Tuesday 11 February 2014

Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple at Thirupanangadu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 11, February 2014.
A continuation to the previous post.....
After dharshan returned back to Cheyyar bus stand and crowd was swelling. People were fighting  to get a seat and some reserve seats  before the bus enters in to the bus stand. Since the bus to Kanchipuram from  Cheyyar  is limited waited for an hour, watching the peoples behavior.  After Vembakkam the bus dropped me a diversion road to Thiruppanangadu.  The temple is about 1.5 KM off main road with tamarind trees on both sides.

On the way I also visited the theerta tank. Iron grills are erected to guard the same. It is believed that Lord Shiva created this water source for Sundarar after he gave kattamuthu. It is only a hearsay.  But this is not mentioned in Periyapuranam written by Shekkizhar. When I reached the temple Urchavar arrived after thiruveethi uzha.

09 – SRI THALAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUPPANANGADU / VANPARTHAN PANANGATTUR. 

Now this place is called as Thiruppanangadu. This is the 9th Devaram paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondainadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
 
Rajagopuram with Dwajajasthambam on both sides and the entrance arch

Moolavar    : Sri Thalapureeswarar
Consort      : Sri Amithavalli
Agasthiyar worshiped.

Moolavar    : Sri Kirubanathesswarar
Consort      : Sri KirupaNayaki.
Pulathiyar worshiped.

Some of the important features of this temple are…
There are two Shiva sanctum sanctorum  with separate Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam ( in an elevated position ). The Rishabam's horn in front of Kirubanatheeswarar sannadhi is very small. There is an entrance arch and there is no Rajagopuram. But there is a 2nd level 3 tier Rajagopuram after Rishaba mandapam. There is no sannadhis in the outer prakaram.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Ambal Amirthavalli, Ambal Kiruba Nayaki, Palliayarai in between, Devakottai Periya Ekappachettiyar’s statue ( who had done a lot of thirupani to this temple ), 63var, Naalvar, Vinayagar, Meenakshi samedha Chokkalingar, Sthala Vrukshama stone sculpture, Mahalingam, Gajalakshmi, Valli Devasena samedha Subramaniyar on peacock vahana ( face of the peacock is on the right instead of left ), Navagrahas with their vahanas, Chandikeswarar by the side of Sri Kirupanatheswarar, Natarajar Saba, Bairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.

In koshtam of Sri Thalapureeswarar sannadhi, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( like a separate sannadhi ), Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In koshtam of Sri Kirubanatheeswarar, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu and Brahma.( No Durgai ).

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sri Thalapureeswarar sannadhi.
Dwarapalakis are painted in front of both Ambal sannadhis.

Relief of  Vali and Sugriva fight, Nagalingam, Egapadamurthy, Garudalwar, Vishnu, Yoga Dakshinamurthy, Anjaneyar, Agasthiyar, Pulathiyar, Sthala vruksham ( at the entrance of Kirubanatheeswarar sannadhi ) are chiseled on the pillars looks cute.

Both Shiva sannadhis vimanam are of gajabirushtam type. Kottai Muneeswaran temple is in front of Shiva Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs. to 12.15 hrs. and 16.30 Hrs. to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS.
Sivachariyar Devaraja sharma may be contacted  through his mobile 9843568742 for details and pooja. 

HOW TO REACH:
From Kanchipuram to Cheyyar bus via Vembakkam passes through this place.
Chetpet – Peramanallur – Cheyyar – Kanchipuram via Vembakkam passes through this place.
Kanchipuram to Kalavai bus Passes through this place.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE CLICK HERE

Theertha kulam on the way to Temple. It was said that the theertham was did not dried up even during the peak of  summer 
 A sign board to the temple 
Temple Complex view from out side 
Temple complex view from out side 
Rajagopuram with Dwajasthambam
Rishabam  in front of Thalapureeswarar
Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Subramaniyar - Peacock's face is on the right side 
Sri Chokkanathar, Sri Meenakshi and the sthala Viruksham
Dakshinamurthy in Sri Thalapureeswarar temple  koshtam.
Naga Lingam - a relief
Vaali & Sugriva are  fighting - A relief
A relief of Vishnu
Agasthiyar ? or Pulathiyar ?
Hanuman - a relief
Hanuman - relief
Devakottai Ekappa Chettiyar who had done thirupani to this temple
Lord Shiva as Neelakandewarar and Ambal - thiruveethi uzha  during this Masi Maham festival - A rare occasion to see.
Ambal
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vedapureeswarar Temple at Thiruvothur / Cheyyar, Paadal Petra sthalam of Thondai Nadu, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

 11th , February 2014.
A Continuation of the previous post ........

After darshan, I had to deviate from my original plan of going to Thiruvothur directly. Since there is no direct route to Thiruvothur from Magaral, I had taken the route via Kanchipuram.  When I reached Thiruvothur preparation are on for Swamy’s thiruveethi uzha with Kailaya vathiyam. It was interesting to note that the  instruments are being played by the young children.  This is the first time I had  seen that Natarajar is taken out for thiruveethi uzha as urchavar. There were  many temporary shops erected for this Masi Magam festival along the street.

8 – SRI VEDAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVOTHUR.  
It is part of Cheyyar, also called as Thiruvathipuram. This is the 8th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Iraivan : Sri Vedapureeswarar, Sri Vedhanathar.
Iraivi    : Sri Balakujambigai, Sri IlamulaiNayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are…..
The temple is facing east with a 6 tier Rajagopuram. A mandapam with Balipeedam, dwajasthambam and Rishabam are at the front.  Rishabam is facing opposite to moolavar.  ( The story behind this is Lord Shiva sent Nandhi  along with King Thondaiman to conquer a king called  Visvavasu. To represent this Nandhi is facing opposite to moolavar ). In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram, sannadhi for Vinayagar, Balamurugan, Veerabhadra, Vinayagar, Nagalingam, Lingam, 108 Lingam, Naalvar, 63var, Valampuri Vinayagar, Lingangal, Naagars, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Murugan sudhai sirpam, Bhairavar, Suryan,  Thirumal and Chandran.

In the front mandapam impon urchava murtis are kept. Some of them are  Pickshadanar, Ambal with Chandrasekar, Arumuga Peruman with Valli Devasena looks cute. A Perumal / Vishnu statue is installed in front of Durgai. The Chakra is  in vertical position against horizontal.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for  Sthala Vruksham, Thillai Sivaperuman, Sandeswarar, Thiru Kalathi Nathar, Thiru Aanaikka, Thiru Annamalai, Thirukachi Ekambam, Ambal sannadhi, Palliyarai, Navagrahas and Santhana kuravargal.

On the left of the entrance, moortham of Thirugnanasambandar with Shiva and Sthala vruksham are in the form of stone. Ambal sannidhi is like a separate temple  with Koshta  moorthangal. Ambal is in sitting posture.

Standing at one place in the front mandapam, we can have the view of Moolavar, Ambal, Vinayagar, Murugan, Navagrahas, Sthala Vruksham ( partially visible – obstruction due to sannadhis )

INSCRIPTION:
There are old tamil inscriptions found around sanctum sanctorum walls. Kulothungan, Rajendran, Vikrama Chozha period inscriptions are found around karuvarai walls.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is  kept open between 06.00 Hrs. to 12.00 Hrs. and  16.00 Hrs. to 20.30 Hrs.  And the poojas are 08.00 Hrs. 12.00 Hrs.  16.00 Hrs. and 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. Ashok, an office clerk 9842416402 and Sivachariyar Dakshinamurthy  9688612660 may be contacted for pooja and other functions.

HOW TO REACH :
Govt. buses are available to Cheyyar from Kanchipuram, Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Salem, etc. and the temple place Thiruvothur is about 1.5 KM from bus stand.
Private buses and Govt. Town buses are also available  from Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

The 5 tier Rajagopuram 
Inner view of the second level Rajagopuram with mandapam 
Ambal sannadhi vinmanam
Moolavar Vimanam
Sthala viruksham 
Temple Complex view with Dwajasthambam and nandhi mandapam
Nandhi is facing opposite to moolavar
Arumugaperuman - Peacock is facing on the right side 
Urchavar with Ambal 
Chandikeswarar with mazhu on the right hand 

Thirugnanasambandar, Shiva Lingam & Sthala Vruksham Palm Tree
Lord Shiva with bow and arrow - a relief on the mandapam pillar
Swamy's purapadu to Thiruveethi uzha
Natarajar is taken for Thiruveethi uzha a rare sight to see.
Ambal 
Kailaya vathiyam - children too are playing 
Continued in the next post.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thirumakaraleeswarar Temple. Magaral, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 11, February 2014.
I was fortunate  enough to have Lord  Shiva’s dharshan during Masi ( A Tamil month ) thiruvizha / Bramotshavam at Magaral, Thiruvothur and Vanparthan Panangattur  ( Thiruppanangadu ) on 09-02-2014. It was a tough journey to all three places.  Since the Sunday was a muhurtham ( Marriage ) day, crowd, crowd everywhere. All most throughout my journey,  I had to travel by standing.

The Journey route was Guindy – Poonamallee – Kanchipuram – Magaral – Kanchipuram – Cheyyar( Thiruvothur ) – Thiruppanangadu ( Via Vembakkam ) – Kanchipuram – Poonamallee - Guindy.  From the Bus stand / Bus stop to Temple preferred to walk.  Under the scorching sun, found very difficult to walk,  also did not took any food, since morning to evening. It aggravated further and I got completely  exhausted.

Even-though I had been to these temples earlier twice, want to make it, again to take photographs and to get  Lord Shiva’s blessings too.  Before start of this travel I had collected details of these temples and Phone numbers.  Since I was able confirm the temple will be kept open for Bramotshavam at Thirupanangadu, hence decided to keep it in the afternoon session.   In all the three places I could not take the full view photograph  of the Rajagopurams due to pandal ( Kottakai in Chettinadu ) erected  for urchavam. The details of the temples are written below as per the order I visited.

7 – THIRUMAKARALEESWARAR TEMPLE, MAGARAL.
This is the 7th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar : Shiva is called by 12 names different names and they are 
Sri Adaikalam Thantha Nathar ( Parikara name),
Sri Maham Vaazhvithavar, Sri Udumbeesar, Sri Paarathazhumbar, 
Sri Putridangondaar, Sri Nilaiyitta Nathar, Sri Mangalangathavar, 
Sri Parinthukathavar, Sri Agastheesar, Sri Abathsahayar,
Sri Maakaraleeswarar, Sri Thaduthatkondavar.

Consort   : Sri ThirupuvanaNayagi, Sri BhuvanaNayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Sthala Vruksham is lemon tree and theertham is Agni Theertham. The moolavar Vimanam is of gajabirushtam type and the sanctum sanctorum is in the form of moat /agazhi.
  
The moolavar is like ( monitor Lizard )  Udumbu's tail. As per Gurukkal, Moolavar was made out of navapashanam ( 9 - poisonous medicinal herbs / natural materials ).  In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma  and Durgai. Urchava idols/moorthams are kept in the artha mandapam.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Arumugasamy ( sitting on peacock vahana (Peacock’s face is on the right side, is an unusual one ), Adhikara Nandhi along with 63var, Valampuri Vinayagar, Mahavishnu, Valli Devasena sametha Subramaniar, Ambal sannadhi, Arthanari Bhairavar ( back side of Ambal sannadhi ), Murugan is on white elephant ( story with picture is up loaded below ). 

LEGEND
The temple is about 1500 years old  and Lord Shiva gave dharshan to king Rajendra Chozhan in the form of golden Udumbu (உடும்பு  =Monitor Lizard  ).

After Murugan killed Surapadman, he married Devasena. On that occasion,  Indran asked Murugan to sit on his white elephant Iravatham in presence of Thirumal. Also it is be noted that elephant was his vahana before Peacock.
  
Agasthiyar and the two asuraras called Maaharan & Maalayan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

CONTACT DETAILS.
Shanmuga Sundara Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile 9444810396     for poojas, Pariharam, etc., and his residence is nearby.

HOW TO REACH :
Ilayanar velur – Kanchipuram – Perungkattur bus passes through this place Magaral.
Buses from Kanchipuram to Uthiramerur via Orikkai passes through this place Magaral

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :  CLICK HERE

Gajabirushata Vimanam - Dwarapalakar

Subramaniyar is sitting on peacock. Peacock's face is on the right side 

Sri Muruga peruman is on the white elephant. Closer look of Sri Muruga peruman on white elephant

( Arthanari... ? ) Bairavar
View of Front mandapam, Dwajasthambam, Rishaba mandapam
Stucco images on the mukha mandapam
Rishabam in mandapam - facing moolavar
Another view of the temple complex
The 5 tier Rajagopuram

Thiruvothur and Vanparthan Panangattur details are written in the next posts.
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sunday 2 February 2014

Sri Theertheswarar Swami Devasthanam, Tiruvallur, Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu

 2nd February, 2014
As planned went to Poondi  Oontreeswarar Shiva temple for the Uzhavaram Under the leadership of Thiru Adalarasan, from "Thirukoil Uzhavarapani mandram" திருகோயில் உழவாரப்பணிமன்றம் - வேளச்சேரிசென்னை -600042), To our disappointment no body was there  when we reached around 08.30 Hrs. Even though I started 05.00 Hrs in the morning  it took 3.30 Hrs to reach Poondi, due to breakdown of the bus to Tiruvallur and also due to non availability of bus to Poondi.  It was learned that they had taken up Uzhavaram at Thiruvallur Theertheswarar Swami Devasthanam, Shiva Temple. Returned back  to Tiruvallur and joined with the them. The Shiva temple is just back side of the Sri Veeraraghava Perumal temple. Comparatively large number of devotees participated to this month’s uzhavaram. With lot of confusion, work was carried out. Only compound walls & mandapams were painted and gopurams were left out.  Participated till 12.00 Hrs and returned back to Chennai.

 Entrance lane behind Sri Veeraraghava perumal Temple 

Moolavar : Sri Theertheswarar
Consort   : Sri Thiripura Sundari

Some of the important details of this temple are ….
The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in font of the Mukha mandapam. The temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. In Koshtam, Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nagar, Chandikeswarar, Valli  Devasena sametha Sri Subramaniar, Ambal Sri  Tripura Sundari, Iyappan, Dhandayuthapani and Navagrahas.

The temple is managed through a permanent trustee, Mr Ravi Gurukkal and it is learned that this temple is not under the control of HRCE.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :
This temple is being managed through private trustees, Sivachariyar's house is adjacent to temple on the banks of Temple Tank.

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is in the center of the city and on the back side of Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple. and by the side Perumal  of Temple tank on the Bazar street.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :   CLICK HERE

 Shiva temple mukha mandapam
 Moolavar Mandapam with dwajasthambam balipeedam and Rishabam mandapam.
 Devotees on  uzhavarapani 
 Devotees on uzhavarapani
 Moolavar Vimanam ( not painted in this uzhavaram )
 Nagars under the sthala vruksham makuda maram
 Reliefs on the ceiling of moolavar temple mandapam looks cute.
  Reliefs on the ceiling of moolavar temple mandapam looks cute.
  Reliefs on the ceiling of moolavar temple mandapam looks cute.
 Reliefs on the ceiling of moolavar temple mandapam looks cute.
---  OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---