27, January 2014.
When I received the
e-mail for registering from J Chandra P R O
of R.E.A.C.H. Foundation to GUDIYAM CAVES VISIT, immediately replied yes. After that I
searched for more details in the web. It was interesting and it kindled me
further. I was very eagerly waiting for the 26th Jan 2014 to
arrive. I used to learn may things like Chozha / Pandya / Pallava period
temples during this type of visits.
We are fortunate
enough to visit this caves / temples with Mr Sathyamurthy, an Expert from
Archaeology ( formerly worked with ASI ), Mr Badrinarayanan, a Geologist (
formerly worked with Geological Survey of India ) and Mr Vakula Varadharajan,
the Historian. Even-though heard many things, but I was able to reproduce
very little in this post, since they are beyond my understanding /
knowledge. Also I had my co-passenger as Mr Anantha, from Nanganallur (
9445166074 ) who is also interested in this type of Visits, music
and culture.
As usual I joined
this visit from Guindy along with 36 members in two vans. We reached Poondi
Oontreeswarar Shiva temple after crossing Thiruvallur ( The Place
Poondi is also called as Thiruvenbakkam. This is the 17th Devaram
Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam in Thondai Nadu, where Iraivan has given an
Oontrukol ( walking stick ) to Sundarar, when he lost his eyesight,
while he was on the way to Thiruvarur via Thirumullaivoyal, Kanchipuram –
Details of this temple will be posted separately after Thirukoil
Uzhavarapani scheduled on 2nd Feb 2014 ).
The
group comprised of Ladies, 2 kids and young & very young aged peoples.
After the darshan of Lord Shiva Oontreeswarar, we had our breakfast at the
temple itself.
We reached
Goonipalayam Village ( Nambakkam Road ) around 10.15 Hrs after crossing
Poondi reservoir ( Sathyamoorthy Sagar ). Since there is no proper sign boards
we missed the route twice. Parked our vehicle at the end of concrete road and
started our trekking. The actual start point is from the Tall watch tower. The
path was full of pebbles and it was difficult to trek on the
pebbles. The thick growth of vegetation also made the trek further
tougher. The route was a frightening one. We could hear some birds chirping,
otherwise it was too silent. There is no passerby through out the trek. A local
lady from other side of the hill came along with us. A dog was also followed us
during the trek. ( May be expecting some biscuits from us ). Even-though the 2nd cave
was about 7 KM it looked like, we have trekked a long distance. And the
path was stretching like Hanuman's tail. Everybody exhausted due to
scorching sun. On the route there was no big trees to take shelter.
Old straw roof Hut at Goonipalayam Village - The starting point of our trek
Trekking on the pebbles path
Still we have to trek
Conglomerate of pebbles rock
Conglomerate of pebbles rock
People throws the plastic wastes - too bad .
Conglomerate of pebbles rock ( Local people call this as Thalayari, the kaaval Theivam to Sri Mannachi Amman. He was made as Kaval Deivam, since he had seen Sri Mannachi Amman was eating food prepared by her. Learned from the Local lady who trekked along with us )
We
are approaching the 2nd Cave
There are about 16 caves in this Allikulli Hill range and we are able to cover only two. All the caves are natural formation of conglomerate of pebbles of laterite or geological formation pebbles. The pebbles were formed due to running of river Kaveri via this region ( Yes the present Kaveri flowed through this place with an origin from Palghat – Kerala. Due to natural diversion / obstruction at Mettur the river changes its direction to the present route - this is as per Mr Badrinarayanan, Geologist ). Now the the same river is called as Kosasthalaiyar river. There are huge beehives clinging from the roof of the 2nd
Entrance view of the 2nd cave
A
Devotee is performing pooja to Sri Mannachi Amman
View
of the opposite hill from the cave
Devotee's offerings to Sri Mannachi Amman
A cave
within the cave
Sri Mannachi Amman
There is an Amman idol called Sri Mannachi Amman was
installed by the locals and regular poojas on Sundays are also conducted by a
lady. People from far off places like Pichatur in Andhra Pradesh visits this
Amman and pongal is being offered.
Nature’s
twist( Look at this looking like a man and head like an elephant)
Nature's twist
After 2nd cave,
we had been the 1st cave also, on the way to start point,
even-though most of the people exhausted. There we found a water
source above the cave. It was a panoramic view of the hills from
there.
Our peoples are taking rest in the first cave
Panoramic view of the Hill above 1st cave
The dog that
followed us throughout the trek
The important details
of these caves are…..
- There are 16 caves in this Allikulli Hills range.
- These caves are approximately 120,000 years old.
- These caves were once in the ice glaciers.
- In the year 1863 Sir Robert Bruce Foote, a British geologist had done research on these caves and he had discovered some of the stone tools used by the Palaeolithic people ( Stone age ) between 29 to 18 thousand years before..
- In the year 1930 CE Mr Krishnasamy, an Archaeologist discovered 16 caves in this hill region.
- In the year 1936 Cambridge University of United States had studied these caves.
- Palaeolithic people used these caves as temporary shelter.
- Since the soil and caves are conglomerate of pebbles there is no big trees.
- Now these caves are under the control of ASI ( Archaeological Survey Of India).
HOW TO REACH
The Gudiyam cave is
about 70 KM from Chennai.
You can reach Via
Thiruvallur, Poondi, Goonipalayam on the way to Nambakkam
Goonipalayam is 11 KM
from Poondi via Poondi reservoir ( Sathyamoorthy Sagar – a drinking water
source to Chennai city and a transit reservoir to Puzhal for Krishna water )
From Goonipalayam one
has to take a trek to about 7 KM to the 2nd cave from watch tower.
LOCATION OF THE CAVE
:CLICK
HERE
Started our trek back
to the base where we parked the vehicles. Had our lunch around 14.30 Hrs. On
the way to Chennai we had been to Thiruvur and Aranvoyal Shiva Temples. The
details are as follows.
SRI
SINGANDISWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVUR
This temple is on the North side of river Koovam. The village Thiruvur is 40 KM from Chennai on the way to Thiruvallur.
The three tier rajagopuram
Moolavar : Sri Singandiswarar
Consort : Sri Uthbalambal
Some
of the important features of this temple are …
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In the artha mandapam relief of Rameswarar, Thirunageswarar, Jambukeswarar ( Thiruvanaikaval ), Rishya Singaateswarar are available on all four sides of a pillar.
In the outer prakaram sannadhis for 5 Ivar, Athimuga Vinayagar, Vallal Kumaran with Valli Devasena, Singara Chandran, Singara Suryan, Singara Bhairavar, Vallalar, Saptha Kannis and Nagar. Ambal is of Chozha period idol in standing posture with a beautiful smile on her face.
There is no Navagrahas sannadhi, Since Ashta Thikku Balakars are on the top of Rajagopuram, hence a separate sannadhi for Navagrahas was not built.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. It was also told that there is an underground tunnel available from the present Madappalli and the same was closed during the Kumbhabhishekam with out investigation.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
During
1st Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan's 11th year
( 1261CE ) rule, the temple was built as a stone structure. Before
the stone construction the temple was built by Ozhukarai alias
Thiruvannamalai udayan belongs to Ozhukarai alias Kulothunga nalloor. He was the
Chief of the Place called Vembayur alias Thugadur.
From 1st Jadavarma Sundara Pandyan to Chozha King Vijaya Kanda Gopalan’s period inscriptions of total in 12 nos available in side the temple of which two numbers are kept at the entrance of south side Rajagopuram.
The
Attaka Pillayar temple on the west side of river Cooum receives the
maanyam ( மானியம் ) for
burning of lamp from this Shiva temple.
The
complete temple was reconstructed between 1998 to 2004 in stages.
One of the kalvettu is erected in front of the temple ( seems to be of latter period )
LEGENDS
It was believed that Rishya Singeeswarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and hence Shiva is being called as Sri Singandiswarar.
CONTACT
DETAILS
Mr
Soundararajan 9952414369 and Rama Vimalan 9382664946 may be contacted for more
details.
HOW TO REACH.
The
Village Thiruvur is on the highway between Chennai to Thiruvallur about 40 KM
from Chennai. All the buses used to stop on the main road of Thiruvur.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
Front arch at the entrance of the maha mandapam
Stucco Natarajar with Ambal and Nandhiyamperuman with Suyasambigai
Gajabirushta Vimanam
Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy and Lingothbavar
Sri Valli Devasena samedha Sri Vallal Kumaran
View of the Rajagopuram from inside temple
Sri Rishya Singeeswarar worshiping Lord Shiva
Vallalar Sannadhi
Attakappillayar Sannadhi by the side of the road
Attaka Pillayar - a big size murti
THIRU THALEESWARAR TEMPLE, ARANVOYAL.
After Sri Singandiswarar
darshan we proceeded to another Shiva temple about 3 to 4 KM at Aranvoyal.
Moolavar :
Thiruthaleeswarar
Some of the important
features of this temple are .....
The temple is facing
east with a mottai gopuram on the south side, is used as the main entrance. The Rishabam has been shifted to east side from South side and looks cute. We could
see minute details on the Nandhi. The moolavar vimanam is of Gajabirustam type.
Sri Kamkshi Amman
with Sri Ekambareswarar are in a separate sannadhi. Lord Shiva Sri Thiruthaleeswarar in
Nagabaranam looks cute. It was a Pallava period temple. The temple is under
reconstruction.
NATARAJAR
Mr Vakula
Varadharajan explained us the beauty of the Chandrasekarar with Ambal in
sitting posture with left leg up in folded position.
He also explained the
beauty of Natarajar, the muthra details and functions of Damuru and fire on the
hands. This is the Natarajar with Ganga ( small ) on the jada mudi. The jada
mudi are of three numbers on either side.
Nataraja with Manickavasagar and Ambal
A closer look of Ambal
See the Ganga on the left side of jadamudi and difference between left and right eye ( Left side supposed to be Ambal ).
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Tamil inscriptions was
found around the left pillar on the south side entrance.
The old Tamil inscriptions around the pillar seems - Pallava period
HOW
TO REACH :
The Temple on the
opposite side of Thiruvur Village. All the buses from Chennai to Thiruvallur
passes through Aranvoyal bus stop and the village is about 1 KM off Main
road.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK
HERE
View of the main shrine entrance arch with Moolavar gajabirushta vimanam
Entrance arch
Rishabam - preparing for the installation
The old Pillayar - see the araigan thread ( அரைஞான் கயிறு ) - He used the snake
South side mottai gopuram
Sri
Mahavishnu & his consort - See the Chakra is in straight position-
sitting posture of his concert, left leg is up
After darshan we
returned back to Chennai around 19.30 Hrs with lot of pleasant memories.
I extend my gratitude to R.E.A.C.H Foundation and the Experts Mr Sathyamoorthy,
Mr Badrinarayanan, Mr Vakula Varadharajan and our friend Mr J Chandrasekaran.
I was surprised to
receive a call from Mr Vakula Varadharajan (+91 9840499986 ) on 21-03-3014, 21.36 Hrs and he had
given some comments and appreciated me, the way in which I had written the
post. I was really very happy to receive the comments from an Expert.
I tried to incorporate all the comments and if any mistakes still, I will correct the same.
Thank you very much Sir.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
