Saturday 19 September 2015

Sri Anumaneeswarar Tmple and Chinnamman & Periyamman Temple, at Mukasi Anuman Palli and Sri Putridangondeeswarar Temple at arachalur, Arachalur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

18th September 2015.
This visit was a 3 days to Erode, Arachalur, Mukasi Anumanpalli, Perunthalaiyur, Tharamangalam, Veeramathi amman Temple, Arul Malai and Thingalur, from 12th to 14th, September 2015.  The climate was too hot and there was no rain at all. It was a pleasant visit to all these temples which has rich heritage and history. When we go in deep inside, we may be able to understand only very little due to lack of information available. Some of the temple's history was lost due to improper maintenance and renovation. The locals who carried the renovations were not aware of the importance of the inscriptions. At Kavindapadi Shiva Temple the inscription granite slabs, which speaks the history of the temple are dumped along with garbage. In many places the inscription are not legible due to several coats of whitewashing.

I was able to cover places /the temples planned, but could not make it to  Andi Parai, at Arachalur where the cave with ‘Isai Kalvettukal’, due to non availability of guide. To compensate, visited a Shiva Temple at Perunthalaiyur. 

SRI ANUMANEESWARAR TEMPLE – MUKASI ANUMANPALLI
Now this place is called as Mukasi AnumanPalli.

Moolavar Vimanam

Moolavar    : Sri Anumaneeswarar
Consort      : Sri Annapooranai Amman

The important features of this temple are......
The temple is facing east on the banks of river Kurangaru, with out Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are under the asbestos sheet mandapam with a garuda/ vilakku thoon/ Deepasthambam. At the entrance of sanctum sannadhi for Sri Vinayagar on the left and Sri Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma are on the right. In koshtam only Dakshinamurthy.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Niruthi Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Annapoorani Amman, Chandikeswarar, Bhairava murthy, Navagrahas and Siva Suryan. 

Alagu Chokka Perumal temple is on the back side the Shiva Temple with Vinayagar and Anjaneyar are at the entrance of the sanctum. Garudan and balipeedam are at the entrance of the sannadhi.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was constructed before Sundara Pandiya’s period and inscriptions are available on Chandikeswarar sannadhi wall.

The Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannadhi was constructed about 30 years before.

Tamil inscriptions on the Chandikeswarar sannadhi Wall

LEGENDS
As per the legends,  Hanuman on the way to Sri Lanka in search of Sita stayed here and worshiped Shri Shiva. Hence this place is called as Anumanpalli. The river flowing near by icalled 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is kept open between 07.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 19.00 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
Mr Selvam gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9842338995.

HOW TO REACH :
From Erode to Dharapuram, Palani, Gangayam buses are passing through Arachalur and from there Town bus no 33 is available to AnumanPalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Vinayagar sannadhi 
The empty Niche 
Ambal sannidhi 
Murugan sannidhi built at a latter stage 
Amman Vahana mandapam with Bairavar sannidhi 
Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannidhi 
Temple complex view 
Alagu Chokka Perumal Temple back side of Shiva temple 

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai... When Devas & Asuras churning the paar kadal first came is this Devi hence she is called as Mootha Devi also called as Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi, elder sister to Lakshmi. And she is the wife of Sani Bhagavan On her right, her  Son 'Manthan'  with buffalo's head holding 'Thandam'  and  on the left her mother in law Chaya devi alias Agni Matha. In the all the three are in the centre panel and Manthan is on the right panel and Jyeshta Devi and Manthi are in the left panel. 


Ambal  Sri Annapoorani
Dakshinamurthy with sanagatha munivars
Chandikeswarar
The beautiful Rishabam with balipeedam 

There is also a recently constructed Chinamman and Periyamman temple with a Rajagopuram in the same Village. This is the Kuladeivam for the two subsection of Gounder community ( Chennakulam and Pannakulam ) of that area. The temple has sannadhi for Vanni mara Vinayagar, Masari Amman, Kali and kannimar. Dwajasthambam and Palipedam are in front of Chinnamman. The Temple also has the usual Village type Sudhai Iyannar,  Horse, Kannimar etc. 

CHINNAMMAN AND PERIYAMMAN TEMPLE

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE




SRI PUTRIDANGONDEESWARAR TEMPLE - ARACHALUR

There is an old Shiva temple at the back side of bus stop.

Moolavar    : Sri Putridankondeeswarar
Consort      : Sri Booloka Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are....
A small temple facing east with a vilakku thoon / Deepasthambham in front. Sannadhi for Nalvar, Thiruneelakandar, Kannappa nayanar, Vinayagar and Navagrahas and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar ( Kept open to sky ). Artha mandapam was built like madras terrace with wooden beams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was told that the temple is a 500 years old and the sanctum was built with bricks and lime plaster. White washed for many years.

LEGENDS
Once this place was in the midst of forest and while clearing the vegetation Shiva linga was damaged and the same was covered with  marunthu. Moolavar is swayambhu on a square avudayar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple is kept open between 07.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Mr Velusamy gurukkal may be contacted through land line 0424 2357485.

HOW TO REACH :
Arachalur is on the way to Erode to Palani, Gangeyam, Dharapuram bus route  and the temple is on the road side.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

Moolavar Vimanam 
Moolavar Vimanam 
Balipeedam with Rishabam mandapam 
Sri Maha Vishnu and Sridevi and Bhudevi  are in open to sky 
Vilakkuthoon / Deepasthambham
 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Arudra Kapaleeswarar Temple/ ஸ்ரீ ஆருத்ர கபலீஸ்வரர் கோயில் and Sri Periya Mariamman Temple, Erode, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

 19th September 2015. 
CONTINUATION FROM THE PREVIOUS POST....
SRI ARUDRA KAPALEESWARAR TEMPLE – ERODE

Sri Kapaleeswarar temple is in the heart of Erode city and near Pannerselvam Park and market and about 3 Km from Railway station.

The Rajagopuras of Moolavar and Ambal Temples 

Moolavar   : Sri Thondeeswarar, Sri  Cheddeswarar,
  Sri Chozheeswarar and Sri Arudra Kapaleeswarar.
Consort     : Sri Vaaranambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram.  Dwajasthambam, Rishabam and balipeedam are at the entrance of the maha mandapam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Vishnu Durgai. Moolavar is little small, suyambhu and has 108 lingas carved on it. 

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Suryan with his consorts Sayadevi and Usha Devi, Moola Vinayagar, Gajasamkara murthy, sthala vruksham with Vinayagar and Amman, Kala Bhairavar, Chandran, 63var, Saptamatrikas and Chandran.

In the inner prakaram, Durgai, Nalvar, 63var, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahas.

ARCHITECTURE
On the facia of the maha mandapam stucco images of Sthala puranam and sthala puranam of Avinashi Shiva temple. Kali and Oorthuva thandava murthy are worth to see on the maha mandapam pillars.

At the entrance of the sanctum it was learnt there was only  one Dwarapalaka and latter the second Dwarapalaka was added.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was believed ( hear say ) that the temple was built during the year 1004 -1280 CE, Kongu Chozhas period and the King name was Karikalan.  Also with the help of  Samayar Mudali built 36 Shiva temples on the banks of Cauvery. From the inscriptions available at the base of the sanctum wall, the temple is called as Thondeeswaram and the Lord Shiva as Thondeeswarar, Thondeeswaram Udaya Mahadeva, "Thondeeswaram Udaya Thambiranar", "Thondeeswaram Udaya Pidarar", Nayanar, Thondargal Nayanar, etc.

The Tamil inscription of the base of sanctum 
LEGENDS
One of the temple history goes like this....,
As per hearsay, The king by name Lakshmikanthan, once he performed a yagna. The milk was brought from Pechiparai the present Park with under ground sump ( which was used as Ko salai ). On nearing this place the milk poured at a particular place. To analyse, The King ordered to dig the ground, he found blood was oozing from that place due to hitting of crowbar on Shiva Lingam. The Shiva Linga's top was split in to 4 parts and thrown to 4 places. The four place names are ends with ‘de/du’ ( Erode, Chithode, Vellode, Perode ). Since Shiva Linga’s head  ( Kabalam ) was split in to parts, Lord Shiva is called as Sri Kapaleeswarar.

The another story goes like this....
A poor weaver Thandavan, used to worship Lord Arudra Kapaleeswarar before proceeding to work. The Lord, with the intention of making the weaver’s devotion to known to all, went to his house when the weaver was absent. The Lord in the form of old man asked Thandavan’s wife  for a piece of cloth to cover himself from shivering cold. The woman told the Lord that she too had only one piece and promised what she could do for Him and asked his whereabouts. Lord Shiva replied that he will be available at outside of Arudra temple.

Thandavan’s wife told him what happened when he was away. The weaver rushed to his boss seeking a piece of cloth on credit and promised to pay the price on installments. He got the cloth and gave it to the old  man at the temple.

When the temple priest opened the sanctum sanctorum the next morning, he was surprised to see a new piece of cloth on the Lord and the Parivattam was absent. He informed the matter to all. All gathered there including the weaver’s boss who said that he gave it to Thandavan. Thandavan narrated what happened. Nobody believed the poor weaver and tied him on a pillar and began to beat him. Lord Shiva through the son of the village head and shouted. "Despite one’s own difficulties, one should not hesitate to help those poorer than them. To establish this Dharmam, I acted through Thandavan,"  Hence Lord Shiva is called as Thiruthondreeswarar. As per the Gurukkal, only new cloth is used every day to Lord Shiva. 

It was believed that moolavar was installed by Sage Durvasa in a lying position ( Palli konda Position ).

It is believed that Sun worships Lord Shiva of this temple. The sun rays falls on moolavar on Tamil Masi month 23rd to 27th

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is kept open between 05.30  Hrs to 12.30 Hrs and 16.30 P.M. to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :
The temple office may be contacted fro the details and the Land Line number is +91-424-2267578

HOW TO REACH :
The town buses to Railway station passes through Panneerselvam Park and from there a walk-able distance.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

View of Moolavar Vimanam 
Vilakku thoon ( on the background the Rajagopuram of Perumal Temple )

Gaja samhara murti
Vanni Tree Vinayagar and Amman moortham 
Temple Complex View
Front Mandapam view through Rajagopuram
Paintings of 12 Rasis on the ceiling of rajagopuram

 Painting on the prakaram /  mandapam wall 
 Painting on the prakaram /  mandapam wall

SRI PERIYA MARIAMMAN TEMPLE - BROUGH ROAD, ERODE.
This temple is on Brough Road a Km from Sri Arudra Kapaleeswarar Temple. This is also an old temple.



SECOND VISIT.
Happened to visit this temple on 05th April 2019. The annual festival for this group of Amman Temples are in progress and Devotees carries turmeric water to do abhishek for the “Kambam”. Since the “Q” was very long worshiped from out side.
   



 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Andam Muzhuthudayar Temple at Kavindapadi and Makizheeswarar Temple, Perunthalaiyur, in Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

 19th September 2015.
Understand that there are many old temples on the banks of River Bhavani. One such a place is called as  PERUNTHALAIYUR, about 5 Km distance from my brothers residence at Kavindapadi and Anthiyur is also in my list which is about 15 Km from there. My brother took me to Perunthalaiyur. Weaving is the main job at Perunthalaiyur. On the way we had been to Kavindapadi Shiva Temple.

SRI ANDAM MUZHUTHUDAYAR TEMPLE - KAVINDAPADI SHIVA TEMPLE

View of the temple 

Moolavar    : Sri Andam Muzhuthudayar
Consort      : Sri NeelnedunKanni

Some of the important features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east at an elevated height of about 6 feet and steps are provided to climb up. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar at the top of the entrance. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Annamalaiyar, Brahma and Durgai.
 
In the prakaram Sannadhi for Naalvar, 63var, Vallabha Ganapati, Pancha Lingas, Narasimhar, Lakshmi Hayagreevar, Chandikeswarar, Valli Devasena Murugan, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas and Kalabairavar. 

ARCHITECTURE
The temple is completely renovated with granite stones keeping the moolavar and Ambal moorthams  and some of the murtis are added during the renovation. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This is also an old temple which has inscriptions. The sad thing is the inscriptions granite slabs were removed during the renovation and dumped in the garbage area. The inscription recorded ( Avanam 29 ) are given below... 

The 14th Century Hoysala king Viravallalan period inscription records the endowment of burning a Sandhi lamp for which  10 panam was gifted to this temple. காலம்: பொ..14ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு செய்தி: சந்திய தீப விளக்கெரிக்க 10 பணம் கொடுத்தமை பற்றியது. The original inscription reads as…
பக்கம்: 1
  1. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ
  2. [வீர]வல்லாள
  3. ………………
  4. ………………
  5. தேவர் திருவி-
  6. ராச்சியம் பண்-
  7. ணி யருளா நி-
  8. ன்ற ஸ்ரீ ஆங்கிர []
  9. ஸம்வத்ஸரத்-
  10. து ஆவணி மாத-
  11. ம் 12 வது தியதி
  12. நாள் காஞ்சி-
  13. க் கூவல் நாட்டு-
  14. க் கமுந்தப்பா-
  15. டியில் வெள்-
  16. ளாழன் சுவடக-
  17. ளில் சிறியவ[ன்]
பக்கம் : 2
  1. கணவதியா-
  2. ண்டா நென் -
  3. டையார் அட்டாலை-
  4. ச் செல்வதாக நான்
  5. வைத்த சந்தியா தீ-
  6. பம் ஒன்றுக்கு 10 இப்
  7. பணம் பத்தும் கொ-
  8. ண்டு சந்திராதித்தவரை எரி
  9. ப்பதாக காஸ்யபந் நா-
  10. ன் குப்பபட்டன் -
  11. த்ரேயந் செல்லனு..
  12. லுள்ளிட்டோரு-
  13. இப்படி சமதித்து உப-
  14. யங் கொண்டும்
  15. கணவதி யாண்-
  16. டானுக்கு இவ்விரு-
  17. வோம் இது குடங்-
  18. கொண்டு கோயில்
  19. புகுவார் யாரும் நட 
  20. த்தி பொதுவதாகவு-
  21. ம் இது பன்மாஹ
  22. ஸ்வரக்க்ஷை
Another 14th Century Sriman Maaraan Immadi Raghuthrayan Madhappa Thennayaka Devar inscription on the same temple records the endowment of pooja and naivedyam to Chitrakandan Sandhi,at Thirumalai Thiruvenkadamudayan temple ( ..?) for which a land was gifted to this temple. காலம்: பொ..14ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு செய்தி: சித்[திர]கண்டன் சந்திக்கு நிலம் அளித்தமை பற்றியது...The original inscription reads as…
பக்கம்: 1
  1. சுவஸ்த ஸ்ரீ மன் மாராயரா-
  2. ன இம்மடி இராகுத்தராயன்
  3. மாதப்ப தெண்ணாயக்க தெ[வ]-
  4. ன் கொங்கமண்டலத்-
  5. துக் காஞ்சிக் கூவல் நாட்டில் க-
  6. முந்தப்பாடிய திருமலை
  7. திருவேங்கடமுடையாற்கு
  8. யாற்ற பேரில் கட்டி-
  9. ன சிதகண்டன் சந்தி-
  10. க்கு அமுதுபடி சாதுப்படி உ-
பக்கம் -: 2
  1. ள்ளிட்ட நிமந்தங்..திருக்குட
  2. கடமை க்குனடியநான தங்க-
  3. ளாநாந் கெல்லைக்குட்பட்-
  4. ட நன்செய் புஞ்செயாளும்
  5. சமர்த்தயா மாங்களும [கட]-
  6. மை அச்சு இறுத மற்றும் எப்பே-
  7. ற் பட்ட குடிமைப்பாடும்
  8. நில(ம்)ங்கள் திருவிடையாட்ட-
  9. மாக குடுத்தோம் இப்படி
  10. சந்திராதித்தவரை செல்வதாக
  11. ச் செப்பிலும் சிலையிலும் [வெ]-
  12. ட்டிக் குடுத்தோம் நம்பிமா-
  13. ற்க்கு இப்படிக்கு நம் ஓப்பம்
The bad state of the epigraph / inscription 
The bad state of the epigraph / inscription 

HOW TO REACH :
Kavindapadi is on the way from Erode to Gobichettipalayam bus route and the temple is about a km from bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:CLICK HERE

View of the temple 
Murugan Temple with mandapam view
Temple chariot – happened to see more of Vaisnava wooden carvings 
Temple chariot – happened to see more of Vaisnav wooden carvings 
Temple chariot – happened to see more of Vaisnava wooden carvings 
Temple chariot – happened to see more of Vaisnava wooden carvings 


SRI MAKIZHEESWARAR TEMPLE - PERUNTHALAIYUR
This temple is on the banks of river Bhavani.

The 3 tier Rajagopuram on the South side 

Moolavar    : Sri Makizheeswarar
Consort      : Sri Brahan Nayaki or Periya Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are ....
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram on the south side. On the left before the Rajagopuram sannadhi for Vinayagar under bodhi tree. Rishabam, balipeedam, and Vilakkuthoon ( Thiru Kurippu thondar's relief on Vilakkuthoon facing Lord Shiva ) are on the east side. Moolavar is suyambhu came through the Makizha tree forest, hence Shiva is called as Makizhavanamudayar. In Koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nalvar, Arjunan, Kannappar, Ganapathy, Valli Devasena Siva Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Chandran, Suryan, Saneeswarar and Bairavar.

Ambal is in a separate sannadhi with abaya vara hastham on a square avudayar. The moortham is believed to be of Chozha period.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum santorum, antarala, ardha mandaapam and Maha mandapam.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was renovated without disturbing the inscriptions. In one of the inscription Sundara Pandiyan who ruled Kongu Nadu has given Tax exemption to the weavers in the year 1298 CE.  The other inscriptions speaks about gifts given to the temple for burning perpetual lamp and naivedyam / amuthu to Lord Shiva.

Latter period Nayakka kings also had done thirupani to this temple

This is the birth place to Perunthalaichathan, who composed the Natrinai one of the  sangam literature.

Some of the inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan’s period 
Some of the inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan’s period 
Some of the inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan’s period 
      Some of the inscriptions The Perunthalaiyur is highlighted 
Some of the inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan’s period 
        Some of the inscriptions
Some of the inscriptions of Sundara Pandiyan’s period 

LEGENDS
It was believed that Vali and Sugriva worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

It was believed that this is one of the 5 temples established by Durvasa Maharishi on the banks of River Bhavani.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is kept open between 07.30 Hrs to 11.30 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 19.00 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
Shunmuga Sundaram gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9442240979.

HOW TO REACH :
On bus route Erode to Gobichettipalayam get down at Kavindapadi and Perunthalaiyur is 5 Km on the way to Appakudal
Town bus is available from Kavindapadi Bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Vinayagar sannidhi under bodhi & neem tree
Moolavar Vimanam 
Ambal sannadhi mandapam 

Moolavar Vimanam on another angle  
Arjunan and Kannappar ( Kannappar is the incarnation of Arjunan in the latter birth
Naalvar
Sanctum  east side view 
Thirukurippu thondar's relief on Vilakku thoon facing Lord Shiva 
Sukreevan worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of Annam bird 
Vali worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of monkey
The Photos taken before renovation of the temple 
The Sthalapuranam
The old mandapam pillars were erected on the side of compound wall as a monument 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---