Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Sri Veeramasti Amman Temple, Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Sri Ayyanar Temple, Sri Vinayagar Temple, Anjaneyar temple, Sri Chokkanathar Temple at Amarakunthi and Sri Kailasanathar Temple at Tharamangalam,

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
This temple is an old Shiva temple with all the features. The temple faces east with a Garudathoon at the front. There is no Rajagopuram but with an entrance arch. balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance arch. Sannadhi for Rajaganapathy, Arumuga with Valli Devasena, Chandikeswarar, Sri Meenakshi Amman, and Navagrahas. Amman is facing east.  Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai are in  koshtam. 










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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