Puli Suttu Pattan Kal/புலி சுட்டு பட்டான் கல்/ Hero Stone/ Sati Stones, Pichampalayam, Tiruppur, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

This group of Hero stones, Puli Suttu Pattan Kal, and two Sati Stones are found in the premises of Kottai Mariamman Temple, Tiruppur. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Ponnuswamy, Palladam of Tiruppur Veerarajendran Archaeology and History Research Centre, for providing me the details and Guidance.  

PULI SUTTU PATTAN KAL/ புலி சுட்டு பட்டான் நடுகல்

இந்த புலி சுட்டு பட்டான் நடுகலில், வீரன் புலியைத் துப்பாக்கியால் சுடுவது போலவும், புலி அவ்வீரனைத் தாக்குவது போலவும் பலகைக்கல்லில் புடைப்புச் சிற்பமாக வடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. வீரன் கழுத்திலும் காதிலும் அணிகலன்களும்  இடுப்புக்கீழே அரையாடையும் அணிந்து காணப்படுகின்றான். புலி நின்ற நிலையில் முன்னிருகால்களையும் வீரனின் தோளின் மீது வைத்து அவ்வீரனை தாக்குவதுபோலக் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. வீரனின் வலது பக்கம் அவ்வீரனது இரு மனைவியரும் காட்டப்படுள்ளனர். இது வீரன் இறந்த பிறகு மனைவியர்கள் இருவரும் சதிமேற்கொண்டதைக் காட்டுகின்றது. 

இந்தியாவில் துப்பாக்கி 19ஆம் நூற்றாண்டின் இடைப் பகுதியில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்டதால், இந்த நடுகல் 19 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாகக் கருதப்படுகின்றது.

In this, the hero is shooting a Tiger with a rifle. The Hero is shown wearing ornaments around the neck and ears. He is wearing a half-dress below his waist. The tiger is shown, in standing with its back legs and keeping its front legs on the shoulder of the Hero.

Two ladies are shown on his left side. This shows that his two wives took sati after the Hero's death.

Since the rifle was introduced in India around the 1850s, this Puli Suttu Pattan Kal might have been erected in the 19^th Century. 

SATI STONES/MEMORIAL STONES.

புலி சுட்டு பட்டான் நடுகல்லின் வலது புறம் இரண்டு சதிக்கற்கள் காணப்படுகின்றன. இவ்விரு நடுகற்களும் ஒரே மாதிரியான அமைப்பில் பலகைக் கல்லில் புடைப்புச் சிற்பமாக வடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த நடுகற்களில் உள்ள ஆண் முகத்தில் முறுக்கிய மீசை, தலையில் நாயக்கர் கால கொண்டை, அணிகலன்கள் மற்றும் இடுப்புக்கு கீழே அரையாடை அணிந்தும் காட்டப்பட்டு உள்ளது. ஆணின் வலதுபுறம் அவருடைய மனைவி ஒருகையில் மலர் ஏந்தியும், மற்றொரு கையில் மதுக்குடுவையுடனும் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளனர்.

குறிப்பாக ஆணின் கைகள் இரண்டும் அஞ்சலி முத்திரையுடன் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளதால் இது ஞாபகார்த்த நடுகல்லாக கருதப்படுகின்றது.  இந்த ஞாபகார்த்த நடுகல் 16-17 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டில் அமைக்கப்பட்டதாக இருக்கலாம்.

These Sati/ Memorial stones are very much similar in standing posture and tufts. Since the Men are shown in Anjali Hastam, these two Nadukals are memorial stones. The ladies took Sati after the demise of their husbands. In both Memorial stones, the men are shown with a big mustache and wearing ornaments around the neck and ears. The Ladies also wear ornaments around the neck and ears and half-dress below their waists. Both ladies holding a flower in one hand and a toddy pot in another hand.

Based on the iconography of this Nadukal, these may belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century CE.

LOCATION OF THE MEMORIAL STONE:      CLICK HERE

Am Amman is also installed along with the Hero Stone.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Kottai Mariamman Kovil / கோட்டை மாரியம்மன் கோவில், Pichampalayam, Tiruppur, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Mariamman Temple is also called Kottai Mariamman Temple, and Mariamman & Vinayagar Temple. This is on the west side of the new Bus Stand, at Pichampalayam, a part of Tiruppur City. It is believed that this temple was constructed inside a fort, hence called Kottai Mariamman.

The Presiding deity: Sri Mariamman

Some of the salient features of this Temple are…

The temple faces North with an entrance on the north. A Trishul and a Swing are in front of the temple. Mariamman is in a sitting posture with Pasa Angusam. Mariamman is believed in the form of Sri Durga, Sri Lakshmi, and Sri Saraswati.

In Praharam, Navagrahas (The Navagrahas are with their wives), Vinayagar, Saptakannis, Stucco dols offered as a prayer, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Nagars, Pattatharasi Amman, Karupparayan, with Horse, & Dog, in front, An Amman, and stucco Horses. Two Sati Stones and a Hero Stone Puli Suttu Pattan Kal are also on the northwest corner of the Temple.

ARCHITECTURE

This temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctoum is on an upanam. The Sanctum Sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to Prastaram. Unlike other Amman Temples with a Salakara Vimanam, a 2 tala bricks Dravida Vimanam is on the prastaram. Stucco images of Amman’s various forms are on the tala and Greeva Kostas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple is 500 years old, built during Vijayanagara & Nayakas period inside a Fort. (Now there is no trace of the fort). The same was reconstructed with stone and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 2^nd September 2009.

The temple is under the Control of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the farmer of this Village had many cows and they used to give milk. In that one cow used to pour the milk from the utter on a particular place. Amman came in the farmer’s dream and said that she was in that place. The farmer was surprised and started excavating the place with the help of the Villagers. They unearthed the Mariamman and installed it in a makeshift shelter. Later a new temple was constructed.   

Locals before starting any functions or any venture at their homes/work, the devotees prayed to this Mariamman and start only after Mariamman gave permission in the form of Poo Kettal.

Devotees pray to get a cure for measles, to get relief from marriage obstacles, Child boon, to get rid of debt, to flourish in the business, etc.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Aadi Month annual festival, Aadi Month Tuesdays, Kiruthigai, Aadi Perukku, Chitra Pournami, Thirukarthigai, all days in Margazhi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers +917339653703 and Landline Numbers +914212472200, and +914212484141 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Temple is on the back side of the Tiruppur New Bus Stand, about 650 meters, and 5 KM from Tiruppur Railway Station.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruppur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Saptakannis Sannidhi

Vinayagar and Sri Valli Devasena Subramanian's sannidhis

An Ammna's idol also installed along with Hero / Memorial Stones

Amman-Memorial Stone- Puli Suttu Pattan Nadukal

Karupparayan's Sannidhi

Navagrahas Sannidhi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Pandurangan Swamy Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பாண்டுரங்கன் சாமி கோவில், Nammalwarpet, Purasawalkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This is one of the few Sri Panduranga Swamy Temples constructed in Nammalwarpet, a part of Purasawalkam, Chennai.

Moolavar: Sri Pandurangan

Thayar:    Sri Rahumayi

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

The temple faces west with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Vinayagar is at the entrance of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. Maha Vishnu as Pandurangan is in a Standing posture with Rahumayi. Both are keeping their hands on the hip.

Anjaneyar and Utsava Murtis are in the ardha mandapam.  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The whole temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The Vimana above the sanctum sanctorum was constructed in North Indian, Rekha Nagara style. But the 3 tier Rajagopuram was constructed in South Indian style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The exact year of construction of the temple is not known. It is proposed to carry out the thirupani and Ashta bandhana Maha Samprokshana Kumbhabhishekam will be conducted on 31^st January 2025.

LEGENDS

Lord Vitthal or Panduranga is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Once upon a time there was a devotee named Pundalik, who was travelling to Kashi and on the way he reached the ashram of a Saint named Kukkut. Pundalik asked the saint the way to Kashi, to which he replied that he wasn't aware of the way as he had never been there. Hearing this Pundalik made fun of the Kukkut Rishi for not knowing the way, and further said “a holy man like you should have already visited Kashi”. The Rishi kept quiet and didn't react to Pundalik’s comments.

That Night Pundalik stayed at the ashram. And suddenly he woke from his deep sleep hearing to women’s voice. He saw that 3 women were sprinkling water in the ashram and cleaning.

On enquiry, Pundalik found that the 3 women were Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the three Holy Rivers came down to clean the ashram of Rishi Kukkut. Pundalik was bit surprised how a saint like Kukkut who had not visited Kashi, was such holy and powerful that the 3 holy Rivers have come to His Ashram. The three women told to Pundalik that piousness, spirituality and devotion doesn't depend on visiting holy places or doing costly rituals. But depends on performing one's Karma correctly (fulfilling all the duties and responsibilities).

They further added that Sage Kukkut, had served and nursed his parents most faithfully and devoted all his life to them. Thus he had accumulated virtue enough to earn Moksha, and thereby the 3 holy women came down to Earth to serve the Rishi.

On the contrast, Pundalik has left his old parents at home and was visiting Kashi to gain Moksha and blessing. Pundalik didn't bother to entertain the request of his parents to take them along with him to Kashi. Pundalik after hearing all this understood his mistake and rushed back home, and took his parents to Kashi and after return from the holy Kashi, started to take utmost care of his old parents.

Lord Krishna was moved by the sincere devotion of Pundalik towards his parents and decided to test Pundalik. Lord Krishna came to Pundalik’s home, but Krishna saw that Pundalik was busy attending his parents. Pundalik saw Lord Krishna at the door, but his devotion towards his parents was so intense, that he wanted to finish his duties first and later attend to his guest.

Pundalik has reached such a stage that it didn't matter to him, whether the guest was a mere mortal or God. All that mattered was service to His parents.  Pundalik gave Lord Krishna a brick to stand on, and asked Him to wait until his duty was completed. And Lord Krishna moved by the devotion of Pundalik to his parents, waited for him patiently.

Later, Pundalik came out and asked Krishna for forgiveness for making Him wait. Krishna asked for any desired boon, for which Pundalik said “My Lord, what can I ask for..? My Lord himself waits for me..?”. Krishna insisted that Pundalik ask for a boon, then he asked Krishna to remain on Earth to bless and take care of His devotees.

Lord Krishna agreed to stay there and is known as Vithoba or the Lord who stands on a brick. This form of the Lord Vithoba is Swayambhu (which came into existence on its own).

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas as per the Vaikanasa Agama special poojas are conducted on all the Vaishna festival days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 500 meters off Ayanavaram Road, close to Podi Kadai Bus stop. City buses available from Koyambedu.

The Temple is 5.5 KM from Central Railway station and10 KM from Koyambedu.

Nearest Railway Station is MGR Central Railway Station.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Mahaliamman Temple /மாகாளியம்மன் கோவில், Angeripalayam, Avinashi Koundam Palayam, Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.

This is one of the oldest Amman temples of Tiruppur facing north at Angeripalayam a part of Tiruppur.

PC: website

The Presiding deity: Sri Mahaliamman

Some of the salient features of this Temple are…

The temple faces North with an entrance from the north. A Trishul and a Swing are in front of the temple. A Trishul, balipeedam, and Simham are in front of the sanctum Sanctorum, in the ardha mandapam. Makaliamman is in standing posture, with Trishul, Damaru, Pasa, and Angusam.

In Praharam, Selva Sakthi Vinayagar, Kannimoola Ganapati, Pattathari Amman (in Sitting posture), Muniswaran, Stucco Horse with Pattatharasi Amman, which is a unique feature of this temple, and another Horse with Muniswaran.  

Pattatharasi Amman

PC: website

Mahaliamman

PC: website

Mahaliamman

PC: website

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Amman is on the top of the mukha mandapam, built like a mini Rajagopuram.

The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and adhistanam. The temple was built with stone from Upanam to prastaram. The Sanctum Sanctorum is rectangular in shape and a Salakara Vimanam is on the prastaram. The 2 tala salakara Vimanam is built with bricks. Stucco images of Amman’s various postures are on the Tala and Greeva kostams.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple is 500 years old, built during Vijayanagara & Nayakas period. The same was reconstructed with stone in 1996. After reconstruction, two Maha Kumbhabhishekam were conducted the last one in 2017.

The temple is under the Control of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on annual festivals, Aadi Month Tuesdays, Kiruthigai, Aadi Perukku, Chitra Pournami, Thirukarthigai, the annual Pongal festival in Margazhi (end of December Month), Thai Pongal, etc.

It is believed that every year, rain will come on the Annual Pongal Day, in Margazhi.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 11.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Angeripalayam is about 1.5 km from Kottai Mariamman Temple, 2.5 KM from Tiruppur bus stand, and 4.5 KM from Tiruppur Railway Station.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruppur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Pattatharasi Amman and Karuppaswamy Temple 

Pattatharasi Amman is on the Horse is unique of this temple

-- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Chellapaillairayar Temple/ஸ்ரீ செல்லப்பிள்ளைராயர் கோயில், Otteri, Purasaiwalkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This temple is also called Chennai’s Melkote, Arulmigu Sri Chellapillairayar Temple. Moolavar and Thayar are named similarly to Melkote of Karnataka. This temple is at the junction of Ayanavaram Road, Cooks Road, and Strahans Road. Also on the banks of Otteri Nala, in Otteri a part of Pursaiwalkam.  

Moolavar: Sri Narayana Perumal / Thirunaranan

Utsavar:   Sri Chellapillairayar/ Yaduraya Sampath Kumaran

Thayar:    Sri Yadugiri Nachiyar

(Thanikoil Nachiyar)

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

The Temple faces east with an entrance arch on the north side. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan are in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar in the Sanctum Sanctorum is similar to Melkote Thirunarayanan. Moolavar is in a standing posture, holding Shankha and Chakra in the upper hands and lower right hand in abhaya hasta and left hand keeping on Gatha. The Utsavar Sri Chellapillairayar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  In Ardha Mandapam, Ramanujar as Udayavar, Manavala Mamunigal, and Alwars. 

In the praharam 18 feet Stucco Anjaneyar, Anjaneyar  Sannidhi, Maha Lakshmi, Chakarathalwar (Narashimhar on the back), Sri Yathugiri Nachiyar Thayar, Thulasi Madam, and Tirthavari Swamy (installed in 2013).

PC: Website

Tirthavari Swamy (installed in 2013).

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a typical Vishnu Temple’s adhistanam. The whole temple was constructed with bricks and cement concrete. The superstructure, the Vimanam is of two talas. Maha Vishnu’s various avatars and Alwars are on the Tala and Greeva Koshtams. The sigaram is in Dravida style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that Santhiyappa Mudaliar constructed the temple about 800 years before, but the year of construction is not known.

Santhiappa Mudaliar and Parambara Trustee SR Duraiswamy and his son Kannabiran gave the electricity connection on August 19, 1958.

Maha Samprokshanam was done on, 19^th March 1999, 22 May 2005, and 16^th September 2013. The Garudan’s sannidhi was constructed in 2013.

The Thirupani was started on 21^st October 2024, by Mr. Sekar Babu on behalf of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department. In this thirupani it is proposed to construct, 5 tier Rajagopuram after removing the north side entrance arch, Construction of Hanuman Sannidhi with Mukha Mandapam, paving of granite stone in the outer Praharam, removal of oil and paint on the pillars, Relocate and Construct Maha Lakshmi Sannidhi, construct the peepal tree platform, and reconstruction of Madapalli.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Santhiyappa Mudaliar constructed the temple about 800 years before. He was an ardent devotee of Karnataka's Melkote Chaluva Narayana Perumal and wished to do something for Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu advised Santhiyappa Mudaliar to construct a temple and install Moolavar similar to Melkote Temple. Hence, Moolavar is called Chellapillairayar in Tamil. His descendants maintain the temple.   

On Vaikunta Ekadasi Day Perumal will not come out of the Temple and the devotees will go to Perumal. Hence Perumal is called Padi thanda Perumal.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

10 days Udayavar Utsavam will be conducted like Perumal’s Utsavam. Vairamudi Seva in Panguni month is also conducted similarly to Melkote.

Hanuman Jayanthi and Maha Sudarsana Homam will be conducted on the first Sunday of Tamil Month.  

Special poojas are conducted on Thiru Aadi Pooram and Margazhi to Andal.  

சொர்க வாசல்

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on Ayanavaram Road, close to the Podi Kadai Bus stop. City buses are available from Koyambedu.

The Temple is 5.5 KM from Central Railway Station and 10 KM from Koyambedu.

Nearest Railway Station is MGR Central Railway Station.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thanikoil Nachiyar Sannidhi

Sri Ramanujar Bhakta Jana Sabha

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---