VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Adheeswarar Temple and Sri Adhi Narayana Perumal Temple Aathiyur ( Kunnathur ) - In Search of History

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Sri Adheeswarar Temple and Sri Adhi Narayana Perumal Temple Aathiyur ( Kunnathur ) - In Search of History - Kuruppa Nadu in Kongu Nadu.

I did my secondary school education at NRKN Kalvi Nilayam, Kunnathur in Erode district. The place Adhiyur is very close to my school. Since there are some places named Kunnathur, This Kunnathur is called Adhi Kunnathur. The meaning of Adhiyur is the Village and ஊர் in Tamil, came first. After getting interested in search of History of my Kuruppa Nadu of Kongu Nadu visited the Adhiyur on Saturday 21^st November 2015. After seeing both Shiva and Vishnu temples, I wondered why I missed both temples, for so long time. Both temples underwent many changes in the name of renovation, but one thing we have to appreciate is the sanctum was kept with the old structure. Understood the inscriptions were studied by Pulavar Raju, the epigraphist. ( Met him at his house and he showed me the way to get a copy of the details which will be posted after getting the details. )

Both Shiva and Vishnu temples are close to each other. Even though both temples were built at the same period there are no inscriptions at Vishnu temple.

SRI ADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Moolavar : Sri Adheeswarar

Consort : Sri Annapoorani

Some of the important details of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an arch. A Vilakkuthoon or Garudathoon or Deepa Sthambam is in front. Vinayagar sannidhi and an ant hill are on the left side of Garudathoon. Balipeedam with Rishabam is immediately after the main entrance under a concrete mandapam.

Sannadhi for Nalvar with Thiruneelakandar, Chandikeswarar, Balamurugan without Valli Devasena, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Chandran and Suriyan. Ambal Sri Annapoorani is in a separate sannidhi facing east. A front mandapam is named as Dhyana mandapam in front of artha mandapam.

Moolavar vimanam – built during 1991

ARCHITECTURE

All the sannadhis were built at a later state keeping the original structure of sanctum Sanctorum. The Adhistanam is a simple pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumuda. The pilasters are Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, Veera kandam, and Pushpa pothyal. The 3-tier Moolavar Nagara Vimanam was built in 1991. ( A Stucco image holding a slate with a year on the vimana). Inscriptions are found around the sanctum walls from adhistanam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was constructed during the 12th to 13th Century and Shiva was called Adhipureeswarar. Received contributions from Chozhas, Pandya, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagaras.

A1065/2003 On the north wall of ardha mandapa of Adipuriswara temple. Tamil. Virapandya r.y.15 (CE. 1280) It records a gift of money by a woman, the wife of Thoththan, a merchant from Karaiyur in Kankaya Nadu.

1066/2003 On the same wall of the same mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Sundara Pandya, 12th reign year (CE. 1297) It records a gift of money (one accu) by an individual from the Vellala community who hailed from Thurarclan from Kodhai Padi in Kilkkarai punturai nadu.

1067/2003 On the same wall of the same mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Sundara Pandya, r.y. 6. (CE. 1291) It records a gift of money (an acchu) for burning a twilight lamp in the temple by an individual Kali alias Kali who hailed from the Kunteli clan of the Vellala community.

1068/2003 On the same wall of the same mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Viravallala III. It records a gift of money (one accu) for burning a twilight lamp by an individual from the Kunteli clan of the Vellala community who was living at Adiyur.

1069/2003 On the same wall of the same temple. Tamil. Sundara Pandya, r.y. 6.(CE. 1291). It records a gift of money (40 panams) for burning a lamp and for ritual during the waking up of deity by a merchant from Podhukkayam alias Colapandiyapuram in Kuruppu nadu.

1070/2003 On the same wall of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya r.y. 5 (CE. 1270) It records a gift of money by Kulappillaiyantan silampan from Kunteliclan of Vellala community who was residing at Adiyur.

1071/2003 On the west wall of the same temple. Tamil. Sundara Pandya r.y. 30 (CE. 1315) It records a gift of money (one accu) by a merchant from Podhukkayam alias Colapandyapuram in Kurunagar Nadu, for burning a twilight lamp.

1072/2003 On the west wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the same temple. Tamil. Sundarapandiya r.y. 6 (CE. 1291). It records a gift of money (one accu) by a merchant from Pudukkayam alias Colapandyapuram in Kurunagar Nadu.

1073/2003 On the south wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y.6. (CE. 1291). It records a gift of some parts of the temple like Thirukkattalai Tamappadi agavay and Puravay by an individual from the Kunteli clan of the Vellala community who was a resident of Adiyur.

1074/2003 On the south wall of Ardha mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y. 7 (CE. 1272). It records that some parts of the temple like the Ardha mandapa, front pillar, beam, inner gate, and outer gate were built by an individual.

1075/2003 On the south wall of ardha mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y. 7. (CE. 1272) It records that some temple parts like the second row of pillars inner gate and the outer gate were built by an individual.

1076/2003 On the south wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y. 15 (CE. 1280) It records a gift of money (one accu) by a merchant from Adiyur.

1077/2003 On the south wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y. 22 (CE 1287) It records a gift of money for burning a twilight lamp by an individual from the tura clan of the Vellalar community from Kodaippadi in Kilkaraipunthurai Nadu.

1078/2003 On the same wall of Ardhamadapa of the same temple, Tamil. King's name is not mentioned. It records the order of the King which directed the temple priests, temple officers, and Nambimar to part one-third of their income to the Uvaccar.

1079/2003 On the south wall of Ardha mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Virapandya, r.y. 21 ( CE. 1286) It records a gift of money by an individual for burning a twilight lamp in the temple. This individual is mentioned in the previous inscription (1077/2003)

1080/2003 On the south wall of Maha Mandapa of the same temple. Tamil. Vikkiramacholan III, г.у. 3 ( CE. 1276) It records a gift of linde by a Brahmin.

1081/2003 On the slab in the field in the south of the Adipuriswarar temple. Tamil. King's name is not mentioned. (18th century CE.) It records the last words in the donation. It records the gift which might have been given to a mutt.

Ref:
Erode Mavatta kalvettukal Thoguthi -2

Kumbhabhishekam are conducted in 1941, 1992, and 2010. Since this place is dominated by the Mudaliar community, their contribution is more. An interesting point to note is a Muslim devotee also donated for the renovation of this temple.

Inscriptions
Inscriptions

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, they will be kept open during morning hours, darshan can be done at any time since the Sivachariyar is living adjacent to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 0.5 Km, off the Aathiyur Bus stop and Aathiyur is about 5 KM from Kunnathur.

Town bus route no 10 from Tiruppur to Kunnathur passes through this village.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Garudathoon

Vinayagar sannidhi

Anthill

Shivagana with Rishabam on the wall

Balipeedam with Rishabam

Vinayagar Sannadhi

Moolavar vimanam – built during 1991

Temple complex view

Naalvar with Thiruneelakandar

Vinayagar – an old murti

Ambal Sri Annapoorani

Vinayagar in koshtam

Brahma in koshtam

Durgai in Koshatam

Monkey – Vaali worshiping Lord Shiva

Ambal in the form of Peacock worshiping Lord Shiva

SRI ADHI NARAYANA PERUMAL

Moolavar : Adhi Narayana Perumal.

Some of the important features of this temple are….

A Deepasthambham / Garuda thoon is in front of a handmade tile roof mandapam. ( A typical village home style). Balipeedam, Thulasi madam and Garudalwar are in front of moolavar sannadhi. Sri Anjaneyar sannidhi is on the left believes that Munivar Vyasar installed. Moolavar is with Thayar and there is no separate sannidhi for Thayar.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though the temple was built same period as Shiva's temple there are no inscriptions.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS :

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, they will be kept open during morning hours. Battachariyar lives in front of the temple and he is the in-charge of the local Post office.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Mr Selvaraj 9994069194 may be contacted for darshan and other details.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is about 0.5 Km, off the Aathiyur Bus stop and Aathiyur is about 5 KM from Kunnathur.

Town bus route no 10 from Tiruppur to Kunnathur passes through this village.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE. CLICK HERE