Sri Ranganathar Temple / ஸ்ரீ ரங்கநாத பெருமாள் கோவில், திருமால்பாடி / Thirumalpadi, Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

26^th November 2017.

The visit to this Perumal temple was a part of Heritage Visit to Vallam, Thirumalpadi, Seeyamangalam and Kanchipuram. We reached the temple one hour behind the scheduled time of 11.00 hrs and the Bhattar was waiting for us. The Temple is on a small hill and the village spreads around it. A Technical person turned to priest  explained to us the details  of the temple and finally distributed prasad to all of us. 

Moolavar : Sri Ranganathar

Thayar    : Sri Ranganayaki

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

The temple on a small hill with 106 steps ( which reminds the 108 divya desams excepting Thiruparkadal and Paramapadham ),  facing  east. The 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the south. There is a urchava mandapam on the left side of Rajagopuram.  The mandapam may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century. The pillars has the reliefs of, Krishna, Iyannar, Vinayagar, dancing ladies, Yazhi, man, clown etc,.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a maha mandapam. Sri Ranganathar is in reclining posture on Adhiseshan. Thayar’s symbol srivatsam, a triangle is on Sri Ranganathar’s chest. Perumal’s head is resting on a marakal  like in Srirangam. While his right hand's three fingers are touching  head, the other two fingers are in folded condition. His face is not looking up but, little inclined towards devotees, ie Perumal in  blessing posture and this type of sayana is called as boga sayana. Sridevi & Bhudevi are sitting by the side of perumal, Bhaktha Prahalada and Suka Brahma Rishi are in worshiping posture. Urchavaras Perumal with Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Lakshmi are in front of moolavar.

Separate sannidhis for Thayar Sri Ranganayaki, Andal, Anjaneyar and Alwars.

  

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

There are inscriptions on the base of the sanctum. From the inscriptions the temple was built during 1136 CE. ( During this period Kulothunga Chozha - II ruled Chozha dynasty and he is against Vaishnavism. Then how come it is mentioned here is not known. Vikrama Chozha is not the son of Parantaka Chozha as claimed. But in the temple it is written as Parantaka Chozha's son Vikrama Chozha, which is wrong ). 

LEGENDS

It was told that devotees used to pray Perumal to remove marriage obstacles, Child boon,  to get a transfer to the people working in Govt. services to a place where they wants, etc,. The perumal is also known as Transfer Perumal in tamil - as அருள்மிகு திருமால்பாடி டிரான்ஸ்ஃபர் பெருமாள்

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS:
Brahmotsavam is not conducted and only important functions like Chitra Pournami, Garuda seva, Krishna Jayanthi, Karthigai Deepam, Vaikunta ekadasi, Pongal are celebrated.  There is no Vahanas in this temple. Urchavars are taken to veethi uzha  during festival days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will get opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The contact  Mobile numbers of Chakkaravarthi archakar are +91 8072889957 and +91 98654 54998

Battar Sri Chakkaravarthi may be contacted on his mobile and email address is dchakkaravarthi73@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Thirumalpadi.SRIRANGANATHAR.Temple

HOW TO REACH:

2 km from Seeyamangalam  and Seeyamangalam is about 130 KM from Chennai and 66 KM from Kanchipuram and 25 km from Vandavasi via Mazhaiyur and Desur.

Town bus Route No 144  from Vandavasi to Gingee and a private Bus from Desur to Gingee  passes through Seeyamangalam.

Autos are also available from Desur.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Stucco image of Pallikonda Perumal on the Rajagopuram

Yazi

  

Krishna

Krishna

 

 Ayyanar 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Vallam - A Pallava Period 7th Century Rock Cut Cave Temple, near Chengalpattu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

26^th November 2017.

The heritage visit to this 7^th century Mahendra Varman – I ( 600 to 630 CE)  period rock cut caves at Vallam, near Chengalpattu  was planned along with Thirumalpadi, Seeyamangalam and Kanchipuram temples about 2 weeks before and could not do it due to rain. The same was materialised on 26^th November 2017 and 11 heritage enthusiasts participated in this visit lead by Mr Venkatesh. 

  

The sky was overcast with clouds and  not clear throughout the day. Hence the pictures taken are not clear than expected, but we enjoyed a lot during this heritage visit.  This time the Gurukal responded to our request and was present before our arrival. He also allowed us to take photographs. Had the chance of viewing the dwarapalakas very close. 

Some of the photos taken are up loaded in this post and The details of this temple, inscriptions and photos taken during my earlier visit are also up loaded in this blog.

Vinayagar on the left side of the cave – see the posture !!!

Thavvai on the right side of the cave – Jyeshta devi

Dwarapalakas ( see the horns on the headgear )

Vishnu Durgai on the side of lower cave

The Gurukal showed the ornaments,  of Ambal and claimed that  the anklets are made of metal with a mixture of mercury and the precious stones used  in the nose stud are diamond.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

A Jain cave with tirthankaras Bas-relief Panel, at Seeyamangalam, Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu. TAGE VISIT.

26^th November 2017.

This 9^th century ( 892 AD) Jain Rock cut cave Visit was a part of Heritage Visit to Vallam, Pallava Period Rock cut caves, Thirumalpadi  Vishnu Temple Seeyamangamlam Shiva Temple.

After the darshan of Sri Sthambeswarar at  Seeyamangalam Rock cut cave temple, the Gurukkal advised us to visit this Jain’s cave also. This cave is on a small hillock  called Vijayadri. There is a Bas-relief panel above the cave and the cave is about 25 to 30 feet above the ground level, facing east. As per the Grantha inscriptions the bas relief was done during 9^th century by the Ganga King Rajamalla –II. 

The Bas-relief panel consists of Mahavir in Padmasana & meditating posture, Parshvanath under snake hood and Bahubali with his sisters Bhrami and Sundari on both sides. Both Parshvanath and Bahubali are in standing posture. Attendants Padmavati and Dharanendra are shown by the side of Parshvanath. Above Bahubali two gandharvas holding boulders. Indran on an elephant is also shown on the right top of the panel above Bahubali.

 Mahavir in padmasana sitting posture on the left, Parshvanatha with Padmavati & Daranendra  in centre and Bahubali with his sisters on the right.  

From the  Tamil & grantha inscription ( mentioned as Dravida Sangam ), it was under stood that, Nandi Sanga Jain monks lived here. A monk called Vajra nandi, a disciple of Gunaviradevar  built steps to this cave. Those steps has been replaced by concrete in the recent years and a Mahaveer statue was also installed.

HOW TO REACH:

Seeyamangalam is about 130 KM from Chennai and 66 KM fom Kanchipuram and 25 km from Vandavasi via Mazhaiyur and Desur.

Town bus Route No 144  from Vandavasi to Gingee and a private Bus from Desur to Gingee  passes through the Village and this Jain cave is about a KM from the Village.

Auto is also available from Desur. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Bahubali with his sisters and Indra on elephant

  Old stone steps has been replaced with Concrete Steps

Mahavir 

The Team ( Pic – Mr Balasubramaniyan)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Devi Karumari Amman Temple, Vazhaithoppu, Ellai Amman Koil Street, West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19^th November 2017

While searching for the Ellai Amman Temples of West Mambalam, I came across this  temple in the housing board Colony on the Ellaiamman Koil Street.

Main Deity: Sri Devi Karumari Amman.

Some of the important details are as follows...

The entrance arch is on the road side and the temple is facing east. This is a very simple temple with a sanctum and an antarala,  is  about 100 meters off from the main road. Balipeedam and vahana simham are in front. Urchava moortham is in the antarala. Vinayagar and Sri Subramaniar are at the entrance of the sanctum.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Aadi month annual function is celebrated in a grand manner. The poojas are conducted by non Brahmin priest.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open for darshan between 7.00 Hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the Ellaiamman Koil Street is about a km from Mettupalayam bus stop and about 2 KM from Mambalam Sub-Urban railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Ilangali Amman / அருள்மிகு இளங்காளியம்மன் கோயில் and Nava Durga Devi Temple, Vazhaithoppu West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19^th November 2017.

The name attracts me to visit to this temple, on the way to Ellam Amman Koil Street. During my search on Ellai Amman Temples of West Mambalam, came across this Temple.

Main Deity : Sri Ilangali Amman.

Some of the important features of this temple are …

This temple is facing north  with a 3 tier Raja gopuram. Soolam, balipeedam and Vahanam Simham are in the mandapam. Amman seems to be old and in sitting posture. Sannadhis for Iyappan, Navagrahas, Anjaneyar and Vinayagar, Nagars under peepal / Bodhi tree.  

Nava Durga was installed on a 9 base pedestal with a sthambam and a stucco image of an elephant on the top.  Perumal is in reclining posture on the south side entrance Arch. The temple belongs to mid 20^th century.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs  and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the Jothi Ramalingam Street of Ellaiamman Koil Street in West Mambalam

Very Near to Srinivasa Theatre, Mettupalayam Bus stop, West Mambalam Sri Kasi Viswanathar and Kothanda Ramar Temple.

About 2 KM from T Nagar Bus depot and Sub Urban Railway Station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Nava Durgai Pedam with sthambam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Thulukanathamman Temple / ஸ்ரீ துளுக்கானத்தம்மன் கோயில், Lake View Road,West Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19^th November 2017.

During the search for the Ellai Amman Temples of Mambalam, I came across this Temple on the lake View Road  ( Where is the Lake now?). This temple is on the middle of the lake View road between Ramakrishnapuram to Duraiswamy subway.

Main Deity : Sri Thulukanathamman.

Some of the important details of this temple are,....

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch on the east side. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and a artha mandapam/ front mandapam. Palipedam and amman vahanam simham. Urchavars are in the antarala. Vinayagar and valli Devasena Subramaniars are at the entrance of the sanctum. In koshtam Meenakshi, Visalakshi, Thulukanathamman, Kamakshi, and Durgai.

On the east side Mandapam entrance arch stucco images of  Madurai Veeran with Pommi Amman and Vellai amman. Sannadhi for Sri Krishna mariamman, Anjaneyar, Shiva Linga with Nandhi, Navagrahas, Iyappan,  Dakshinamurthy and Nagars under the Peepal tree/ Bodhi tree.  On the back sie of the sanctum ( on the west side entrance ), sannadhi for Madurai Veeran with Pommi Amman & Vellai Amman on one side and stucco image of  Muneeswarar on the  other side.

HISTORY 

It was told that the temple is of more than 300 years old and used as  a camp during war. Some of the statues like Vinayagar  are found old but the temple was completely renovated and looks like recent temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the Lake view Road, on west Mambalam  and about a KM from Mambalam Sub Urban railway station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Ellai Amman Temple / எல்லை அம்மன் கோயில், of Mambalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

19^th November 2017.

In continuation to my search to the Ellai Amman Temples of Mambalam area, Chennai, apart from the Ellai Amman Temple, on the Ellaiamman Koil Street, this week I was able to locate two Kali Temples named as Ellai Kali Temples.  It was told that 150 to 200 years before it was an open land around these temples. A very few rich people owns the lands and they had cattle farms in this area. Keeping Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal temple and Sri Kasi Viswanathar temples 8 Amman temple were built to safe guard the Village on eight directions.  The identified two temples are unique in nature. The details are as follows.

ELLAI KALI AMMAN TEMPLE, AT THE JUNCTION OF ELLAIAMMAN KOIL STREET AND SRI KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE.

This is situated in the corner of a private property open to sky facing South. Amman is short and   in standing posture. Back side of the Amman is not finished. A telugu language inscription stone is by the side of Amman half buried.

 

The painter turned priest is doing pooja to this Ellai Kali Amman. He told that during Pongal days people  used to bring their cattle and do pooja.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

ELLAI KALI AMMAN ON ELLAIAMMAN KOIL STREET AT VAZHAI THOPPU, REDDY KUPPAM, MAMBALAM.

This temple is like a small sannadhi built adjacent to a shop, opposite to Sri Devi Karumari Amman Temple arch, on the Ellaiamman Koil street at Vazhai Thoppu, West Mambalam.

The Amman face is under a snake hood on a Lion. Eyes, nose and mouth are decorated beautifully.  Poojas are conducted daily.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---