Thursday 19 May 2016

Sri Thyagaraja Swamy Temple and Vadivudaiamman Temple, - A Temple Walk around Thiruvottiyur.

 17th May 2016
A temple walk around Thiruvottiyur Thyagaraja swamy temple ( Popularly known as Sri Vadivudai Amman Temple ) was planned at 3.45 PM on 16th May, 2016 (since the temple reopens at 4pm). It will include discussions on Thyagaraja cult, Nayanmars and Thiruvotriyur and similarities between Thiruvarur and Thiruvottiyur based on the Thyagaraja cult.



Even-though I  had been to this temple number of time, this visit is on a different perspective. The walk was lead by Mr Madhusudhanan, an architect by profession and passion on temple architecture. He had done a wonderful presentation of the temple and explained all the details from the place where changes were made. I really wonder how he could collect the details in the midst of his professional work. It will be difficult  for me  to recollect many things which told during the discussion. 

Thyagaraja cult is a set of characteristic features, norms to be followed, similarities in which the way it was practiced. Most of the Vidanga sthalangal in and around Thiruvarur practiced the similar cult. There are some shiva temples on the coromandel coast, which has Thyagaraja Sannadhi, but Vidanga moortham is (of rare gem,) missing. Somaskanda is generally called as Thyagaraja, Thyagaraja and the secret ( covering Kanda in the middle  by the flowers, some times without Kanda ) is of family tradition type of moorthams and they are Somaskandar where Murugan will be in the middle and Ganesha anugraha moorthy in which Ganesha is seating on the right side of Lord Shiva. Both of the sudhai/stucco moorthams are available in the 2nd level of east side Rajagopuram. The original Vindangar was worshiped by Sri Mahavishnu keeping it on his chest. The vidanga moortham was transferred to Chozha King  Musukundha chakravarthy through Indran. ( Which has a separate story).Similarly the natanam is also different in each temples.

1
Thiruvarur
Vidhividangar
Ajaba natanam
Depends on the chest movement due to  breathing ( Maha Vishnu)
2
Nagaikaronam
Sundara vidangar
Vici natanam
Dancing like sea wave
3
Thirukolili
Avani vidangar
Drunganatanam
Dancing like a bee that hovers on the flowers
4
Thirunallaru
Nagara vidangar
Unmatha natanam
Dancing like an intoxicated person

5
Thirukkaarayil
Adhividangar
Kukkuta natanam
Dancing like a cock
6
Thiruvaimur
Nallavidangar
Kamalanatanam
Dancing like lotus moves due to breeze
7
Thirumaraikadu
Buvanividangar
Hamsapadanatanam
Dancing with the gait of swan

The Thiruvottiyur temples has the contributions of Chozha,  Pallavas, Nayaks etc. The Thyagaraja sannidhi at Thiruvotriyur was built adjacent to main Chozha period temple  with out much damage to the kodungai. The mandapam was built in stages may be by different king’s period. The Thiagarajar sannadhi  pillars are of round with lot of inscriptions and front mandapam are of square in shape with reliefs on all the sides. The reliefs are  signifies the different forms/ school of worshiping like thanthirka, Kabalika, etc.

A new comer to this temple will be confused very much by seeing the layout of the temple. Sannadhis are built in a haphazard manner and moorthams were located in different positions.  The Dwarapalakas are beautiful and miniature of Shiva’s dance, Gajasamkaramurti are chiselled on the cap  are worth to see. The Dwarapalakas might be originally in the inner prakaram and latter  shifted to the present place which obstructs the view of  inscriptions. The mandapa pillars has the reliefs of Nayanmar’s  siddhu, ( Sundarar – at avinashi, child came out of croc’s mouth  and Thirugnanasambandar – poompavai comes alive from ashes). Also the sacrificing reliefs with a head and two ladies holding trishul.

There is a Chandeswarar idol kept in the mandapa, which is not it’s original place. In the nayanmars place a boothagana’s moortham is named as Nambiyandar nimbi. Then comes the vattaparai Amman Sannadi. This might be of Kannaki worship, to prove this during function the pandal  erected outside will not be removed, instead burnt out. Also there is a possibility that Vattaparai amman might be a Village god with ant hill near by ( Moolavar Lord Shiva is in the form of Ant hill ) and  the construction of the Vattaparai Amman sannidhi, which has no space with main sanctum.  There is a Dwajasthambam installed in front of Vattaparai amman sannadhi with it’s base in round shape, This might be a soolam once.
  
After that we had visited the Thiruvoteesar Temple, which has the main contribution of Nattukottai Nagarathars. Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar reliefs are  in actual place on the pillars. The medallions  are just modern as flowers and Subramanya standing on Lotus.  Then comes the Bhairavar Sannidhi whose hair touches the ground and the dog is missing.

In The Vadivudai Amman sannadhi we had seen a moortham of Chamundi with skull on it’s head. There  must a saptamatrikas sannadhi previously. This is the one escaped from ..... and installed here. It was interesting to note that Sri Sankarar worshiped Sri Vadivudai Amman. To prove this still pooja is being conducted by the malayalis.  

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

The Voice of Madhusudhanan : CLICK HERE

 Thiagarajar sannadhi built with main sannadhi without damaging the kodungai 
 Thanthirika worship 
 Kabalika worship ( holding spinal cord bone )
 Thabas standing on one leg 

Sundarar and the child comes out of crocodile’s mouth  
 Thirugnanasambandar and Poompavai   
 Sacrifice 



 Homa mandapam where moorthams on the top
  Chandikeswarar in the front mandapam 
 A miniature shiva’s dance on the cap of Dwarapala 
 A miniature shiva’s dance on the cap of Dwarapalaka 
 A 1963 beautiful painting of Kaliya nayanar  tried to cut himself to get blood to burn light in the sanctum, where Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him 
 The round pillar with inscriptions of Rajaraja-I’s meikeerthi – back of sanctum 
 Sri Kowleeswarar back of Sri Thiagarajar Sannadhi  

 Dwajasthambam with circular base in front of Vattaparai amman Sannadhi 
 Subramaniyar on Lotus 
 Bairavar sannidhi 

Chamundi – in Vadivudai amman temple
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 16 May 2016

Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple, St Thomas Mount, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 15th May 2016.
Three days holiday, it includes second Saturday and May 16, 2016, a Voting day. Hot summer outside, what to do, hiding  in the indoor. Thought of Visiting Sri Angala Eswari Muneeswarar temple of Burma colony, at Ekkattuthangal. Planned to Visit the Shiva Temple also near the St Thomas mount Bus stop.

   

The temple is very near to St Tomas Mount Bus-stop on Paul Wells Road, towards  Kathipara junction. The temple may a century old and constructed with the help of donors with Rs 1000 and above. Some of the land donated to this temple was encroached.

Moolavar    : Sri Kasi Viswanathar.
Consort      : Sri Visalakshi

Some of the important details are as follows.
A small temple with a Rajagopuram facing east. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and  Nandhi are in front of the sannidhi.

ARCHITECTURE
The main sanndhi comprises of a mandapam  with Ambal sannadhi. In the mandapam sannidhi for Sri Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Bairavar, Chandran and Suriyan. Nagars and Navagrahas are  in the outer prakaram.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
We do not know, when the original temple was built. But the temple was reconstructed in 20th Century. The majority of the fund was received from the army personnel. 

Part of the temple land was encroached by the private personnels and Corporation ( for laying road ).

 DONORS INSCRIPTION 
 DONORS INSCRIPTION 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 170.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

HOW TO REACH :
The temple is very near to St Thomas mount Bus stop towards Kathipara Junction.

LOCATION :CLICK HERE





One of the Shiva’s vahana rishabam on the entrance Gate has become part of a house ( encroachment ) 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---

Sri Angala Eswari and Muneeswarar Temple, Burma Colony, Ekkaduthangal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

15th May, 2016.
Three days holiday, it includes second Saturday and May 16, 2016, a Voting day. Hot summer outside, what to do, hiding  in the indoor. Thought of Visiting Sri Muni of Burma colony, at Ekkaduthangal. Planned to Visit the Shiva Temple also near the St Thomas mount Bus stop.  I had been the muni temple twice earlier, while I was in Jafferkhanpet.  During my earlier visit I had not seen the Shiva  with face.


The temple is dedicated to Sri Angala Eswari and Muneeswarar.

Some of the important details are..
The main sanctum  Sri Vinayagar, Sri Angala Eswari and Kali ( stucco image of Kali is on the back of the wall) are side by side, in a row. In koshtam,  Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai ( similar to a Shiva Temple ).

In the outer prakaram, sannadhi for Madurai Veeran, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (  Arupadai veedu moorthangal are in koshtam) and Naagars.
   
Stucco images of Annapoorani and Saraswathi are at the entrance of Sri Angala Eswari sannadhi.

There is a small muni sannidhi in front of Big Muni. The main  Muni is about  40 feet with a sickle ( aruvaa) in the right hand, which will be around 10 feet high. Stucco images are around the four corners of the base.  Base itself will be around  10 feet high.  Minute sudhai reliefs on the muni’s ornament  and cap. Vinayagar is on the cap, Angala Eswari, Saraswathi, Annapoorani are in the ornament. On the hip and hand some Stucco images too. On the base reliefs of Buddha, ladies forms elephant, Horse and elephant & cow are worth to watch.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The Temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

HOW TO REACH :
The temple can be reached from  via. Nandambakkam- Military Hospital- Burma colony or we can reach from Ekkaduthangal – Kalaimagal Nagar- Burma Colony.

LOCATION : CLICK HERE













There is also a moortham of Lord Shiva open to sky near the Muni temple facing east.  And nandhi is in-front.  It is not a regular Lingam but  a face with mustache and beard.





--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA:---