Friday 18 September 2015

Kalaimagal Kalvi Nilayam / கலைமகள் கல்வி நிலையம்– Archaeological Museum, Erode, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

 18, September 2015
I visited to this museum on 14th September 2015. Hope this is the only school has an archaeological museum in our country. Apart from learning the syllabus, students are taught our culture and our heritage through this museum. The museum has a great collection of coins since introduction stage may be from Sangam period when the metals are discovered. The collection of coins belongs  to various countries. Then the collection of Stamps too.

Roman God found in Kodu manal area, a 2000 years old. 

Old Tamil inscription granite slabs, Nadukal ( installed in memory of a person who died for the noble cause ), Statues, reliefs, fossils, mud pots, weapons, precious stones, Palm leaf manuscripts, bronze/ impon (ஐம்பொன் - five metal combinations ) statues,  are worth to See. The collection also includes the precious stones used by our ancestors on the banks of river Noyyal. It is interesting to note that merchants from all over the globe had done trading in this region especially from Rome. There are some muthu makkal thali  kept on display, which are found in the school  premises during construction of a new building. 

The persons responsible for the collections are Selvi. M Muthiah and Iyya Meenakshi Sundaranar. They must be mad in collection of these rare artistic materials. It is not an easy task  to collect such rare item and we have appreciate their services, which will benefit to us. I also extend my sincere thanks to the present correspondent Mrs Mangalavathy for  her hospitality and Guidance for visiting the museum.

Location of Kalaimakal Kalvi Nilayam Museum : CLICK HERE

 The rare collections of coins 
 The rare collections of coins 
 The rare collections of coins 
The rare collections of coins 
 Precious stones found out on the banks of Noyyal River 
The Materials found out on the banks of river Noyyal - in the map
 Statues  and dolls 
  Statues  and dolls 
Wooden Statues  
Weapons – sword, knife, Lock, Anklets, etc. 


 a Nice sculpture - Ravaleeswara
 Horse war 
 Pulikuthi Nadu Kal

 Pulikuthi Nadu Kal
 Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi
 Iyannar relief
Ayyannar Sculpture

 நடுகல் - Hero Stone
 Kannappar – one of the Nayanmar 

 Tamil Inscriptions
 Tamil Inscriptions
 Tamil Inscriptions
 நடுகல் - Hero Stone 
 நடுகல் - Hero Stone
Muthu makkal Thazhi ( முதுமக்கள் தாழி )
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Sri Maragathambal Samedha Sri Hridayaleeswarar Temple and Sri Eri katha Ramar Temple – Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

1st, September 2015.

Continuation to the previous post….

Utilizing the opportunity of participating the Uzhavaram by Chennai sevas had the darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar and Eri Katha Ramar at Thiruninravur.


SRI MARAGATHAMBAL SAMEDHA SRI HRIDAYALEESWARAR TEMPLE – THIRUNINRAVUR.


This Shiva temple is few meters away from 58th Divyadesam, Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple at Thiruninravur.

West side entrance

Moolavar    : Sri Hridayaleeswarar
Consort      : Sri Maragathambal

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with entrance arches on the east and west side. On the east side entrance Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam. Sri Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance  to the inner prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum is of Gajabirushtam  style with Pallava Architecture. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai. Moolavar is little large on a square avudayar and Poosalar one of the 63 nayanmar is in the sanctum facing south.

In the inner Prakaram sannadhi for Suryan Navagrahas, Pallava King Rajasimhan, Ninravur Polla Pillayar, Nalvar, Sekkizhar, Naagars, Mahaganapathy, Urchava moorthangal, Valli Devasena Subramaniar with Naagars, Chandikeswarar, Palliyarai, Natarajar saba, Bhairavar and Chandran.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Nava kanniyar, Mandapam and office Room. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing south.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple is about 1300 years old and some inscriptions are available on the sanctum wall.( very difficult to read. )

Stala Puranam
Pallava King Rajasimhan
Inscriptions on the sanctum wall
LEGENDS
The temple was constructed by Pallava king  Rajasimhan for Poosalar. The story goes like this… Poosalar who applied vibhuti allover his body wants to construct a Shiva Temple sitting under Iluppai tree.  Though couldn’t construct physically constructed the temple in his heart with a concentrated mind and fixed a date for consecration (Kumbhabhishekam). Since the date of consecration coincides with Pallava King Rajasimhan’s Kailasanathar temple at Kanchipuram, Lord asked the king in his dream to postpone the date. The Pallava King Rajasimhan wants to see the temple and came to Thiruninravur and able to find Poosalar under the Iluppai tree with a great difficulty. Poosalar  showed his chest where he built the temple. The king appreciated Poosalar’s bhakthi and constructed a temple as per Poosalar’s wish.

Since Poosalar constructed in his heart ( mind ), it is believed that heart related ailments  will get cured by worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple dharmakartha is Sri Jagan Somasundaram of Devakottai, a Nattukottai Nagarathar and the manager is Mr D Balakrishnan whose mobile number is 9444164108.

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam.
Town buses are available from Railway station’s south side, 54A to Poonamallee and M54 to T Nagar.
Share autos are  also available from Thiruninravur railway station.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

 East Side entrance
Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam 
View of the temple from west side
Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal sannadhi vimanam
Nava kanniyars
View of the temple from west side entrance
A round stone, what for it is used?- Used for Grinding of lime mortar during renovation

After darshan of Sri Hridayaleeswarar, went to Sri Eri Katha Ramar temple. When I reached, the temple was not opened. Went around the temple. Development work of paving the floor around the sanctum was in progress. Labourers are busy in unloading the granite slabs for the pavement. After 15 minutes the Bhatter arrived and opened the temple for the dharshan. Wow it was a wonderful darshan of Lord Sri Ramar and waiting has been rewarded. 


SRI ERIKATHA RAMAR TEMPLE.

This temple is on the west side of the 58th Divya Desam of Sri Ennaipetra Thayar samedha Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple  on the banks of Varuna Pushkarani.


Moolavar : Moolavar Sri Ramar with Sri Lakshmanan on the left.
Thayar    : Sri Seetha Piratiyar.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with out Rajagopuram and palipedam and Molavar vimanam. Anjaneya sannidhi is on the opposite side with a vertical tablet is in front. The sanctum consists of Muka maha mandapam and artha mandapam. Sri Ramar, Sri Seetha and Sri Lakshmanar’s moorthams are very big and Sri Ramar is 8 feet high.

In the mukha mandapam pillar reliefs of Perumal’s avatharams are worth to see.

It was said that the temple is very old with there is no evidence to prove. To my shock there is an inscription slab is being used as a stepping stone to the sanctum.  The temple must be a reconstructed one.

In Mukha mandapam Nagar and Anjaneyar holding Sri Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders and keeping his leg on demon Lankini. ( Seems this is a rare moortham and similar one is available at Naimisaranyam ). Sri Ramar and Sri Lakshmana’s feet can be seen on the back side of Hanuman.

The temple’s tank varuna Pushkarani is very big with a neerazhi mandapam. Sri Ramar saved the people from flooding water of this  tank/ Eri. Hence Sri Ramar is called as Eri Katha Ramar. ( Similar to this there are few Eri katha Ramar Temples in and around Chennai and another one is at Madurantakam).

There is a mandapam on the left side before entering the temple with madras roofing wooden beams in a dilapidated condition 

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open between 08.00 Hrs to 12.Hrs to 16.30 Hrs to 19.00 Hrs some times only morning will be open.

CONTACT DETAILS
Sri Venugopal Bhatter7845785715 and 9840837689
Devotees in group  may approach Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple for opening.

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam. Town buses are available from Railway station south side, 54A to Poonamallee and M54 to T Nagar Rs 3.00 is charged for 3 KM distance )
Share autos are also available from Thiruninravur railway station ( Rs 7 was charged).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

 Temple front view
 Epigraph on the steps
 Front Mandapam
 Sri Anjaneyar
 Temple view from outside
 Neerazhi mandapam  in the varuna pushkarani 
 Fish reliefs on the ceiling
 Sri Seetha with Sri Ramar
 Sri Rama with Sri Lakshmana
 Anjaneyar lifting Rama and Laksmana on his shoulders and the demon Lankini under his feet 
 Reliefs on the Pillars
 Reliefs on the Pillars
 Reliefs on the Pillars
 An Anjaneyar relief on a granite stone slab in vertical position 
 Madras roof mandapam with wooden beams
 Madras roof mandapam with wooden beams

After Darshan of Sri Eri katha Ramar, returned back to 58th Divya desam of Sri Ennaipetra Thayar samedha Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple and joined with the Chennai sevas for the Uzhavarapani. The details are posted separately.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Ennai Petra Thayar Samedha Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple at Thiruninravur - Uzhavaram with Chennai Sevas, Thiruvallur District Tamil Nadu.

 1st, September 2015.
This trip to Thiruninravur was planned, about 2 weeks before to join with Uzhavaram by Chennai Sevas on 30th August 2015. Started my journey to Thiruninravur early morning around 05.45 Hrs from Guindy Chennai. When the people are busy with Sunday   sleeping, youngsters playing cricket in the open layouts, Photo walkers and week end clickers are busy in clicking the beautiful early morning moments, I also joined with Chennai Sevas  for Uzhavaram at Thiruninravur Sri Ennai Petra Thayar samedha sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple. Though started earlier, I could reach Thiruninravur only around 08.30 Hrs. The Sevas timings was between 08.30 Hrs to 13.30 Hrs. Since Hridayaleeswarar Shiva temple  and Eri Katha Ramar temple  will be closed after 12.00 Hrs had the dharshan before joining with Sevas.

I was late by 1 hour ( remembering of attending the classes during school days). I do not feel tired and hungry till they called us for the Tea ( Since I started early morning I had not taken the breakfast). The weather was too hot and could not do service on the terrace and granite outer prakaram floor.  I was Completely exhausted by 12.30 hrs  and had taken rest till Sevas called for the Kootu Prarthanai and important announcements.  Had the lunch of sambar and curd rice served by Sevas.  After saying goodbye started my return journey to Home and reached around 17.00 Hrs. It was an wonderful experience with Chennai Sevas. I extend may thanks to Chennai Sevas for given me opportunity to join with them for the Uzhavaram.

SRI ENNAI PETRA THAYAR SAMEDHA SRI BHAKTAVATSALA PERUMAL TEMPLE AT THIRUNINRAVUR 

This temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station. This Perumal temple and Eri katha Ramar Temples are very near to each other.  This is 58th Divya desam out of 108 and has Thirumangai Alwar mangalasasanam.

Front view through Rajagopuram

Moolavar : Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal
Thayar    : Sri Ennai Petra Thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
4 Pillar mandapam is in front and there is also a 4 pillar mandapam in outer prakaram. The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram.  Dwajasthambam, palipedam are at the entrance of the temple.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Thayar, Manavala Mamunigal, Koorathalwar, Thirumangai alwar sannadhi, Chakkarathalwar, Adhi sheshan, Sri Andal, Senai mudalvar and Urchavar mandapam.

In sanctum Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is a Andal Nachiyar’s urchavam  in front of moolavar.

It was told that Thayar Mahalakshmi had done  penance at this place and Samudra Rajan and Kuberan called Ennai Petra Thayar to join with Perumal. Hence this place is called as Thiruninravur and Thayar is called as Ennai Petra Thayar.

ARCHITECTURE
The main sanctum has artha mandapam and maha mandapam (  here also there is a 4 pillar mandapam). In the artha mandapam there is a sannadhi for Yoga Narasimhar.

Moolavar Vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was believed that the temple is 1000 to 2000 years old and there is no inscriptional evidence found to prove its antiquity. 

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open for darshan between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs ( it will be extended another 30 minutes of Friday, Saturdays and Sundays) and 16.30 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:
The Temple phone numbers are 044 26390434 and 9840192735.

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is about 3 KM distance from Thiruninravur Railway station which is on the way from Chennai Central to Tiruvallur- Arakkonam.
Town buses are available from Railway station south side, 54A to Poonamallee and M54 to T Nagar (Rs 3.00 is charged for 3 KM distance)
Share autos are   available from Thiruninravur railway station ( Rs 7 was charged).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 4 Pillar mandapam
The 5 tier Rajagopuram
Dwajasthambam and balipeedam
4 Pillar mandapam in the outer prakaram
Thayar sannadhi with shed in front
Andal sannadhi
Outer prakaram
Moolavar Vimanam- closer view 
 Manavala mamunikal sannadhi
Dwarapalakar
 Reliefs 
 Pillars in Rajagopuram 

 Ladies kolattam relief

Ladies Kummi play relief
 Relief on the floor of Rajagopuram 
Relief on the ceiling of Rajagopuram 
To be continued.....
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Saturday 29 August 2015

Sri Devi Karumari Amman Temple, annual festival, Sastri Nagar, Kakkan Bridge, West Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

29th August 2015
The annual festival of Sri Devi Karumari Amman temple is being celebrated during the first week of Avani , Tamil Month. A hill like structure has been erected and  an Amman statue is installed is the main attraction of this temple this year.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

Temple entrance
Sri Devi Karumari Amman Statue with hill like  structure
Vinaygar LED Display 
Amman LED Display – Technology is changed from incandescent bulb to LED bulbs
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---