Sri Muruganatheswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ முருக நாதேஸ்வரர் கோயில், மாம்பாக்கம் / Mambakkam, Sri Veera Anjaneyar, Pudupakkam & Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple at Velichi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

This post was updated with History and Inscriptions,  Photographs on Maha Kumbhabhishekam day, and after removal of scaffoldings erected for Kumbhabhishekam. 

24, February 2015 

On the 21st Saturday I visited the less-known Shiva Temple at Mambakkam. Originally my plan was to have the darshan of Sri Anjaneyar at Pudupakkam. Since Mambakkam is at the junction of Kelambakkam to Vandalur road. The Shiva Temple is at the beginning of the Village and Gurukkal is living nearby in a typical Agraharam house. The temple is on the road curve and poses the danger of demolition when the road is expanded. The details of the temple are as follows.

 

Rishabam mandapam with balipeedam

SRI MURUGA NATHEESWARAR TEMPLE, MAMBAKKAM. 

Moolavar : Sri Muruganatheswarar 

Consort   : Sri Deivanayaki. 

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

The temple faces east with a temple tank on the east side. Balipeedam and Rishabam are on the east side. The entrance arch with stucco images of Lord Shiva & Parvathi in Rishabaroodar is on the south side. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy ( in Vinayagar’s place) and Durgai. 

In prakaram Sri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Sri Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Anjaneyar and Chandikeswarar. Ambal is facing south in standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION 

As per the inscription this place was called Jayamgonda Chozhamandalathu, Puliyur Kottathu Kalvoy Nattu Mambakkam alias Murugesvaram. Shiva was called as Murugesar.

Rajaraja Chola I’s 26^th reign year ( 1011 CE ) inscription starts with his Meikeerthi records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp at Murugesvarattalvar for which 90 Sheep were gifted, by a certain Murugan Kaliyan of Mambakkam in Kalvoy-nadu, a subdivision of Puliyurk-Kottam. The Village sabha had agreed to supply Ulakku ghee/oil. Some stones are missing and misplaced and the rest of the portions are severely damaged. ( ARE  923 No 413, 1944 -45 No 19 ). 

முதலாம் இராஜராஜனுடைய இருபத்தாறாவது ஆட்சியாண்டுக் கல்வெட்டு இது. அவனுடைய மெய்க் கீர்த்தியுடன் தொடங்குகிறது. புலியூர்க் கோட்டத்துக் கால்வாய் நாட்டு மாம்பாக்கத்துக் கோயிலுக்கு முருகன் (காலையன்) என்பவன் விளக்கு எரிக்க 90 ஆடுகளைக் கொடுத்ததாகத் தெரிகிறது. கிராமத்தார் அதைப்பெற்றுக்கொண்டு உழக்கு நெய் தினம்தோறும் கோயிலுக்கு அளிப்பதாக உறுதி கூறினர். 

Ref

1. Kanchipuram Mavatta kalvettukal Volume - 2

2. Tholliyal nokkil kanchipuram mavattam. 

NOTE

We found there are controversies, on the name of the temple and the name of the main Deity in the Kanchipuram Mavatta Kalvettukal Volume - 2 published by the Tamilnadu Archaeological Department. In the English version, Shiva's name is written as Murugesvarattalvar, and the donor's name is Murugan (Kalaiyan). These two are not mentioned in the inscription text. But in the Text, it is written as Murugan Koil - முருக(ன்) கோயில், which means that Shiva's name as Murugan. Experts may comment on this controversy.

  

To carry out Maha Kumbhabhishekam, Palalayam was conducted on 04th August 2022 and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 03rd September 2023.

HOW TO REACH : 

Mambakkam is on the way to Kelambakkam to Vandalur main road. 

The temple is on the Mambakkam to Medavakkam road. At the beginning of the Village from Medavakkam. 

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Gurukkal and Trustee may be contacted on their mobile number +919884581931 and +919994675988. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

 

 Moolavar Vimanam with Ambal Sannidhi's entrance 

Vinayagar sannidhi

Ambal Gopuram on the left and Sri Subramaniar Sannadhi 

The damaged portion of Sri Subramaniar Sannadhi

Navagrahas

A stucco relief on the Vinayagar sannidhi wall

Kumbhabhishekam on 3rd September 2023

The paintings on the adhistanam were removed for inscriptions to be visible

Photographs taken after Kumbhabhishekam 

The old post of Sri Veera Anjaneyar Temple, Pudupakkam, and Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple at Velichi was separated from this post and written as a separate post. For Updated post details please click the respective links. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Mel Sitamur Jain Temple, Thirunathar Kundru, Nekkanur Patti, Mel Olakkur, Pasumalai Padukai / Thondur, Anantha Sayana Perumal temple, Thondur, Gingee, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 18, February 2015.

We have traveled from the prehistoric to the latest epigraphic places around Gingee near Thiruvannamalai on 15^th February 2015. The Jain religion was spread widely between Kanchipuram and Tiruvannamalai. Thirunathar Kundru,  Nekanurpatti, Nekanur, Thondur  are the places we visited Through R.E.A.C.H foundation and was guide by Mr Ramachandran, The Epigraphist and Mr Vakula Varadharajan, the historian. During the journey we had learned a lot from Mr Ramachandran & Mr Vakula Varadharajan. They explained the history  importance of each place.

As usual we have started our journey late by 30 minutes. On the way  we had our breakfast  and purchased fresh vegetable from a farm at a cheaper rate. Our journey route was Mel Sithamur Gingee – Thirunathar Kundru- Gingee- Nekanur patti – Mel Olakkur – Thondur. The details are as follows.

MEL SITHAMUR.

We visited Sri Bhagavan Parshvanath, a Jain Temple managed by Jena Kanchi Jain Mutt.

The temple looks like a Hindu temple with Rajagopuram, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, Manasthambam moolavar vimanam, Dwarapalakas at the entrance of sanctum,  etc,.

Sannadhis for Sri Dharma Devi, Sri Neminath the 20^th Tirthankara, relative to Lord Sri Krishna, Sri Brahma Devar, Sri Jena Vani, Sri Gananathar, Sri Padmavathi Devi with snake hood above head, Sri Jwala Malini Devi, and navagrahas not the Suryan, Sani etc.

The Temple was built after 13^th century. But a recent year’s epigraph is available at the entrance of Rajagopuram.

The archakar recites mantras in Sanskrit.

On two places pot of water was kept for pigeon. Mr Vakula Varadharajan pointed out that one portion of the vimanam is called as Kaboothar means pigeon in Hindi, where pigeon used to stay.

HOW TO REACH :

On the Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai, before Gingee a place called Vallam, Nattarmangalam Koot Road from there Mel Sithamur is 2 KM

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

Rajagopuram

Rajagopuram, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam 

Sri Parshvanathar Sannadhi vimanam

 Sri Parshvanathar Sannadhi 

Sri Dharma Devi Sannadhi 

Chakra relief on the Dwajasthambam base. 

THIRUNATHAR  KUNDRU.

This is a Jain's monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) on a Kundru with recently laid steps to climb up.

There  is a Vatteluthu inscription. The 8^th  century  inscription describes that a Jain monk called Eesura Badarar passed away after  30 days fasting without food and water.

The Brahmi epigraph of 6^th century describes that a Jain Monk called Chandra nandhi  passed away 57 days fasting without food and water.

  

There is a natural cave. Near that there are 24 Tirthankaras reliefs on a big rock.

HOW TO REACH :

The place Thirunathar Kundru is on the Gingee to Singavaram main road.

LOCATION OF THIS PLACE :CLICK HERE

  Climbing up to the Kundru

 CAVE 

 TAMIL VATTEZHU INSCRIPTION (One reads as

ஐம்பத் தேழன சனந நோற்ற சந்திர நந்தி ஆ சீரீகரு  நிசீதிகை ( Chandira nandhi Jain monk who passed away after 57 days fasting. This is in Tamil Vattezhuthu.)

முப்பது நாளன  சன நோற்ற  இஸிர படாரர் நிசீதிகை ( The Jain monk who passed away after 30 days fasting - This is Tamil Vattezhuthu) 

 24 Tirthankara’s relief 

NEGANUR PATTI

This place is called as ‘ADUKKU MALAI’ otherwise Adukkuparai by the locals. There is no proper approach road to this place. At one point our van got struck up between two rocks and we have reached the spot by walk.

This is monument is a three individual big rocks sitting one on the another. The Brahmi/ Tamizhi script is available on the base big rock. The inscription describes the construction of school. The inscription belongs to 4^th century. 

Under the big rock there is prehistoric painting. Still looks good in white colour. This is estimated to be of 1000 BCE.

There is no fencing to safe guard this monument and there is no sign or warning board.

HOW TO REACH :

The Place Neganur patti is on the Road Melakkalvai to Neganur, turn right before right and the Adukku parai a about 2 KM.

LOCATION OF THE PLACE : CLICK HERE

 பெரும் பொகழ் சேக்கந்தி தாயயிரு சேக்கந்தண்ணி  சேயி வித்த பள்ளி(About construction of a school by his anni (brother's wife ))

 The Prehistoric paintings  1000 BCE

 ADDUKKU PARAI

 OUR TEAM 

Murugan temple between rocks 

We had our lunch under a neem tree on the road side. The local ladies helped us with water to wash our hands. After lunch we proceeded towards Thondur through the villages – Neganur – Eechur – Amma Kulam – Mukkunam – Mel Olakkur. At Mel Olakkur we had seen  two reliefs installed on the road side.

MEL OLAKKUR 

The one is Jyeshta Devi ( Moodevi or Mootha Devi ) with her daughter Agni matha and her son Mandhan Locals calls this as Durgai Amman or a Ellai Amman  ( Limit point  for the village ).

The other one is a Three warriors holding sword and kedayam. This is a Nadukal / Hero Stone for the warriors who lost their lives in a war.

This is very much similar to the relief found at Chunambedu. As per the historians both reliefs are of 6^th century. 

LOCATION OF JYESTHA DEVI BAS-RELIEF :  CLICK HERE    

 Jyesta Devi with her daughter Agni Matha and Son Manthan

A Hero Stone / Nadu kal  for warriors 

PASUMALAI PADUKAI. ( THONDUR )

This is a Jains monument with a Jain monk relief and 3 beds. The Brahmi inscriptions are not legible to read. From the document The samanar beds are chiseled by Mosi as per the instruction of Senkayan.  The brahmi / Tamizhi inscriptions are  between 200 to 300 CE.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE  :  CLICK HERE 

 The three Pasumalai padukai ( Bed )

 The inscription is not legible 

Document of the Epigraph ( first one ) 

ஸேந்காயியன் ஏவ அகழ் ஊரறம்  மோசி செயித அதிடானம் !!!  - As per Senkayan's instruction Mosi has done 3 samanar beds 

Then we proceeded towards Thondur via Mel Olakkur which was about 3 KM from Mel Olakkur.

THONDUR

Anantha Sayana Perumal was chiselled on a huge rock in the midst of paddy field. Perumal is in  anantha sayanam on Adhiseshan ( 5 hood snake )  keeping head on the left side which is rare. In the neck throat is not visible instead the surface is smooth. The ‘Kireedam‘/ Crown  is of Cambodian style hence this was chiseled by Pallavas has the connection of Cambodia ( ?). This bas-relief was chiselled during the year 780 CE. In front Perumal’s there is another inscription stone installed in the form of Tablet.

The inscription at the feet of Perumal belongs to Thandhi Varman's 6th reign year. The inscription records the endowment of rice naivedyam to this Perumal ( mentioned as Badarar ) by Vinnakovarayar. For the same 16 Kalanju Gold was gifted. 

  

There is a separate inscription tablet erected in front with bow & arrow. This inscription belongs to Chozha King Aditha Karikalan ( Pandiyan Thalai Konda ). The inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp to this Kidantha Perumal, by Singapura Nattu ( present Gingee area ) Keelvazhi Thondu  living Thirukannan's son Perumandradi. For the same 10 Sava moova Peradu was gifted. 

LOCATION OF THE PLACE: CLICK HERE 

 Anantha Sayana Perumal  in the midst of paddy field.

Anantha Sayana Perumal – Unusual posture head on the left side

It was over by 17.30 Hrs and  everybody has exhausted. Started our return journey to Chennai Via Vandavasi. Really it was a pleasant tour. Mr Ramanathan  had co-ordinated in a nice manner with good break fast and Lunch. Thanks to all the participants. My special thanks to Mr Ramachandran and Mr Vakula Varadharajan, who feed us the history of each places. I also extend thanks to REACH Mr Sathyamoorthy and J Chandra for organizing such a wonderful tour.  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---