27,
October 2013.
A
thrilling experience to catch the train Podhigai super fast express at Chennai
Egmore, The story goes like this….…
After the
close of work at office reached home around 17.30 hrs on 25-10-2013, and
thought of starting from home around 18.30 hrs to catch the train Pothigai
Express at Egmore which scheduled to depart at 20.10 Hrs, calculating the EMU
journey time of 30 to 35 minutes from Guindy to Egmore. But Lord Shiva’s
calculation was on the reverse. There was an intuition in me to start little
earlier. So Started from home around 17.50 Hrs and reached Guindy railway
station around 18.30 Hrs, after leaving my motor cycle at my old
office SPIC House. There was a huge rush at Guindy railway station and I did
not know what for. The 18.30 hrs Electric train arrived at 18.49 hrs
and moved slowly up to Saidapet. The train stopped more than a
minute, which was unusual.
The same
thing happened at Mambalam also. After Mambalam the train stopped before
Kodambakkam station and people were talking there might be problem
with signal. The time was 19.15 Hrs and there was no sign of
starting. After 15 minutes the train started once again and reached Kodambakkam
station. Also I had seen the 18.49 hrs train from Guindy over took
us on the other track and stopped at Kodambakkam station. At the station it was
announced that the train to beach was stopped due
to derailment of a goods train near beach station and will be announced latter
about starting. Already the time was 19.30 Hrs, my blood pressure was shooting
up. Decided to get down and go to Egmore through an Auto.
Out side
Kodambakkam station many people were asking for an auto to go to
Egmore and central. Since it was two days holiday many IT people were
travelling to their native. Many autos refused to ply to Egmore or Central.
After walked away from the station an auto agreed to drop me at Egmore and the
Auto driver pacified me ( to sit calmly on the back seat ) that he will reach
station before the train’s departure. Lost the hope of catching the Pothigai
Express around 18.50 Hrs when I was still travelling in
the auto in Nungambakkam area. Every time the Auto stops for the Signal my
blood pressure started shooting up. Started chanting of Thiruvasakam
to reduce my tension. Also there was a diversion for about 2 KM by the traffic
police, which tested my patience.
After
crossing the hurdles and hoping the train will start at least 10 minutes late
landed at Egmore railway station exactly by 20.05 Hrs. The auto charged me Rs
109 as per meter and I gave Rs 120 & thanked the driver for dropping me
safely at station. Inquired the porters about the platform and
told me the train is on the platform no 8 and it may start at any time. Hurried
with walk & run boarded the train at 20.07 Hrs after climbing up
the foot over bridge and climbing down to platform. The train was on
9th platform and not on the 8th, luckily 8th and
9th platforms are adjacent. Searched my coach and sat down on
my seat and the train started moving exactly by 20.10 Hrs. Confirmed with the
co-passengers whether I boarded in the correct train or not, by asking when the
train will reach Tenkasi and if the answer is negative thought of getting down
at Tambaram. Since the answer was positive I was relaxed. My
breath came to normal after 10 minutes.
( The
goods train derailment news I came to know during my auto travel and
in detail in the Hindu on 27-10 2013. Many people who travelled along with me
in EMU might have missed their train and their total plan might have spoiled. )
The
Pothigai express reached Tenkasi around 8.45 Hrs on
26-10-2013, late by an hour. Reached old bus stand to catch bus to kutralam
through an auto, which charged me Rs 40.00. The bus to Kutralam was
limited during non-seasonal time. After reaching Kutralam, searched to take a
bath at any of the lodge. They suggested me to go to Main falls
where locker facility is available. The locker at the main falls charged Rs 20
for an hour and had a nice bath. Since it was a non season there was not much
crowd. There was also a moderate water from the falls. Many Shiva
Lingam reliefs chiseled on the rock, which many people may not aware, who
visits Kutralam only during the season. Changed my dress and
went to Sri Kutralanathar temple which is about 25 meters from the main falls.
Coutralam main falls - view during non-season - no crowd.
Shiva Lingams reliefs chiseled on the rock - see the water falling from avudayar
Water is falling on Lord Shiva
257 / 13. ARULMIGU KUTRALANATHAR TEMPLE, KUTRALAM
/ COURTRALLAM
This is the 257th Paadal Petra
Shiva sthalam and 13th Shiva Sthalam in Pandiya nadu.
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Moolavar :
Arulmigu Kutralanathar, Sri Kurumbalaeesar,
Sri Thirikoodachalapathy, Sri
Thirikoodaleswarar.
Arulmigu Courtrallanathar Swamy Temple
Consort : Sri Kuzhalvai Mozhiammai , Sri
Venuvaakkuvahini.
Some of the important features of this temple
are….
After entering through a 3 tier Rajagopuram there
is a big mandapam called vasantha mandapam. The rajagopuram has lot of cute
stucco images with 3 kalasams on the top. The temple is in the shape of conch ( Sangu ).In koshtam Dakshinamurthy ( not in the niche ), Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar. In the artha mandapam Urchavars and Natarajar Saba. The moolavar is small.
In the inner prakaram sannadhi for, Kumbha Muni, Brahma, Sabtha mathakkal, Suradevar, Ayyanar, Brahmi, Thurayanar, Mahavishnu, Narasimhar, Kanni Vinayagar, Chandran, Vanmeki Nathar, Jambukeswarar, Annamalaiyar, Kalathiappar, Thirumoola nathar ( Very small moortham ), Ramalingar, Subramaniyar, Chandikeswarar, Saneeswarar and Suryan.
In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Ambal with a
Nandhi in front ( a separate Koil with steps – Kailasanathar and
Durgai are in the Ambal temple’s pakaram ) on the right side of moolavar
sannadhi, Kurumbala nathar ( from here we could hear the sound of main falls ),
63var, Nannagara perumal, Paabanasar with Ulagamman, Nellaiappar with
Gandhimathi, Manakolanathar, Narambu Nathar, Sankaralingam, Palvannanathar, Chokkalingam with Meenakshi, Dharmasastha, Mathunatheswarar with
Aramvalarthamman, Agasthiyar, Vasuki, Somalingam, Maha Lingam, Sahasralinga,
Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Shivalaya Munivar ( 2 steps below the ground
level ), Parasakthi Peedam and Navagrahas. Near one of the sannadhi on the
south side the main falls top is visible.
Then comes the mandapam with
Dwajasthambam, Rishabam / Idabam and Balipeedam. In the mandapa pillars Chinna Pattar and
Periya pattar Kings reliefs on the pillars who had built this
temple.
This temple has two parts. One is this temple and the other is Chitra sabai which is about ½ a KM from the main temple. The temple is of 2000 years old and there are lot of old Tamil inscriptions on the prakaram walls.
Pattinathar, Manickavasagar, Arunagirinathar has sung hymns about this temple. It was believed that the sage Agathiyar has transformed the Shiva Lingam from Thirumal moortham. Moolavar is small.
HOW TO REACH:
The place Thenkasi is on the bus and train route
to Shenkottai from Tirunelveli, Madurai, Chennai etc.
Pothigai express passes through Tenkasi.
Lot of Town and mini buses are available to
Kutralam from Tenkasi during Chaaral season and frequency is less during non
season.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple is open between 06.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs
and 16.30 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The phone numbers of the temple are 283318 and
283398 and mobile number is 9488374077.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
Saptamatrikas
Old Tamil inscription can be seen on the walls
Chandikeswarar
Ambal Temple Vimanam
After
peaceful darshan of Sri Kutralanathar, had been to Chitra Sabai,
which is about a ½ a KM from the main temple after climbing steps to a distance
of 50 meters. The Sabha was open to public and the entrance fee was Rs 10. The
caretaker did not allowed me to take photographs. After my repeated requests he
allowed me to take only the dwarapalakar on the right side.
CHITRA
SABAI:
Some of
the features of this sabai are….
There is
a mandapam with a Gopuram at the center of Temple tank in front. There is no
pictures in front mandapam of
Chitra
sabai.
Learned
that the Chitrams were drawn using the natural herbs. The Sabai
is in the form of a temple with thamira plated roof with 8 kalasams
on the top.
Some of
the chitrams / drawings are Shiva’s Urdhva thandavam, Kaali, Murugan, Shiva
with Parvati, Soorapadman, Singamugan, Thaaragan, Manmadhan, Rathi,
Gajendra moksham, Shiva’s Thiruvilayadal, Shiva and Parvati's marriage,
63var, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Hiraniya’s samharam, Kutralanathar who gave
darshan to Agasthiyar, etc. Wooden
reliefs / Sculptures of Vinayagars can also be seen.
Thirukkulam with neerazhi mandapam
Dwarapalakar chitram
After
darshan at Chitra Sabai took a bus to Tenkasi. From a distance I could see
the magnificent view of the rajagopuram standing tall and called me. Got down
from the bus before the bus stand. When I entered through the
rajagopuram I could feel the heavy flow of the wind. The entrance
must be 40 feet high and I had seen the 4 pillars on the side
walls with out any joint up to the ceiling.
SRI KASI VISWANATHAR TEMPLE, TENKASI
Moolavar :
Sri Kasi Viswanathar
Consort : Sri Ulagamman
Some of
the important features of this temple are…..
The
rajagopuram is of 9 tiers. At the entrance under a mandapam with Balipeedam.
The mandapam pillars has large size reliefs / sirpangal of Kaali, Rathi,
Shiva’s Thandavam, Mahavishnu ( must be Krishna – since playing the flute ),
Manmadhan, Agora Veerabhadra. The Rishabam is little big. In Koshtam
Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma. Moolavar
is in an elevated position looks so beautiful.
In the
inner prakaram sannadhi for, Nalvar, 63var, Suradevar, Sabtha
mathakkal, Kanni Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas, Ayyannar, Chandramouleeswarar,
Mahalakshmi, Shanmugar, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Natarajar ( Stone moortham)
and Suryan.
In the
outer prakaram sannadhi for, Ulagamman, Sri Subramaniar in between moolavar and
Ambal sannidhi, Naagars under peepal tree, sannadhi with lamb ( Might be a
Lingam inside the flowers ), Sahasra Linga, Parasakthi Peedam similar to
Kutralam, Sokkanathar with Meenakshi and Bhairavar.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple has connection with Uthra kasi in Uttarakhand state. The temple is more
than 2000 years old and has a lot of old Pandya period Tamil inscriptions.The poem inscription on the Rajagopuram
records the beauty of Tenkasi and those
who takes care of this town along with the relatives, might have been blessed
by Thirumagal. Also will be praised with due respect by the King of Korkai
Parakrama Pandya. The original poem inscription reads as… ( Thanks to Kudavayil Balasubramaniyam )
" பூந்தண் பொழில்புடை
சூழ்ந்தென் காசியைப் பூதலத்தில்
தாந்தங் கிளையுட னேபுரப்
பார்கள்செந் தாமரையாள்
காந்தன் பராக்கிரமக் கைதவன்
மான கவசன்கொற்கை
வேந்தன் பணிபவ ராகியெந்
நாளும் விளங்குவரே".
The magnificent view of the 9 tier Rajagopuram
It
was around 12.30 Hrs when I came out of Tenkasi Shiva Temple. Had my lunch in
one of a mess near bus stand. Inquired the bus route to Sivasailam. The people
suggested me to go to my next Temple Visit of Sri Nellaiappar, since there is
no frequency of bus to Alwarkurichi a big place near
Sivasailam and the temple will be opened only after 16.00 Hrs. It
will become too late to reach Tirunelveli and I will miss the Nellaiappar
temple’s visit, if I had been to Sivasailam. So skipped Sivasailam and boarded
a bus to Tirunelveli.
It
was too early when I reached Tirunelveli around 14.30 Hrs. Spend time up to
16.00 Hrs sitting in front of the temple’s office.
258
/ 14. SRI NELLAIAPPAR TEMPLE, TIRUNELVELI
This
is the 258th Devaram Paadal petra Shiva Sthalam and 14th &
last Shiva Sthalam in Pandiya nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise
of Lord Shiva of this temple.
Rajagopuram on the eastern side
Moolavar : Sri Nellaiappar, Sri Venuvananathar, Sri Nelvelinathar
Consort :
Sri Kanthimathi Amman.
Some
of the important features of this temple are…..
The temple is facing east with a 7 Tier rajagopuram. A wooden mandapam is in front of the Rajagopuram. Moolavar
is swayambhu and a scar can be seen on the top due to the sword hit the moolavar
while cutting the bamboo tree. It is believed that the avudayar visible is 21st and
there are 20 avudayar still below the ground level. In koshtam
Dakshinamurthy.
The
temple has 8 Mandapams and 5 Rajagopuras. The entrance mandapam on the eastern
side Rajagopuram has an old wooden mandapam with lot of wooden
relief works. There
are two Durgai Amman sannidhis in this temple. Balipeedam
with a Big size Stucco Rishabam under a mandapam is at the east side entrance.
The pillars has beautiful relief works.
The big stucco Rishabam
In
the 3rd outer Paraharam, sannadhi for Naalavar, Subramaniyar,
Dakshinamurthy ( On the opposite, way to Ambal Kanthimathi Amman Temple ),
Sankaranainar Swamy, Gomathi Amman Sannadhi, Arumuganainar sannadhi ( 6
faces and can go around the moolavar to see the back side of the
face ), Vinayagar ( with sudhai vinayagar on the top) – on the western side,
Kasi Viswanathar with Visalakshi, Vayu Lingam, Vanniyadi sastha, Kala bhairavar
and navagrahas.
Arumuganayinar Sannadhi
At
the entrance of the 2nd outer prakaram on the left, moorthams
of Vedha Pattar, Adhikara nandikeswarar, Namasivaya moorthy.
In
the Second outer prakaram sannadhi for, Suryan, Naalvar Urchava idols /
moorthangal, Thiyagaraja sannadhi, 63var in brass, Agasthiyar, Suradevar (
with three faces, three hands with thandam, mani and soolam, three legs ),
Theyu Lingam, Polla Pillayar, 63var murtis in stone, Somaskandar
in the upper level with steps to climb, Vayu Lingam, Vinayagar, Mutrum Kanda
Ramakon, Aagasa Lingam, Nellai murugan with Valli devasena, Santhana sabapathy
( sandal paste is applied throughout the year ), Gajalakshmi with Ashta
lakshmis on both sides, Sani Bhagavan, Sahasralinga, Sabamandapam and
Chandran.
Perumal
in Anantha sayana posture is on the left side of moolavar ( Right side when we
stand in front of moolavar ).
Musical
pillars are special attraction in this temple. Different musical notes sounds
can be heard when tapped.
Isai thoonkal ( musical pillars )
HISTORY
:
Mutrum
Kanda ramakon was the instrumental for finding Lord Shiva’s moortham
under the bamboo tree while he carries milk to the king.
This
is one of the pancha sabhai called Thamira Sabai, since the river Thamiraparani
is flowing through the place. The river water contains some amount of metal
called Thamiram, hence called a Thamirasabhai.
Many old Pandya Period Tamil inscriptions are found in the temple.
LEGENDS
The
name Tirunelveli came after Lord Shiva put a fence ( veli ) to the rain for
the safety of the paddy meant for Lords Naivedyam/ Thiruvamudhu. Vedabattar was behind
the story of this temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple opens between 07.00 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs
HOW
TO REACH:
Lot
of buses available from various parts of Tamil Nadu.
3
KM from Junction and Town buses available from old bus stand.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Kandhimathi amman sannadhi rajagopuram
The relief of a King, who built this temple
Dakshinamurthy sannadhi
West side Rajagopuram
West side Vinayagar sannadhi
Corridor looks beautiful is it not?
Chariot kept at the north side entrance
Shiva and Parvathy relief on the inner prakaram wall
Urchava images are with Stucco images on the back
Entrance to the main shrine
Juradevar with three heads, three hands and three legs.
Santhana sabapathy - santhanam ( sandle wood paste is applied throughout the year )
Some of the relief in the corridor
SRI
KANTHIMATHI AMMAN SANNADHI
Ambal is
in a separate temple with a rajagopuram in front. Except at
the entrance there is not many reliefs.
In the
inner parakaram sannadhi for Kanni moola Ganapathy, Sri Valli Deva sena
Subramaniyar.
Sannadhis
in the interconnecting corridors between Lord Shiva and Ambal Temples are A
Shiva Lingam, Kasi Viswanathar, mahalingam, Murugan with Valli Devasena, Manjanavaravu
Amman.
Thirukkulam with neerazhi mandapam between Nellaiyappar and Kanthimathi amman sannadhi.
The entrance to Kanthimathi Amman Sannadhi with Musical pillars
After peaceful
darshan of Lord Nellaiappar, thought of buying Halwa from irruttukadai. Learnt
the shop will be open around 18.00 Hrs and the people started standing in Q,
since 15.00 Hrs. I do not want waste time, standing in the Q, came
to old bus stand and purchased halwa from Sri Lakshmi Sweets shop. The Train
Nellai Express was on the platform No1, when I reached railway station an hour
earlier around 17.50 hrs. From Tirunelveli the train started late by 15 minutes ( 19.05 Hrs ) and reached Tambaram around 7.00 Hrs on
27-10-2013. Reached home after taking my bike from SPIC House.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
