Sarvamangala Sri Rajarajeswari Temple / நங்கநல்லூர் சர்வமங்கள ராஜராஜேஸ்வரி கோயில் / அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ வித்யா ராஜராஜேஸ்வரி திருக்கோயில், நங்கநல்லூர் / Nanganallur / Nangai-Nallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

06^th August 207.

How the place Nanganallur has  got its name ?..Since Sri Raja Rajeswari as a 16 years old young  girl, blesses us  from her shrine on the16^th Street  Thillai Ganga Nagar, Nanganallur. Originally the place was called as Nangai-Nallur,  latter changed to  Nanganallur,  This Rajarajeswari temple is a Private temple of Sri Rajarajeswari Ashram ( AVR TRUST ) headed by Sri Rajagopala Swamigal.

The temple is facing east with an entrance from North. The temple is constructed like a big house. Sannidhi for Thathathreyar, Bairavar are immediately after the entrance on the both sides. Main sanctum  is in an elevated level with 16 steps. To reach the main shrine we have to circumambulate from left to right after worshiping Ganesha and Durga. Since Ambal is installed on mahameru with yantars, gents are asked to remove shirt and banians to absorb the good waves emanating from the main sanctum. The special pooja in this temple is the Kungum pooja. It will be supplied along with archana and has to be deposit in the Box along with name, birth star, Thithi, Tithi Nithya. When Sri Rajagopala Swamigal touches the kungum packet, the person who had deposited wishes will come in the mind of Swamiji.

Dwajasthambam and Simha vahanam are  before the entrance of the main sanctum steps. At the start of the step sanga nidhi and Padmanidhi on both sides of the steps.  There are 16 steps on purva paksha ( climbing side ) and 16 steps on amara paksham ( climbing down side ) with Ambal’s incarnation statues  on each step with Agasthya Munivars hymn engraved below that.

LEGENDS AND HISTORY

As per the legend Ambal forced Sri Rajagopala Swamigal to built a temple after quitting the Bank job. The work was started with a donation of Rs 101 from Pournami mami followed by Sivasankari Ammaiyar, who donated Rs 1000.00. All the contributions came from his disciples. Ambal was shifted to this new place in 1970 ( Ambal temple was existed since ancient times on the same place where a new temple was constructed ). The temple was built not as per the agama. And poojas are conducted as per Sri Vidya procedure, hence the Sivachariyar cannot do pooja. Sri Rajagopala Swamigal trained his disciples to carryout the pooja. As per Ambal’s direction, the Ambal was installed on Pinathu place as per merupirastharam. 

The special pooja in this temple is the Kungum pooja. It will be supplied along with archana and the same has to be deposited in the Box ( Archana Kungum has to be purchased only in the temple ). 

It is believed that Agasthiyar and Thirumoolar worshiped Ambal of this temple ( as per hearsay that Amabl temple existed on the same place ) and Power will be there for another 1000 years.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.45 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

AVR Trust may be contacted 98406 65956 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is on the 16^th street, Thillai Ganga Nagar, Nanganallur.

Very near to the NangaNallur subway which connects Mount Road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---  

Sri Muneeswaran, at Konachi Amman Temple, Paduvanchery, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

..... a continuation post to Sri Thiripurasundari samedha Sri Kailasanathar Temple – A Heritage Visit

30^th July 2017.

After lunch we had planned to visit Kovilanchery Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneeswarar. Since we lost the route and landed Paduvanchery Konachi Amman Temple.

This Muneeswarar is not so tall and stout  like Kovilanchery Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneswarar. This Muneeswarar is in the midst of paddy fields and during cultivation one has to walk  along the periphery of the paddy fields. There is no direct access to the Konatchi Amman Temple. The Muneeswarar is made of Stucco and a small Muneeswarar sannadhi is at the base. The base is very simple with out any images. Muneeswarar hold a sickle in his right hand and sitting on a base with left leg folded and right leg is resting on a demon’s head. Looks like a Youth. During our visit Aadi month annual celebration was in progress.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

                                          ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---    

Sri Tripura Sundari Sametha Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Paduvanchery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

... a continuation Post to M S Subbulakshmi and Kanchi Mahaswami Gallery – A Heritage visit

30^th July 2017.

This temple just before the Paduvanchery Muneeswarar Temple ( புதுவஞ்சேரி முனீஸ்வரர் கோவில் ). The Temple is small and was built in recent years. 

Moolavar    : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort      : Sri Tripura Sundari

Some of the important features are.

The temple is facing east with entrance from west. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi are in the prakaram.

Sannadhi for Ambal,  Navagrahas, Siva chandran, Suryan, Hanuman, Shiva Lingam, and bairavar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The gate is kept open and Pooja is conducted once in a Day.

HOW TO REACH:

Paduvanchery is very near to Agaram then and Town buses are available from Tambaram.

About 5 KM from Medavakkam and about 10 KM from Tambaram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

.... To be Continued to Sri Konachi Amman and Sri Muneeswarar Temple, Paduvanchery – A Heritage visit.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

M S Subbulakshmi Gallery and Mahaswami Gallery and sri Kanchi MahaSwami Vidya Mandir, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

... A Continuation post to Pancha Pandava Cave temple – Pallavaram – A Heritage Visit

30^th July 2017.

Our first visit after breakfast was to this MS Subbulakshmi Gallery. The Gallery is inside the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir and the inside school atmosphere looked like a temple. This building was inaugurated on 04^th June 2010 his holiness Shri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

MAHASWAMI GALLERY

This Gallery is in the right side the same Gallery in the Ground and first floor. This has the portraits of Mahaswami and his wax images, photos of Sankaracharyar’s since 55 BC. An one lakhs  Rudraksha lingam is kept at the Ground floor.

  one lakhs  Rudraksha lingam 

MS SUBBULAKSHMI GALLERY

A permanent gallery was set up  for the contribution she had done to the Kanchi Mutt and the Music. The Photos of M S Subbulakshmi, with institutions and great personalities,  the Musical instrument in metal as gift She received and her portraits & the statue are on display. Instead of writing something I thought of reproducing the display of her life at the Gallery.

Bharat Ratna

Dr Smt M.S.Subbulakshmi

The singing legend lives on

1916-20014

As artist extraordinaire, MS had the unique ability to transform the singing experience from mundane to the divine. A rich resonant timbre, complete sruti arrangement, correct diction and raga bhava. It was a rare combination  that created the legend. Unlike today’s musicians trapped in external fineries. MS had an instinctive feel for the meaning of the text and each word so aptly selected, stood out like a gem.

Subbulakshmi or Kunjamma as she was fondly called, was the daughter of Madurai Shanmukhavadivu, a veena player, with a violinist sister, a brother who played the mridangam and the mellifluous environs of Madurai, singing came more naturally to her than talking. So her first performance  came at the age of ten and music became the habit of a lifetime, as did awards and adulation.

After her marriage in 1940, her husband and freedom fighter T Sadasivam, took charge of her career. In fact, when she was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 1998, she said ‘on this occasion, I cannot, but think of loving care and guidance I received from my late husband, all through my life’

Despite her husband’s support, M S was a feminist. Having breached the bastion of male singers, She was happy to see an increasing number of women enrolling in music colleges and singing in temple festivals. In 1968 when the Music Academy honoured her with the Sangeetha Kalanidhi, she said, “In conferring  this honour, the Academy has sought to honour the momanhood of this country”.

While Sitar maestro Pt Ravi Shankar popularised Hindustani classical music abroad, MS introduced Carnatic music to the west. Her biggest Contribution  to Carnatic music  was the revival of kritis of the 15^th century composer, Annammacharya. She also acted in four films : Sevasadanam, Sakuntalai, Savitiri and Meera.

After meera, Mahatma Gandhi picked her  to sing two of his  favourite bhajans, ‘ vaishnava janato and Hari turn haro jan ki bhir” After the film Meera, she decided to dedicate herself to classical and devotional  music. A Musician who bridged the regional gap. MS sang in ten languages, be it Marathi abhanga, Hindi bhajans, verses of Guru Nanak or Rabindra Sangeet.

MS was indeed an icon who could bring the world to its knees, her renderings moved violinist Yehudi Menuhin to tears. Ustad Bade Chulam Ali Khan called her Surswaralakshmi Subbulakshmi, while  Helen Keller once said “You sing like an angel”

MS Could captivate people with an occasional lift of an eyebrow and a beatific smile meant not for the audience, but for the divine. She once said, “Indian music is oriented  solely for divine communication. If I have done something in this respect, it is entirely due to the grace of the Almighty, who has chosen my humble self as a tool”.

MS is not dead. She is alive in the temples, Suprabhatham, kritis and bhajans.

She will remain in that divine Voice forever.

.....To be Continued to Sri Thiripurasundary samedha Sri Kailasanathar Temple – A Heritage Visit

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Panchapandava Cave at Pallavaram, a Pallava Period Rock Cut Cave, now as Mosque / Dargah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

.... A continuation post to Hazrath Syed Badrudeen Dargah, Pallavaram – A Heritage Visit.

30^th July 2017.

The Pallavaram has the prehistoric connection, in which Robert Bruce Foote had discovered a Paleolithic  tool ( Hand axe ) in Pallavaram Hills during 1863 AD. A 5 cell rock cut cave temple was excavated by the Pallava King  Mahendravarman-I, during 7^th century AD, like Mamandur, Mahabalipuram, Trichy  and Mandagapattu.  Through this the area was named as Pallavapuram which latter turned to Pallavaram. The rock cut Cave temple  was dedicated to Brahma, Shiva,  Vishnu and deities installed in the other two cells are not known.  The central cell is projecting in the  front compared to other five cells.  How this hill has got Panchapandavar malai and cave as Pancha Pandava cave temple, do not know and there is no evidence or record is available. The Cave temple had huge pillars and Pilasters.  The beam has the inscription of Mahendravarman–I.

If any body goes through these details, tries to locate and visit, definitely will get  disappointed.  The cave has been taken over the Muslims, a Mogul architecture Dargah (ASTHANA-E-MOULA ALI (A.S) DARGAH (WAKF) has been constructed abutting the cave temple. Floors and walls has been fixed with tiles and the front elevation looks like a Mosque or Dargah. The road leading to the cave temple also has been changed as Dargah Road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

The old drawing of the cave 

The present dargah 

The present dargah interior 

The entrance 

..... To be Continued M S Subbulakshmi and Kanchi Mahaswami Gallery – A Heritage visit

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hazrath Syed Badrudeen Shaheed Dargah, Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

... A continuation Post to Dilli Paalaachi Amman and Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneeswarar Temple, Kovilanchery – A Heritage Visit

30^th July 2017.

Though this dargah was not in the list of our Heritage Visit, we landed this Dargah by accident. When we inquired the route for the Pallavaram Masque, the locals guided to this Darga. Mr Venkatesh told that this Dargah is  also a historically important site and referred Mr Kombai Anvar’s article appeared in Hindu.

One of the remains of the war between Portuguese and Golkonda & Bijapur Sultans at Santhome is this Hazrath Syed Badrudeen Shaheed Dargah on Dargah Road Pallavaram. The 16^th century Santhome Fort was attacked many times by the British, Dutch, French,  Vijayanagar, Bijapur & Golkonda Sultanates.

In 1646, the Golkonda Sultane forces attacked Santhome Portuguese Fort under the command of Mir Jumla with a cannon borrowed from British of Fort St George. In this war Badrudin of Golkonda cavalry also participated as a horseman. He replaced the Portuguese flag with Golkonda Flag after scaling the walls of the Fort. While he was returning back to celebrate this victory he was attacked by the Portuguese sailor from behind and severely cut his head. As per the legend Badrudin took his head in one hand, climbed on the horse and rode along with his mother and brother. ( the fact may be different. He might have partially cut his head or might have grievously injured ). On the way he died at Pallavaram and buried. Through this extraordinary act of miracle and will power, he is being treated as a saint.

  

His Mother and brother stayed at Pallavaram and after their death their bodies are  also buried next to him. His horse and the dog was also buried at the entrance of the Dargah and separate structures were raised.

INSCRIPTIONS

As per SII -Volume 10, No 780, inscribed on three sides of stone slab in Telegu.

States that one Sheik Musa Miyya Sahib built a peta, established a market, had wells dug, formed a garden called Ibhuram Bag after Syed Ibrahim Sahib and constructed chavadis, all at Pallavaram.

HOW TO REACH:

Badrudeen Dargah is on the Dargah Road Pallavaram. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 May be for his horse / Dog 

May be for his horse / Dog 

 .... to be Continued Panchapandava Cave temple – Pallavaram – A Heritage Visit      
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Dilli Paalaachi Amman and Sri Thaanimarathu Muniswarar Temple / Muneeswaran Temple, Kovilanchery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- A Heritage Walk.

...A Continuation Post to Sri Dhenupureeswarar Temple,

30^th July 2017.

Sri  Thaanimaraththu  Muniswarar  is in the premises of Sri Dilli Paalaachi Amman Temple, a village deity of Kovilanchery near Tambaram and Medavakkam. Sri Thaanimaraththu Muniswarar is  51 feet tall and  one of the tallest  stucco statues available in & around Chennai and sitting under open to Sky. ( Nandambakkam Muneeswarar is 48 feet ). Near to this there is a small Karuppanasamy installed on the banks of the temple tank.

One day Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneeswaran  came in the dream of  Sri V.  Vinayagam Swamikal one of the devotee,  to install a tall statue for him. With the public contribution Sri V.  Vinayagam Swamikal installed this statue of 51 feet high and painted with light green colour in the year 2014 AD. Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneeswaran is in sitting posture on a pedestal with his right leg resting on a demon. The pedestal has the image of Arjuna with a chariot and horse. In addition to this the seven forms of Muneeswarar, Ganesha, Amman sitting on a lion & Subramaniyar, female goddess, are found around the pedestal. Elephants, Horses, Nandhis, Swans are also found in the pedestal.

He is holding a sickle in his right and a mace in the left. He looks ferocious & eyes wide open with a big mustache. The images of Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma on all four sides of his crown.  In his ornament images of Sakthi Amman ( may be Dilli Paalaachi Amman ), Hanuman and Gajalakshmi. At the base of the Pedestal a Shiva Linga with Muneeswarar face with Nandhi. It is believed that Shiva Linga is Sri Thaanimaraththu Muneeswarar. 

HOW TO REACH:

Kovilanchery is about 5 KM distance from Medavakkam and 15 KM from Tambaram.

From Medavakkam to Mambakkam via Pomar bus get down at Kovilanchery and the temple is about a KM distance off the main road.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Sri Karuppannaswami

 Sri Dilli Paalaachi Amman temple 

 The team of heritage enthusiasts

…. To be continued Hazarath Syed Badrudeen Dargah, Pallavaram – A Heritage Visit.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---