Wednesday 6 September 2017

Sri Thiripura Sundari Samedha Sri Agatheeswarar Temple, Nedungundram, Perungalathur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

02nd September 2017.
This is the first temple's visit on Guru peyarchi day, on 02nd September 2017. This temple is on the back side of Vandalur zoo and comes under Perungalathur. The abhishekam to guru in the group of Navagrahas was in progress when, I went to this temple.

This temple is believed to be one of the Thevara vaippu sthalam sung by  Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal. It is believed that, this is one of the 108 Shiva Lingas installed by  Sage Agasthiyar in Thondai Nadu and a Thevara Vaippu sthalam. Thirunavukkarau Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of Agatheechuram along with Nandhikechuram, Mahalaechuram, Nagechuram, Kodeechuram, Kondeechuram, Kukkudechuram, Akkeechuram, Adakechuram, Ayaneechuram Aththeechuram, Siddheechuram and Ramechuram.

நாடகமா டிடநந்தி கேச்சுரமா காளேச்
        சுரநாகேச் சுரநாக ளேச்சுரநன் கான
கோடீச் சுரங் கொண்டீச் சுரந்திண் டீச் சுரங்
        குக்குடேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரங்கூறுங்கால்
ஆடகேச் சுரமகத்தீச் சுரமய னீச்சுர
        மத்தீக்சுரஞ் சித்தீக்சுர மந்தண் கானல்
ஈடுதிரை யிராமேசசுர மென்றென் றேத்தி
        யிறைவனுறை சுரம்பலவு மியம்பு வோமே.
….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் ( 6-71-8 )


Moolavar    : Sri Agatheeswarar
Consort      : Sri Thiripurasundari

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with an arch on the east side and an entrance on the south. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the south side entrance arch. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the arch. Temple tank with a big banyan tree  is in front of the temple. Moolavar is little big and Ambal is in separate sannadhi in artha mandapam facing south. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. Urchavars, Bala Ganapathy, Balasubramaniar, Bala Sundari are in the artha mandapam.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Iyappan, Sri Valli devasena Subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, Bairavar, Navagrahas with their vahanas, Chandikeswarar and Nagars under a neem tree.

ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a Padabandha adhistana with threepatta kumuda. The Bhitti starts without Vedigai on the Adhistana pattigai itself. An Two thala vesara Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was constructed by Chozhas and latter received the contributions from Vijayanagaras & Nyakas. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Perun Kulathur, it means a big water body / Kulam latter changed to the present name of Perungalathur.  As per the inscriptions this place was under Jayngonda Chozha mandalathu Puliyur kottathu, Nedungundra Nadu.

Rajaraja –III, ie 13th century inscriptions are found on the kumudam of adhisthanam. One of the inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp for which a cow was gifted till sun and moon exists, also the the cow’s calf to be maintained in the temple when the Cow becomes old. 

 Chola period inscriptions 
 Chola period inscriptions 
 Chola period inscriptions 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 09.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Sivakumar sivachariyar may be contacted on their mobile numbers 9381051301 and 7708910170 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 2 KM off from Vandalur to Kelambakkam main road from Kolapakkam.
All the town buses from Kelambakkam to Vandalur / Tambaram passes through Kolapakkam. Get down at Kolapakkam bus stop and the temple can be reached through share auto.
Nearest Railway station is Vandalur on GST Road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE








  

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Tuesday 5 September 2017

Sri Vimeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ விம்மீஸ்வரர் கோயில், செரபனச்சேரி / Serapanancheri, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02 September 2017
Planned to visit 3 Shiva temples  on this 02nd September 2017, Guru peyarchi day. After Nerkundram visit, had been to KizhPadapai Sri Veeratteswarar Temple also.  This temple is on the right side of Danish Engineering college on Vandalur to Oragadam bus route.


Moolavar    :  Sri Vimeeswarar
Consort      :  Sri Swarnambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are…
This temple is facing east on the road side with Two Nandhis are in front. The temple was built with Gajabirushta Vimana, a speciality of Thondai Nadu.  Suryan on the other side of the Road facing Moolavar. 

ARCHITECTURE
This temple is with sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a  shadanga upapeeda, pushpa pushkala adhisthana built with Stone up to adhishtanam. The super structure ie the wall and the  Gajabirushta vimana was built with stone out sides and brick in the middle. The same is in dilapidated condition and covered with a metal sheets after building a temporary wall on the inner side. Mukha mandapa is only with adhisthana. The idols in the deva koshtas are missing. The sanctum walls are with beautiful kumbha panchara. The shobhana / a flight of steps are provided on the side of the mukha mandapa.

The Mukha Mandapa is on a shadanga upa peeda and adhisthana is of padabandha style. A Bas relief of a king in worshiping posture is on one of the nasikoodu of kapotha upa peeda. This may be of Kulothunga Chozha- III.





HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This temple was built during Chozha period. During their period this place was called as Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Ootrukattu Kotatho Velimanallur Nattu Peruvanchur alias Rajakesari Nallur. After Kulothunga-III’s 2nd reign year this place was called as Rajendra Chozha Nallur.  Lord Shiva was called as Vimesuramudaya Nayanar.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s, 2nd reign year inscription records that, Dhanmakon one of the mandradi of this Village established an endowment of burning a sandhi lamp for which 2 cows are gifted to this temple.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 4th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Chengattu Kottathu Konathi nattu Urathur alias Kalinga Kulakala nallur Amanpakkizhaan Chenthamarai Kannan Agamudayal Kannazhwar ( Chenthamari Kannan’s wife ) at Peruvanjur alias Rajendra Chozha Nallur Vimechuramudaya Nayanar, for the same 4 Pazhankasu was received by Vellanthanginan alias Gangadhara Bhattan.

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 8th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp by Vayira Nathan, for the same Pazhankasu was received by Thiriyambaha Bhattan Pillaikal ( son’s ..?).

Rajaraja-III’s 6th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning 2 sandhi lamps by the Villagers for which 6 pazhankasu was received by this Village Kaniyudaya  Siva Brahmins.

Rajaraja-III’s 11th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning two sandhi lamps for which 3 pazhankasu was received by  this Village Kaniyudaya  Siva Brahmins.

Vijayakanda Gopala’s 25th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a sandhi lamp by Alanthuridayan Anda Koothan Vanduvarai Perumal for the same  “Kanda Gopala Pazhampulli Maadai” kasu was received by Veema Bhattan.

Now, the total temple is in a dilapidated condition. Some donors had done the front shed / Mukha mandapa portion and on the moolavar. The Vinayagar was installed in a separate temple recently built by a donor. The Sivachariyar pointed out that there are three temple tanks  in front of the temple and has 150 acres of land and most of them were encroached.

Rajendra Chozha’s inscriptions -(..?)
 Rajara Chozha-III’s inscriptions 

LEGEND
As per the legend 27 stars worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and hence called Vimeesar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since oru kala pooja is conducted the Gurukkal my be contacted for darshan and further details.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal Mahalingam, who does the pooja for this temple for the past 40 years  may be contacted through his mobile 9841336838.

HOW TO REACH:
This temple is about a KM off main road.
On town bus route Tambaram / Perungalathur/ Vandalur  to Oragadam get down at Serapanancheri.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE




---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 4 September 2017

Sri Veeratteswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ வீரட்டேஸ்வரர் கோயில் / Sri Shantha Nayaki Sametha Sri Veeratteswarar Temple at Padappai ( Kizh Padappai ), Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

02nd September 2017.
This is the second temple after Nedungundram Sri Agastheeswarar temple on this Guru peyarchi day. This temple is on the Vandalur / Tambaram to Oragadam bus route via Padappai.


Moolavar    : Sri Veeratteswarar
Consort      : Sri Shantha Nayaki.

Some of the important features of this temple are ….
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch.  The temple is under renovation  and moolavar and Ambal and Koshta moorthams  are kept in a shed. The original temple has the Veerabhadra, Shantha Vinayagar, Kalathinathar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar sannadhis.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was told that the temple was built during Sambuvarayar Period ( 850 Years Old ) and inscription says that the donations made for the celebration of Chithirai Vizha.

Even though the temple comes under the control of HR & CE department, the Villagers and the Public  are doing the renovation. It was also told that the entrance arch will be pulled down  and new 5 tier Rajagopuram will be built.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Poojas are conducted only to the chitrams, in which the power was transferred.

CONTACT DETAILS:
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 1 KM  from Kizh Padappai Bus stand.
On town bus route Tambaram / Perungalathur/ Vandalur  to Oragadam get down at Padappai and the temple is at Kizh Padappai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE     :CLICK HERE






Somaskandar
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sunday 3 September 2017

Kotravai / Durga at Ozhalur, Saptamatrikas at Sokandi and Cairn Circles at Anoor, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

27th August 2017
KOTRAVAI/ DURGAI AT OZHALUR
After Anoor Sri Asthra pureeswarar temples visit, Mrs Radha Kumar took us to Ozhalur. Since we missed the route we went up to Chengalpattu and reached Ozhalur. The Panel is dumped in front of a Vishnu temple and the locals do not know the value of it.  It was told the panel is Kotravai. But it seemed to be of Durgai and the posture is similar to the Durgai available at Vallam Pallava Period rock cut Cave temple. Hence this panel may belongs to end of Pallava or early Chozha   period. The Local people believe that if the panel is installed some bad things will happen in the Village. In addition to there is stone slab contains the inscriptions of Chozha period. The inscription is not legible to read.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE 



Saptamatrikas at Sokandi
As per Kanchipura Mavatta Tholliyial Kaiyedu, during Sundara Pandyan Period this place was called as Sovandi. This place was named as "Sundara Pandyan Chathurvedi Mangalam" and gifted to Agaram Periya nadavar of this Village. This was inscribed on the Tank side stone, which is missing now.
 
இன்று சோகண்டியில் திருகழுக்குன்றம் அருகே...குளத்தையும் அது சம்பந்தமான பாண்டியர் கல்வெட்டையும் தேடி அலைந்த போது கிடைத்த சப்த மாந்தர்கள்... அன்னமார் சாமி என்று கூறுகின்றனர்.


CAIRN CIRCLES AT ANOOR.
After attending Kumbabishekam of Sri Munkudumeeswarar temple at P.V.Kalathur, we headed towards Anoor to see a Pallava Period Shiva temple, which is under renovation.  Before Anoor on the left we happened to see more than 20 Cairn circles, which belongs to prehistoric / megalithic period. After seeing the cairn circles, when we referred ASI web site and the same was recorded already. In that we happened to notice one circle which measures approximately 28 to 30 feet diameter with big boulders. Must belong to a big person or a leader of that group.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE ( The site is before the Temple )





---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---   

Saturday 2 September 2017

Sri Vyagrapureeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ வியாக்ரபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், புலிப்பாக்கம் / Pulipakkam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu,.

27th August 2017.
After visiting Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, Anoor, Ozhalur and Vallam, around Chengalpattu,  decided to visit this Vyagra pureeswarar Temple on the way to Chennai. This temple is on a small hill at Pulipakkam. A mud road is laid to reach the temple. The earth was washed in many places due to rain and stones are protruding. So we left the scooter on the first hairpin bend and trekked to the temple.


Moolavar    : Sri Vyagra pureeswarar
Consort      : Sri Mangalyam Kaatha Narayanee Amman

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is facing east with out any rajagopuram and compound wall. Nandhi mandapam and Palipedam are in front of the sanctum. On the hill, sannadhi for Patanjali Munivar, Ananda Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Vyaghrapada siddhar peedam, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Vinayagar under bodhi tree, Chandikeswarar and  Amman temple.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. There is a Jeeva Samadhi of Sri Raghava Swamikal near the temple.

 Sri Raghava Swamigal

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and antarala. The sanctum sanctorum is on apada bandha adhistanam wirth three patta Kumudam. From adhistanam up to rastaram constructed with stone. The super structure Nagara Vimanam was built with Bricks and stopped halfway. 


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was constructed during Chozha King Rajaraja period and inscription is available below kumudam of adhistanam. During renovation the stones are misplaced and two fragment stones with inscriptions are left out near the sanctum and not used in the adhistanam.

 Inscription fragment stone ( Dumped out side )
 Inscription fragment stone( Dumped out side )

LEGENDS
As per the legend the Viyagrapatha Munivar obtained the tigers leg to climb up the trees to plug flower. Hence Iraivan is called as Vyagra pureeswarar. Hope the name of the place Pulipakkam might have got from this legend.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will get opened between 06.00 hrs to 07.00 hrs
It was learnt that the gurukkal is staying in a shed near the temple, ( but could not reach him during our visit ).
One Kala pooja is conducted.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Gurukkal Senthil may be contacted for further details on his mobile number 9444149679.

HOW TO REACH:
All the buses from Chengalpattu to Tambaram will stop at Pulipakkam.
About 3 KM from Chengalpattu and about a KM from Pulipakkam Toll plaza.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE






 Sri Raghava Swami's Jeeva samadhi

a panoramic view of Kolavai lake ( Chengalpattu)
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---