Sri Idaichuranathar Temple, Thiru Idaichuram, Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple, Bhairavar Temple, Sri Vedagiriswarar Temple / Sri Bakthavachaleswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram and Sri Rudrakodeeswarar Temple, Thirukalukundram, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

25, August 2013

After knowing the Thirukazhukundram Shiva Temple is my Rasi temple, planned to go to this temple. This is one of the Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Since Thiruidaicharam (presently called Thiruvadisoolam )  is also a Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam nearer to Thirukazhukundram, so  I added this temple to my list during this weekend Temples visit on 25-08-2013. For this temple, we have to take a diversion from Chengalpattu to Thirukazhukundram & Thiruporur Koot road.   ThriIdaichram is on the way from Chengalpattu to Thiruporur road from the bus stop ( about 9 KM from Chengalpattu ), we have to walk a distance of  1  KM from the main road.

When I reached the temple it was 7.30 Hrs and found the Rajagopuram door was opened and the temple doors were closed. When I walked around the outer praharam,  heard a sound coming from inside the temple. The Gurukkal told me that doors are kept closed to avoid the monkey’s menace.

27 - SRI IADICHURANATHAR TEMPLE / 
GNANAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE
THIRU IDAICHURAM - THIRUVADISOOLAM. 

( 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 Thiruvadisoolam. This is the 27^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Gnanapureeswarar, Sri Idaichura Nathar
Consort      : Sri Govarthanambigai, Sri Imaya madakkodi.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The Temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram built in recent years. There is no Dwajasthambam, but balipeedam and Nandhi mandapam are on the east side. Sanctum is like a moat. Moolavar is of Swayambhu – Maragatha lingam - a precious green stone. In koshtam Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Vishnu Durgai.

Swamy and Ambal sannidhi vimanams were constructed under the Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s pon vizha period.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Ganapathy, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Sri Bramandeswarar and his concert, Navagrahas. In the inner prakaram moorthangal of Naagars, Naalvar, Ganapathi, Sri Valli Deivanai sametha Sri Subramaniar, Bhairavar and Suryan.

Villenthiya Velan/Murugan on the right side of Moolavar keeping the right leg on the Peacock vahana (a relief ) looks cute. Ambal  in the form of a Cow milked on Lord Shiva and worshiped. Gowthama Maharishi and Sanat Kumaras worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions, this place was called Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Kalathur Kottathu Valla Nadu Thiruidaichuram. Lord Shiva was called Thiruvidaichuram Udayar, Thiruvidaichuram udaya Nayanar, and Ambal was called Imayakodiammai.

The temple was built during Paramesuvaraman-I, period. 15 Inscriptions are recorded in this temple.  The inscriptions belong to Kulothunga Chozha-I,  Vikrama Chozha-I ( 1128 AD), Rajanaraya Sambuavaran-I ( 1340 AD), Viajayakanda Gopalan, Vijayanagara Kings Viruppanna & Pukkan-II, Achutha Rayar.

The Inscriptions mainly record the gift of Lands, Impon Urchavar for Ambal, burning of perpetual lamps. A written manuscript also describes the contributions of Kulothunga Chozha.

Once there was a Fort and this area was ruled by the regional kings Kathavarayan and Sethurayan. A palm leaf manuscript is available at - The Government Oriental Manuscript Library-Anna Centenary Library.

HOW TO REACH :

Thiruvadisoolam is about 9 KM from Chengalpattu and 6 KM from Koot Road.

All the Govt. and Private buses from Chengalpattu to Thiruporur pass through this village.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukkal may be contacted for temple timings, pooja, etc. through his mobile number is 9444948937.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE  

Sri Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniyar

 A relief of Villenthiya Murugan (  also see a Northam in Thirukkazhukkundram base temple Amman Sannadhi entrance )

 East side entrance view

 South side entrance view

 Moolavar gopuram with Vinayagar sannadhi

The banyan tree is swallowing the Palm tree

 A banyan tree  around a palm tree

 

A recently constructed 5-tier Rajagopuram 

After darshan I came out of the temple, a devotee suggested I go to Devi Sri Karumariamman temple and Bhairavar temple which are under construction. Two devotees took me to the Sri Devi Karumaiamman Temple in their car. The car went through an unfinished mud road for about 2 KM from Shiva Temple. On the way, I could not see any human beings. The road passes through the forest and mountains with full of green. ( Thanks for the recent rain).

DEVI KARUMARIYAMMAN TEMPLE AT THIRUVADI SOOLAM.

The Amman is unique in nature in sitting posture with ten hands of which two are in abhaya and Vara hastham, to a height of 31 feet on a 20-foot pedestal, total 51 feet. The Amman is made of single monolithic granite stone brought from the village Siruthamur, Pattakonavadai Village in semi-finished condition weighing nearly 800 tons ( ?) through a 100-wheel trailer. It was the toughest journey to bring through the forest mud road.  The Amman was erected in the open sky at present and the superstructure with Kodi lingam will be built later. The Temple is being constructed by Sri Thambu Swamy’s 6^th generation great-great grandson, Sri Madurai Muthu Swamikal MA., BL. Sri Thambu Swamykal is the person who constructed the Thiruverkadu Sri Karumari, Amman Temple. It was learned that Amman came into his dream and explained to him where and how the temple was to be constructed for her. 

The Amman temple is under Balalayam and poojas are conducted regularly in a separate place and Soolam. Every day Annadhanam is served to the visiting devotees between 12.00 Hrs to 13.30 Hrs and Pournami pooja is conducted elaborately up to 21.00 hrs with oonjal seva.

CONTACT DETAILS :
Aathi Parameshwari Devi Sri Karumari Amman  Kshethram,

Sri Koil Puram, Thiruvadisoolam, Chengalpattu 603108.

TRUST OFFICE AT CHENNAI :
No 5099, G Block, Second Street, Anna Nagar West, Chennai 600040.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:   CLICK HERE

 Sri Devi Karumari Amman Statue  - about 300 Tons monolithic stone  of 31 feet high on a 20 feet pedestal

Temple under construction 

THIRUVADI SOOLAM ( EECHANKARANAI ) BHAIRAVA TEMPLE :

After Sri Devi Karumari Amman’s darshan people told me that Sri Bairavar temple under construction is about a KM from there. Walked alone endlessly. The path was stretching like Hanuman’s tail. Nobody was crossing me through the forest road. There was a frightening silence except for some birds chirping. At one point I missed the route and went through the wrong route and after crossing 500 meters returned back to the same junction and waited for a while to get the correct direction to the temple.  Two persons on a motorcycle came and they said they do not have the idea of such a temple. Then after a while, a person on a motorcycle guided me in the correct direction to the Bhairavar temple. I found it very difficult to walk under the scorching sun. The sun showed no mercy on me.  After walking to a distance of about a KM, at least I had seen the temple from a distance.  

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

The temple is under construction in a round shape facing east.  Inside it was very calm with a chanting of Sri Bhairavaya namha: through a sound system.  The inside shape is like Siva Lingam and bright lights were installed around the ceiling. The Bhairavar Moortham is installed at an elevated position at the center with 12 steps signifying the 12 Rasis from Meenam to Mesham. 

In the inner circle, Ashta Bairavas are installed. They are namely 1, Sri Ashithanga Bhairavar, 2. Sri Sanda bhairavar, 3. Sri Guru Bhairavar, 4. Sri Krothana Bhairavar, 5. Sri Pickshadana Bairavar, 6. Sri Kabala Bhairavar. 7. Sri Unmattha Bairavar  and 8. Sri Samkara Bhairavar. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Sri Rudhra Vinayagar, Sri Vaishnavi devi, Sri Azhaku Prithyangara  Devi and Sri Valli Deva sena Sri Subramaniyar.

HOW TO REACH :

A Town bus is available from Thiruvadisoolam but frequency is limited.

Auto is available from Thiruvadisoolam 

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple is being constructed by Sri Bhairava Siddhantham Swamykal from Nagarkoil.

The Temple address is Sri Bhairavar temple, Eechangkaranai, Thiruvadisoolam,  Bhairavar Nagar, Chengalpattu 603109.

The Mobile numbers are 9940392913 and 9444460759.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

SRI BHAIRAVAR TEMPLE AT EECHANGKAARANAI, THIRUVADISOOLAM

 Sri Bairavar

Sri Bairavar Temple is under construction 

28 - SRI VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM ( Malai Koil - மலைக் கோவில் )

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

This is the 28^th Devaram and Thiruvasagam  paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Naalvar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Iraivan  : Sri Vedagiriswarar
Iraivi     : Sri Chokka Nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are ….

In the inner praharam Sri Vinayagar,  Ambal sannidhi, and a shiva Lingam. On the east side entrance Sri Vallabai Vinayagar and Srivalli Devasena Sri Subramaniyar and on the North side entrance  Sri Vinayagar and Sri Murugan. Natarajar saba is in the artha mandapam. Ambal is in a standing posture facing north. There are no murtis in koshtam. There is no Rishabam and only Balipeedam with Dwajasthambam.

The hill is about 500 feet from the base. Moolavar is of Swayambu and faces east. The hill itself is considered a vedham and hence the hill is called Vedhagiri. Markandeyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. 

On the return path, There is a Pallava period Kudaivarai ( Rock Cut Cave temple ). This rock-cut Shiva Temple was chiseled during AD 610 to 640 by Mahendravaraman-I.  This is now under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India.

HOW TO REACH :
Government and Private Buses are available from Chengalpattu, Chennai, Thiruporur, Kalpakkam

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Temple timings are: 08.30 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 19.00 Hrs and

CONTACT DETAILS.

The Devasthanam landline number is  044 – 27447139.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Entrace to Malai Temple 

Moolavar Gopuram of Malai temple 

 Kudaivarai Koil - A rock-cut cave temple chiseled during King Kulothungan I - period AD 610 - 640. This site is under the control of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India)

 Rock cut temple another view

Kudaivarai Koil - Rock Cut Cave Temple for Shiva 

King and his wife worshiping Lord Shiva  with a sword kept near the king - See the legs posture - Relief  on the steps near the Kudaivarai koil ( Rock cut temple )

28- SRI BAKTHAVASALESWARAR TEMPLE/ SRI VEDAGIRISWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM BASE TEMPLE ( தாழ கோவில் ).

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

After the Malai temple, Dharshan proceeded to the base temple. The temple is under renovation and preparing for the Kumbabhishekam on 15^th  September 2013. It is a huge temple with Ambal temple built separately. The temple is full of dust due to cleaning and painting.

Moolavar    : Sri Bakthavasaleswarar & Sri Vedagiriswarar Temple

Consort      : Sri Thirupura Sundari Amman 

Some of the important details are …. 

All the 5 raja gopurams ( two on the east side ) are of 7 tiers. Moolavar vimanam is of Gajabirushtam type. Conch has appeared from Sangu Theertham to do Abhishekam to Sri Markandeyar, from then every 12 years conch is appearing from the Temple Tank.

Ashtabhuja Durgai is on the wall of the present office complex on the east side entrance. The relief looks very beautiful. Agora Veerabadra is a large moortham and looks beautiful.

Sri Chakram is  on  Ambal and abhishekam is  done on Adipuram, Panguni Uthiram and Navarathiri Navami day. Villenthiya Velan /Murugan in front of Ambal Sannadhi Moortham is very beautiful.

There is a 16-pillar mandapam with a lot of relief on the pillars and old paintings on the ceiling.

There are a lot of Tamil inscriptions on the Moolavar and Ambal sanctum sanctorum walls. ( It is a rare sight to see the old Tamil inscriptions on the Ambal temple also ). These inscriptions belong to the 7^th century Pallava, Chozha, and Rastra Kooda period.

CONTACT DETAILS.

The office landline is 044 – 27447139

Kannan Gurukkal Mobile number is 9790736702.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

A  bird's eye view of the base temple, view from Malai temple

 Second level Rajagopuram on the east side

 16 Pillar mandapam

 Old painting at the centre of the 16-pillar mandapam ceiling

 Ambal's dhabas relief on the 16 pillar mandapam

Relief of shiva dancing on the 16 pillar mandapam

 Gajabirushta Vimanam

 View of the temple complete complex with Sthala Vruksham

 Temple complex view

Temple complex view

 Beautifully sculptured pillars

 Villantheya Murugan  - a sculpture on the right side entrance of Ambal temple

 Agora Veerabhadra

 ASHTA BHUJA DURGAI  ( Relief on the office Complex wall - must see - Some of the temple people do not know where it is )

After darshan walked to see the Sangu Theertha Kulam with Neerazhi mandapam at the center. There is a Shiva temple on the banks of Sangu Theertha Kulam. Iraivan is Sri Theertha karaieeswarar and his concert is Sri Birambarambigai. The Theertha Kulam has little water due to the recent rain.

 Sangu Theertham ( conch ) with Malai temple on the back

Sri Brambarambigai Samedha Theerthakarai Eeswarar temple 

Then I went to a Vaippu Sthalam Sri Rudhra Kodi and the people call it Rudhrangkoil, which is very near ( 1 KM )  to the Sangu Theertam. Iraivan is Sri Rudhra Kodeeswarar and Ambal is  Sri Abirama sundari. The temple was closed when I went there around 13.00 Hrs. The temple tank/Thirukkulam was not maintained properly. 

DEVARA VAIPPU STHALAM AT THIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM 

SRI RUDRAKOTEESHWARAR

Temple view with temple pond

Had my lunch in a hotel and returned to Chennai around 16.00 Hrs through EMU from Chengalpattu.

--- OM SIVAYA NAMA :---