VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Friday 18 October 2024

Buddhism in Chozha country, Buddha of Buddhamangalam, Nagapattinam District, Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur, Thiruvarur District, Manambadi in Thanjavur District, Nageswara Swamy Temple, in Kumbakonam, and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram in Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Buddha Sculptures and Buddha Temple at Thiruvarur, Buddha Mangalam, Mannargudi, and Manambadi was a part of the “Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, and Buddha Temples Visit around Nagapattinam and Kumbakonam” on 4^th and 28th to 29th September, 2024. Most of the times, I used to travel and visit the Village temples, with the route guidance of Google Maps. But the journey to the Buddha Temple at Buddhamangalam through an untar-topped bumpy Village Road, without a BSNL internet connection, and without Google map location, was a different experience. Thanks to Dr. Jambulingam, for his book on “Buddhism in Chozha Country” and his Guidance.

சோழர்கள் காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த புத்தர் சிற்பங்களைத் தேடி ஒரு பயணம்… நாகபட்டினம், திருவாரூர் மற்றும் தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டங்களில் உள்ள அதிகம் அறியபடாத கிராமங்களில்… முனைவர் திரு ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயாவின் "சோழநாட்டில் பௌத்தம்" என்ற புத்தகத்தின் வழிகாட்டுதலுன்…

Thiruvarur Buddha

BUDDHA OF THYAGARAJA TEMPLE, THIRUVARUR.

This Buddha is in the Museum of Thyagaraja Temple, at Thiruvarur. This Buddha was unearthed from the Village Kandiramanickam, near Kudavasal, while doing an excavation. The Buddha idol measures 63 inches tall and 33 inches wide. This Buddha idol may belong to the 11th to 12th century CE.

The Buddha is in a dhyana posture. Dharmachakra is on the palm facing up. The Buddha is shown with a tilak on the forehead, open eyes, swirl hair, Ushnisha on top of his head, elongated earlobes, and a beautiful smile on his face. The folding of the dress is shown on his left side chest.

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA: CLICK HERE

Dharma Chakra

BUDDHA OF BUDDHA MANGALAM.

This Buddha Temple is in front of Kilvelur Regulated Market at Buddhamangalam. The name of this place Buddhamangalam and the location of the Buddha Temple are not updated in Google Maps.

Thailand Buddha devotees built this Buddhamangalam Buddha Temple for an abandoned idol in this Village. The Buddha idol was in a disintegrated condition. The head and legs are joined together with rods inserted after drilling. The Buddha is in ardha padmasana sitting posture with dhyana mudra. His eyes are open, and his ear lobes are elongated. The dharma chakra is on the palm, facing up. The folding of the dress is shown on his left chest.

LEGENDS

As per the local legend, to get rain, chilli is ground with water and applied on the head and garland with erukkan poo ( calotropis ) to Buddha. The rain will come immediately. The Locals pray to Buddha as -'மழையை வரவை சாமி'- Oh God, please bring the Rain.

CONTACT DETAILS

Raja the caretaker’s mobile number +9199940 33685 may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH

To reach Buddhamangalam, on Nagapattinam to Thiruvar, From Nagapattinam ) Turn right at Kilverur Temple Chariot Shed / Anchuvattathu Amman Thiru Their, proceed for about 170 meters and turn left on Kurumangudi to Eravanchery to Keezh Velur road, after about 650 meters turn right and proceed straight up to kil velur regulated market building. Buddha temple is in front of the Building.

LOCATION OF THE BUDDHA SHRINE: CLICK HERE

BUDDHA STATUE AT SRI MALLINATHA SWAMY JAIN TEMPLE, MANNARGUDI.

The Visit to this Sri Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, and Buddha Temples around Nagapattinam” on 4^th September 2024.

The purpose of the Visit was to see the Buddha Statue. But I was disappointed to see a Tirthankara statue on the same spot where the Buddha was there. Again referred Dr Jambulingam’s book and found a very very very very small font, foot note No 38, says that the statue is not there now. It is my fault, without studying correctly, proceeded to Mannagudi to Nagapattinam, wasting money and time.

மன்னார்குடி ஸ்ரீ மல்லிநாதர் சமணர் கோயில் பிரகாரத்தில் ஒரு மரத்தடியில் புத்தர் சிலையை, தீர்தங்கர்ராக வழிபட்டதாக முனைவர் திரு ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயா எழுதிய சோழநாட்டில் பௌத்தம் என்ற புத்தகத்தில் படித்த பின்பு அதைக்காண ஆவலுடன், சென்னை திரும்புவதற்கு முன்பு நாகபட்டினத்தில் இருந்து மன்னார்குடி சென்றேன். ஐயா குறிப்பிட இடத்தில் தீர்த்தங்கரர் மட்டுமே காணப்பட்டார். அங்கு இருப்பவர்கள் அந்த மாதிரி புத்தர் சிலை எதுவும் கோயில் வளாகத்தில் இல்லை என்று கூறினர். மீண்டும் முனைவர் ஜம்புலிங்கம் ஐயாவின் புத்தகத்தை படிக்கும் போது, மிக மிக மிக மிக மிக சிறிய அளவில் அச்சிடப்பட்டு இருந்த அடிக்குறிப்பில் புத்தர் தற்போது அங்கு இல்லை எனக்குறிப்பிட்டு இருந்தார். அடிக்குறிப்பை சரியாக படிக்காததின் விளைவு ஏமாற்றத்தில் முடிந்தது. (அடிக்குறிப்பு கொஞ்சம் பெரிய எழுத்துகளில் அச்சடிக்கப்பட்டு இருந்தால் என்னைப் போன்ற வயதானவர்கள் படிக்க ஏதுவாக இருந்திருக்கும்).

Buddha was measuring 71 Cm tall. Buddha was sitting in ardha padmasana dhyana posture. Dharmachakra was found on the palm facing up. Eyes are half closed, elongated earlobes, thilak on the forehead and a beautiful smile on the face. Buddha was with curled hair, an ushnisha, and a prabhai was shown on the back side of the head. Buddha was with broad chest and upper cloth’s folding was shown on the left side of the chest. Two samaradharis are also found on both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

The Missing Buddha statue

The Thirthankara Statue in place of Buddha Statue

BUDDHA STATUE AT SRI VADA BHATHRA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE, MANAMBADI, THANJAVUR DISTRICT.

This visit to this Buddha statue was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples Heritage Walk ( Rajendra Chozha's War Trophies ) around Kumbakonam, organised by Kumbakonam Vattara Varalatru Aayvu Sangam on 28-29^th September 2024.

This Buddha Statue is installed in the premises of Sri Vada Bhathra Kaliamman Temple at Manambadi in Thanjavur District. Buddha was measuring 127 Cm tall. Buddha is in ardha padmasana dhyana posture. Eyes are half closed, elongated earlobes, thilak on the forehead and a beautiful smile on the face. Buddha was with curled hair, an ushnisha, and a prabhai is shown on the back side of the head. Buddha is with broad chest and upper cloth’s folding was shown on the left side of the chest.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

BHAGAVAR AT KUMBAKONAM NAGESWARA SWAMY (KUDANTHAI KEEL KOTTAM ), KUMBAKONAM.

This Bhagavar Rishi was wrongly identified as a Buddha Statue, since some of the features matches to Buddha. The important details like ushnisha and upper dress folding is missing.

About Bhagavar Rishi, before his mother’s demise, his mother asked to dissolve her remains/asthi, where it turned to flower. After visiting many holy places, Bhagavar came to Kumbakonam and took bath in Kaveri. He found that the asthi turned to flower and dissolved in Kaveri. Later stayed in Kumbakonam and worshipped Vinayagar of this temple. Hence the Vinayagar is called as Bhagavar Vinayagar.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

STATUE AT GANGAIKONDA CHOZHAPURAM

This idol is along with other unearthed statues around Gangaikonda Chozhapuram. This statue is in broken condition without head. The Yagnopaveetha is looks like a dress. Hence this Statue is not Buddha.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thursday 17 October 2024

Sri Mallinathaswamy Jain Temple/ மல்லிநாதசுவாமி ஜெயின் கோவில், மன்னார்குடி/Mannargudi, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple at Mannargudi was a part of the “Visit to Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, Buddha, and Jain Temples around Nagapattinam” on 4^th September 2024.

The Thirthankara at the centre was in the sanctum sanctorum before the present Mallinatha Swamy

This Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple is dedicated to the 19^th Tirthankara of Jainism. It is close to Sri Rajagopala Swamy temple of Mannargudi, and it was said that both temples belong to the same period.

Main Deity: Sri Mallinathaswamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Tirthankaras are on the Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Mallinathar is in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

In praharam Dharmadevi, Padmavathi, sudarsanam, Jwalamalini, and Kshetrapala. An old Tirthankara image is in the outer praharam.

Mallinathaswamy

Believed to be the original Mallinathaswamy

Brahmadeva

ARCHITECTURE

The Complete temple was constructed with Bricks and painted. The temple Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, mandapas and mukha mandapa in 7 stages to signify the cycle of the Soul.

The sanctum sanctorum is on a upanam and adhistanam. The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. The Pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam and palakai. The prastaram consists of valapi with madhalai, kapotam with Nasikudus. The two tala vesara Vimanam is on the prastaram ( Bhumi Desam ). Tirthankaras are on the tala and greeva koshtam.

The Balipeedam is under a Mandapam. The intricate shapes, like some designs, flowers, leaves, etc, are obtained by grinding the bricks.

Balipeeda mandapam - The bricks are shaped to form like this

Balipeeda mandapam - built with bricks

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple belongs to the 12th-century, Chozha period. Since the whole temple was constructed with bricks, no inscriptions are found to prove its antiquity. This place was called Rajamapuram. It was told that this name is always used to identify among the Tamil Samanars living in Mannargudi.

The Moolavar in the sanctum was installed in recent years ( 1986 ). The previous Moolavar images are installed in a Sub Sanctums.

A Tirthankara image is kept under a tree in the praharam believed to be the original one.

The present structure of the mandapas and sub-shrines are added to the original temple, in stages.

A 20^th Century, Tamil PiRamathi year ( 84 Years before, may be 1940 ) inscription on a pillar records the construction of the mandapam. As per the inscription, This mandapam was constructed by Kumbakonam Sami Jain’s Son Appachi Jain.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Babu / Manikandan Jain ( EB, Mannargudi ) may be contacted on his mobile at +919943835819 for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Mallinatha Swamy Jain Temple in Mannargudi is on the west side of Mannargudi Theppakulam ( Haridranadhi tank ) on the bypass Road, 1.43 KM from Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswami Temple, 2.8 KM from Mannargudi Railway Station, 28 KM from Thiruvarur, and 40 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest Railway station is Mannargudi.

LOCATION OF THIS JAIN TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Wednesday 16 October 2024

Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ பக்தவத்சல பெருமாள் கோவில்/ Thirukannamangai, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple at Thirukannamangai, near Thiruvarur was a part of the “Visit to Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams, Buddha, and Jain Temples around Nagapattinam” on 4^th September 2024.

This temple is one of the Pancha Krishna Kshetram ( Kabisthalam, Thirukovilur, Thirukannapuram, Thirukannamangai, and Thirukannagudi ) since the marriage of Mahavishnu with Maha Lakshmi was conducted at this place. This temple is also one of the 108 Diva Desam and Mangalasasanam was done by Sri Thirumangai Alwar.

பண்ணினைப் பண்ணில் நின்றதோர் பான்மையைப்

பாலுள் நெய்யினை மாலுருவாய் நின்ற

விண்ணினை விளங்கும் சுடர்ச் சோதியை

வேள்வி யைவிளக் கினொளி தன்னை

மண்ணினை மலையை யலை நீரினை

மாலை மாமதியை மறையோர் தங்கள்

கண்ணினைக் கண்களாரளவும் நின்று

கண்ண மங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேன்.

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார், பெரிய திருமொழி 7-10-9 (1646)

Moolavar : Sri Perumpurakadal

Utsavar : Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Bhatharavi Perumal

Thayar : Sri Kannamangai Nayagi

Utsavar : Sri Abhishekavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with a big tank and an Anjaneyar is on the banks of the tank and facing the temple. A mandapam with a mottai gopuram base is in front of the 3-tier Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu and Thayar’s marriage. Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are immediately after the front entrance and before Rajagopuram. Garudan’s sannidhi is after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum Sanctorum. Moolavar is about 8 feet tall with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar. Maha Vishnus Various forms are on the Deva koshtam. Some of them are, Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Garuda carrying Maha Vishnu, Maha Vishnu sitting under Adiseshan’s hood, etc.

Koshta murti

In praharam Thayar Kannamangai Nayagi, Garuda’s sannidhi, Andal’s sannidhi, Paramapada vassal with a 3 tier, Rajagopuram ( Perumal’s pada is on the right side wall ), Nigamarntha Maha Desikan’s sannidhi, Krishnar sannidhi, Kothandaramar Sannidhi, Alwar’s sannidhi, Viswaksena with two hands, and Manavala Mamunigal’s sannidhi. Andal is in a separate sannidhi on the left side of the Moolavar.

Thani Koil Nachiyar Sri Kannamangai Nayagi / Abisheka Valli is in a separate Temple facing East, on the right side of Moolavar. Thayar is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. The front mandapam pillars have stucco images of Ashta Lakshmi.

Sri Kannamangai Nayagi Temple
Sri Kannamangai Nayagi Temple
Sri Kannamangai Nayagi Temple
ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an Upanam, adhistanam with Padma jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and kapotam with Nasi Kudus. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. The Pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu pothiyal. Miniature bas reliefs are in the kandapatham.

Temple layout

The prastaram consists of valapi, and kapotam. The Superstructure Vimanam above the prastaram was built with bricks. The Vimanam is of three-tier, which includes Adi Tala. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams. The Sigaram is of Dravida style. The Vimanam is called Utpala Vimanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple was praised in Padma Puranam Kandam 5, chapters 81 – 87. Since the 6^th to 9^th Century Alwars has sung Divya Prabandham on the Presiding Deity, the temple existed before that and was re-constructed as a stone temple during the Chozha period and further extended during Madurai Nayakas / Marathas. As per the inscription, the main deity was also called Pattarāvi Perumal ( Utsavar is called by this name ).

As per the Copperplate available with the temple Executive Trustee, dated 1638 CE, Saka 1560, Kaliyuga 4709, a gift of 60 Veli land was given to this temple for offerings and worship by the descendent of Thirumalai Nayaka, Achutha Vijaya Raghunatha Nayaka.

The Tamil inscription of the door jamb of the main Rajagopuram ( Bahudhanya Vaikasi 22 ), records the abolition of all taxes and dues on the land belonging to the temple of Pattarāvi Perumal at Tirukkannamangai According to an order of Pallikondaperumāl Piravadevarāya Malavarāyar.

Tribhuvana Chakravarthikal Kulothunga Chozhadeva’s 25^th reign year, a fragmentary, inscription, on two slab stones of the same Rajagopura mentions Geyamanikka-valanādu and Tiruvärûr-kürram.

The saka 1484 ( 1562 CE ), Dundubhi Mithuna, 14 Saturday year inscriptions on the door jamb, on the left side of the entrance Rajagopuram, …. The continuation is lost after the date portion. Another fragment in the same place mentions some pallis.

The Vijayanagara period inscription on the west wall of the inner gopura, dated Saka 1505, May 20, 1583, CE, records that the Bhandarattar of the temple of Pattarāviperumal at Tirukkannamangai sold to Kandadai Rāmānujayyangår, three laliyais of three kurunis of temple prasādam per day-in perpetuity for the maintenance of a feeding house (Ramanujakūtam) for 40 pon paid by him to the Bhandaram.

The Vijayanagara period Sanskrit verse Grantha & Tamil inscription on the west wall of the sanctum Sanctorum, dated Saka 1543, Mesha, 1621 CE, records the consecration of the image of god Bhaktaprāņa (i.e. Bhaktavatsala).

Vijayanagara King Achutha Vijayaraghava’s dated Chitrabhanu Panguni 20, inscription in Tamil, records the gift of 15 ½ vēlis of land to Lakshmaņa-munigal for the expenses of running a feeding house (Ramanuja- kütam), for conducting worship and offerings and for repairs to the temple of god Bhaktavatsala perumāl at Tirukkaņņamangai.

Vijayanagara King Achutha Vijayaraghava’s Telugu inscription is a copy of the above (No. 79).

Ref:
Annual report on Indian Epigraphy for the year 1946-47.

Thirupani was inaugurated on 12^th June 1960, and Jeernotharana Maha Samprokshanam was conducted on 25^th June 1967.

LEGENDS

This temple is considered one of the Sapta Punya Kshetra or Sapthamrutha Kshetra, considering the presence of Vimana, Aranya, Mandapa, Theertham, River, and City.

As per the legend, in the process of churning the milk ocean to get the Amirtha with Manthara hill as Maththu on Maha Vishnu as Tortoise ( Kurma avatar ). Maha Lakshmi came after Jyeshta Devi. Seeing the beauty of Maha Vishnu, when he came out of the Milk Ocean, Maha Lakshmi, wished to marry him. She came to this place and did penance on Maha Vishnu. The celestial wedding of Maha Lakshmi with Maha Vishnu happened at this place. Since Maha Vishnu came from the Ocean, called “Perum Pura kadal” ( Moolavar is called by this name ). To witness the wedding all the Devas took the form of Honey bees and permanently stayed at this temple. Beehive was seen in the Thayar Sannidhi, as a significance.

Since Maha Vishnu rushes like steam to save his Devotees, Maha Vishnu is called Bhatharavi Perumal.

In another legend, the Vaishnava sect Achariyar’s disciple Kannamangai Andan, during the Nithyana santhana koshti, entered into the sanctum Sanctorum in the form of a dog, merges as Jyothi with Maha Vishnu.

Garuda

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular 6 kala poojas as per Vaikanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on 10 days Brahmotsavam, followed by Chitra Pournami, Navaratri in Puratasi Month, Pavitrotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi in the month Margazhi.

Rohini Nakshatra parihara sthalam.