I had a chance to visit Amarakundhi / Amarakunthi to attend my
co-brother's daughter’s marriage. The Amarakundhi was once the capital
of a small kingdom in Kongu Nadu, ruled by the Getti Mudali brothers, under
the control of Madurai Nayaks during the eighteenth century ( 1700 to
1799). Some of the Getti Mudali kings Mummudi Getti Mudali, Siyazhi Getti, Immudi Getti, and Vangamudi Gatti are responsible for the construction of Tharamangalam
Kailasanathar Temple ( for details of my previous visit CLICK
HERE …. ), is an architectural marvel temple. Many such small temples were also constructed during their period in their dynasty. Their
ruling came to an end by Chikka Devarayan of one of the Mysore kingdoms.
Tharamangalam Vanangamudi Getti Mudali and Senthamangalam Ramachandra Nayakar were defeated by Chikka Devarayan, who ruled for 31 years.
Other than
Tharamangalam Kailasanathar Temple, some of the temples are scattered in
and around Tharamangalam. There are two such temples, a Vinayagar, and a Shiva
temple still exist in Amarakaundhi. Visited the recent period
temples Like Veeramasti Amman ( Veerammasti Amman – in Kannada). One
thing I noticed was some or others are kula Deivam for particular
castes. One of the common features of this temple is garuda thoon.
VEERAMASTI AMMAN
TEMPLE.
This is called
Veeramasti Amman in Kannada ( might have the influence of Mysore King's rule of
this part of Kongu Nadu). This Amman is the Kula Deivam for Chettiyar’s
group. These Chettiars are Vaishnavites, who worship Lord Sri Vishnu. In the sanctum, Amman is at the base of Lord Vishnu with Bhudevi and Sridevi.
Garudalwar, balipeedam, and Garudathoon are at the front of the temple, which is facing
east. This is a recent period temple.
VEERABHADRA SWAMY TEMPLE ( VEERESWARAR ).
This also belongs to the Sri
Veerathanthi Maharishi Kothrampaleladu Vangusa Chettiar caste. The main Deity
is Veerapathirar, in standing posture who is another form of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva took this avatar to kill Dakshan. The temple faces east
with a Garudathoon and Rishabam is in front. Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Siva Durgai are in Koshtam. This is the first time I happened to see this Siva
Durgai. The temple has all the features of Shiva temples.
SRI AYYANAR TEMPLE
This Iyannar also belongs to some caste,
which is not known. This temple is very similar to any other Ayyanar
temple with a lot of stucco statues. This temple also belongs to a recent
period.
VINAYAGAR TEMPLE
This temple belongs to the Getti Mudali period of the single mandapa type. The temple is in bad shape and may crumble at any time.
The stones used are very similar to Tharamangalam Sri Kailasanathar temple. There are inscriptions on the steps.
ANJANEYAR TEMPLE
This temple is also an old temple but
completely white-washed with several coats.
SRI MEENAKSHI SAMETHA SRI CHOKKANATHAR TEMPLE
THARAMANGALAM SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE TANKS
Since I had visited Sri Kailasanathar temple
earlier, skipped the temple and visited only the temple tanks. The tanks
are with water and could not see the step's beauty. But the reliefs on all
four sides of the steps are very beautiful. Some of them are...
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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