOS TAKEN DURING UZHAVARAPANI

Preparing for the Uzhavarapani and breakfast

Uzhavarapani in progress - Clearing of vegetation 

Uzhavarapani in progress - Cleaning of moolavar sannadhi mandapam - kodungai 

                                                            Uzhavarapani in progress

                                        Uzhavarapani in progress- Painting of Ambal sannidhi 

                                                           Uzhavarapani in progress

Uzhavarapani in progress - Cleaning of compound wall  with high pressure water jet 

Uzhavarapani in progress - Cleaning with  high pressure water jet

Uzhavarapani in progress - Cleaning of Ambal sannadhi 

Uzhavarapani in progress - Cleaning of Moolavar vimanam with high pressure water jet 

Preparation of lunch in progress

PHOTOS TAKEN AFTER UZHAVARAPANI 

Chandran sannadhi - with half pirai ( half moon ) behind his head

Navagrahas sannadhi and Bairavar sannidhi in front 

Ambal sannidhi after painting 

Sri Murugan  sannidhi after painting 

Entrance arch - south side 

Compound wall  with temple, view from outside

Next month’s Uzhavarapani will be at Arulmigu Thirupurasundari  udan urai Arulmigu Ilavapureeswarar temple at Vilangadupakkam, Near Redhills on 03-11-2013. All are requested to join in this uzhavarapani

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiruvasagam Mutrum othuthal ( திருவாசகம் முற்றும் ஓதுதல் ) - at Dhandeeswarar Temple, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 2, October 2013.

ThirukkovilUzhavarapani Mandram ( திருகோயில் உழவாரப்பணி மன்றம் - வேளச்சேரி, சென்னை -600042), is conducting the Thiruvasakam mutrum othuthal ( திருவாசகம் முற்றும் ஓதுதல் ) on every Magha nakshatra (  Manikkavasakar entered in to the Shiva Jothi )  at Dhandeeswarar Shiva Temple, Velachery, Chennai.  I had the chance of participating the same on  02-10-2013. The program was scheduled to start by 09.00 Hrs,  but they had started ½ an hour earlier to finish early. At the beginning there were only 3 Sivanadiyar and latter few more people joined. They expected around 50, since it was a holiday.  At the beginning I was asked to read some of the portions. I found difficult  and I could not align with the other sivanadiyar, since  they sung the Thiruvasagam with raagam and this was my first experience.

The mutrum othuthal  has came to an end around 13.15 Hrs and  I was sitting almost 5 hours  without standing. In the middle they offered tea twice. At one point one sivanadiyar fanned to all of us with his towel.   Sivanadiyar Neelamegam explained the importance of the day. The Guru pooja of Arul Nandhi Sivam  ( One of the Santhana Kuravar and he is the Guru for Meikandaar. ) and the prathosam happened on the same day. The mutrum othuthal has ended with a pooja to the laminated picture of 63 nayanmars. The lunch was  hosted by one of the Sivanadiyar.

Next Mutrum Othuthal will be held on 29-10-2013,

Pooja was carried out for 63 vars 

 Sivanadiyar Neelamegam on the left 

 Sivanadiars

Another section of sivanadiyars  

PRADOSHAM.

After taking a rest of ½ an hour at home and returned back to the Dhandeeswarar Temple for the pradosham. Had the darshan of Nandhiyamperuman’s abhishekam and could not see the abhishekam of Lord Shiva, since the way and the prakaram was completely occupied by the ladies, without giving opportunity to other devotees.  ( the same thing happens during  Maha Shivarathri days  also ). Some of the photos I had taken are uploaded, which may not be clear due to poor lighting.

 

 Paal (Milk) abhishekam to Nandhiyamperuman

  Rishabam after Abhishekam 

 Swamy;s thiru uzha starting from Alankara mandapam 

Swamy's thiruuzha near dwajasthambam

The 5 tier Rajagopuram the south entrance was recently painted through Uzhavarapani

---- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ----

Sri Dhatreeswarar Temple at Sitharkadu, Sri Shiva Nandeeswarar Temple, Thirukallil / Thirukandalam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

 23, September 2013

This week end  on 23-09-2013, I had been to Sitharkadu Shiva temple. After knowing the  temple is a swathi star temple ( my son’s birth star is swathi ), thought of visiting the temple. As usual started early in the morning  reached Pattabiram by train and reached the temple through share auto  and walking to a distance of about a KM from the national hi-ways bridge. Since Sitharkadu is a small village, purchased pooja materials from  Pattabiram. When I reached the temple,  the temple was not opened, The temple is under renovation  and Swamy is kept in a separate mandapam.  Swamy Looks cute and small. Sivachariyar came around 8.45 Hrs ( His house is opposite to the temple ). In the mean time spending the time by looking the reliefs carved on the pillars at the entrance and in the mandapam. Reliefs  also chiseled on the beams of the mandapam,  is an unique  of  this temple.    Since the day happened to be Sunday, the main shrine was kept closed  due to holiday to the workers, who are doing the renovation  jobs.

SRI DHATHREESWARAR TEMPLE, SITHARKADU

5 tier Rajagopuram after renovation

Moolavar    : Sri Dhathreeswarar

Consort      : Sri Prasuna Kundhalambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are ….

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. At the entrance to the main temple Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam. The entrance arch  for the sanctum sanctorum with stucco images are under construction, Somaskandar is at centre. In the outer prakaram Nagars and a small Amman sannadhi. The Moolavar and Ambal are kept in a mandapam facing west.

ARCHITECTURE

There is a stone pillared mandapam on the right side of the entrance where we could find lot of relief and some siddhars too on the pillars. The mandapam beams are also chiseled with relief looks beautiful. The temple is under renovation. 

HISTORY

Sitharkadu Shiva Temple is believed to be constructed by Pandya king Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan-I (King  of  Pandyan Dynasty) dating back to 9th Century on the banks of sacred river Cooum. The main temple entrance was constructed with bricks must be belongs to Chozha Period.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 08.00 Hrs 10.30 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Sivachariyars Viswanathan 9444562335 and Kumaran 9444793942 and T P Ramesh 9445603942 can be contacted for further details.

Email address: tsbjst@gmail.com / tnkumaran8@gmail.com 

HOW TO REACH :

Pattabiram is on the Chennai to Thiruvallur main road and also on the railway route.

From Pattabiram at the end of the bridge on the south side Share autos are available up to National hi-way bridge.

Sithukadu is about 1.5 KM from the bridge.

Poonamallee to Pattabiram bus route nos 54C passes through Pattabiram.

From CMBT Bus terminus route no 153 passes through Pattabiram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

5 tier Rajagopuram after renovation

Ambal sannadhi vimanam

Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Nandhi mandapam

Nagars

View of the temple from south side

Relief on the dwajasthambam

Relief on the dwajasthambam

Relief on the dwajasthambam

Relief on the ceiling of the mandapam

Siddhar

Ambal

Relief on the beams too

Reliefs on the pillar - Kinnarar

Siddhars on the Pillars

Symbolic representation of solar and lunar eclipse

Relief on the ceiling at the entrance of rajagopuram 

Siddhar

 Relief of Nagabandham on the entrance pillar

After darshan at Sitharkadu returned back to Pattabiram around 10.00 Hrs. Thought of trying my luck  for the darshan of Lord Shiva at the temple THIRUKKALLIL, which is about 20 KM from Pattabiram. During patha yathra to Thirupathi I used to think of making a visit to this  Shiva Temple, when we pass Kannigaipair.  Since there is no direct bus from Pattabiram,  reached Kannigaipair Via Periyapalayam.  Through a share auto reached the temple around 12.00 Hrs, from Kannigaipair. To my luck the temple was kept open. Learnt that the Sivachariyar is staying in that temple and sleeping in a house in the village. He must be 90+ years but very much active. The Locals told me that he is 100+.

Had the darshan of Lord Shiva and the Sivachariyar used the coconut from his stock and gave me the prasadam.  After darshan  he asked me to wait in the mandapam, I do not know why?.  After few minutes the temple housekeeper gave me coffee prepared by the Sivachariyar. Since morning I had not taken any food, hence the coffee was  like Lord Shiva’s gift to me. The secret of getting the rain is due to Sivachariyars, like him,  who does this type of service to Lord Shiva and his devotees.

    

18 – SRI SHIVA NANDEESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUKKALLIL

( This post was Updated with Thevara Hymns, Sthalapuranam, History & Inscriptions. For the details of the updated post please click this link )

Now this place is called as Thirukandalam. This is the 18^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Temple view from South side - please note that the bell tower is being supported by bhuta ganas

Moolavar    : Sri Shiva Nandeeswarar

Consort      : Sri Ananthavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are …

The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers and the temple is facing east with a Temple Tank in front. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam Moolavar vimanam is of Gajabirushtam type and Rishabam mandapam are at the front in outer prakaram. In koshatam Natana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Vishnu Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nalvar with Sekkizhar and Suryan, Sri Anjaneyar, Nagars under Nelli ( amla ) tree, Sundara Vinayagar, Kaalathi Nathar,  Balasubramaniar without usual Valli devasena, Chandikeswarar, Sri Sakthi Dakshinamurthy, Kaala Bhairavar and Navagrahas. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

Most of the sannadhi and mandapam are built  in recent years. There are many inscription found at the base of the sanctum of that one belongs to Vikarama Chozha.

HOW TO REACH :

The Place Kannigaipair is on the way to Chennai to Periyapalayam. And from there Thirukandalam is about 3 KM.

Share auto is available from Kannigaipair.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Sri Sakthi Dakshinamurthy

Gajabirushta type vimanam

Entrance view

Rishabam mandapam

5 tier Rajagopuram

Stucco dwarapalakas on the Rajagopuram Right and Left side.

Nalvar

Nalvar with Sekkizhar and Suriyan

Sri Sakthi Dakshinamurthy

After darshan of Lord Shiva at Thirukkallil ( Thirukandalam ), started back to Kannigaipair. It was too hot and I do not know  when the share auto will come.  So walked slowly. After reaching half of the distance a passerby gave me a lift on his TVS 50 up to auto stand at Kannigaipair. Reached home via Guindy via Redhills and Koyambedu. 

Had been to this temple again on 25th February 2017,  in connection with the Pulicat Heritage visit. For the details  Click here

---OM SIVAYA NAMA---