VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple, Koovam / Thiruvirkolam and Sri Thertheeswarar Temple, Sivapuram, Kesavaram Dam, Sri Kailaya Eswaramudaya Mahadevar Temple, Kesavaram and Idayarpakkam Shiva Temple - The Cooum

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

Sri Thiripuranthakeswarar Temple, Koovam / Thiruvirkolam and Sri Thertheeswarar Temple, Sivapuram, Kesavaram Dam, Sri Kailaya Eswaramudaya Mahadevar Temple, Kesavaram and Idayarpakkam Shiva Temple - The Cooum – A Cultural Mapping.

12^th October 2015.

We 36 heritage enthusiastic, young & too young, Journalists, Students, Bankers started our journey to find out Koovam, and what it means to us?. As far as the Chennaites Koovam is considered a dirty sewage river. Our journey to a few of the temples and heritage sites associated with the Chozha and Pallava Periods along the Koovam River, reveals to us that Koovam is a sacred river similar to Ganga and Kaveri. The Kosasthalaiyar River splits into two, ie the water flows through the Kesavaram Anaikattu / Dam’s 16 sluices is called River Koovam ). The Koovam is not a perennial river. The water flows only during monsoon too the water collected between Kesavaram Dam to Chennai. It was understood during the 1996 flood the sluice gates were opened to let them into Koovam and the water flowed to the brim level.

When we started from T Nagar, TTD it was drizzling after the downpour from 02.00 hrs. The drizzle stopped after Poonamallee and it was cloudy and warm throughout the day. We are able to cover the places as planned.

SRI THIRIPURANTHAKESWARAR TEMPLE

KOOVAM aka THIRUVIRKOLAM.

The first stop was at Koovam otherwise called Thiruvirkolam. We had the darshan of Sri Tharkathamman or the Ellaiamman at the entrance of Koovam Village. It was told that Kali of Thiruvalangadu was made as Kaval Deivam here. Pooja is conducted to Saptamatrikas, who are the main deities of this temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Tharkathamman temple – Ellai kaval Deivam

Tharkathamman temple Vimanam

Tharkathamman Temple entrance view

We had the darshan of Sridevi and Bhudevi Samedha Sri Kariamanicka Perumal at the left-side entrance of Shiva Temple. One of the interesting features is on the left side of the sanctum entrance A Dharma Chakra with a base is installed. Actually, this belongs to the Buddhist religion and the locals worship Chakkarathalwar. It was told that a 10-foot standing Buddha was unearthed in this village and now the same is kept at Amaravathi gallery of Chennai Museum. The mandapam pillars are of the Pallava Period.

Dharma chakra- A Buddhist religious symbol (worshiping as Chakkarathalwar)

An uninstalled Dwarapalaka

Sanctum vimanam of Sri Kariamanikka Perumal Temple

SRI THIRIPURANTHAKESWARAR TEMPLE

This is the 14^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. Even though I had been to this temple earlier, this visit is very important to learn about the cultural and heritage values of the temple. We tried to read the inscriptions. One of the inscriptions states that tax was collected on fishing and Paddy as an income to the temple. During my previous visits, I didn't notice the Jeevasamathi of Sri Kazhukachalam Swamigal and donations to this temple and the nearby Shiva Temple at Ilumpayankottur. We happened to see another tablet inscribed in Telugu on the banks of the temple tank. This states about the donation of land to grow flowering plants to Lord Shiva ( Telugu people may help us with the contents of this inscription). Iraivan here is Suyambu and Theenda Thirumeni. Archakars wouldn’t touch Shiva linga. Sticks in being used for garlanding. The temple tank is with water and is called Agni Theertham and it was said that frogs or fish do not live in this pond.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Kulothunga Chozha Period inscription

Telugu inscriptions. Telugu scholars may please comment on this

LEGENDS

The History of the Koovam River goes like this. Lord Shiva started from Kailash to burn Thiripuram made by the Ausras through the chariot, sun, and moon as a wheel, Meru as a bow, Vasuki as string, Brahma as Charioteer and Vishnu as Arrow without worshiping Vinayaga before proceeding. So Vinayaga broke the axle of the chariot and the Chariot had fallen down. Shiva jumped on the ground with a bow. The river Koovam started flowing from the point where the bow’s tip touched the ground.

Achirutha Vinayagar Sannidhi is on the northwest corner of the temple. We had our breakfast at Thiruvasaga mandram and Coffee/ tea was hosted by Su. Manivasakam of Thiruvasakam mandram. Next on our list was SIVAPURAM on the banks of River Koovam.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Mr Su. Manivasakam of Thiruvasaga Mandram may be contacted over his mobile at 9443253325.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE. CLICK HERE

Natarajar

Thiripuranthakar temple vimanam

Acherutha Vinayagar sannadhi

Lingothbavar

Vishnu in Koshtam

Lotus flower paton what for this? and what it is?

Bairavar

Sri Kazhukachala Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi

Temple view

Amman Sannadhi with Dwajasthambam and balipeedam

Bell – this was donated to the temple in the year 1921 and is still in working condition

Temple Tank

Rajagopuram – view from east

SRI KAMAKSHI SAMEDHA SRI THERTHESWARAR TEMPLE - SIVAPURAM.

The Lord Shiva is Sri Thertheeswarar and Ambal is Kamakshi. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar ( Vishnu in varaha avatar with four hands and Brahma flying on his vahana bird annam), Brahma and Durgai ( Not standing on the Makishasuran’s head ). Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar, and Nandhi with palipedam are outside the sanctum.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum vimana was constructed completely with the stone of the Gajabirushta style. The Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum. They are not chiseled to the proportion ( considering the head body is not to that proportion and short) but look cute. On the right side Dwarapalaka’s (near ) leg the relief of a snake swallowing an elephant or an animal. ( similar to Rajarajecharam of Thanjavur Mukha mandapam dwarapalaka ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple has the inscriptions of Rajaraja Chozhan and Rajendra Chozhan. The inscriptions record about Canal dug from Koovam to the temple, an idol was given by King Rajaraja to this temple, and descriptions of thirupali and many more.

Rajaraja-I's 24th reign year inscription records the sale of land and given to this temple as irayili, Sri Rajaraja Eswaramudaya Mahadevar in Jayangonda Chazhamandalathu ManaviRkottathu Urogadathu Villagers in lieu of the old irayili land. The periphery limits of both lands are given. This document was written by Vaikanasan Kesava Sankaranarayanan.

Rajendra Chozha-I's, 13th reign year inscription, till this place was called as Urogadam, and during the 13th century, this place was renamed as Sivapuram. His 21st reign year inscription mentions Shiva as Rajarajeswaramudayar of Purisai Nadu.

Rajendra Chozha-I's 8th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 108 Goats / Sheep are gifted by the King.

Rajendra Chozha-I's 9th reign year inscription records the donation of ornaments made out of Gold, studded with precious stones like diamond emerald, etc, 80 Porpoo, bangles, Hara, etc to Adalvallar Abimana meri Vidangar ( Utsavar ). The weight of each ornament is also mentioned.

Rajarajan period inscriptions – highlighted

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 15.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The temple is being maintained by Mr Dhamodaran, a retired VAO his mobile number is 9965886184 and he promised to open the shrine at any time for darshan.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sanctum with vimanam – a stone structure

Rishabam in Mandapam

Vinayagar in koshtam

Dakshinamurthy

Muyalakan

View of Kallala Tree – snake, Pokkanam ( Thiruneetru pai)-See the fire

Chandikeswarar

Lingothbavar– Vishnu – in Varaha avatar with 4 hands and Brahma flying on his vahana Anna bird

A Beautiful Brahma- see the dress and frills of his dress and mala around his neck

Durgai not standing on Mahishasuran – see the style of standing and the dress

Dwarapalakar – left side

Dwarapalaka on the right side Dwarapalaka - not in proportion

Dwarabalaka - not in proportion – relief of snake swallowing an animal

What is this chakra – with lotus relief

KESHAVARAM ANAIKKATTU / DAM.

After Sivapuram Lord Shiva’s darshan, we started our trek on the bound between the Kushasthali River and Koovam River to Kesavaram Anaikattu/Dam where the actual Koovam starts. A dam was constructed and opened on 10-10-1947. The dam was constructed on the river Kushasthali ( Koratalai aru) to divert the water into River Koovam. It was understood that these sluices last opened in 1996 due to a flood in the river.

LOCATION OF THE DAM: CLICK HERE

The bund between the Kushasthali River and Cooum River

Kushasthali River

Koovam River start point – Kesavaram Dam

Koovam River start point – Kesavaram Dam - Inscription ( Kesavaram Anaicut, crest raiser 10 - 214 -13 date 10-10-1947)

Koovam River start point – Kesavaram Dam - our people are on inspection

Koovam River start point – Kesavaram Dam

Koovam River start point – Kesavaram Dam - on the left Kusasthalai River continues and Koovam starts.

SRI KAILAYA ESWARA MUDAIYA MAHADHEVAR TEMPLE - KESHAVARAM

After Keshavaram Anaikkattu, we continued further to Keshavaram Shiva Temple on the south banks of the river Koovam. To reach this temple we have to negotiate through the bounds of the paddy field. The rain the previous night made our trek further more difficult. Iraivan is called as Kailaya Erwara Mudaya Mahadevar. The name Keshavarm came after the name of Lord Shiva of this temple. Since this is a mukti sthalam, Shiva’s concert is not there. The temple is in bad shape in the midst of the paddy field and there is no proper approach road. The old murtis and beheaded Nandhi are scattered around the temple.

The temple was built with Gajaprasta vimanam, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Koshta murtis are found defaced. To our surprise there was a crowd and mutrum othuthal was in progress by the Shiva Devotees from Old and New Keshavaram. Had the chance to view the inside stone vimanam of the sanctum above Moolavar after removing my shirt. The sanctum vimanam was constructed completely with stone. A shed was constructed by the devotees recently to save this treasure from further damage. From the inscriptions, the temple must have been constructed during 12^th and 13th-century Chozhas.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Trekking through paddy field

Trekking through uncultivated paddy field

Nandhi with balipeedam and the shed in front

Temple view

Pillar with Pothiyal view

Vinayakar

Dakshinamurthy

Lingothbavar

Gajabrishta Vimanam – completely of stone structure- Narasimhar on the top

Durga

The walls may fall at any time

Moolavar Sri Kailaya Eswara Mudaiya Mahadevar

The damaged statues scattered around the temple - Beheaded Rishabam

The damaged statues scattered around the temple

Trekking on the bounds of paddy fields – like walking on a rope

MAHADEVAR TEMPLE - EDAYARPAKKAM

We continued our journey through the paddy field bounds to Edayarpakkam. The temple has a Thamarai kulam ( Lotus pond ) at the front. It is a small sanctum with artha mandapam/ muka mandapam. It is a stone structure without vimanam. The pancha tantra story reliefs are at the north side of the upper portion / kapotam ( strokes & tortoise, Monkey, and crocodile, etc., and Rishabam and balipeedam are at the front. There is a beheaded statue and a separate head in front of the sanctum sanctorum. People started worshiping without knowing, who are they?. All the Koshta images are in defaced condition. A Vinayagar is kept under a Bodhi tree. He is sitting on a padma peedam.

This temple is under the control of the Tamil Nadu State Archaeological Dept. As per the sign board, The temple is in apsidal style, and was constructed during the reign of Chozha King Kulothunga – I ( 11^th Century AD ). According to inscriptions, the Shiva was called Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu Manavir Kottathu EdayaRRupakkam alias Raja Vidhyadhara Chathurvedi Mangalathu Aludayar Thirupadhakadudaiyar Mahadevar and the village was called as Edayarpakkam alias Rajavidhyadhara Chaturvedi Mangalam.