19th February 2017.
Utilizing the opportunity of attending the
inauguration of the Salem Historical Research Centre, which functioned as Salem
Varalaru Thedal Kuzhu, visited the heritage sites in around Belur near
Salem on 19th February 2017. More than 100 participants which
includes, Scholars, enthusiasts and College & School students
attended this Heritage walk. After the inauguration function, visited the
Historical important sites like, Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Sri
Theerthagireeswarar temple, an inscription stone which speaks about the
village Kurichi donated to Sri Theerthagireeswarar at Kurichi, an
inscription pillar in the midst of field at Chekkadipattu, which is the evidence
of Nayakas direct rule in this area, a Thannasi/ Komari Kal, Mookkaruppu
battle the only evidence inscription pillar standing in the midst of a millet
field, a Parantaka Chozha – I, inscription at Angala Parameswari Temple and
Sri Ashtabuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy temple.
A Royal treatment was given to all the
participants by the organizers. I extend my sincere thanks to the organizers
Mr. Aragalur Venkatesan Pon, Mr Kalaiselvan, Mr Srinivasan, Dr. Ponnambalam, Mr
Jeevanarayanan, Mr Periyar mannan and other organizers. It was a nice
experience to interact with the history Scholars like Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy,
Mr Sugavana Murugan, Mr Mani, Mr Edappadi Amudhan and the facebook
friends.
SRI THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE, BELUR
This temple is the earth sthalam, one of the
pancha bootha sthalams, on the banks of river Vashista aka Neevaa aka Vellaru
in Salem district. ( The other pancha bootha sthalangal are water – Ethappur,
Sri Sambamurtheeswarar, Fire – Attur, Sri Karya Nirmaleswarar, Air-
Aarakazhur, Sri Kamanatha Eswarar and Space - Kookaiyur, Sri
Swarnapureeswarar ).
Moolavar : Sri Thanthondreeswarar ( Swayambhu )
Consort : Sri Dharmasamvardhini.
Some of the important features of this temple are …
The temple is facing east with a
7 tier Rajagopuram. In front of the Rajagopuram, there
is a 4 pillar mandapam, a Garuda thoon and a mandapam ( This may be Sri Pachai
Kandha Swamigal’s madam, which has to be explored ).
In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Pancha
bootha lingas, Nayanmars, Kalyana Vinayagar, Nagars under dried Sthala
Vruksham, Subramanyar, Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi,
Kaliyuga Subramaniyar, Gajalakshmi, Navagrahas, Dhandayuthapani with Vinayagars
on both sides under Vanni tree, Kanampulla Nayanar ( it was believed that
he is one of the 63 Nayanmars who lived here and worshiped lord Than
Thontreeswarar ), Pichadanar, Bhairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sannadhi
looks cute. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma
and Durgai. In artha mandapam urchava murtis. Every one is
a master piece of its kind ( it was believed that the icons, Chandrasekar, Uma
Maheswarar, Saba Nayagar and Vinayagar are unearthed while ploughing the land
behind the temple ). In Saba mandapam, Nearby Vazhapadi Shiva temple’s
Nataraja looks very nice and the muyalakan holds a knife, which is very
unique, The lamp lady looks awesome. Moolavar is about 3 feet
height, little rough and believed to be swayambhu.
Ambal is in a temple like sannadhi on the
left side of Shiva facing east. Stucco dwarapalakis are at the entrance. Ambal
is in standing posture with four hands. The upper hands holds the flowers
and lower right hand in abhaya hastham and the left hand in vara hastham.
This relief is above the Palipeedam on the ceiling, is a rare one, which represents to leave aanavam, kanmam, maayai, maamayai and thirothaayi before entering the temple. ( பலிபீடத்திற்கு நேர் மேலே உள்ள சிற்பம், வேறுகோயிலில் காணமுடியாத அபூர்வ சிற்பம். இது ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை, மாமாயை, திரோதாயி என்ற இம்மலங்களின் உருவகம் இது ) .
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and Vasantha mandapam. In maha mandapam Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam / Idabam ( The special feature of the Rishabam is both front legs are folded, which is very unique ). The front mandapam pillars has the reliefs of Jwarakeswarar, Milaku Chettiar, Pachai Kandha Swamigal, Vasistha Muni, Adhikara Nandhi, etc,. The front maha mandapam pillars are of Nayak period Yazhi pillars and a rotating stone ball is inside it’s mouth is a special attraction.
Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy and his ancestor Sri Pachai Kandha Swamy
A relief of a lady on the arthamandapam pillar – see the hair style
HISTORY & INSCRIPTION
Even though it is claimed that the temple is of
5000 years old, from evidences found in the form of inscriptions, the temple
must be more or less 1200 years old. The sanctum was constructed by Chozhas and
front mandapam was constructed by Nayaks.
There are 5 inscriptions documented so far in side
the temple complex. The inscriptions belongs to the period of
Athithan- II aka Athitha Karikalan, ( 959 CE ), 3 nos of 11th century
and a 20th century. As per the inscription the Belur was called
as Veliyur. The inscriptions mainly speaks about the donations given to the
temple.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Arjuna had done penance here and
prayed lord shiva, for water to worship him. Lord Shiva shot an arrow which
hits the hill in front of Belur. Water flowed from the place called Vellaru and
hill was called as Arunutru hill. Vashista Maharishi established 5 temples (
latter called as pancha bootha temples ) along the river and worshiped Lord
Shiva, hence the river was called Vashista river.
THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to
12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Siva Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile +91 96296 07409
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 30 KM from Salem and 6 Km from
Vazhapadi.
Town bus and share autos are available from
Vazhapadi.
