VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Thursday 10 March 2016

Sri Sarngapani Temple / ஸ்ரீ சார்ங்கபாணி கோவில், கும்பகோணம் / Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Sarngapani Temple at Kumbakonam is one of the 108 Divya Desam Temples and 12th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. The temple is also one of the Pancha Ranga Kshetrams, called as Bhaskara Kshetram. Also this is one of the Pancha kshetras, where Maha Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi. The 5 kshetras are, Sarngapani Temple, Kumbakonam, Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Salem, Nachyar Coil, and Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. The potramai kulam is on the western side entrance of Sri Sarngapani Temple and on the other side is the Sri Kumbeswarar temple.

Mangalasasanam was done by Periyalwar (173, 177, 188 ), Andal ( 628 ), Thirumazhisai Azhwar ( 807 – 812 &, 2417 ), Thirumangai Alwar ( 27 pasurams, and some of them are.. 949, 954, 991,… ) Bhoothath Azhwar ( 2251, 2278 ), Peyazhwar ( 2311, 2343 ) and Nammazhwar (3194.. 3204 ), in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Since Nammalvar praises moolavar and called him as “Aravamude ..”, hence Moolavar is called as Aravamudhan.

177

ஆலத்திலையான் அரவினணைமேலான்

நீலக்கடலுள் நெடுங்காலம்கண்வளர்ந்தான்

பாலப்பிராயத்தே பார்த்தர்க்குஅருள்செய்த

கோலப்பிரானுக்குஓர்கோல்கொண்டுவா

குடந்தைக்கிடந்தார்க்குஓர்கோல்கொண்டுவா

….. பெரியாழ்வார்

628
பாலா லிலையில் துயில்கொண்ட

பரமன் வலைப்பட் டிருந்தேனை,

வேலால் துன்னம் பெய்தாற்போல்

வேண்டிற் றெல்லாம் பேசாதே,

கோலால் நிரைமேய்த் தாயனாய்க்

குடந்தைக் கிடந்த குடமாடி,

நீலார் தண்ணந் துழாய்கொண்டென்

நெறிமேன் குழல்மேல் சூட்டீரே

……. ஆண்டாள்

2417

நாகத் தணைக்குடந்தை வெகா திருவெவ்வுள்,

நாகத் தணையரங்கம் பேரன்பில், - நாகத்

தணைப்பாற் கடல்கிடக்கு மாதி நெடுமால்,

அணைப்பார் கருத்தனா வான்.

…. திருமிழிசைப்பிரான்

991

ஊராங்குடந்தையுத்தமன் ஒருகாலிருகால்சிலைவளைய,

தேராவரக்கர்த்தேர்வெள்ளம்செற்றான் வற்றாவருபுனல்சூழ்

பேரான், பேராயிரமுடையான் பிறங்குசிறைவண்டறைகின்ற

தாரான், தாராவயல்சூழ்ந்த சாளக்கிராமமடைநெஞ்சே

…… திருமங்கையாழ்வார்

2251

தமருள்ளம் தஞ்சை தலையரங்கம் தண்கால்,

தமருள்ளும் தண்பொருப்பு வேலை, - தமருள்ளும்

மாமல்லை கோவல் மதிட்குடந்தை யென்பரே,

ஏவல்ல எந்தைக் கிடம்

……. பூதத்தாழ்வார்

2343

விண்ணகரம் வெகா விரிதிரைநீர் வேங்கடம்,

மண்ணகரம் மாமாட வேளுக்கை, மண்ணகத்த

தென்குடந்தை தேனார் திருவரங்கம் தென்கோட்டி,

தன்குடங்கை நீரேற்றான் தாழ்வு.

….பேயாழ்வார்

3204

தளிர்நிறத்தால் குறைவில்லாத்

தனிச்சிறையில் விளப்புற்ற,

கிளிமொழியாள் காரணமாக்

கிளரரக்கன் நகரெரித்த,

களிமலர்த் துழாயலங்கல்

கமழ்முடியன் கடல்ஞாலத்து,

அளிமிக்கான் கவராத

அறிவினால் குறைவிலமே.

…. நம்மாழ்வார்

Moolavar : Sri Aravamudhan

Thayar : Sri Komalavalli

Utsavar : Sri Sarngapani

Some of the salient features of this temple are ….

The temple is facing east with 11 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudan are in the open mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas santan and Prasandan are on both sides of the jolly / stone window. Moolavar is in reclining posture / Sayana kolam with Sridevi and Bhudevi are at his feet. The Sayana kola is called Udhana Sayanam. Moolavar is holding a Sarngam - சார்ங்கம்- a bow, hence called as Sarngapani, people used to misspelt as Sarangapani - சாரங்கபாணி- which is not correct.

( "சாரங்கம் மானும் வண்டும் சாதகப் புள்ளும் ஆமே" என்பது சூடாமணி. சாரங்கபாணி என்றால் மானை ஏந்திய சிவ பெருமான் எனக்கொள்ளலாம் என்கின்றார் திரு குடவாயில் பாலசுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள். அதனால் சாரங்கபாணி என்பது திருமாலைக் குறிக்காது ).

In kostam Varahar, Venu Gopalan, Gajendra Moksham, Vaikunta Nathar, Vamana, Sarangapani, Narasimhar, Utha Narasimhar, Vatha Narasimhar, Yoga Narasimhar.

Inpraharam Desikar, Patala Srinivasan, Senai Mudalvar, Ramar, Palliyarai, Thanjavur Paintings of Ramar Pattabhishekam, Srinivasan, Thirumalai nimbi, Palliyarai.

Thayar Komalavalli is in a separate sannadhi and we have to worship thayar first before going to moolavar sanctum.

Chakrapani is in a separate temple. He is with 8 hands / ashta bhuja and is believed to be the younger brother of moolavar Sri Aravamudhan.

Stucco Bas-relief at Oppiliappan Temple praharam

Patala Srinivasa Perumal ( in the praharam )

Inner praharam entrance

Dwarapalakas and jolly work at the centre of sanctum- we have to enter through side after Thayar darshan

Left side Dwarapalaka

ARCHITECTURE

The 11 tier Rajagopuram is measuring 173 feet ( 63 meters) tall, In addition to this there are 5 more small Rajagopurams. The main Rajagopuram, was built by the Chozha Kings, and completed during Vijayanagara period, with the stucco images of Natya Karanas.

The Sanctum sanctorum is built like a Chariot form with wheels pulled by the horses and elephants. The sanctum sanctorum is with two entrances and used to allow for darshan during Uttarayana and Dakshinayana periods. Some of the Bharatanatyam 108 karanas are sculptured around the sanctum Sanctorum base and Rajagopuram base.

The Vimanam is called as Vaideeka Vimanam. It is believed that the Vimana is similar and improved version of Srirangam Pranava Vimanam.

Bharata Natya Karanas / Postures

Pallava Lion Pillar
Mandapam like Chariot - Pulled by Elephant and Horse.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple was constructed during Pallava period 07^th to 08^th Century, Reconstructed during Vijayanagaras, Madurai Nayakas. The temple has received contributions of medieval Chozhas, Vijayanagara Empire and Thanjavur Nayaks.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Kulothunga Chozha –III, Vijayanagara King Sadasiva Maharaya ( 1482 CE) and Raghunatha Nayak (1551 CE).

The Kulothunga Chozha-II’s inscription ( 294 of ARE 1927,p 49 ) 1178 A.D and belongs to the nearby Somanatha temple built by Kulothunga Chola.

The inscription 293 of ARE -1927, on the outer prahara wall on the base of the mandapa belongs to Sadasiva deva Maharaya of Vijayanagara Dynasty ( 1482 CE ).

The Inscription ARE 1959, p.64, on the central shrine mantapa belongs to Krishna Devaraya, records the endowment towards worship of Sarangapani.

Another inscription on the base of a hall connected to Sarangapani matha reads about the contributions of Ragunatha Nayak (1551 A.D.) of Tanjore.

Ref:

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy (ARE-1927, p.49)

Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy (ARE-1959, p.64)

A New Dwajasthambam was installed and Prathista was done on 30^th October 2020.

A 20^th Century inscription on stone slab installed on the left side of the Rajagopuram records an endowment and the money deposited in the Government treasury, by Kanchipuram Pachchaiappa Mudaliar. The inscription records further that the endowment is not continued, it has to be reported to the sabha.

LEGENDS
It is believed that Moolavar stood up from sayana kolam, as per the request of Thirumazhisai Alwar.

As per the legend Brighu Maharishi came to Vaikuntam, when Mahavishnu was with Maha Lakshmi. Since, the Maharishi was not being welcomed by Maha Vishnu, out of arrogance Brighu Maharishi kicked Maha Vishnu on his chest. Maha Vishnu didn’t object the arrogant behaviour of Bhrigu Maharishi. Angered by this action of Maharishi, Maha Lakshmi left Vaikunta and came of Earth, and stayed on the banks of Hema Pushkarini.

Brighu Maharishi was born as Hemarishi, in the next birth. He did a penance on Maha Vishnu for a daughter. As per Maha Vishnu’s boon, Maha Lakshmi was reborn to the Maharishi in the Lotus tank. As promised, Maha Vishnu as Sarngapani married Maha Lakshmi at this place.

Painting of Sarangapani & Maha Lakshmi marriage- above Palliyarai

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Annual Brahmotsavam in the months Thai and Chithirai, Vasanthotsavam in the month Vaikasi, Pavithrotsavam, Navaratri, Masi makam, and Dolotsavam in the month Margazhi, and theppotsavam.

Thiru ezhu Kootrukai

This is one of the 5 Maha Vishnu Temples, that participates in Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The list of 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join and celebrate this Mahamaha festival are given below.

Shiva Temples are…

1. Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

2. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

3. Someswarar Temple,

4. Nageswaraswamy Temple,

5. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

6. Gauthameswarar Temple,

7. Kodeeswarar Temple,

8. Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

9. Banapuriswarar Temple,

10. Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12. EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

1. Sarangapani Temple,

2. Chakrapani Temple,

3. Ramaswamy Temple,

4. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

5. Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The land line and mobile numbers of the temple are : 0435-2430349 and 9443524529.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Ceiling bas-relief

View through grill – moolavar vimanam

Ramar sannidhi

May be the King's bas relief on the Nasi

Stucco images of the front Rajagopuram

Temple chariot used 2016 mahamaham theerthavari festival

Potramarai Kulam - Mahamaham 2016.

This is an updated post of my previous post after Mahamaham 2016 visit. Second time also visited as a Divya Desam Temples Visit organised by Culture Circuits. on 10th and 11th of February 2024.

After the holy dip in mahamaham tanks and darshan of Sri Chakrapani, went to Sri Sarangapani Temple, during this MAHAMAHAM 2016. Since the general Q was very long due to holiday and Mahamaha crowd also added. So Purchased quick darshan ticket for Rs 30 and had the darshan of Sri Sarangapani and Sri Kamalavalli thayar.

Rajagopuram entrance dwarapalakas

மாட்டிக்கொண்ட சிங்கம்

---OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA---

..............To be continued.

Chakrapani Temple / சக்கரபாணி கோயில், கும்பகோணம் and Mahamaham Tank, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th March, 2016.

SRI CHAKRAPANI TEMPLE

This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the temple is located near Mahamaham Tank.

Inside view of Rajagopuram, Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam

Moolavar : Sri Chakrapani

Thayar : Sri Vijayalakshmi Thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are....

Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Panchamuga Anjaneyar in the outer prakaram. The sanctum was built on an elevated place with steps. It has two entrances, one is called as Dhatchinaya Vayil and other is called as Utharavana Vayil and both are alternatively kept open for darshan for six months. Moolavar is in the form of Chakkara with three eyes like Lord Shiva and also called as ChakkaraRaja. Thayar is in a separate sannadhi.

LEGENDS

The history of the temple goes like this... Mahavishnu – Sri Sarangapani sent his disc to destroy the demon Jalandarasura. After killing the Chakra came and rest on Brahma who was doing yagna on the banks of river Kaveri. On seeing the brightness of Chakra Sun increases it’s brightness and all the sun’s brightness was observed by Chakra. On seeing this Sun surrendered to Chakra and Built a temple and worshiped.

The place where, Chakra reappeared after killing demon is called as Chakra Padithurai on the banks of River Kaveri.

The temple was built during 16^th century by Nayakars reign.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Shiva Temples are…

1. Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

2. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

3. Someswarar Temple,

4. Nageswaraswamy Temple,

5. Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

6. Gauthameswarar Temple,

7. Kodeeswarar Temple,

8. Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

9. Banapuriswarar Temple,

10. Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11. Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12. EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

1. Sarangapani Temple,

2. Chakrapani Temple,

3. Ramaswamy Temple,

4. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

5. Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The land line no 0435 – 2403284 may be contacted for further details.

http://www.srichakrapanitemple.org/

http://mahamahamfestival.in/

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Moolavar vimanam view through grill work

Temple entrance arch with Dwajasthambam

Rajagopuram,

Rajagopuram with old hand made tiled house

..............To be continued.

Mahamaham Tank

I was not very serious of attending the Mahamaham to be held at Kumbakonam once in 12 years and this year it was held between Feb 13^th to 22^nd, 2016. One of my friend Mr Alex, called me on Mahamaham day and asked me about my program. Also people who could not take a holy dip on Masi magam nakshatra day, can have the holy dip on any one of the day of Tamil Masi Month ( February – March ). So planned to visit Kumbakonam on 13^th March 2016. The procedure is after the holy dip in all the 20 wells, we have to take the holy dip in Potramarai Kulam and River Kaveri. During Feb 13^th to 22^nd water in the Cauvery was released from Kallanai. During Mahamaham festival water spray arrangement was made on all 20 wells. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.

Mahamaham Tank – devotees are taking the holy dip

A brief history of the Mahamaham is as follows.....

All the 20 rivers went to Shiva and wants to purify themselves from the sins absorbed by them from the human beings, after taking holy dip in the rivers. Shiva advised all to take bath in the Mahamaham tank on the Mahamaham day where the amirtha was fell in to the tank, and get relieved from the sins.

How the mahamaha day is calculated... The day is decided as per the astrological position : During the full moon day of Tamil month Masi, when the conjunction of moon with the lunar asterism ( Magha Nakshatra ) and when the Jubitor is in constellation of Leo. This festival occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of the Aquarius ( Kumbha ). The Jupiter transit to Leo ( Simha) and the moon is conjunction with the constellation Maham. Generally all these astronomical combination takes place on a full moon day of Tamil month Masi ( Solar Kumbh month ) ie. Latter part of February or first part of March, once in 11 to 12 Years.

There is a story how the amirtha fell in to the Mahamaham Tank... the story goes likes this ... At the end of the Thuvabra yuga before starting of Kali yuga, Brahma put samples of all living beings in a pot ( Kumbam ) of Amrita and kept on the top of mount meru. After the pralayam, the pot/ kumbam floated in the water and reached Kumbakonam. Lord Shiva as a hunter broke the pot with his bow and arrow. The mouth that fallen on the place is called as Kudavasal, The centre of pot that fallen is called as Thirukkalayanallur and the bottom fallen place is called as Kumbakonam. The amirtha fell in Mahamaham tank and the Potramarai Kulam.

On reaching Kumbakonam, my friends Mr Alex and Mr Madham takes care of me and they took me to all the three theertha tanks and Sri Sakkarapani Temple, Sri Sarangapani Temple and Sri Someswarar Temple and finally dropped me at Thiruvisanallur.

MAHAMAHAM TANK:

The tank is in octagonal shape ( Kumbha shape ) with steps. There are 20 wells dedicated to the 20 holy rivers via. It is believed that holy water springs out of each well. There 16 mandapas and a Nava Kannika Temple, built around the Mahamaham Tank. The tank spreads an area of 6.2 acres. Govinda Theekshitan of Nayaka’s chieftain constructed the Mahamaham tank with steps and 16 mandapam’s on the banks of the tank.

LOCATION OF MAHAMAHAM TANK: CLICK HERE

Mahamaham Vaishnava temples and theerthavari route map

Mahamaham Tank – devotees are taking the holy dip

A mandapam with a temple on the banks of Mahamaham tank – on the background is the Kailasanathar temple

A mandapam with a temple on the banks of Mahamaham tank

Mahamaham Tank – devotees are taking the holy dip

Mr Alex friend of mine who takes care of me during the mahamaham yathra

---OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA---

Tuesday 8 March 2016

Maha Shivaratri at Dandeeswarar Temple and Sri- La - sri Chidambaram Periya Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi ( Mandir ), Sri Sarveswarar, Panchamuga Lingam, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

08^th March, 2016.

This year’s mahashivratri went on very well with the darshan of Sri Dhandeeswarar and Sri Sarveswara aka Panchamuga lingeswarar. Both temples are at Velachery, also both are walkable distance from my residence. Sri Dhandeeswarar temple is of 1000 years old and was built during Chozha reign. My son dropped me near the temple and found an unusual crowd with lot of Police to regulate the crowd. 4 kaala poojas ( 21.00 Hrs, 23.00 Hrs, 02.00 Hrs and 04.00 Hrs ) are performed in both the temples.

SRI DHANDEESWARAR TEMPLE

Since Sri Dhandeeswarar temple mandapam is very small and it cannot accommodate more than 10 persons and mostly the donors and local political persons used to occupy. Skipped 1^st kaala pooja, since the crowd was too large and had the darshan of Lord Shiva during other poojas. Even for other poojas it took about an hour to reach the sanctum. The crowd slowly decreased for the 3^rd and 4^th kaala poojas. ( For further Details )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

SRI- LA- SRI CHIDAMBARAM PERIYA SWAMIGAL JEEVA SAMADHI TEMPLE ( MANDIR) –
SRI SARVESWARA – PANCHAMUGA LINGAM.

This Shiva Temple a new one and the moolavar has 4 faces on all four directions and one face is on the top. Most of the time spend in this temple since the crowd was less and seen the abhishekam also. Sri-la-Sri Chidambaram Periya Swamigal, was a siddhar and he was responsible for the reconstruction of Sri Dhandeeswarar Temple after damaged due to age. This temple is unique in construction. The Jeeva Samadhis of Sri-la-Sri Chidambaram Periya Swamigal and his disciple Sri Ambalavanan are surrounded by the sannadhis of Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Sarabeswarar, Ambal, Panchamuga Anjaneyar, Kubera Vishnu, Shiva, Navagrahas and Siddhars. Vinayagar, Anjaneyar, Sakthi has more than one face.

( For further Details )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE