Saturday 29 July 2017

Sri Talagirisvara Temple / பனைமலை ஸ்ரீ தாளகிரீஸ்வரர் கோவில், Panamalai, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu

....a Continuation post to Mandakapattu Rock cut Cave Temple 
23rd July 2017.
This is the second masonry temple built after Mahabalipuram shore temple, during 8th century by Narasimhavarman–II also known as Rajasimhan ( 706 to 722 CE ) on this small hill. Steps are built for some stretch and in some stretch, chiseled on the rock itself. The temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).


Moolavar    : Sri Talagiresvara
Consort      : Sri Ashtatalambigai

Some of the salient features of this temple are,...
At the entrance of the hill a Vinayagar temple with a relief on the boulder. Durgai is in a samall cave on the left side of the base ( Durgai is with ashta bhujam holding Thandas, bow, Sangu, shield, Kadi hastam, Chakra, Sword and Kadaka mudra  ). The temple is facing east with Rishabam and Balipeedam. There are 3 koshtams in which 8 faces Dara linga is installed. Moolavar is also Dara lingam with 16 faces. Somaskandar relief is on the back side of the sanctum wall. In artha mandapam reliefs of Mahavishnu with Lakshmi on the right and Brahma with Saraswati are on the left. Lime mortar is applied on the images.

In praharam Sannidhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Saniswaran, Suryan, Chandran and Ambal is facing south.

Moolavar - Somaskandar is on the back wall
In Kostam
 Brahma with Saraswati

 Vishnu with Lakshmi 
 
ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam.  The sanctum vimana is of 3 tiers and lime mortar is applied on the images. Of this the last two tiers are constructed at a latter period.

On the right side  kostam the stone wall was plastered with lime mortar and Shiva’s oozhi koothu dance was painted ( the same is in the form of stucco image at Kanchi Sri Kailasanathar Temple )  and the right wall has the painting of Parvati looking the dance of Shiva. It will be very difficult to trace now, almost in faded condition.

Adhistanam
 Parvathi is watching Lord Shiva’s Dance 
 Shiva’s hands can be seen 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This is the second masonry temple built after Mahabalipuram shore temple, during 8th century by Narasimhavarman–II also known as Rajasimhan ( 706 to 722 CE ) on this small hill.

The pallava grantha / Sanskrit inscriptions ( SII Vol 12- 29 - 30 & Pallava Inscriptions 62 & 63 ) records the Narasimhavaraman-II’s titles as Rajasimhan, Ranajayan, Sribara,  Chitrakarmukha, Eka vira and Siva soodamani. Also mentions that Pallavas are the decedents of Bhardwaj, Aswathaman. The inscription mainly records the donation given to this temple.

The 18th century Arcot Nawab Saddath Ullah khan's inscription records the excavation of a pond on this hill, to get rid of the sin caused due to Killing of Rajadesingh. The inscription records as “Svasthisri Sriman maha mandaleswara Rajathiraja Rajaparameswara Rajamarthanda Nawab Sadhat Ullah Khan Saibu… ". The inscription is on the pillar next to Vinayagar Sculpture. 

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Pournami, Maha Shivaratri, Aippasi Annabhishekam, Thai Kanum Pongal ( Utsavar will be taken in procession to 7 Villages ), etc,.
Annual festival is celebrated on Chithirai 1st day 

CONTACT DETAILS
Kasi Sivachariyar may be contacted on his mobile +918056863301

HOW TO REACH
Panamalai is about 21 KM from Gingee
Since there is no proper bus service either you can hire Taxi from Gingee or from Villupuram 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE






Jyeshta Devi is  on the right 
.... to be continued Rock Paintings in the prehistoric shelters between Villupuram to Thirukovilur.
--OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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