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

 17^th 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 the Thyagaraja cult, Nayanmars, and Thiruvotriyur, and similarities between Thiruvarur and Thiruvottiyur based on the Thyagaraja cult.

Even though I  had been to this temple a number of times, this visit was from a different perspective. The walk was led by Mr Madhusudhanan, an architect by profession and passion for temple architecture. He had done a wonderful presentation of the temple and explained all the details of 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 that I told during the discussion. 

Thyagaraja cult is a set of characteristic features, norms to be followed, and similarities in the way it was practiced. Most of the Vidanga sthalangal in and around Thiruvarur practiced a similar cult. There are some Shiva temples on the Coromandel coast, which has Thyagaraja Sannadhi, but Vidanga Murti is (of rare gem) missing. Somaskanda is generally called Thyagaraja, Thyagaraja and the secret ( covering Kanda in the middle by the flowers, sometimes without Kanda ) is of family tradition type of Murtis 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 Murtis are available on the 2^nd level of the east side of Rajagopuram. The original Vindangar was worshiped by Sri Mahavishnu keeping it on his chest. The Vidanga murti was transferred to Chozha King  Musukundha Chakravarthy through Indran. ( Which has a separate story). Similarly, the natanam is also different in each temple.

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	Adhi Vidangar	Kukkuta Natanam	Dancing like a cock
6	Thiruvaimur	Nalla Vidangar	Kamalanatanam	Dancing like lotus moves due to the breeze
7	Thirumaraikadu	Buvanividangar	Hamsapadanatanam	Dancing with the gait of a swan

The Thiruvottiyur temples have the contributions of Chozha,  Pallavas, Nayaks, etc. The Thyagaraja sannidhi at Thiruvotriyur was built adjacent to the main Chozha period temple without much damage to the kodungai. The mandapam was built in stages by different kings’ periods. The Thiagarajar Sannadhi pillars are round with a lot of inscriptions and the front mandapam is square in shape with reliefs on all sides. The reliefs signify the different forms/schools of worship like Thanthirka, Kabalika, etc.

A newcomer to this temple will be confused very much by seeing the layout of the temple. Sannadhis were built in a haphazard manner and Murtis were located in different positions.  The Dwarapalakas are beautiful and a miniature of Shiva’s dance, Gajasamkaramurti are chiseled on the cap is worth seeing. The Dwarapalakas might have been originally in the inner prakaram and later shifted to the present place which obstructs the view of inscriptions. The mandapa pillars have 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 Nambiyandar Nambi. 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, but instead burnt out. Also, there is a possibility that Vattaparai Amman might be a Village god with an anthill nearby ( Moolavar Lord Shiva is in the form of Ant hill ), and the construction of the Vattaparai Amman sannidhi, which has no space with the main sanctum.  There is a Dwajasthambam installed in front of Vattaparai amman sannidhi with its base in a round shape, This might be a Trishul once.

  

After that, we visited the Thiruvoteesar Temple, which is the main contribution of Nattukottai Nagarathars. Chandikeswarar and Bhairavar reliefs are in actual place on the pillars. The medallions are just as 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 sannidhi, we see a Murti of Chamundi with a skull on its head. There must be a Saptamatrikas sannidhi previously. This is the one that escaped from ..... and installed here. It was interesting to note that Adi Sankara worshiped Sri Vadivudai Amman. To prove this still pooja is being conducted by the Malayalis.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    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 Murtis 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 trying to cut himself to get blood to burn a 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 a circular base in front of Vattaparai amman Sannadhi 

 Subramaniyar on Lotus 

 Bairavar sannidhi 

Chamundi – in Vadivudai amman temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---