Sri Valampurinathar Temple/ Malayandi Temple / மலையாண்டி கோவில், Valayapatti, Pon Valayapatti/ Pon Vaiyapuripatti / Ponnamaravathi, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Valampurinathar Temple, also called Malayandi Temple at Valayapatti, was part of the “Sivaganga and Pudukkottai Temples and Heritage Sites Visit” on 2^nd and 3^rd September 2026. The Shiva and Murugan temples are on top of a small hill. Even though this temple is dedicated to Shiva, generally called the Malayandi temple.

Moolavar  : Sri Valampurinathar

Consort    : Sri Vaduvahir Vizhiyal

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east on a small hill, and 32 steps are built to reach the top. A 5-tier Rajagopuram with a mandapam is on the top hill. The 2nd-level Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers, before the mukha mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the open mukha mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a square avudaiyar. In the koshtam: Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam: Nalvar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena subramaniar, Maha Lakshmi, Chandikeswarar, Natarajar with Sivakami, Bairavar, Saniswarar, Chandran, and Suryan.

In the mukha mandapam: Saraswati, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Vaduvahir Vizhiyal, Navagrahas, and Vinayagar with Nagars. Ayyappan Sannidhi with Manja Matha is at the south-side entrance. Sri Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhudevi Sannidhi is on the north-west corner of the premises.

Ambal Sri Vaduvahir Vizhiyal is in a separate Sannidhi. Dwarapalakis are at the entrance. Ambal is in a three-bhanga standing posture with two hands. Holds a lotus flower in the right hand, and the left hand is in dola hastam. 

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ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada pandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with three tala nagara vimanam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

Ambal temple vimanam is of two talas vesara Vimanam. Bairavar sannidhi is with an eka tala nagara vimanam. Stucco image of Bairavar is in the koshtam.

Moolavar Vimanam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to the 19^th century, built by Nattukottai Nagarathars about 138 years ago. The Moolavar Shiva Lingam was brought from the Pidaripatti bamboo bush and installed in this temple.

The

1^st Ashta Balthana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1892,

The 2^nd Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30^th August 1916,

The 3^rd Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 09^th February 1941,

The 4^th Maha kumbhabhshekam was conducted on 21^st April 1978,

The 5^th Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 5^th January 1993,

The, 6^th and 116^th year Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 10^th February 2008, and

The 7^th and 132^nd year Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 08^th September 2024,

The borewell was donated by Valayapatti Rama C Rama Valliappa Chettiar on 3^rd September 2000; the mukha mandapam was constructed by A. Peri. Rama. Annamalai Chettiar on 10^th February 2008, and solar lighting was provided by Dr. Pe. Na. Nachiappan U.S.A.

In connection with the 1993 Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the outer praharam floor was paved with stone by 4 persons.

The Rajagopuram was constructed and consecrated on 08^th September 2024.

The temple is under the control of the HR & CE Department and is being maintained by the hereditary trustees.

LEGENDS

This is one of the few Shiva temples constructed on Hills. It is said that the Shiva Lingam was brought from a nearby village, and its antiquity is not known. Since the Shiva Lingam is on a square avudaiyar, Shiva was worshipped by siddhars and Munis.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Kiruthigai, Thai Poosam, Soora samharam, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile numbers +91 9944020202 or +91 98428 45529 may be contacted for poojas and further details.

HOW TO REACH

The Malayandi temple is 1.3 km from Ponnamaravathi, 28.4 km from Tirupattur, 34 km from Pillayarpatti, 37 km from Pudukkottai, and 50 km from Karaikudi. 

The nearest Railway Station is Pudukkottai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Mahavishnu Temple

Maha Vishnu with consorts

 A Vel on the opposite hill

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Rajendra Chozhiswarar Sivan Temple /ஸ்ரீ ராசேந்திரசோழீஸ்வரர் கோவில், பொன்னமராவதி/ Ponnamaravathi, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Rajendra Chozhiswarar Temple at Ponnamaravathi was part of “Sivaganga and Pudukkottai Temples and Heritage Sites Visit” on 2^nd and 3^rd September 2026.

Moolavar  : Sri Rajendra Chozheeswarar

Consort    : Sri Avudainayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and Rishabam. Moolavar is Lord Avudaiyar. Utsavaras are in the ardha mandapam. In the koshtam, Gnana Dakshinamurthy with two disciples, Brahma, and the rest of the koshtas are empty.

In the praharam are Maha Ganapati, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas, Saniswaran, Bairavar, Chandran, and Suryan.

Ambal is in a separate Sannidhi and faces south. Ambal is in a three-bhanga standing posture with two hands, holds a lotus flower in the right hand, and the left hand is in dola hastam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada pandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and taranga pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyala vari. The vimanam over the bhumi desam is with eka tala nagara vimanam. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Out of the four Chola inscriptions recorded, two belong to the reign of Kulottunga III and two others (ARE 4 & 9 of 1909) belong to the time of Tribhuvanachakravartin Rajarajadeva. The rest of the inscriptions belong to the Pandya period, of which the earliest belongs to Jatavarman Kulasekhara (C.E. 1190-1217).

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Rajaraja Pandiya nattu, Rajendra Chozha valanattu, Puramanalai Nattu Ponnamaravati. This temple was called Rajendra Chozheeswaram, and Shiva was called Rajendra Chozhiswaram Udaiya Mahadevar.

 

The Chola reign inscription records the construction of Srivimana and the consecration of a Siva -linga named Rajendra Solisvaram Udaiya Mahadevar by the local Chief Vinam Rajendra Solan Keralan alias Nishadarajan. The inscription reads as…..

“Svasti Sri Tribhuvanachakravartigal Sri Rajarajadevarkku yandu ettavadu Rajaraja Pandi nattu Rajendrasola valanattu Puramalai nattu Po... Nishadarajanar Sivalinga-pratish-taikkum vimanap-pratishtaikkum...”

The Chozha king Tribhuvanachakravartin Kulottunga Deva’s (presumably III), 12th reign year inscription records a grant jointly made by the Nishadarajan and Udaiyar Tiruppuvanam Udaiyar Tachchacharyan Udaiyar alias Adi Acharyan (Inscriptions of the Pudukkottah State, 147). Evidently, the latter was the temple architect.

The inscription without the reign year of the king (ARE 13 of 1909), on the steps and the verandah around the shrine (tirunadai-maligai), records that they were built by one Nilaimai Alagiyan.

A 12th reign year record (C.E. 1196) of Tribhuvana-chakravartin Kulottunga Chola Deva (III), (ARE 5 of 1909) records that a gift of land was made by one Tirukkodungunram udaiyan Alagiya Devan alias Nishadarajan in favour of a matha called Nilamai Alagiya tirumadam, evidently a matha built within the temple by, or on behalf of, Nilaimai Alagiyan. Hence, we can presume that this matha and also the verandah and the steps were constructed in the days of Rajaraja II.

Kochadaya banmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Sri Kulasekaradevar’s 13+10 year of reign inscription (Sl. No. 245) on the North praharam wall opposite to Chandikeswarar records the gift of land after paying taxes to Kamakottamudaiyar’s daily nivantham, by the Thirukodungundramudaiyan Keralan alias Nishayarajan.

Komarubarmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Chonadu Vazhangi aruliya Sundara Pandiyadevar’s 20+1 year of reign inscription on the south side of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of Naivedyam and venjanam (vegetables) to Sri Rajendra Chozheeswararmudaiyar and Kamakotta Nachiyar during Sundara Pandiyan sandhi. For the same, a land was gifted.

The Editor of the Pudukkottai State Gazetteer has contended that the temple of Cholisvaram (its modern name) would appear to have been built by Rajaraja II in memory of his great-grandfather Kulottunga I (who was earlier known as Rajendra Chola II). This seems rather far-fetched, though it is not impossible, because, in spite of the apparent gap of generations, Rajaraja II ascended the throne within 26 years of the death of Kulottunga I. It is, however, reasonable to conclude that the temple was built in the name of the local chief Nishadarajan, who, as we saw, bore the name of Rajendra Solakeralan.

As to when the Amman shrine inside this temple was consecrated we have no direct evidence, but it must have come into existence certainly within two or three decades of the main shrine, as we find that one Tirukkodungunram Udaiyan Keralan alias Nishadarajan (perhaps the successor of Rajendra Solakeralan) makes certain presents to the shrine of Tirukkamakkottam-udaiya-Aludaiya-nachchiyarin the temple of Rajendrasolisvaram Udaiyar, in the 23rd year of Jatavarman Tribhuvanachakravartin Kula-sekharadeva (C.E. 1213; ARE 10 of 1909), which would show that this border area was wrested from Chola control in the last days of Kulottunga III (C.E. 1178-1218).

Sonadukondaruliya Sundara Pandyan’s 5^th year of reign inscription on the south wall above the steps starts with his meikeerthi, records the land as thevadhanam to this temple for nivantham by the …. Perumal alias Thyaganchiriya Perumal.

The Pandya King Kobanmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Emmandalamum kondaruliya Sri Kulasekaradevar’s 20^th year of reign inscription records the gift of land for creating a nandavanam by the Perun theru, one of the Merchant Karkudaiyan Thirunilaiyazhgiyan alias Namasivayadevar.

Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Sundara Pandyadevar’s 8^th year of reign inscription on the Rajagopuram door jamb records the order not to take water from the temple mutram well by the Idangkai(?).

Thiribhuvana Chakravathi Konerimaikondan’s inscription (Sl. No. 578) on the north wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the naivedyam for Naya….ngaran sandhi. For the same, all the taxes collected are to be given to the temple.

Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Kulasekaradevar’s …. Year of reign inscription (Sl. No. 586), on the north side wall of the sanctum sanctorum, records the celebration. The inscription is incomplete.

Thiribhuvana Chakravarthikal Konerimaikondan’s reign inscription (Sl. No. 656) on the north wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of running a Thanneer Pandal by the Arcot Kilar Thiruvenkadudayar alias Vanarayar. For the same, lands were gifted. In addition, he had to pay 18 panam for thirumeipoochu, and 12 panam for the oil to burn the lamp at Kai Ventra Pillaiyar temple.  

Konerimaikondan’s reign inscription (Sl. No. 578) on the north wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the endowment of naivaedyam, and the same was done through the collection of various taxes.

The inscription (Sl. No. 677) is on the right-side wall on the steps, in the form of a poem.

வீரமாகதன் பொன்பாப்பினான-

மடலளவு நிறைந்தொழுகுமதுமல[ற்]த்தார் மகதெசங் வைய் - பங்காக்கும் அடலளவு மணிநெடுந்தொளாயுத ராமனை வ-

ணங்காவ எ(னு] ரியாவர் கடலளவு நடந்ததவந் கனைகுரகதம் சதி-

வெல் மன்னருடலளவு நடந்தது மற்றாறுலகளவு நடந்தத-

வந் ஒரு செங்கொலெ 

The Vijayanagara King’s reign year inscription (Sl. No. 778) on the west side wall of the sanctum sanctorum records the gift of abhishekam kalasam, bell, and doopa stand by Inpavana Perumal Nayakar Sundarapandiya Chakravarthikal.

The 18- 19^th centuries inscription (Sl. No. 817) on the north wall of the temple records that Madurai Azhagiya chokkanar temple Kaikolars, Munnamai avudaiyar Varivara kandiyadevan, left as a Thavadimai, Manikki, and her son Ilakkappan and Periya Mudali, and her daughter Santhanathayazhagi, her sister Malaiyar, Her brother Nainan, her brother,…… his brother Peththarasan and his bother Paththan, the Thirishul was established. For the same, land and house sites were gifted to them.

References

1. Inscriptions (Texts) of the Pudukkottai State arranged according to Dynasties.

2. Annual Report on South Indian epigraphy, Year 1909.

3. Pudukkottai State Gazetteer 

4. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 4^th June 2026.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Annabhishekam in the month of Aippasi, Skanda Sashti, Thaipoosam, Thirukarthigai, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be open from 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +914564268544 and mobile number +919865158374 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Ponnamaravathi is 28.4 km from Tirupattur, 34 km from Pillayarpatti, 37 km from Pudukkottai, and 50 km from Karaikudi. 

The nearest Railway Station is Pudukkottai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vijayapuri Amman Temple/ ஸ்ரீ விஜயாபுரி அம்மன் கோயில், Vijayamangalam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

Vijayamangalam was once the capital of Kongu Nadu, and it was also the capital of Kuruppa Nadu, one of the 24 subdivisions (as Nadu) of Kongu mandalam. Kuruppa Nadu once flourished with Jains and their Culture. The Tamil grammar ‘Nannul’ was written by Bhavanandhi from Seenapuram; ‘Silapathikaram Urai’ was written by Adiyarku Nallar from Nirambaiyur; ‘Perungadhai’ was written by Kongu Velir, and "Kongu Sathagam" was written by ‘Karmeka Pulavar’. All are from Kongu mandalam, Kuruppa Nadu. Also, images of 5 sanga Pulavars with Palm leaves suvadi in their hands are available at the Vijayamangalam Jain temple. Hence, present Tamil scholars strongly believe that there might be a Tamil Sangam at Vijayamangalam. This Amman temple also exists along with Jain, Shiva, and Vishnu temples. 

Recently constructed Rajagopuram

Main Deity: Sri Vijayapuri Amman.

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

This temple was built after the Vishnu temple. The Rajagopuram and Vimanam were built recently, keeping the original sanctum wall, and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted. The Garuda Thoon and Oonjal are in front of the Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. The temple faces north.

In the praharam sannadhi are Kannimoola Ganapathi and Karupparayan.  In the outer mandapam, there are no silamoorthangal. In the artha mandapam, Adhi Amman and Saptamatrikas are in a single stone. The bas-relief sculptures or reliefs of various forms are on the sanctum outside the wall.

The sanctum walls have reliefs related to the epic Mahabharata. When the Pancha Pandavas were forced into exile for one year, they lived in Dharapuram near this place. Arjuna gave his bow to Vijayapuri Amman’s custody. The same was mentioned in Kongu Mandala Sathangam. The reliefs show that Arjuna came to this temple in a chariot and gave his bow to this Vijayapuri Amman.

 

கொங்கு மண்டல சதங்கம்,
" துளைமணி ரத்ன மகுடா சலத்தைவர் சூதில்நொந்தே
கிளையினை நீங்கி வனவாசம் செய்கையில் கீர்த்திபெற்ற
விளைவயல் சூழ்மங்கைப் பத்தினிக் கோட்டத்தில் வில்விசயன்
வளைவில் அடைக்கலம் வைத்தது வும்கொங்கு மண்டலமே "

In addition to this, on the back side of the temple, Navakanda statues and Simha - Lion Pillars – were removed during renovations and kept here separately. These Navakanda statues are part of Kongu Nadu Karkal, erected in memory of those who had their heads cut off and died. This is to win in battle, for a king, or for their family's well-being.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is claimed that the temple is about 500 years old, and there is no evidence or inscription to prove the same. 

1218/2003. The 1910 CE inscription on the wooden door of the temple records a gift of the door by an individual from Vijayamangalam.

பொஆ 1895 ஆம் ஆண்டு விசயாபுரியம்மன் கோயில் மரக கதவில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு விசயமங்கலம் படைத்தலை வேளாளர்களில் கம்புளியம்பட்டி நாகப்ப கவுண்டர் விசயாபுரியம்மன் கோயிலுக்குக் கதவு கொடையாக அளித்துள்ளதைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது. (இவர் தேவஸ்தானக்குழு உறுப்பினராக இருந்து நாகீசுவரர் கோயில் திருப்பணி செய்துள்ளார்). 

தழிலும் ஆங்கிலத்திலும் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்ட இக்கல்வெட்டில் வருடம் முரணாக உள்ளது. மன்மத வருடம் என்று எடுத்துக்கொண்டு 120 வருடங்கள் கணக்கிட்டால் பொஆ 1895 சரியாக இருக்கும்.

Reference

ஈரோடு மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள், தொகுதி – 3. 

HOW TO REACH :

Vijayamangalam is on the way from Erode, Perundurai to Coimbatore.

The town bus facility is available from Perundurai.

CONTACT DETAILS :

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

 Garuda Thoon 

Nagars & Vinayagar under a banyan tree

Vimanam 

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall 

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall- related to the Mahabharata epic

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall- related to the Mahabharata epic

 Reliefs on the outside sanctum sanctorum wall - Related to the Sthala Purana of Avinashi Temple 

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall

 Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall

Reliefs on the outside of the sanctum sanctorum wall

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---