Sri Thiyaga Vinotha Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ தியாக வினோத பெருமாள் கோயில், Ponmar, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Thiyaga Vinotha Perumal Temple at Ponmar was a part of the “Shiva & Vishnu Temples, Hero Stones and Heritage Sites Visit”, from Ponmar to Karunilam, near Guduvanchery, in Chengalpattu District on 24^th October 2023. This temple was once in dilapidated condition.  

 

 

The old post dated 26^th April 2016, of my blog on this temple was updated after reconstruction and Maha Samprokshanam.  This Perumal temple is on Ponmar to Navalur Road.

Moolavar : Sri Thiyaga Vinaotha Perumal

Consorts : Sridevi & Bhudevi

 

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Garudan. The sanctum sanctorum is on an elevated level with steps to climb up. In sanctum Sanctorum Moolavar Sri Thiyaga Vinotha Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi, about 5.5 feet tall. Perumal is with 4 hands. The upper hand holds sankha and Prayoga Chakra ( straight ) and the lower hands are in varada and kadi hastam.  Utsavars are in the ardha mandapam.

 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is on a raised upanam. The  Upana pilasters have the bas-reliefs of the epic Ramayan scenes. The adhistanam is of kapota bandha adhistanam with jagathy, Vrudha Kumudam, and Kapotam with nasi kudus. The Bhitti starts with vedika. The Koshtas are of Sala style and pilasters are with Vishnukantha pilasters with square base & Naga bandha, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, Veerakandam and Poomottu pothiyal. The Kumbha panjaras are between Koshtas and Karnapathi.

 

The Prastaram  consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and Viyyalavari. The nasikudus has the images of bhuta ganas and Epic Ramayan scenes.

 

 

The Bricks Vimanam is above the Bhumidesam. The Vimanam is of two tiers (total 3 tiers with Adhi Tala). The Tala and Greeva Kostas have stucco images of Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayana, Lakshmi Hyagreeva, Lakshmi Varaha etc,.

 

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the Chozha period and was reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period ( the present structure ). The temple was in dilapidated condition till a few years before, either due to lack of maintenance or may have been destroyed during the Muslim ruler's invasion.

 

This place Ponmar was called as Jayamkonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur kottathu Kalvoy nattu Thiyaga Vinotha Nallur alias Ponmaru Thiyaga Vinotha nallur - ஜெயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலத்து புலியூர் கோட்டத்து கால்வாய் நாட்டு தியாகவினோத நல்லூரான பொன்மாறு, during Vijayanagara period ( as per Kanchipura Mavatta kalvettukkal Volume – 2, Sri Sakthipureeswarar Temple’s inscription, which is about 500 meters away from this temple ). When the temple was in dilapidated condition, this temple was identified as a Maha Vishnu temple based on the Garuda’s image on the entrance lintel. Except this Garuda’s bas-relief, no other idol was found in this temple. So Maha Vishnu was named after the village name Thiyaga Vinotha Perumal.

 

As per AR No 125 of 1912, the Chozha King Rajaraja-III ( 1219 CE ) incomplete inscription at Thiruvitriyur Temple, records the order of transferring this village from one person to the other inscribe at Thiruvotriyur Adhipurisvara Temple. This inscription starts with his meikeerthi as Sir manni iru nangum thisai vilangka thirumadanthaiyum...... சிர்ம(ன்)னி இருநான்கும்  திசை விளங்க திருமடந்தையும்.... In the ARE report, the king is called  Ulagudaiya-Perumal. The title Parakesarivarman is wrongly engraved for Rajakesarivarman. The King is addressed as one who would take the country he sees and will not give back, as "Kanda Nadu Kondu Konda Nadu Kudatha – கண்டநாடு  கொண்டு கொண்டநாடு குடாத உலகுய்யவந்த பெருமாளு..., a title/Meilkeerthi which find in the Vijayanagara inscriptions of the latter period.

 

The inscription records that when the King was pleased to appear at Karuvili in Milalai kuRRam in Pandi nadu, he issued an order conferring the proprietorship of the Village Ponmarumaligai in Kalvay nadu in Puliyur Kottam, in Jayankondachozha Mandalam (a sub-division) of Thondai Mandalam on a certain Pugalvanayan of Karuvili. It appears that the previous holder Sengadavayan betrayed the Royal Command - ராஜ துரோகம். ( hence it was now given to Pugalvaniyan ).

 

The temple was reconstructed and Samprokshanam was conducted on 05^th June 2023.

 

It is planned to install 12 Alwars and Udayavar Sri Ramanujar idols sculptured out of Greenstone at a cost of Rs 57000/ each. Sponsors are requested to participate and their fame will last long till the sun and moon exists.

 

LEGENDS

This legend is associated with the Prayoga Chakra, which Maha Vishnu holds. The Amparisa Story, the Thirty-third Sthagam/chapter in the Narayaniyam praises the Prayoga Chakra’s glory. When Maha Vishnu took the Macha avatar, Sathaviratha received Upadesam from Vishnu as Guru. In the next birth, he was born as Vaivastha Manu. His son was Nabagan. Amparisan was born to Nabagan and ruled this complete earth. Amparisan observed Ekadasi Vradha seriously. Durvasa visited Amparisan when he was observing Ekadasi Viratham, but he didn’t notice Durvasa. Thinking that Amparisan was ignoring him, Durvasa Rishi became angry.

 

Durvasa  had sent a Bhoota to destroy Amparisan. On seeing this Maha Vishnu sent the Chakra as Prayoka Chakra on the Bhoota. The Chakra killed the Bhoota and chased Durvasa.  Fearing the Chakra Durvasar surrendered to Maha Vishnu. But Maha Vishnu advised Durvasar to surrender to Amparisan. Since there was no choice but to escape from Chankra, Durvasar surrendered to Amparisan. Overwhelmed by Maha Vishnu’s, kindness and blessings Amparisan, requested Chakra, not to harm Durvasa. The Chakra reduced its speed and returned back to Maha Vishnu. On seeing all these happenings Durvasar, praised Amparisan’s Bhakthi on Maha Vishnu and the importance of Ekadasi viradha. Durvasa blessed Amparisan with a lot of boons.

 

Amparisan worshipped many Maha Vishnu temples across India, where Maha Vishnu Holds Prayoga chakra and this is one of the temples. Some of the other temples are Madurai Azhagar Temple, Aduthurai Vaiyangatha Perumal Temple, and Arumbakkam Sathya Varadharaja Perumal Temple. As per the sthala purana, Perumal was blessing his devotees from this temple in 4 yugas.

 

Maha Vishnu also saved the Gajendra an elephant from Crockadile, when it called loudly and cried “Adhimoolame”, Maha Vishnu threw the Prayoga chakra and blessed both Gajendran and the Crocodile to attain mukti.

 

  

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, monthly Ekadasi, Purattasi Saturdays, Markazhi months all days, Hanuman Jayanthi, Krishna Jayanthi, Pushpangi Seva, etc.

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

Bhattar Murali may be contacted on his mobile at +91 9791157243 for pooja details.

 

The trustees may be contacted on their mobile numbers +91 8056274746, +918778693401, and +917010216023  for details and developments of the temple.

 

HOW TO REACH

All the buses from T Nagar, ( 51J, J51, and 51T )  via Medavakkam pass through the Village of Ponmar

The temple is about a KM off the main road on Malai Street ( Ponmar to Navalur Road ).

19 KM from Velachery, 10 KM from Medavakkam, and 40 KM from Chennai Central.

The nearest MRTS Railway Station is Velachery.  

 

LOCATION  OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

26^th April 2016.

இன்று  24, ஏப்ரல், 2016, பொன்மார் சென்று இருந்தேன்..மலை வீதியிலுள்ள ஸ்ரீ சக்தி புரீஸ்வரர் கோவில் செல்வதற்கு முன்பு கண்டது மனதை என்னவோ செய்தது....ஒரு பெருமாள் கோயில்.. கீழே விழும் நிலையில்.. பல்லவர்கள் காலத்தில் வெளிப்புறம் கற்றளியாகவும் உள்ளே செங்கற்களாலும் கட்டப்பட்டது...அதே காலகட்டத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டது தான் சிவன் கோவிலும்.. பெருமாள் யாருக்காக காத்துக்கொண்டு இருக்கின்றார் என்று தெரியவில்லை.

பெருமாள் பக்த்தர்கள் யாராவது முன் வருவார்களா.. பெருமாள் பக்தர்கள் மிகவும் நல்ல மனம் படைத்தவர்கள்.. கண்டிப்பாக கூடிய விரைவில் ஒரு புதிய விடியலை எதிர்பார்போம்... வலைத்தள அன்பர்களுக்கு ஒரு வேண்டுகோள்.. இதை அதிகமாக பகிர்ந்தால் ஒரு நல்ல பெருமாள் பக்த்தரை சென்று அடையாதா....

I happened to visit Ponmar, Chennai Perumal Temple on 24^th April 2016. Really I felt very sorry to see the condition of this temple. May collapse at any time. A tamarind tree was grown from top to bottom. Some of the outer side carved stones had fallen down. By seeing the structure the temple might have been constructed during the Pallava period, outside with stone and inside with bricks.

I do not know why the Perumal is waiting so long to ask any one of his devotees to reconstruct the temple. Hope we will expect a change. Request Perumal devotees to spread this message and help for the reconstruction of this temple.  

HOW TO REACH :

All the buses from T Nagar, ( 51J, J51, and 51T )  via Medavakkam pass through the Village of Ponmar

The temple is about a KM off the main road on Malai Street 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA---

Sri Sakthipureeswarar Temple / Sathyapureeswarar Temple, Ponmar, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

 26^th April 2016.

After the darshan of Sri Dandeeswarar on Sunday 24^th April 2016, thought of Visiting Ponmar, which is on the way to Medavakkam to Mambakkam bus route. Whenever I used to cross the Ponmar Sri Sakthipureeswarar temple, I could see the doors of the temple were in closed condition. Today the Gurukal was opening the door while crossing the temple. Finally, Sri Shiva gave me a darshan this Sunday. Even though I had seen outside many times, this was the first time I could see the inside of the sanctum sanctorum.

Moolavar    : Sri Sakthi Pureeswarar, Sri Sathya Pureeswarar

Consort      : Sri Sakthi Pureeswari.

Some of the important details are...

The temple faces east without Rajagopuram or Dwajasthambam. The Koshtas are empty and letter period Murtis are kept below the niches.In the artha mandapam Utsavars and Natarajar.

Ambal is  in a separate sannadhi  in front mandapam facing south. In the mandapam Vinayagar, Sri Subramaniar, Kala Bhairavar and Rishabam. Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi is back side of Ambal sannadhi. 

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a maha mandapam. The entrance to the maha mandapam is from the south side. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple kapota bandha adhisthanam with Jagathy on a padama peedam, Vrutha kumudam, Kapotam. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. Th pilasters are with square base, thamaraikattu, kalasam, thadi, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palaka, veerakandam, poo mottu pothyal. The prastaram is with valapi, kapotam with Nasis and viyyalavari. Kumbha panjaras are on the Bhitti and Koshtas are sala style. 

The Vimanam is of two tiers, built with bricks on the bhoomi desam. Brahma and Maha Vishnu are with their consorts. The Vimana is of Nagara- Vesara style. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions of Sigaram. The mandapa pillars has the bas reliefs of saints, gandaberunda, donors etc,. 

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that this temple was constructed during Vijayanagar King Sadasivarayar and his inscription is on the ( 1520 CE ). As per the inscription this place was called Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Kalvainattu / Kalvoy Nattu Thiyaga Vinotha Nallur alias Ponmar and Lord Shiva was called "Poyileechuramudaya Nayanar". The inscription also records the gift of Village "Poyyilichery".

Sadasivaraya: Saka Year: 1442 (:1520 CE ) inscription Records the gift of certain taxes collected from Poyilicheri for the worship and renovations to the deities of Virabhadra Nayanar and Poyilisvaramudaiya Nayanar at the village of Ponmaru alias Thyagavinodha Nallur of Kalvay -nadu in Puliyur-Kottam, a subdivision of Jayankonda chola mandala, by Srirangarayan and the Nattars of chengalunirpattu for the merit of Sadasivarayar and Ramarayar.

விஜயநகர சதாசிவராயர் ( 1520  CE ) காலத்தைச் சார்ந்த கல்வெட்டு இவ்வூர் ஜெயங்கொண்ட சோழமண்டலத்து புலியூர் கோட்டத்து கால்வாய் நாட்டு தியாவினோதநல்லூரான பொன்மாறு என்ற ஊரில் உள்ள பொயிலீசுரமுடைய நாயனார்க்கும் வீரபத்திர நாயனார்க்கும் பூசை மற்றும் திருப்பணிகளுக்கு சதாசிவராயர் மற்றும் இராமராயர் பெயரில் சிங்கராயர் என்பவரும் செங்கழுநீர்பட்டு நாட்டவரும் பொயிலச்சேரியை தன்மமாக விட்ட செய்தியை பதிவு செய்கின்றது. 

A 16th to 17th Century incomplete inscription ( ARE 1934 - 35 nos 17-118 ), mentions Srimathrangarayan Ratyan and Payirkudikal  Palapattaikal.  This inscription records the cleaning of Amaneri ( clearing the vandal ) by Chinna Chetty's son Vedagiri.

ஸ்ரீமத்ரங்கராயர் ரட்டியன் மற்றும் பயிர்க்குடிகள் பலப்பட்டடைகள் ஆகியோர் கூறப்படுகின்றனர். சிந்னாசெட்டி மகன் வேதகிரி என்பவர் அமணே(ரி) குளம் என்ற குளத்தில் வண்டல் வெட்டித் தூர் எடுத்ததை இக்கல்வெட்டு குறிப்பிடு கிது. இக்குளம் கோயிலின் அருகிலேயே அமைந்துள்ளது. கல்வெட்டு முற்றுப் பெறவில்லை.

Ref

Kanchipura Mavatta kalvettukkal Volume - 2.

  

Inscriptions 

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be kept open for darshan  during morning and evening and there is no fixed time. Gurukal may be contacted for darshan.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Gurukal Ramanujam may be contacted on his mobile at 9176067723.

HOW TO REACH :

All the buses from T Nagar, ( 51J, J51 and 51T )  via Medavakkam passes through the Village Ponmar.

The temple is about a KM off main road on Malai Street. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

After Ponmar had been to Ottiambakkam and had the darshan of Sri Otteeswarar  ( my previous visit details click ) and returned home

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA:---      

SRI VELLIANGIRI ANDAVAR TEMPLE / HILLS – THEN KAILAYAM - MY TREKKING EXPERIENCE

20^th April, 2016.

Do you want to check your health along with ayurvedic medicinal herbs, but without spending money?. If the answer is yes, here is Dr Lord Shiva from Villiangiri, on the western Ghats near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. To reach Lord Shiva’s natural cave temple, you can reach after crossing 7 hills  at an altitude of  2240 meters / 7349 feet above sea level and climbing height of 1200 meters / 3937 feet, only by trekking. After reaching the top of the 7^th hill Lord Shiva bless us  and certifies our healthiness.  

This is the 4^th hill trekking after Othimalai, ,  Chennimalai and  Parvatha malai during this season. The trek to this hill was scheduled on 16^th April 2016, Night, planned much earlier self with a friend from Ooty. 2 weeks before 3 more people from my old office expressed their willingness to join with us. On 16^th April,  I couldn’t join from Chennai, instead,  joined at Coimbatore Railway station, due to personal reasons. From Coimbatore Railway we took a Taxi ( Rs 1000 taxi fare ) and reached to Poondi the base temple of Velliangiri.

  

To avoid Chitra Pournami crowd we planned trek 5 days before.   But to our surprise, there was lot of crowd to trek the hill. After clearing all the formalities by the forest department ( removing all plastic bags, polythene bags, even the water bottle labels are removed ) we 5 friends started our trekking around mid night. Before reaching the  first hill we 5 people got separated in to two groups and couldn’t meet till we returned back to the base temple. The path has become very tough compared to the last year due to last year’s rain which washed away the path in many places. We are forced to wait in many places to give way to the devotees coming from the opposite direction.

Finally we reached to top of the Shiva cave temple around 05.45 hours and had the darshan of Sri Manomani Ambal Samedha Sri Velliangiri Andavar. It took almost 5.30 Hrs to trek the hill top from the base. We are very lucky to see the sunrise also  from the top of the hill. After spending about 30 minutes, we had started our return trek. On return also we could not meet our lost friends.

We are able to reach the 3^rd hill within 3 hours and escaped from the direct sun heat. It was too hot and made the trekking further difficult.  On the way we had the “kamba kool” ( millet )( there are more than 50 shops on the en-route)  and what we carried to eat could not do so due to tired and sleepy. It took almost same time to reach the base of the hill. During returning I got the neck pain ( always looking down the steps) also the right dislocated leg started paining. With the blessings of Lord Shiva we reached to the Poondi base temple around 11.30 Hrs, without much problem.

We had taken rest up to 18.00 hrs at our Guest house and proceeded to Coimbatore Railway station to catch our train to Chennai. Reached Chennai safely around 07.00 Hrs on 18^th April 2016. While travelling on the suburban train, it touched my heart that one of the passenger touched the bamboo stick and worshiped it and inquired a lot about our trekking. Thanks to Lord Shiva for the wonderful Darshan and safe trekking to the Velliangiri Hills.

HOW TO REACH :

The base Poondi is about 40 KM from Coimbatore City  on the way to Siruvani Dam.

Almost 2 KM from Isha Yoga centre.

Buses are available up to Isha and very few busses  are plying to Poondi on normal days and special buses will run during Chitra Pournami day.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Details of my previous Velliangiri Trekking / Yathra please click the links: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019

For more Photos on Picasa web : CLICK HERE

For Vedio on YOUTUBE            : CLICK HERE

 Poondi Sri Velliangiri Adavar temple ( Base of Velliangiri ) 

 Vellai Pillayar – at the top of first hill 

 Vazhukku parai ( slippery rock )

 A Devotee carries the trisool 

 Beema’s Kali urundai  

 The spring at the base of 7^th Hill – devotees used to take a holy dip 

 The 7^th Hill view from 5^th hill top 

 The beautiful sun rise 

 The beautiful sun rise 

Facebook friend, Podhigai Paramasivam Mr Ashok Kumar – self – Mr Vijayan 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---