Monday 17 December 2012

Jain Tirthankaras Onampakkam, Theepanchamman Temple, Cheyyur, Vanmikinathar Temple, Cheyyur, Kariya manicka Perumal Temple, Cheyyur, Kandasamy - 27 STAR Vedalam, Cheyyur, Kailasanathar Temple, Cheyyur, Vedal Shiva Temple / Vadavamuga Agneeswarar Temple, Vedal, Ayyanar Chunambedu - Chozha & Pallava Period Temples, Jain Cave in and around Cheyyur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

16th, December 2012
On 15th December 2012,  I was fortunate enough to join with the Tour organised By R.E.A.C.H foundation, Chennai to the Chozha and Pallava period Temples and a Jain Cave in and around Cheyyur. We, 30 members from various parts of the city started from Chennai in two vans  around 5.30 Hrs to Cheyyur via Mathuranthakam. The places we had covered and the details are as follows.

Rock cut sculpture of one of the Tirthankara at second level.

1. JAIN TIRTHANKARAS at KURATHI MALAI ( NEAR VENMARI ), ONAMPAKKAM.
This Jain cave is on the hill near Onampakkam, which is on the way to Cheyyur from Madurantakam. From Onampakkam the hill is about 3 KM on the north side. This cave and the sculptures are not known to the locals very much. Some people told us it is Buddha sculptures. One of the local man guided us  wrongly to the near by hill and we returned back to the original hill, which is named as Kurathi Malai. Steps were constructed up to half way. Understand that this hill was recovered back from the quarry people after a legal battle.  We had seen sculptures in three places and Tamil inscription at the first level. In the first level 23rd Tirthankara  in standing posture under the snake hood with Yaksha and Yakshini on both sides.

In the Second and third level the Tirthankaras are in sitting postures  ( Artha Pariyangasanam ). The Third level Tirthankara may be Mahavir at the base lion heads are found in the sculpture. The cave is under a big rock which is supported by the rocks on all sides with very good ventilation.

LOCATION OF THE JAIN CAVE        : CLICK HERE

The local people wrongly  guided us to the other hill
With our Guru Mr Ramachandran on the background
First level ParshvaNath with Snake hood over his head, The previous Tirthankaras to Mahavir and Yaksha and Yakshini on both sides.
The combination of Tamil vattezhuthu inscriptions. The content is -  Sri Vasutheva padaram seivitha uruvaram.....parivaram...
Must be a shelter - A big rock is being supported by the rocks around the big rock

The rock cut sculpture at the third level - May be Mahavir with Lion heads at the base 
A symbol in front of the second level.sirpam
New partially constructed steps leading to site

2. THEEPANJAMMAN TEMPLE, A SATI STONE- CHEYYUR

This temple is at the beginning of the Cheyyur town. The sanctum is not covered and open to sky.

This temple may be constructed in memory of a wife who joined her husband on the funeral pyre( SATI ). In the sanctum man with sword and lady. Both may be husband and wife. The real story is not known.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE


Nadukal / Hero Stone / Sati Stone  in Sanctum Sanctorum
Sanctum Sanctorum  with out any roof 
Stucco image  at the mandapam entrance with name board
Opposite to Sanctum Sanctorum Amman idols are installed May be, Brahmi, saptamatrikas.

3. VANMIKINATHAR TEMPLE, CHEYYUR.
The temple is inside the town Cheyyur. It is Chozha Period temple. The mandapam pillars in front of Ambal has lot of sculptures. Shiva and Ambal of Various temple are sculptured in all the pillars. These pillars might be additions after a latter stage.  

Moolavar     :  Sri Vanmikanathar
Consort       :  Sri Mithambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are …
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Nandhi are in the outer prakaram. Dwarapalakas are Suvdhan and Sumugan. Ambal dwarapalakas are Jai and vijay. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

One pillar has the sculptures of Manuneethi Chozhan story around four sides of the pillar.  In the main pillars leading to Ambal sannidhi the horses are driven by ladies which I had not seen any where.  At the entrance of the artha mandapam right side Mayura Subramaniyar is worth to see, dancing on his vahana Peacock.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar and Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar. . 

In front of the temple there is a Vinayagar Sannidhi and Murugan statue standing with out sannadhi –in open sky - also called as Brahma sastha. This temple is a Uthra Nakshatra temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Chandrasekara Gurukkal may be contacted for darshan and pooja through his land line o4427 531200.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE ( Near Kariya Manicka Perumal Temple )

  
Chozha period Sri Vinayagar in front of Temple.
Sri Subramaniar - Sri Brahma Sastha standing in open sky, looks like new.
Macha muni bas-relief/ some claims as Varuna sitting on his vahana on the mandapam pillar
Ambal temple Mandapam Pillars Ladies are riding horse
Vaaraki Amman bas-relief on the mandapam pillar.
Kodimaram ( Dwajasthambam ) balipeedam and Rishabam mandapam.
Bas-relief on the ceiling - (solar eclipse ) and Sri chakra in the middle
Mayura Subramaniar - Dancing on the peacock - A rare Sculpture

Tiger face face on the stomach of a bhuta/ dwarf on the prastaram valabi - this is actually bhuta vari and the face in the belly is called keerthi mukha / tiger belly - seems to be a standard feature in early Chozha temples - to see one of the bhuta ganas shown like this please click the link : http://poetryinstone.in/tag/tiger-belly ( With the permission of Mr Vijay) 

Beautiful Bairavar / Pichadanar
Nandi devar in the front mandapam

Vedhalam bas-relief with owl's face in one of the pillar between Ambal and Shiva's Sannadhi. In those days people used to worship by Lighting lamps on the pillar.  Now it is being used for putting left out vibhuti.


Three Tier Rajagopuram with Stone pillars to erect Pandal for the important functions ( Similar arrangement also available at Thiruvarur Temple )

4. KARIYA MANICKA PERUMAL TEMPLE, CHEYYUR.

Moolavar    : Sri Kariya manicka Perumal.
Thayar       : Sri  Peruntheviyamman

Some of the important features of this temple are..... 
Thayar sannidhi was built at a latter stage. Tiles are fixed on the walls and looks like a recent temple. The temple has a single prakaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

5. KANDASWAMY TEMPLE  - 27 STAR VEDALAM, CHEYYUR.
This is the 16th century Murugan temple. This temple is within the town Cheyyur.  

Moolavar    : Sri Subramaniar
Consort      :  Sri Valli and Deivanai

Some of the important features of this temple are....
In Koshtam: Thiruthakandhar, Brahma Sastha, Balaskandhar, Sivagurunathar, Pulinthar ( Villenthiya velan – Vedan ).

In the front mandapam sannidhi for Siva suriyan, Somanathar, Meenakshi ammai and in front Brahma and Vishnu sila moorthangal. There is no Ganapathy sannadhi, instead there are 9  Vinayagar sannidhis around the temple on the streets.

In The outer prakaram Samkara moorthy, Sandeswarar, Vinayagar, Kzhukkunrar, Kailasanathar, Sinanantha valli, Brahma, Vishnu, Veerabahu, Sri Palani nayagar, Astharadevar, Dhandapani.

Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of lord Subramaniar of this temple.27 Vedalams are installed around the compound wall, which are connected to 27 Nakshatras in a latter stage may be after 1944. ( There is no mention about this in the sthala puranam written by Mr Muthiah Mudaliar ).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 
( View of the mandapam with Peacock mandapam and balipeedam on both sides.
Mandapam Pillar sculptures
Dwarapalakas
Vedhalam for my Birth Star

Mayura Subramaniar or Villenthiya Velan with bow in his right hand a bas-reliefs on the mandapam pillar.
The Nakshathra with the respective Vedhalam  details
PULINTHAR- Vedan - (வில்லேந்திய  வேலன்  /சுப்ரமணியர் )
Bas-relief of Ambal is doing dhabas on the mandapam pillar ( The sthala puranam of  Mangadu Amman )
Shiva's Oorthuva Thandavam a bas-relief on a pillar
Murugan  in a sannidhi on the road.

6. KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE, CHEYYUR.

Moolavar    : Sri Kailasanathar
Consort      : Sri Visalakshi

Some of the details of this temple are…
As per the history it was the first and earliest temple constructed in this area. This temple was built during Chozha period. Lot of Tamil inscriptions are found around Sanctum wall.

This temple’s mandapam and  vimanam are fallen down. It was under renovation and then it was abandoned. During renovation the stones are not placed in their proper place/ position and were cut in many places.

Palalayam was performed and the Shiva Linga is in dismantled condition.
This may be original Rishabam still waiting for the Shiva's arrival
Original Shiva Linga Baanam  and Ambal are kept in a shed
Temple is  under renovation ( stopped !!!)
REACH Foundation and Tour members are looking at the inscriptions.
Coping the one of the Tamil Inscription - The content says that two people denoted 12 goats to this temple for the purpose of lighting a lamp  till the existence of Chandran and Suriyan.

7. VEDAL SHIVA TEMPLE, SRI VADAVAMUGA AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE AT Vedal.

Moolavar    : Sri  Vadavamuga Agneeswarar
Consort      : Sri  Vasantha Nayagi

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…
This temple may be Last Pallavas and early Chozha's Period. The temple was constructed with bricks. The sanctum vimana is of Gajabirushtam type. Koshta moorthams are installed at a latter stage.

There are two Ambals, of highest one was damaged. As per Gurukkal Lord Shiva asked the king who tried to remove the damaged one to replace with a new, whether he will change his wife if she gets hurt. So the King installed the new one near the old Ambal moortham.

Inscriptions are found around the temple base stone, Pillars of the artha mandapam and there is egg shaped stone at the entrance of the moolavar shrine.

There is huge crack from base to top of the vimanam at the back side.

LOCATION OF VEDAL SHIVA TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Rishabam with balipeedam in an elevated level
 Egg shaped stone and Tamil inscriptions are found around the stone
 Temple view
 Dakshinamurthy - This might be installed at a latter stage.
 Gajabirusta Vimanam huge crack from top to bottom The temple was constructed with brick



 ( Ambal Sannadhi )
 Temple view from  east
 Two Amman idols - The taller Amman idol was damaged.
 Temple complex view
Saptamatrikas bas-relief

    8.AYYANAR SCULPTURE, Chunambedu.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Bas- relief of Ayyanar-in a sitting posture with left leg little up from ground and below him are the faithful dogs looking at him
Opposite to Iyannar Sannadhi Elephant with Balipeedam

It was around 19.00 Hrs When we completed our visit of last Ayyanar Sculpture and returned to Chennai around 21.30 Hrs. The morning breakfast and the lunch was arranged very nicely and the food was very homely.  I extend many thanks to Mr Ramachandran, Mr Vakula S Varadharajan  for the lively explanation about the temples and sculptures.  And also to Mr Chandrasekaran PRO REACH foundation who lead us to these important places and for the very good co-ordination.

LOCATION OF CHEYYUR : CLICK HERE 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Dhandeeswarar Temple, தண்டீஸ்வரம் தண்டீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Dhandeeswaram, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

16, December 2012
The Shiva temple at Dhandeeswaram (is a part of Velachery), Chennai, is a 10th to 12th century  old.  There are lot of Tamil inscriptions found around sanctum wall. Since the temple is about 2 KM from my residence I used to go on Sundays and important functions. During Maha Shivarathri day I used to be there throughout the night. The outer  prakaram was constructed in concrete during recent years  through devotee’s donations, whose names appears on the pillars.

5 Tier Rajagopuram 
Moolavar    : Sri Dhandeeswarar
Consort      : Sri Karunambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are as follows....
The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers on the south side. There are three tier gopurams on the east and west side of the temple ( Which are kept locked ). East side will be kept open during pradosham days. There is an Alangara mandapam on the left side of south entrance where important functions are held. At the east side entrance Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Rishabam in a small mandapam. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( Dhakshinamoorthy is facing Kubera moolai, hence he is called as Kubera Dakshinamurthy ),  Lingothbavar ( The lingothbavar is Chandrasekarar, the Maan  and Mazhu   are interchanged from the usual positions ), Brahma and Durgai.

On the east side entrance  to the main shrine, sannadhi for Kaalai sandhi Vinayagar and Murugan.  Sannidhi for Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena  sametha Sri Subramaniar are in artha mandapam.

In Prakaram Sannadhis for Somaskandar ( Murugan is not there at centre ), Chandrasekar & Ambal, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Thirugnanasambandar, Natarajar Sabha, Bairavar, Vishnu and Suryan.

Standing in one place near Chandikeswarar, we can have the darshan of Sri Mahalakshmi, Saraswati and Durga.  And also we can have the darshan of Moolavar and Ambal sannidhi vimanas.

In The outer Prakaram 63var, Naalvar, Kasi Viswanathar, Vaitheeswaran, Chokkanathar, Meenakshi, Navagrahas and   Naagars. The Temple has lot of Vahanas which are used during urchavam were kept in the outer prakaram. 

The Ambal in this temple was installed by Appaya dheekshithar with Srichakra, during 16th century, similar to Mangadu and Thiruverkadu. ( Appaya Dheekshithar’s wife  was from Velachery – There was story behind that - )

The thirukulam or the Temple Tank ( Yama theertham ) is on the main road, west side of the temple with grill/ fence  work on all the four sides.

It was learned that sun light will fall  on moolavar one day in a year, it is not happening nowadays due to obstruction of a new building constructed on the eastern side.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS: 
Inscriptions,  belongs to Sundara Chozhan ( father of Rajaraja Chozhan ), are found around Karuvarai wall. They were not maintained and  are in un readable condition  due to painting. As per the inscriptions this place was called as "Velicheri" during Chozha Period and Velachery during Pandya Period. This place was in Jayankonda Chozha Mandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Kottur Nattu Velicheri.  

One of Rajaraja Chozha - I's 10th reign year ( 995 CE ) inscription records Rajarajar as "Kovi Rajakesari Mummudi Chozhar". This inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam and burning of Sandhi Lamp, by Chozha Nattu Kizhar kootrathu Vaikoorcheri Amudhan Pichchan alias Chembiyan Kizhanattu Kon at Shiva Temple at Tharamani "Tharamani Mahadevar". For which a land was gifted. ( The Tharamani Mahadevar temple is not tracable now for its where about )  

One of the inscriptions is about a donation to burning a lamp in the sannadhi. From the inscription the temple must be 1055 years old. This is the first temple constructed by Chozhas in Thondai Nadu as per Mr Vakula Varadharajan, a Historian.

LEGENDS:
After Eman lost his dhandam at Thirukadaiyur, in Dwaraba yugam  Eman came to this place, created a Temple Tank ( Now called as Yema theertham  on the west side of the temple with fencing ) and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and got back his dhandam. Hence Iraivan is called as Sri Dhandeeswarar  and the place is called as Dhandeeswaram.

All the 4 Vedas were taken  away by Somugasuran and kept under the sea. The Vedhams had done dhabas at this place and worshiped Lord Shiva at Thiruvanmiyur to get rid of Asura dosham.  Hence This place was called as Vedasreny which is latter called by the present name of Velachery. There is also another version that this place was called once as Velvichery which became the name of Velachery.

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Shastiapthapoorthi functions are performed here next to Thirukadaiyur ( Who could not go there ). The present charge is Rs. 7500.00.

Thiruvasagam mutrum othuthal is being conducted regularly on 'magha' nakshatra day  through Velachery Kovil Thirupani mandram under the leadership of Mr Adalarasan

There was a Digital banner erected recently in which the names of the defaulters of Tax, rent etc., to the temples are printed.  The temple has many properties and the income is a question.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The Temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 21.00 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS:
Office Phone number :+91 44  22436121
Sivachariyar Mobile number : Kumarasamy Gurukkal. 9884402525

HOW TO REACH :
Lot of Town buses available from various parts of  Chennai City to Velachery and the bus stop is Gandhi nagar or Dhandeeswaram bus stop between Gurunanak College and Vijaya nagar bus terminus.  ( equal distance from both bus stops. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 Somaskandar
 Tamil inscriptions on the wall behind karuvarai fully damaged and not readable due to painting
 Moolavar & Ambal sannidhi vimana can be worshiped standing in one place
 Ambal sannidhi vimanam
 ( Maan and Mazhu  are interchanged in Lingothbavar )
 Chandrasekarar - opposite to  Lingothbavar
 Alangara mandapam in which urchavam, functions like,  Shastiapthapoorthi are held in this mandapam.
Kasi Viswanathar and Vaitheeswaran Sannadhi in the outer prakaram.
 Saba mandapam Vimanam
 View from east side with dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam.

Maha Shivaratri 2016 : CLICK HERE
--- OM SIVAYA NAMA ---

Monday 10 December 2012

Me and My Village, Pappavalasu / பாப்பாவலசு - A Tiny Village , Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

  6,December  2012.
PAPPAVALASUis a tiny  village lies in the world map on the coordinates 11°16’45.32” N and 77°26’57.17” E, in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India.  It is 36 Km west of Erode and 5 Km east of Kunnathur ( Aadhi Kunnathur ). The entire village houses are constructed within two lanes/ streets.  This is almost  center of Erode to Coimbatore, Tiruppur to Erode and  Tirupur  to Gobichettipalayam bus route.  The post office is located at Kunnathur. Once it was in Coimbatore district and now in Erode District. There is no river or Kulam near by. People depends on bore-well for drinking water. All the houses  are built with mud and the roofs are mangalore tiled.  We are the  first to  get  TNEB  power supply, when I was studying 4th 0r 5th standard in a Government elementary school at Velampalayam about 1 KM meters away from my village.
 
  ( The view of our village from main road )

There is an odai on the western side of our village and the water will flow only during heavy rain. The burial ground is on the banks of the odai. We used to play in the odai water when we are young. About 25 years before  there was a very very heavy rain and the odai has got flooded. The flooded water carried the ground nuts which were laid for drying in the fields.

  ( The view of our village from main road - Our house is back of the coconut tree )

Our village was very famous for the bullock carts, used for transporting materials by the farmers and the same was used as a transportation also.  After the industrial revolution the scenario  was completely changed. The peoples in the village could not adopt the latest technology and change.  Hence the total manufacture of bullock carts was vanished from the history and the peoples migrated to various places but doing the same job of Carpentry ( doors, windows, etc., ) to take care for their livelihood. Now this tiny village  looks deserted during day time and almost all the houses are locked. I was little up set to see that. 

The TNEB's  Office at our Village 

Since my Uncle (Mr Avinachiappan otherwise called him as Kadaiannan, who used to spend most of the time in small tea shop ) do not have child, he encouraged us to study and switch over to some other job. So my brother studied up to Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and he in-turn helped me acquire  my Diploma in Electrical Engineering. ( increased my qualification up to MS level through distance education latter. ).
  
Our ancestors house our Grand father and grand mother lived in this village. This house walls are built with mud without foundation

The youngsters of our Village reconstructed  Sri Sakthi Mariamman and a Vinayagar temple. The Kumbhabhishekam was conducted an year before  and  special pooja is conducted on every No moon ( Amavasai ) day night and annadhanam is also being served. The temple looks beautiful. 

( View of Sri Sakthi mariamman temple with Sri Vinayagar sannadhi )

I used to go to my village frequently to see my mother who is now at 90+ and takes care of herself and do not want to depend on any body for her routine works including cooking ( She is  reluctant to come to Chennai ). When she happened to see me, she becomes more healthy. When she was young, she used to help the village ladies during delivery and after child birth.
My mother now at 90+ with her grand son

LOCATION OF MY VILLAGE : CLICK HERE, CLICK HERE
Some of the photos taken during my recent visit is uploaded.

                                                 The street which leads to our ancestors house
Another view of our grand father's house. The bath room and kitchen was built at a latter stage.
Sri Sakthi Mariamman temple vimanam on the sanctum
Sri Vinayagar sannidhi and nagars on the both side
Sri Sakthi Mariamman in Santhana kappu
View of the temple 

LOCATION WITH IMAGES    : CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Friday 7 December 2012

AN APPEAL TO THE READERS - UN AUTHORIZED COPY OF MY BLOG CONTENTS

06, December 2012
Yesterday  when I scanned the images in the Google. I was shocked to see my Photo along with a Thiruvarur temple. In the Author columns It was written as Neelakandan. He has copied the contents of my blog along with my Photos. Why these peoples are doing? what they are going to gain? A Cheap publicity. . They do not know how much pain we take to travel from Chennai or from various places  to collect the information and take photograph and time spend for uploading the same. 

Appeal to all the readers. You can use my contents and Photographs with my permission. My indention of publishing the blog is, for those who need of  the information of the temples where I visited.  Many visitors of my blog  used to inquire me about the temples and the way to go,  etc. I am happy to share my hard earned experiences with the readers. It is a pleasure for me too. Let Shiva shower his blessings to those who visits my blog.. 

V.A.VELUSWAMY
9444225646
                                                               ---OM SIVAYA NAMA:---