11th ,
February 2014.
A Continuation of the
previous post ........
After darshan, I
had to deviate from my original plan of going to Thiruvothur directly. Since
there is no direct route to Thiruvothur from Magaral, I had taken the route
via Kanchipuram. When I reached Thiruvothur preparation are on for
Swamy’s thiruveethi uzha with Kailaya vathiyam. It was interesting to note
that the instruments are being played by the young children. This
is the first time I had seen that Natarajar is taken out for thiruveethi
uzha as urchavar. There were many temporary shops erected for this Masi
Magam festival along the street.
8 – SRI
VEDAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVOTHUR.
It is part of
Cheyyar, also called as Thiruvathipuram. This is the 8th Devaram
Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns
in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Iraivan : Sri Vedapureeswarar,
Sri Vedhanathar.
Iraivi :
Sri Balakujambigai, Sri IlamulaiNayagi.
Some of the important
features of this temple are…..
The temple is facing
east with a 6 tier Rajagopuram. A mandapam with Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Rishabam are at the front. Rishabam is facing opposite to moolavar. (
The story behind this is Lord Shiva sent Nandhi along with King
Thondaiman to conquer a king called Visvavasu. To represent this
Nandhi is facing opposite to moolavar ). In koshtam Vinayagar,
Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
In the inner prakaram, sannadhi for Vinayagar, Balamurugan, Veerabhadra, Vinayagar, Nagalingam, Lingam, 108 Lingam, Naalvar, 63var, Valampuri Vinayagar, Lingangal, Naagars, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Murugan sudhai sirpam, Bhairavar, Suryan, Thirumal and Chandran.
In the front mandapam impon urchava murtis are kept. Some of them are Pickshadanar, Ambal with Chandrasekar, Arumuga Peruman with Valli Devasena looks cute. A Perumal / Vishnu statue is installed in front of Durgai. The Chakra is in vertical position against horizontal.
In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Sthala Vruksham, Thillai Sivaperuman, Sandeswarar, Thiru Kalathi Nathar, Thiru Aanaikka, Thiru Annamalai, Thirukachi Ekambam, Ambal sannadhi, Palliyarai, Navagrahas and Santhana kuravargal.
On the left of the
entrance, moortham of Thirugnanasambandar with Shiva and Sthala vruksham are in
the form of stone. Ambal sannidhi is
like a separate temple with Koshta moorthangal. Ambal is in sitting
posture.
Standing at one place
in the front mandapam, we can have the view of Moolavar, Ambal, Vinayagar,
Murugan, Navagrahas, Sthala Vruksham ( partially visible – obstruction due to
sannadhis )
INSCRIPTION:
There are old tamil inscriptions found around sanctum sanctorum walls. Kulothungan, Rajendran, Vikrama Chozha period inscriptions are found
around karuvarai walls.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is
kept open between 06.00 Hrs. to 12.00 Hrs. and 16.00 Hrs. to 20.30
Hrs. And the poojas are 08.00 Hrs. 12.00 Hrs. 16.00 Hrs. and 20.30
Hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Mr. Ashok, an office
clerk 9842416402 and Sivachariyar Dakshinamurthy 9688612660 may be
contacted for pooja and other functions.
HOW TO REACH :
Govt. buses are
available to Cheyyar from Kanchipuram, Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Salem, etc.
and the temple place Thiruvothur is about 1.5 KM from bus stand.
Private buses and
Govt. Town buses are also available from Kanchipuram.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK
HERE
The 5 tier Rajagopuram
Inner view of the second level Rajagopuram with mandapam
Ambal sannadhi vinmanam
Moolavar Vimanam
Sthala viruksham
Temple Complex view with Dwajasthambam and nandhi mandapam
Nandhi is facing opposite to moolavar
Arumugaperuman - Peacock is facing on the right side
Urchavar with Ambal
Chandikeswarar with mazhu on the right hand
Thirugnanasambandar, Shiva Lingam & Sthala Vruksham Palm Tree
Lord Shiva with bow and arrow - a relief on the mandapam pillar
Swamy's purapadu to Thiruveethi uzha
Natarajar is taken for Thiruveethi uzha a rare sight to see.
Ambal
Kailaya vathiyam - children too are playing
Continued in the next post.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
