Gudiyam Caves, Sri Sringandiswarar Temple at Thiruvur and Thiruthaleeswarar Temple at Aranvoyal, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

 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 on the web. It was interesting and it kindled me further. I was very eagerly waiting for the 26^th Jan 2014 to arrive.  I used to learn many things like Chozha / Pandya/Pallava period temples during this type of visit.

We are fortunate enough to visit these caves/temples with Mr. Sathyamurthy, an Expert from Archaeology (who formerly worked with ASI ), Mr. Badrinarayanan, a Geologist (who formerly worked with the Geological Survey of India), and Mr Vakula Varadharajan, the Historian.  Even though heard many things, I was able to reproduce very little in this post since they are beyond my understanding/knowledge.  Also, I had my co-passenger, Mr. Anantha, from Nanganallur ( 9445166074 )  who is also interested in this type of Visit, 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 Thiruvenbakkam. This is the  17^th 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 2^nd Feb 2014 ).

The group comprised of Ladies, 2 kids, and young & very young people. 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 are 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 throughout the trek. A local lady from the other side of the hill came along with us. A dog also followed us during the trek. ( May be expecting some biscuits from us ). Even though the 2^nd cave was about 7 KM it looked like,  we had trekked a long distance. And the path was stretching like Hanuman's tail. Everybody is exhausted due to the scorching sun. On the route, there were 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 throw plastic waste - too bad. 

The conglomerate of pebbles rock (Local people call this Thalayari, the kaaval Theivam to Sri Mannachi Amman. He was made as Kaval Deivam since he had seen Sri Mannachi Amman 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 can cover only two. All the caves are a natural formation of the conglomerate of pebbles of laterite or geological formation pebbles. The pebbles were formed due to the 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. Huge beehives are clinging from the roof of the 2^nd  cave. 

 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 

Large beehives clinging from the roof of 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 visit 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 2^nd cave,  we went been the 1^st cave also, on the way to the start point, even though most of the people were exhausted. There we found a water source above the cave. It was a panoramic view of the hills from there.

 Our people are taking a 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 the United States studied these caves.
• Paleolithic people used these caves as temporary shelters. 
• Since the soil and caves are conglomerates of pebbles there are 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, and 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 of about 7 KM to the 2nd cave from the 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.

THE PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE HILLS FROM CAVE -1. TO SEE THE VIDEO PLEASE CLICK HERE 

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 faces east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. In the ardha mandapam relief of Rameswarar, Thirunageswarar, Jambukeswarar (Thiruvanaikaval), and 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 without investigation. The Rajagopuram was built during the Vijayanagara period.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

During 1^st Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan's 11^th 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 1^st Jadavarma Sundara Pandyan to Chozha King Vijaya Kanda  Gopalan’s period inscriptions of a total of 12 nos are available inside 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 the burning of a lamp from this Shiva temple.

The complete temple was reconstructed between 1998 to 2004 in stages.

 One of the inscription stone slab is erected in front of the temple ( seems to be of the latter period )

LEGENDS

It was believed that Rishya Singeeswarar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and hence Shiva is being called 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 the 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 faces east with a mottai gopuram on the south side, which is used as the main entrance. The Rishabam has been shifted to the east side from the 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 ---