Tuesday 3 July 2018

Tirthankaras of Onampakkam, The remains of Jainism in Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. AHIMSA WALK.

01-06-2018.
This is the third Ahimsa walk by the Tamil Jains and my second visit to this Hill. This hill is about 3 km away from the Village Onampakkam. This hill is called in different names like Karuppangundru, Kurathi Malai, Kuravan Malai,  Nagamalai, etc.. During our first visit with the members of the R.E.A.C.H Foundation, we found very difficult to locate this hill. Also we could not see the beds and medicine grinding pit during my first Visit.

After having our breakfast, the 55th Ahimsa walk was flagged off and lead  by  Sri Lakshmi Sena Padaraka Swamikal, the head of Mel Sithamur Jain mutt. The Walk passed up to the Venmani road junction (Koot) and from there reached through Van. Students, Scholars  of Tamil Jain’s community and members of other religions also participated in this walk. A small function was organized at the foothill under a  temporarily erected shamiyana. The Speakers expressed their views on Jainism and stressed the need for saving this rich heritage value hill with the Tirthankaras from the illegal / legal quarrying.  Had our lunch and started our return journey to Chennai after thanking the organizers Mr Sridharan, Dr Ajitha dass, Mr Rajendra Prasath and Mrs. Sasikala

The Details of the Tirthankaras are…
The steps are constructed by the Jain Community during 2011.  Sri Parshvanath was chiseled on a boulder like a small shrine, facing east. Yaksha and Yakshi are clearly shown. Two samara are also shown above. On the above boulder we could find the Tamil vattezhuthu inscription, which speaks about the person who chiseled this image.

Little above this Parshvanath, there is a Tirthankara image facing west. This Tirthankara image is in sitting posture in  artha pariyanga asanam. A parabai with jwala is shown above his head. Two samaratharis are also shown. Without the lanchanam, we couldn’t identify this Tirthankara.

Little above, on the same boulder, we could see the Mahavir image, the 24th Tirthankara. Two samaratharis and two angels are also shown. On the base 7 small simha reliefs are carved.

On the top of the hill, beds are chiseled on a boulder. Usually the herbal medicine grinding pit must be available near the beds, but here the same available at the base of the hill, about 50 meters from the hill. It was told that there is a remains of brick structure on the hill, believed to be built for the Jain monks to run a school.
LOCATION:CLICK HERE

தீர்த்தங்கரர்கள் – ஓணம்பாக்கம் மலையின் சமணரின் தொல்லியல் எச்சங்கள் – 55வது அஹிம்சை நடை.
01, ஜூலை 2018.
இம்மலைக்கு அஹிம்சை நடையின் சார்பாகச் செல்வது மூன்றாவது முறையாயினும் எனக்கும் இது இரண்டாவது முறை ஆகும். இம்மலை ஓணம்பாக்கம் கிராமத்தில் இருந்து சுமார் 3 கிமி தூரத்தில் இருக்கின்றது. ஓணம்பாக்கம் மலை கருப்பங்குன்று, குரத்திமலை, குரவன் மலை, நாகமலை என பல பெயர்களால் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றது. நான் கடந்த முறை R.E.A.C.H foundation  மூலமாக கல்வெட்டு பாடம் பயிலும் போது சென்று இருந்தேன். மிகவும் சிரமப்பட்டுத்தான் இம்மலைக்கு செல்ல வேண்டி இருந்தது. கடந்த முறை சமணர் படுக்கைகளையும், மருந்து அரைக்கப் பயன்படுத்தப்பட்ட குழியையும் காணாததால், இம்முறை காண வேண்டிய ஆவலே அதிகமாக இருந்தது.

இந்த அஹிம்சை நடையை சென்னையில் இருந்து மூன்று சிற்றுந்துகள் மூலம் சுமார் 40 பேரும் மற்ற ஊர்களில் இருந்து சுமார் 60 பேரும் வந்து இருந்து சிறப்பித்தனர். இதில் மாணவர்கள், அறிஞர்கள், தொல்லியல் ஆர்வலர்கள் மற்றும் சமணர் அல்லாது வேற்று மதத்தவரும் அடங்குவர். காலைச் சிற்றுண்டிக்குப் பிறகு  மேல் சிதாமூரின் தலைமை ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி சேன பட்டாரக சுவாமிகள் கொடி அசைத்து துவக்கி வைத்து அவரும் வழி நடத்த அஹிம்சை நடை மலையை நோக்கி சென்றது. அஹிம்சையையும், சமணமதத்தின்  கொள்கைகளையும், ஓணம்பாக்கம் சமண தொன்மை சின்னங்களை பாதுகாக்க வலியுறுத்தியும், அதில் அவ்வூர் மக்களின் பங்களிப்பையும் பாராட்டி கோசங்கள் எழுப்பிய வண்ணம் ஊர்வலம் வெண்மணி கூட்டு சாலையை அடைந்தது. பின்பு அங்கு இருந்து வாகனங்களில் மலையை அடைந்தோம்.

மலை மீது செதுக்கப்பட்ட தீர்த்தங்கரர்கள் மற்றும் பார்சுவநாதரையும் வணங்கிவிட்டு மலை உச்சியில் பெரிய கற்பாறை மீது வெட்டப்பட்ட சமணத் துறவிகளுக்காக வெட்டப்பட்ட படுக்கைகளைக் காணச் சென்றோம். வழி சிறுது குறுகலாகவும் ஓரிடத்தில் பாறையின் அடியே தவழ்ந்தும், உடலைக்குறுக்கியும் செல்ல வேண்டி இருந்தது. இதுவரை கண்ட சமணர் படுக்கைகளில் மருந்து அரைக்கப் பயன்படும் குழிகள் படுக்கைகளின் அருகிலேயே வெட்டப்பட்டு  இருக்கும், ஆனால் இங்கோ மலையின் அடிவாரத்தில் இருந்து சுமார் 50 மீட்டர் தொலைவில் இருந்த பாறையில் வெட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது. அடுத்து மலையின் அடிவாரத்தில் அமைக்கப்பட்டு இருந்த பந்தலின் கீழ் ஒரு கூட்டம் அக்கூட்டத்தில் அறிஞர் பெருமக்கள் சமணம் சார்ந்து உரை ஆற்றிய பின்பு கவுரவிக்கப்பட்டனர். இடையே சுவாமிகள் உரை நிகழ்த்தி ஆசிவழங்கினார். மாணவ மாணவியருக்கு நோட்டுப் புத்தகங்களும் வழங்கப்பட்டன. மதிய உணவுக்குப்பிறகு இந்த 55வது அஹிம்சை நடாத்திய திரு ஸ்ரீதரன், திரு அஜிததாஸ், திரு தனஞ்ஜயன், திரு ராஜேந்திரபிரசாத்,  இவர்களுடன் திருமதி சசிகலா அவர்களுக்கும் நன்றி கூறி சென்னையை நோக்கித் திரும்பலானோம்.

மலையின் மீது இருந்த தீர்த்தங்கள் பற்றி..
முதல் நிலையில் சன்னதி போன்ற அமைப்பில் கிழக்கு நோக்கி நின்ற நிலையில் பார்சுவநாதர். இருபுறமும் இயக்கனும் இயக்கியும். மேலே சாமரம் மட்டும் காட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது. இதை வெட்டியவரின் பெயர் வட்டெழுத்தில் வெட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது.

சிறிது மேலே பெரிய பாறையில் மேற்கு நோக்கி தீர்த்தங்கரர் அமர்ந்த நிலையில் வெட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தது. தீர்த்தங்கரர் தலையின் பின்புறம் பிரபையில் தீ ஜுவாலையும் செதுக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தது. இரு சாமரதாரிகளும் காட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தனர். லாஞ்சனம் எதுவும் காட்டப்படாததால் இவர் யார் என இனம் காணக்கூட வில்லை.

இன்னும் சிறிது மேலே உயரத்தில் மஹாவீரர் புடைச்சிற்பம் சாமரதாரிகளுடன். பீடத்தின் கீழே சிறியதாக 7 சிம்மங்கள் வெட்டப்பட்டு இருந்தன.   

அமைவிடம்: CLICK HERE

 Tirthankara - Mahavir
 Tirthankara
 Parshvanath
 The Tamil  inscriptions. The content is -  Sri Vasutheva padaram seivitha uruvaram.....parivaram...
 Mountain view with medicine grinding pit
 Sri Lakshmi sena Padaraka swamiji of Mel sithamur Jain Mutt addressing before Ahimsa walk 
 Swamiji flagging of the 55th ahimsa walk
 Swamiji leads the walk 
 Ahimsa walk ends  at Venmani koot road


 Swamiji handing over a cheque for the beneficiary 
 Mr Sridhar preparing for the TV Telecast.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 2 July 2018

Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Swamy / Vaidyesvara Temple, Talakadu, Karnataka.

17th June 2018.
This Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Swamy Shiva temple is one of the Shiva temples of Panchalinga Temples in and around of Talakadu. Sri Pataleshwar Temple, Maruleshwara Temple and Vaidyanatheshwara Temples are near to each other and Arkeshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temples are out side Talakadu. We had visited the three Shiva temples out of 5 Shiva Temples in Talakadu.  This temple is at the entrance of the Talakadu Village maintained by Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI). The temple was completely submerged in the sand dunes till recent years. The same was cleared during 1911 CE by ASI. There is an interesting local legend behind this, which is given below.  


Moolavar : Sri Vaidyanatheshwara Swamy

Some of the important details are ….
The temple is facing east with out any Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and a Dwajasthambam are immediately after the entrance. A stucco nandi is on a platform in the south side prakaram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
This Sri Vaidyeswara temple complex was built during 10th century Gangas and patronized by the latter kings Chozha, Hoysalas, Vijayanagaras and Wodeyars of Mysuru / Mysore. Since the exact period is not known, some claims that the temple was built by Madhavamandri ( 1350 CE ) an eminent minister of the Vijayanagara King Harihara – I.  

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, Artha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Urchavars/ processional deities with Nataraja are in the maha mandapam. Ambal sannadhi is on the north west of the same complex. The sanctum vimana was built with stucco ( Lime and mortar) built during 17th century.  Huge Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Maha mandapam. The belly looks like Rishaba /bull’s face is worth to see.


 Bull face 

The niches are filled with decorative gods and goddess images like Mahishamardini, Brahma, Saraswathi, Surya, Ganesha riding on a mouse ( mooshika ), Kangalamurthy,  Veerabhadra, Tripurantaka, Chandrasekara, Mohini, Lakshmi, Bhairava, Varadharaja, Nataraja,  of Vijayanagara period.

 Mahishasuramardini
Pichadanar

The base was constructed with sribandha adhisthana consists of upana, jagati, katakavrita, kumuda, gala, kapotha carved with muktagrasas.  The face of the jagati has the murals of a row of bansas and elephants. The pillars of the assembly hall are of bhadrakanda type of Vijayanagara architecture. The ceiling of the mukamandapa is built in nabhichchbanda style. The lalada of the doorway has the relief of Gajalakshmi. On the above a relief of Umamaheswara seated in sukhasana.

 Monkey relief on the kodungai
LEGENDS
As per the local legend, during 17th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…
 
"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
Talakadu ia bout 29 KM from T Narasipura and 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.
KSRTC buses are available fro T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE



 Mahishamardini
 Kongu, Avanashi Sthalapurana
 Veerabhadra
 Kannappanayanar
 Ganesha riding on Mooshika
 single face with 4 monkeys 
 Saraswathi
 Arumugar
 Iyyanar with Poorna & Puskala his consorts
The elephant head bird
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Saturday 30 June 2018

Sri Maruleshwara Temple / Sri Maraleshwara Temple, Talakadu, Karnataka.

17th June 2018.
This Sri Maruleshwara Shiva temple is one of the Shiva temples of Panchalinga Temples in and around of Talakad. Sri Pataleshwara / Pataleshwar Temple, Maruleshwara Temple and Vaidyanatheshwara Temples are near to each other and Arkeshwara temple and Mallikarjuna temples are out side Talakad. We had visited the three Shiva temples out of 5 Shiva Temples in Talakadu.  These three temples are once under sand dunes. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) during 1970s and protective walls are also constructed around the temple. This may be due change of direction of Kaveri River  or due to flood. But there is a local legend behind this phenomena.


Moolavar : Sri Maruleshwara

Some of the important details are…
This temple is also facing east of about 20 feet below the ground level with protective walls. A Hero stone and half buried statues are out side the sanctum. It was believed that the moolavar Shiv linga was installed and worshiped by Brahma. Moolavar Maruleshwara is little large made out of sand stone also called as Saikateshwara ( Sand ). ( Maralu in kannada means sand ). Gangas period murtis of Maheswarar, Vishnu, Ambiga, Pickshadanar, Durgai, Murugan/ Kartikeya, Surya, and Vinayagar are in the artha mandapam. 

ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and Artha mandapam. The sanctum plinth has jagathi, kumuda, gala and mahapatti makes the plinth as padabandha adhisthana. The vimana above the sanctum was built during recent years.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was believed that the this temple was constructed by Gangas during 10th Century.

LEGENDS
As per the local legend, during 17th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…
 
"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
Talakadu ia bout 29 KM from T Narasipura and 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.
KSRTC buses are available fro T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Hero stone
 half buried statues 
 Pickshadanar
 Vishnu
  
Durga and Karthikeya
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thursday 28 June 2018

Sri Keerthi Narayana Temple / ஸ்ரீ கீர்த்திநாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், at Talakadu / தலகாடு, Karnataka State.

17th June 2018.
Talakadu near Mysuru / Mysore is known as Dalavanapura and Gajaranya in Sanskrit was the capital of Gangas from 4th to 10th century. Gangas were succeeded by Chozhas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and Mysore Wodeyars. This temple was once completely covered with sand dunes and excavated during 1911 CE.  The Temple is presently under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI). There is an interesting legend ( Alamelamma's Curse ) behind this, which is given at the end of this article.  


Moolavar : Sri Keerthi Narayana
Thayar    : Sri Sundaravalli

Some of the important details are...
The temple is facing east  with Dwara mandapam and a Palipedam. Thayar Sundaravalli is in Dwara mandapam, may be a base of Rajagopuram without the super structure. The moolavar is about 8 feet high,  holding conch and disc in the upper hands, stands in samabhanga posture on a lotus pedestal. Urchavar or the procession deity Vishnu with Bhudevi and Sridevi are in front.

ARCHITECTURE
The main sanctum was built out of granite in Hoysala – Dravida style. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a mandapam with three entrances built over a large plinth with jagati has on plan a stellate garbhagriha. The mandapa  or the navranga is spacious, has lathe turned  pillars and ceiling adorned by creeper scrolls, lotuses and other floral designs. The mandapa pillars has the reliefs of Ramanuja, Nammazhwar, Vedantha Desikar and Ugra Narasimha are in the artha mandapam pillars.



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per the inscriptions ( Epigrapia Carnatica ) this temple was built and consecrated on the 7th December 1117 CE, the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate the Victory over Chozhas. The title of “Talakadugonda”  was assumed after this victory. It was told that the Sri Ramanuja was behind the victory. The place also renamed as Talakadu from Rajarajapuram, which was changed during Chozha's rule. From the Kannada inscriptions Talakad was guarded by the chieftains Adhiyaman, Narasimhavarman and Thikulathaman of Chozha Kings. In the battle Adhiyaman was asked to surrender by the Vishnuvardhana's chieftain Veeragangan. In turn Adhiyaman replied that he can take Talakad after their victory. In the battle Chozhas were defeated and Adhiyaman was Killed. Through the Victory Veeragangan assumed the title of "Veeragangan who conquered thikula ( Chozhas in Kannada )". As per the inscriptions this place was called as Talaikadu. 

To Commemorate the Victory, Vishnuvardhana constructed the kesava temple at his capital Velapur / Belur, which was then known as Vijaya Narayana Temple.  

Chozha period Tamil  inscriptions are also found on the pedestal and lathe turned pillars.  The Tamil inscription on the back side of the temple adhistanam records the endowment of burning a  lamps and the donations given to this Kirthinarayana Temple. 

The sanctum vimana was collapsed due to rain in 2002 and the total sanctum sanctorum was dismantled and rebuilt by A S I.

 Tamil inscriptions
Tamil inscriptions




LEGENDS
As per the local legend, during 17th century, the Mysore king  Raja wodeyar made Tirumalaraja also known as Ranga Raya as a care taker of Srirangapatna. His second wife Alamelamma took over when her husband left for Talakadu. She had a lot of jewelleries. When her husband was infected with a incurable decease, She headed towards Talakadu. When she was Travelling to talakadu, the Mysore king send his army people to rob the Jewelleries of Alamelamma. Fearing from the Raja Wodeyars army, She threw all the jewelleries in to the River Kaveri and ends her life by jumping in to the river. Before jumping she gave a curse…
 
"Talakadu Maralaagi (Talakadu become sandy – தலக்காடு மணல்மேடாகட்டும்).

Malingi Maduvaagi (Malingi become whirlpool – மலிங்கி மடுவாகட்டும் ).

Mysore dhorege makkalagade hogali (Mysore kings never have children – மைசூர் மன்னனுக்கு வாரிசு இல்லாமல் போகட்டும்)."

To prove Alamelamma’s curse, the complete Talakadu was submerged under sand dunes and the same was excavated during 1911 by ASI. ( The actual reason may be due to the flood in the river and might have changed its course ).  The Mysore Kings don’t have Children till 20th Century. It was learnt that the present King had a Child during recent years. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 18.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:
Talakadu is about 29 KM from T Narasipura, 45 KM from Mysore and 130 KM from Bangalore.
KSRTC buses are available from T Narasipura and Mysore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :    CLICK HERE




I extend my sincere thanks to Mr John Peter, Former archaeologist & Teacher to take us to all the temples and explained us the details. And also extend my thanks to the participants Mr Srinivasan, Mrs Sakthi Prakash, Mr Sadasivam and Mr Raghu.

Visited 2nd time during “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- on 30th July 2023 organised by the FB Group தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி".  
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---