Sri Rajarajecharam Temple / Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple / Thanjavur Periya Kovil, Paintings, Ponniyin Selvan Meet 2015, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Nayaka’s period paintings are done on the granite stone wall. To prepare the surface, a thick coat of lime mortar mixed with sand was applied. On that, a second coat of lime mortar was applied and make the surface smooth.  Chozha period drawings are ‘Presco’ style, whereas Nayak's period drawings are of “Tempra" style.

During the Second Saraboji king period, drawings were painted on the Periyanayagi Amman Sannadhi Mandapa ceiling. In that one lady is dancing, and Thanjai Nalvar Chinnaya, Ponnaya, Sivanandha, and Vadivelu are watching with thalam. They are the Hindustani music teachers and brothers, too. 
  

During the Shivaji Raja Period, the Maratha King's drawings were painted in Mallappa Nayaka mandapam  (Opposite Sri Subramaniar Sannadhi). In Vinayagar sannidhi mandapam, we can see the faded paintings.

The second part of the drawings is from Varunan sannadhi to Somaraja Sannadhi on the outer corridor. The important paintings are  Gajalakshmi,  Narathar worshiping Saraswathy, Ganapathy on his vahana Moonchuru, with his concerts on both sides, Murugan on his vahana Peacock with his consorts, Thiruvarur Thiyagarajar worship by Andhanars, 64 Thiruvilayadal Purana stories, etc.

Shiva, as one of the horse soldiers with Kumapoodana Pandiyan

பாம்பு உடலை வளைத்து நகரத்துக்கு எல்லைகட்ட நடுவே கடம்ப மரம், பொற்றாமரை குளம், சொக்கலிங்கமூர்த்தி, அங்கயற்கண்ணி ஆகியோர் திருவுருவங்கள் காட்டப்பெற்றுள்ளன.

தயிரன்னம் பெருகிவர அன்னகுழி சதுரமாகத் திகழ  பின்புலத்தில் அன்ன உருண்டையை உண்ணும் பூதத்தின் காட்சி காட்டப்பெற்றுள்ளது. கங்கை நதியாக (வையை நதியாக) பெருகிவந்த நீரை இருகைகளாலும் பற்றிக் குடிக்கும் பூதத்தின் கட்சி பிரதானமாக திகழ்கிறது.

  

In Idabam (Nandhi)  mandapam ceiling has British period drawings in which birds, flowers, Angels, etc. are depicted. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA:---

Ponniyin Selvan Meet at Rajarajeswaram / Brihadeeswarar Temple / Periya Kovil, Thanjavur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu. , THANJAVUR 2015.

27th Sep 2015.

I was totally cut off from social media for the past two days since I had been to Thanjavur to attend the Ponniyin Selvan meet at Periya kovil. Reached the temple around 09.00 Hrs to take pictures for my blog and attended the meet. It was too hot but not with a clear sky. The floor was also too hot to walk on barefoot.  The venue was shifted from the place indicated earlier near Karuvurar Sannadhi.  Since I had a book of this temple’s Sthala Purana, it gave many details. Searched the places of importance indicated in the book. The details with photos will be uploaded to my blog (Veludharan’s Temples Visit) in a day or two.

It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Kudavayil Balasubramaniyan, Mr. SPS, Mr. Venkatesh, and friends of Ponniyin Selvan. It was an unforgettable moment. Mr Kudavayil Balasubramanian explained how the  Sri Vimanam was constructed with santharam, the pictures in the first level, and the dance postures of Shiva in the second level. Visited the interpretation center and learned about the paintings. Even though it was not very clear, Mr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian explained each and every detail. He also showed us the reliefs of Vishnu as Buddha, Devakoshta Murtis, the 10 Dwarapalakas with their weapons, and the European relief on the north side of Sri Vimanam. He explained the details of the destruction of the front mandapa and how it was reconstructed later up to the first level. He also showed us the original Dhakshinamoorthy and Brahma sannidhis in the Rajagopurams. The meeting was over around 19.00 hrs. I extend my sincere thanks to Ponniyin Selvan Group Organizers.

 The proof inscription  for the temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chozhan 

 The proof inscription  for the temple was constructed by Rajaraja Chozhan 

 The inscription where the name of Vallavarayan Vanthiyathenan appears. 

 Sundarar on the White Elephant of Lord Shiva and Cheraman Peruman on his horse. 

Natarajar Saba at Chidambaram, this is a unique picture where Lord Shiva was worshiped by the King, and the devotees in front and side, a three-dimensional painting 

 

Lord Shiva as Thirupuranthakar – Mr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian showed us the anger in the eyes and laugh/ smile in the mouth by hiding the face above the nose and below the nose

The next day, 28^th Sep 2015, morning, I also visited the temple to see the shadow of the Sri Vimanam Kalasam on the floor and took some photographs. It was visible till 10.30 Hrs and it flattened after that.  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Nageswarar Temple, Kundrathur, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Temple & Sri Kanthaleeswarar Temple - Uzhavaram with Chennai Sevas, Kundrathur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 20, Sep 2015.

The 158^th UZHAVARAM of SEVAS was held at Sri Nageswara Swamy Temple, Kundrathur, on 20^th September 2015. I also participated in the Uzhavaram - cleaning of the temple, removing cobwebs, and cleaning of the temple tank – "Surya Pushkarani". Since I reached Kundrathur early, around 07.30 hrs than the scheduled time of 08.30 hrs, I had the darshan of Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Subramanian Swamy on the hill and Sri Kanthazheeswarar and Sri Nagecharar. The details of the temples are given below.

SRI VALLI DEVASENA SUBRAMANIAR TEMPLE - KUNDRATHUR 

 16 pillar mandapam at the start of the steps. 

Moolavar : Sri Subramaniya Swamy 

Consorts : Sri Valli and Sri Devasena

It was believed that on the way to Thiruthani, Murugan stayed here for a while to see the beauty of this place. The sanctum door is kept such that only Valli with Murugan or Devanai with Murugan can be seen.  There was no rush around 07.30 hrs, and I was fortunate to circumambulate around the sanctum.

  

 The temple from a distance 

 The Steps with Rajagopuram

On the way to the Sri Nageswarar temple tried to worship Sri Uraga Perumal.  The temple was not opened as per the scheduled time of 07.00 Hrs. Don’t want to wait to open since I have to report for Uzhavaram at Sri Nageswarar temple.  On seeing the board of the Shiva temple opposite to Sekkizhar temple arch, I thought of worshipping Sr Kanthazheeswarar. On the board, it was written that Sekkizhar worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

SRI NAKAIMUGAVALLI SAMEDHA SRI KANTHAZHEESWARAR TEMPLE, KUNDRATHUR

 Temple complex view with Gajabrushta Vimanam with Karpaga Vinayagar sannidhi and Balambigai Samedha Valeeswarar Sannadhi  

Moolavar    : Sri Kanthazheewarar

Consort      : Sri Nakaimugavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the south side. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in the east. The vimanam is of the Gajabirustam type. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal is facing south inside the artha mandapam.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nalvar, Karpaga Vinayagar, Sri Balambigai Samedha Sri Valeeswarar, 63var, Navagrahas,  Nagars under bodhi and neem tree and Suryan.

Tamil inscriptions are found under the base of the sanctum, but we could not judge the age of the inscriptions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open from 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs. 

 

 

 Temple complex view with Gajabrusta Vimanam 

 Temple complex view with Gajabirushta Vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannidhi

  

 The relief of Kannappar 

 These two reliefs are found on the compound wall outside. Do not know who they are….?

Sri Ooraka Perumal temple 

SRI NAGESWARAR TEMPLE AT KUNDRATHUR.

Sri Sekkizhar established this temple, similar to Thirunageswaram, at Kumbakonam, and called this temple Vada Nagecharam. The Lord has all the powers similar to the Kumbakonam temple. This is very near the Bus stand and about 200 meters off the main road.

 The 5-tier Rajagopuram

Moolavar    : Sri Nageswarar

Consort      : Sri Kamakshi Amman.

Some of the important features of this temple are…

Moolavar was installed and worshipped by Sekkizhar. The temple faces east with a mandapam at the front. On top of the mandapam, Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati's marriage. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Nandhi Mandapam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Suryan, Sekkizhar, Navagrahas, and Saneeswarar.

In the inner praharam, Sekkizhar, Suryan, Sri Sundarar (In sitting posture – a rare Murti) with Paravai Nachiyar, Nalvar, Nagars, Somaskandar, Kasi Viswanathar, Arunachaleswarar (there is a hearsay that Moolavar's head was broken a little. Hence, people decided and replace it with the present Arunachaleswarar Shiva Lingam and throw the Shiva Lingam in the Suryapuskarani, the temple tank. The tank water becomes red. In one of Sivanadiyar’s dreams, Iraivan appeared and told the old moortham to be installed again. So the old Murti was installed again, and the new Murtis are kept in the praharam behind Moolavar, Sri Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Veerabahu, Valli Devasena Subramaniar (Urchavar and Murtis), Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar and Saba mandapam.

Ambal faces south in a separate sannidhi in the maha mandapam before the main sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are about 45 Inscriptions around the sanctum wall. The sanctum is with the ardha and the maha mandapam. As per the inscriptions, the temple was built during the Kulothunga Chozhan Period, ie, 1070 CE. The inscriptions also record donations for Burning Lamp, Iraivans Amuthu, and Three Kala Pooja. The Kings and persons mentioned in the inscriptions are Kulothunga Chozhan I, Veeraminth, Veera Rajendran, Rajarajan III, Veerakanda Gopalan, Koperumsingam, Sundara Pandiyan, Kulasekara Deva Pandiyan, Ekambaranatha Sampuvarayan Kambannan and  Hariharan.

The temple is maintained by the trustees of Senguntha Mudaliyar, appointed by Sekkizhar Peruman.

 The inscriptions – almost all are very difficult to read due to the painting - Kulothunga Chozhan period

LEGENDS

This is Rahu dosha parihara sthalam and one of the Navagraha sthalam around Chennai.

 Rahu - Nagar

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open from 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs, and from 15.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

The office phone number is 044 24780436

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses are available from Vadapalani, Tambaram, and Broadway.

Town bus nos are 88 series, M 89, M60, 60A, and 66.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Sekizhar Manimandapam arch

Thirumurai parayana koodam

  Rishaba mandapam

 Sri Sekizhar sannadhi

 Moolavar vimanam

 Moolavar vimanam

 Amman Sannadhi Vimanam

 Stucco dwarapalakar at the entrance of the mandapam

 Dwarapalakar at the entrance of the sanctum

 Sri Sundarar with Paravai Nachiyar – sitting posture – a rare Murti to see 

 Somaskandar

Sri Arunachaleswarar - There is a hearsay that Moolavar's head was broken a little. Hence, people decided and replace the present Arunachaleswarar Shiva Lingam and threw the old Shiva Lingam into the Suryapuskarani, the temple tank. The tank water becomes red. In one of Sivanadiyar’s dreams, Shiva came and told the old moortham to be installed again. So the old moortham was installed again, and the new moortham was kept in the praharam behind Moolavar.

 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar 

 Sekkizhar

 Suryapuskarani – The Temple Tank with Neerazhi mandapam 

 Ducks are kept in a pool of water

  SEVAS IN ACTION

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---