Thiruvalleeswarar Temple, Thiruvalithayam and Sri Masilamaneeswarar Temple, Vada Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai Tamil Nadu.

21, October 2012

On 21^st October I had been to Thiruvalithayam ( Now the place is called Padi ) and Vada Thirumullaivoyal Shiva temples in Chennai. Both are Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal. Even though I had been to this temple earlier, I would like to make it once again. Last two days it has been raining heavily and while I was at the temple it was also drizzling. First I went to the temple  THIRUVALITHAYAM ( Padi ) and then to (VADA) THIRUMULLAIVOYAL. The details are as follows. These temples were chosen since they are on the bus route from Koyambedu to Avadi. 

21. TIRUVALLEESWARAR TEMPLE,

PADI - THIRUVALITHAYAM 

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History & Inscriptions, and Legends. For the details of the updated post please click this link )

Now this place is called Padi. This is the 21^st Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu.  Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.

 ( The three-tier Rajagpuram at the entrance )

Moolavar    : Tiruvalleeswarar, Sri Valithaya Nathar.

Consort      : Sri Jagathambigai

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai. Moolavar is a little big in size on a square avudayar.

Ambal is facing south and in one place we could able to have the darshan of Moolavar and Ambal.

In the inner praharam Urchavars and Sannadhi for Somaskandar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Naalvar, Hanuman worshiped lingam, Suryan, Baratvajar Lingam, Bhairavar, ArunagiriNathar, Balamurugan and 63var (Complete 63 vars are not there).

In the outer prakaram Navagrahas and Guru bhagavan. This is also one of the Guru sthalam in and around Chennai.

Bharatwajar, Ramar, Anjaneyar, Suryan, Chandran, Indra, and Valiyan ( as Bird ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There are a lot of pigeons in this temple and people used to feed them.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of Sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Gajabirushta vimana is over the sanctum. 

HISTORY 

It was learned that this temple was used for storing weapons during war, hence this place was called Padi.

HOW TO REACH : 

The temple is in Padi, an industrial area in the western part of Chennai ( wheels India and Lucas TVS bus stop. )

A lot of buses are available from Koyambedu.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is 044 2654 0706

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE 

 ( Temple complex view with pigeon )

   ( Temple complex view with pigeon )

22. SRI MASILAMANEESWARAR TEMPLE / MASILAMANISWARA TEMPLE, ( VADA) THIRUMULLAIVOYAL. 

( This post was up dated with Thevara Hymns, History & Inscriptions, Legends. For the up dated post please Click This Link )

This place is called Thirumullaivoyal. This is the 22^nd Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

  ( Moolavar and Ambal Vimanas - Left Gajabirushtam is for moolavar )

Moolavar  :Sri Masilamaneeswarar,

 Sri Nirmalamaneeswarar,  Sri Paasupatheeswarar.

Consort    :Sri  Kodiyidai amman, Sri Lathamathyambal,

 Sri Kodiyidai Nayagi.

Some of the features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram on south. At the entrance, there is Prasanna Vinayagar Sannadhi. The east side gate is kept locked. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are on the east side

The Vimanam is   of Gajabirustam type. Rishabam is facing east since as per Lord's instruction he went to help Thondaiman in the war with Onan and Kaanthan. There is a scar on the top of the moolavar and abhishekam is done only for avudayar. Sandal paste is applied on the Moolavar and once a year, abhishekam will be done with hot water.  

In Koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. There are two Vellerukku pillars in front of Moolavar, which Thondaiman brought after the war with Onan and Kaanthan.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Subramaniar, Chozhapureeswarar ( Structure is very old and the temple has no vimanam ), Kusalava Pureeswarar, Bairavar and Suryan.

Ambal is also facing east. It was learned that there are three Ambal sila murtis, which were done by the same sthapathy, the other two are in Thiruvotriyur and Melur near Ponneri. ( Kodiyidai Amman, Vadivudai Amman and Thiruvudai Amman).

HISTORY

The temple was built by Thondaiman after defeating Onan and Kaanthan. ( There is another Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Kanchipuram called Ona kanthan thali, in which they built Shiva temple and worshiped there ).

LEGENDS

The story of Moolavar and the Thondaiman stucco image is above Prasanna Vinayagar Sannadhi ( Once Thondaiman was in the jungle on his elephant and Mullai creepers were obstructing the elephant's leg, so Thondaiman tried to cut the creepers. When he cut the creepers, the sword hit the Shiva Lingam and blood came from the top. Seeing this he felt guilty and tried to kill himself. But Shiva gave darshan and blessed him. The same story is being told at the Thirumazhisai Shiva Temple also,  near Thiruvallur ).

There are a lot of framed Photos in the inner prakaram of both in Moolavar and Ambal temples. There is a 16-pillar mandapam similar to Thiruvalangadu. The same is now used for parking vehicles and staying for beggars.  ( Our old treasure is being spoiled by miscreants ).

HOW TO REACH :

All the buses from Koyambedu to Avadi and Pattabiram pass through this Place, Thirumullaivoyal. The temple is 1 KM off the main road, after the famous Pachaiamman Temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is +91 44 2637 6151

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 ( Dakshinamurthy with sanagatha munivars)

 ( 4 Pillar mandapam with Kodimaram view )

 ( Prasanna Vinayagar Sannidhi and on the top, stucco image of  Thondaiman with Shiva Lingam )

 ( 16 pillars Mandapam - The temple is seen on background )

  ( 5 Tier Rajagopuram at the south side entrance )

 ( Murugan bas-relief in 16 Pillar mandapam )

 ( Bairavar bas-relief in 16 pillar mandapam )

 ( Maha Vishnu bas-relief in 16 Pillar mandapam )

Natarajar bas-relief in 16 pillar mandapam )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Pushparatheswarar Temple / Gnayiru Temple / Pushpavaneshvarar temple /புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில், ஞாயிறு / Ñayiru / Gnayiru Gramam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

15, October 2012

On 14^th October I had a chance to go to Koyambedu to  c off my wife to her native place. Utilizing this opportunity  had been to Gnayiru Shiva temple at Gnayiru Gramam. This is one of the Navagraha temples in and around Chennai. After Redhills the bus passes through Karanodai, Chozhavaram and small villages. I was little happy to see the paddy fields near Chennai. It was lush green. Recently I had been to Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam, but I could not see this type of green fields. At the same time it is sad to see the fields are being converted in to real estates. The details of the temple are as follows.

         ( Moolavar temple vimanam)

Moolavar    : Sri Pushparatheswarar

Consort      : Sri Swarnambigai

Sthala vruksham : Lotus

The important features of this temple are as follows.

The temple facing east with a beautifully maintained flowering plants / garden inside the temple premises. The  5 tier Rajagopuram is on the south side. Kodimaram, balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. In koshtam Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy, Sri Lingothbavar, Sri Brahma and  Sri Durgai. Moolavar is short and swayambu. Sila roopam for Thirugnanasambandar in the Saba. Ambal is in a separate temple facing east. Suryan Sannadhi is in Moolavar artha mandapam. Special poojas are conducted on Sundays..

Interconnecting mandapam between Ambal and moolavar sannadhi was added at a latter stage.

It is a birth place of Sangili Nachiyar. Separate sannadi for, Sri Kamala Vinayagar,  Sri Valli Devasena sametha Subramaniar, Sri Chandikeswarar, Sri Sangili Nachiyar.

Lotus pond near east side entrance. Nagars at the east side entrance below Nagalinga tree. There is special tree near Sangili Nachiyar sannadhi called “Thiruvodu maram” ( the one is used for getting picksha from the public by the adiyars ).

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhisthanam with jagathi, muppattai kumudam. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The Pilasters are  vishnu kantha pailasters with square base, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and poomottu pothyal. Pancharas are between salaipathi and karnapathi.  Th prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and vyyalavari. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The Super structure brick dravida Vimanam is of two tiers. The stucco images of Shiva Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma are in tala and greeva koshtams.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple belongs to Chozha period and received contributions from Pandyas and Vijayanagaras. These Inscriptions are recorded in Tami Nattukkalvettukkal Thoguthi-XVII, Thiruvallur Mavatta Kalvettukkal thoguthi-1.

புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் கிழக்குச் சுவரில் உள்ள சுந்தரபாண்டியனின் 14 ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டு கல்வெட்டு மிகவும் சிதைந்துள்ளது. சாசனத்தின் ஒரு பகுதி இல்லாததால் கோவையாகப் பொருள் கொள்ள முடியவில்லை. எனினும் பாண்டியன் மன்னன் சுந்தர பாண்டியன் காலத்தில் கோயிலுக்குக் கொடை வழங்கியது தெரிகிறது.

The Pandya King Sundara Pandyan’s 14^th reginal year inscription on the east wall of Pushpavaneshvarar temple, Ñayiru of Ponneri taluk is found in very distorted condition. However, it is believed that the Pandiyan king Sundara Pandiyan donated something to the during his period.

புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் மேற்குக் குமுதத்தில் இருக்கும் விஜயநகரப் பேரரசில் தேவராய மகாராயர் ஆட்சியின் போது ( 1438 CE ) ஞாயிறு புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயிலுக்குத் தினம் ஒருவிளக்கெரிக்க கொடை தந்த விவரம் உள்ளது.

The Vijayanagara king  Devaraya mahārāya Saka year 1360 (1348 C.E.) period inscription on  the west wall of the central shrine in the same temple is found in damaged condition. On the lamp to the temple of Putteri Andar at Nayiru in Ñayiru nādu a subdivision of Pularköttam in Jayangonda Sōlamandalam.

புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் கோயில் மேற்கு ஜகதியில் இருக்கும் கல்வெட்டு பெரிதும் சிதைந்துவிட்டது. எழுத்துக்களே தெரியவில்லை. விஜயநகர அரசர் காலத்தில் பூதேரி ஆண்டார் கோயிலுக்குத் தாளம் தந்ததாகத் தெரிகிறது.

The 15th century C.E, Vijayanagara period inscription on the west wall of the central shrine in the same temple. The inscription is greatly distorted. The characters are unknown. It is believed that Büdheri donated to the Andar Temple.

புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் கருவறை தெற்குக் குமுதத்தில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு தொடக்கத்தில் முழுவதும் சிதைந்துவிட்டது. இடையிடையே கற்கள் மாற்றித் திருப்பணி செய்யப்பட்டிருப்பதால் தொடர்ச்சியாக பொருள் கொள்ள முடியவில்லை.

The 15^th Century Vijayanagara period inscription on the south wall of the central shrine in the same temple is found damaged. Anandapaṭṭan native of Viranarayanapuram donated lands to the temple.

புஷ்பவனேஸ்வரர் கோயில் கிழக்குச் சுவரில் உள்ள அச்சுததேவ மஹாராயர் காலத்தில் ( 1516 CE ) பூதேவ அப்பன் தன்ம மான்யமாக நிலம் வழங்கியுள்ளான். பூதேரிவிளாகம் என்ற கிராமத்தில் நிலம் விடப்பட்டது. பொன்னப்ப நாயக மகன் நாகம நாயகன் பெயரும் உள்ளது. கண்டமவோலு என்பது கர்னூலாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.

The 1516 CE Vijayanagara period  Vīrapratāpa Achyutadēva Maharāyar. Saka 1448 (1516 CE ), inscription, on the east wall of the ardha mandapa in front of the same shrine, records the gift of the village Putterivilagam to the temple of the Puttēri. Appan by Nagama Nayakka son of Ponnappa Nayakka of Kandanahōlu (karnool) for the merit of the king. 

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from Redhills, which runs via Karanodai. The route nos are T57, 58A,  58G.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Address : Sri Pushparatheswarar Temple, Via Cholavaram / Sholavaram, Chennai 067.

Land line and mobile numbers are : 044 29021016 and 9962034729.

For more details :CLICK HERE 

TEMPLE TIMINGS: 

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs  and Sundays evening the temple will open at 15.00 Hrs.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE  

 ( Sthala vruksham Lotus with Shiva Lingam )

 ( Temple complex view with Kodimaram and Rishabam )

  ( Thiruvodu Tree / maram ( CRESCENTIA CUJETE – CALABASH )

  ( Ambal sannidhi Vimanam )

 ( 5 tier Rajagopuram on Southern side )

  --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple, Thiruvalangadu, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu.

 14,October 2012

On 13^th October 2012, I went to Thiruvalangadu, one of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Even though I had been to Thiruvalangadu no of times this visit is a special to me. The day was a Saturday and also a Pradosham day ( Sani Pradosham is a special one). I was fortunate enough to have the darshan  of Shiva  on this sani pradosham day. I was there till the completion of abhishekam to Nandi Devar  ( 16.30 Hrs to 18.00 Hrs). I went to the temple around 15.00 Hrs and taken the details of the temple. During that time there was not enough light in the prakarams. During abhishekam the lights were switched on through diesel genset. At the back of Natarajar saba ( Karaikkal Ammaiyar Jeeva Samadhi ). I had done the meditation. During meditation I could feel the vibration, and it was thrilling experience for me. I thought of visiting this temple once again, if Lord shiva permits me to go there. Some of the pictures taken during this visit are up loaded in this post.

15. SRI VADARANYESWARAR TEMPLE.THIRUVALANGADU

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Legends, History % Inscriptions, Sthalapurana etc,. For the details of the updated post please click this link. )

This is the 15^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar : Sri Vadaranyeswarar, Sri Devar Singa Peruman,

 Sri Aalangttu Nathar.

Consort  : Sri Vandaar Kuzhali Amman, Sri Brammarambal.

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

The Temple is facing east with an entrance arch with a mandapa.   In the front entrance arch stucco image of Sri Varasidhi Vinayagar, Sri Oorthavathandava moorthy,  Sri Rishabaroodar, Sri Murugan, Sri Kaali to be seen.

Rishabam is in a small mandapam with Dwajasthambam and balipeedam. Moolavar is under the rudraksha kudai, little large with beautifully decorated ( Archakar must be an artist ). In Koshtam Narthana Ganapathy,  Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Durgai.

There is a 16 Pillar mandapam in front of the temple. There is a 100 pillar mandapam after the front entrance.

Rajagopuram is of  5 tiers. On the left side, sannadhi for Vinayagar and Valli Devasena sametha Arumugam sannadhi on the right.

When we further enter there are two mandapams, one is Dhuvajarogana mandapam ( Kodiyetra mandapam )  and the other is Sukravara Mandapam.

Inner Gopuram is of 3 tiers. Sudhai sirpam of Iraivan's Oorthava Thandavam, Nandi Devar is playing miruthangam/mathalam, Karaikkal Ammaiyar in singing Posture, Gajasamharamurthy  are to be watched.

On the right side, Iraivan’s  thirukalyanakolam, and on the left the story of Karaikal Ammaiyar in Stucco image.

When we proceed further at the entrance,  stucco images of Pancha Sabai  in which Thiruvalangadu – Rathna sabai is at the center.  The other four are, on the left 5. Thiru Courtallam – Chitra sabai, 3. Madurai – Velli ( Silver ) sabai and on the right 2. Chidambaram – Por sabai ( Gold), 4. Tirunelveli- Thamira sabai, to be watched.

In Natarajar Sabha – Shiva's Oorthava thandavam, Ambal and Karaikkal Ammaiyar in sila roopam. Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s jeeva Samadhi is on the back of Natarajar Saba. Front entrance opposite to  Saba is not kept opened. Entrance is with Dwarabalagars.

In the inner prakaram Sridevi, Bhoodevi Samedha Vijayaraghava Perumal, Agora Veerabhadra, Sri Valli Devasena sametha Shanmugar, Ganapathy, Sabtha maathakkal ( Brami, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Varaaki, Indrani, Samundeeswari), Sastha, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundaramoorthy, Thirugnanasambandar, Manikkavasakar, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Kaarkodagar, Moonjikesa Munivar, Pathanjali, Anandhan, Vaathavur adikal, Sandesa Angrakha, Sri Vandar Kuzhali Amman, Agastheeswarar, Nagarajar, Sarbarajar, Kailasanathar, Ramalingeswarar, Kamatchi Amman, Ekambaranathar, Vaalmeekesar, Kasi Viswanathar, Sahasrara Lingam, Thazhuvi Kuzhainthesar, Soundra Nayagi, Natarajar, Iyappan, Naagarajar, Mantheeswarar, Upathesa Dakshinamurthy, Suryan, Chandran, Adhikara Nandhi.

Separate sannadhi for Sri Valli Devasena sametha  Shanmugar, Bhairavar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar, Gajalakshmi and Bathrakali Amman sannadhi is at the left side entrance of first prakaram.

Ambal is in a separate temple with four hands abaya, vara hastham and lotus in two hands in standing posture.

   

Sthala vruksham Aalamaram ( Banyan tree ) is in the outer prakaram with lot of prayer clothes.

Kaali temple is out side the main temple facing north ( After defeated by Shiva through the Oorthava thandavam, Kaali Stayed out side the temple).

Kaarkodagan, Sunantha Munivar worshiped lord Shiva of this temple.

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses available from Chennai ( T Nagar, Broadway, Vadapalani ) to Thiruvallur ( Bus no 597 from T Nagar ).

Buses also available from Koyambedu.

From Thiruvallur  to Arakkonam via Thiruvalangadu 105 C, T20, Srinivasa ( a Private bus).

Share autos are also available from Narayanapuram Koot road on the Thiruthani bus route.

Share autos are also available from Thiruvalangadu Railway station from temple entrance.

TEMPLE TIMINGS : 

The temple is kept open from morning 06.00 Hrs to night 20.00 Hrs without break and the Pooja timings are  07.30 Hrs, 11.00 Hrs, 16.30 Hrs & 19.30 Hrs. People used stay in mandapams even after pooja hours.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Thiruvalangadu Shiva temple Office Phone number is 044 27872074

Subbu Iyar - Mobile number +91 9952230906 may be contacted for darshan and details. Alternatively Saba Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile +91 9940736579 for Poojas.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 ( Temple chariot is kept in this mandapam - the entrance view of the mandapam )

 ( 16 Pillar mandapam )

  ( The 5 tier Rajagopuram )

  ( The 3 tier Rajagopuram after Rishabam and kodimaram )

 ( Temple complex view )

  ( Pancha sabai Stucco images at the entrance of 2nd Prakaram )

 ( Sri Pathrakali Amman Temple )

 ( Entrance arch during night )

Note: 

There is no good hotel for lunch/ meals in Thiruvalangadu and nearest place is Thiruvallur or Thiruthani.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---