Sri Selliamman Temple, Sitrampakkam and Sri Janamejaya Eswar Temple, Senji, A Perumal Temple at Senji, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

 12^th October 2015.

Continuation to the previous post……

SITRAMBAKKAM – SELLIAMMAN TEMPLE

We had our good lunch at Idayarpakkam Shiva Temple and reached Sitrambakkam Selliamman Temple. A patron with inscriptions inscribed on all the sides around a flower relief kept as a stepping stone of a small shrine. I think the patron has a relation to this temple Selli Amman Temple, which may belong to some other temple.  (as per PadmaPriya, it may belong to Thenkaranai Village.)

The patron is about ”Aalavayil Somasiyar’s son-in-law or nephew constructed a Koil during Parameswara Varman’s reign “.  As per the inscriptions this belongs to 679 CE and the temple might be constructed on the banks of River Koovam.

The inscription stone is at Sri Kumbeswarar temple on the back side of this Selli Amman during my Visit on 10th July 2022. This post is also updated. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

The inscriptions of the patron

Selliamman Temple 

The temple is under reconstruction- Photos taken on 10th July 2022

JANAMEJAYA ESWAR TEMPLE - SENJI

The temple is in bad shape and one kala pooja is conducted under TNHRCE’s aid. The moolavar is of 16 flat-surfaced, kept in artha mandapam, fearing of sanctum may crumble at any time. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy and Brahma. In Maharathorana Rishabaroodamurthy, Kannappar, Umasakithar, Kaman & Rathi, and Prithvi. Chandikeswarar and Durga as loose sculptures are in the mandapam. All the Koshta images are made of Greenstone. This post was updated with more details. Please click this link. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, Ardha Mandapam, and Maha Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padabandha adhisthana with vrutha kumuda. The adhistanam is a little elevated. Yazhihastha sobanam is to climb up to mahamandapam. Pillars have the Malai thongal and dancing ladies. The Vimanam is stucco. Bhutaganas are in Valapi 

 

Some more statues lie in the artha mandapam.  We can not judge whether the Vimanam is holding the tree or the tree is holding the Vimanam. Beautiful reliefs like Shiva and Parvathi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar with a bow on his left hand.  Koshta Murtis are in a damaged condition. The color of the koshta murtis is in green, which is different from the main structure. 

There are two more sannadhis on the back side of the sanctum sanctorum. The temple was built like mada koil.  The inscriptions available are not in readable condition. It may belong to the Chozha Period.  The Podhiyals of the mandapam are of a different style from what we used to see.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The inscriptions belong to Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha-III, and Rajaraja Chozha-III. As per the inscriptions, this place was in Jayankonda Chozha mandalathu Manavil Kottathu Manavil Nattu senji, and Lord Shiva was called Jayamatheeswaramudaya Mahadevar. 

Vikrama Chozha's 10th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning two sandhi lamps by NagangkoRRan Aruveliyan's daughter and Naduvinmalai Perumoor Nattu Venbakkam KoRRamangala Kilan Vadavayirselvan's wife, for the same 2 Kasu was gifted. The same was received by Sivabrahmin Kavusikan Madhurantakadeva Battan, Kavusika Kuzhaintha Battan, Kavusika Arulveli Battan, and Athrayan Eru(Sevaka) Battan and agreed to carry out this endowment till sun and moon exists. The original inscription reads as... 

வீரஸிம்ஹாஸனத்து முக்கோக்கிழாநடிகளோடும் வீற்றிருந்தருளிய கோப்பரகேசரி பந்மரான திரிபுவனச்சக்கரவத்திகள் ஸ்ரீ விக்ரம சோழ தேவற்கு யாண்டு பத்தாவது ஜயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலத்து உடையார் திருவேகம்பமுடையார் தேவதாநம் மணவிற் கோட்டத்து மணவில் நாட்டு செஞ்சி ஜயமதீஸ்வரமுடைய மஹாதேவர்க்கு நாகங்கொற்றன் அருவேலி(ய)ன் மகள் நடுவின்மலைப் பெருமூர் நாட்டு வெண்பாக்கத்து கொற்றமங்கலங் கிழான் வடவாயிற் செல்வன் அகமுடையாள் கம்படி நங்கை வைத்த ஸந்தி விளக்கு இரண்டு இரண்டும் வைத்த பரிசாவது இக்கோயிலிற் காணி உடைய சிவபிராஹ்மணந் கவுசிகன் மதுராந்தகதேவ பட்டனும் கவுசிக குழைந்த பட்டனும் கவுசிக அருள்வேலி பட்டனும் ஆதிரயன் எறு(சேவக) பட்டனும் பக்கல் குடுத்த காசு இரண்டு இக்காசு இரண்டுங் கைக்கொண்டு இவர்களும் இவர்கள் வங்ஸத்தாரும் சந்திராதித்தவரை இந்த விளக்கு (இக்)காசிற் பொலிசை கொண்டு விளக்கு எரிக்கக் கடவர்களானமைக்கு"

    

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Temple view with balipeedam 

 Wastewater stagnating on the north side of the sanctum 

 A separate Structure – in a crumbling state 

 Mada type entrance 

 Beautiful carvings - Shiva and Parvathy 

 Beautiful carvings

 Vimanam looking from south- Dakshinamurthy in koshtam

 Vinayagar – in green stone 

 A wonderful carving 

 Dakshinamurthy -in green stone 

 Lingothbavar 

 Trees on the Vimanam 

 Trees on the Vimanam 

 Trees on the Vimanam 

 Shrine at the back sanctum – Maybe Sri Valli Devanai Subramaniyar sannadhi 

 Moolavar - 16 flat-faced Dhara Linga - was shifted to the mandapam 

 The Podhiyals of the mandapam are of different style 

May be of Ambal idol

 Beautiful carvings

PERUMAL TEMPLE - SENJI

This Perumal Temple is on the next street of the Village Senji. One Kala Pooja is performed in this temple also. The temple is with sanctum, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Karudalwar is at the front. In artha mandapam  Alwars and in sanctum Thayar is on the laps of Perumal. The person in charge said moolavar name is Karivarada Perumal. Since Thayar is on the lap of Perumal, this may be Lakshmi Narayanar.  In Koshtam  Paramapatha Nathar looks cute without much damage sculptured in green stone like in Shiva Temple.

We are not sure that this temple is a reconstructed one or that somebody would have done some exercise to rebuild it since numbers in Tamil are engraved on each stone. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Temple view

 Temple view Palipedam and Garudathoon

  Loose Sculptures 

 Beautiful view of Paramapada Nathar - in green stone 

 Thayar on the laps of Perumal - maybe Lakshmi Narayanan

Alwars in artha mandapam 

Inscriptions are not legible to read.

I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Vaidhyanathan, Mr. Venkatesh, Mrs. Padmapriya allowed me to join this trip, Mr Ramanath, Mr. Saswath, Mr. Mohan Hariharan, other participants of this tour, and many unknown faces who helped for this excellent visit with good breakfast ( without rava kesari) and Lunch to the Cultural and heritage sites on the banks of Koovam river. Thanks to all once again.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---