Sri Muthalamman Temple, Sri Angalamman Temple, Durgai Amman Temple & Sri Veerabhadra Temple, at Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu.

... a Continuation post to Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple.

                                                                          27^th November 2016.

While the students were busy reading the inscriptions, we thought of venturing into this Kappalur Village to know more about the village deities. We came across three temples, namely Sri Muthalamman Temple, Sri Angalamman Temple, Durgai Amman Temple, and Veerabhadra Temple. Each one has its own rich heritage Value.

SRI MUTHALAMMAN TEMPLE.

This temple is on the west side of the village, facing east. At the entrance, a pillar is standing in a mandapam-like vahana. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum and a mandapam. The vimanam is a globe shape without any stucco images. On the left side of the sanctum, Nagar are installed in a row.

 A stone pillar without any images  

SRI ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE.

This temple is about 100 meters from the Muthalamman temple, facing North. In the sanctum statue of Amman in a sitting posture, and in the mandapam, there is an ant hill, worshipped by the villagers. Palipedam and soolam are in front of the temple. On the right side of the mandapam, Vinayagar and a statue are sitting on an elephant. (The details are written under Nadukarkal)
  

DURGAI AMMAN

A little further from the Sri Angalamman temple is, Durgai Amman temple. This temple does not have any structure. Actually, a neem tree trunk is fitted with eyes and a nose, worshiped as Durgai. On a raised Platform, the are Naagars and Hero stones. The details of the Hero stones are also written under Nadu Karkal, in addition to.

VEERABHADRA TEMPLE

This temple is in the southern part of the Kappalur village, facing east. This is a stone structure that was reconstructed. The two inscription stones do not have any continuity. A small shrine in dilapidated condition and Sri Veerabhadra is being worshiped by the villagers. It was said that Sri Veerabhadra is another form of Shiva, and Daksha with a goat’s head is on the left side of the statue. The Agamudayar community takes care of the temple, and annual festivals are also conducted. 

We had taken our group photo and appreciated the villagers' good gesture, and thanked the villagers who accompanied us throughout the day. Around 16.30 hrs, we closed our day-long epigraphy field visit and returned to Chennai. My sincere thanks to Mr. Sathyamoorthy, founder of R E A C H Foundation, Mr. Ramachandran, Mr. Vakula Varadharajan, beloved Coordinator Mr Ramnath, and my participants. 

.... to be continued Hero Stones

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---     

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai District / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

..... a continuation post to Saptamatrika's Temple.

27th November 2016.

After the epigraphy field study at Sri Kamesuwarar Temple & Saptamatrikas Temple, we had our good lunch at Sri Kamesuwarar Temple. Then we went to Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple. The temple is on the west side of the village, on the same Shiva Temple road.

Moolavar : Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with Garudalwar and balipeedam in front. There is a separate entrance for Thayar Sannidhi and Andal sannadhi on the right side of the sanctum sanctorum. Thayar is in a sitting posture, and in front, there is an 18-pillar mandapam.

In the front mandapam, Kalinga Nathanar, Ramar, Lakshmana, Seetha, and Hanuman, Vishvaksenar, in a sitting posture, Thumbikkai Alwar, Narasingar, in a sitting posture with Lakshmi on his lap, Ramanujar with greeda makuta.

ARCHITECTURE

The main sanctum is 10 ft x 10ft in size. Moolavar Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Urchavars are kept at the base.

The temple consists of the Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, 3 patta kumudam, and kandam. The Bhitti starts without vedikai. The sanctum Sanctorum above adhistanam was built with bricks. 

The moolavar vimanam is of a two-tier vesara type with stucco images. On the east side, Thayar is in a standing posture with servant maids with a samara. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION:

From the inscriptions available, the temple existed before 904 CE. The oldest inscription available is the saka year 826 (904 CE). Inscriptions of Rashtrakooda king Kannara Deva, Chozha kings Athitha, Rajarajan & Rajendran are available on the sanctum. Kambavarman, 1st Paranthakan, and Parakesari inscriptions are also available. Kannaradevan and Rajendra Chozha’s inscriptions are found on the pillars of the Perumal temple mandapam. Based on the inscriptions, it was assumed that the temple might have been constructed during the Vijayalaya or Pallava period.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted opening time is unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr. B. Raghupathy may be contacted on his mobile at 9442810617 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 5 km from Polur. Since the frequency of the bus is limited, advisable to hire a taxi from Polur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

 Andal Sannadhi

  Lakshmi Narasimhar 

 Vishvaksenar

 Ramanujar 

 Sri Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmana, and Hanuman 

 Kalinga Narthanar

.... to be Continued ( Nadukarkal )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Saptamatrikas Temple / The Seven Divine Mothers Temple, Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th November 2016.

This temple is dedicated to the Saptamatrikas. This temple faces west with a balipeedam and a soolam. A half-buried relief panel is kept in front of the soolam. They are in the form of reliefs fitted on the wall in a U shape with a Vinayagar on the right. We could not identify them individually due to erosion. This temple was called “Pidari” Amman temple as per the inscription on the back side adhistana / base of the temple. It was said that these Saptamatrikas reliefs are 1200 years old. There are some more relief panels installed at the entrance, front, and side, too. Two are for the male. One may be Ayyanar. It was said that Saptamatrikas are female deities in the form of male gods, like Brahma – Brahmi, Varaha Perumal – Varahi, Vishnu – Vaishnavi, Indiran – Indrani, Shiva - Maheshwari, etc.

INSCRIPTIONS

The inscriptions are found at the back of the sanctum adhistanam and front side. It was said that the front side inscription stone kept on the floor might have been brought from some other temple of the same village.

 The inscription is at the back of the sanctum- says that the temple is the Pidari Amman Temple

This inscription fragment stone was laid on the floor and might have been brought from somewhere

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

 Brahmi

 The first panel may be Ayyanar

 Might be Varahi  

 Pothu Raja ( readers are requested to throw some light on this ) is used in the functions. 

... to be continued ( Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kamesuwarar Temple / Thirukkameshwarar Temple / Thirukkamiswarar Temple, Kappalur, Near Polur, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th November 2016.

This Kappalur Heritage visit was arranged by the R.E.A.C.H Foundation for its 7^th batch of Epigraphy students. Since I am also an alumnus of the Epigraphy class, Mr Ramanath included me in this visit. As planned, we, 38 heritage enthusiasts, started from Chennai through 2 vans and a car around 05.45 hrs. The total journey was around 4.30 hours, on 27^th November 2016. We reached Kappalur from Chennai via Uthiramerur, Vandavasi, and Polur. On the way, we had our breakfast under a roadside tamarind tree. Mr Ramanath had taken much pain to carry from Tindivanam.  It was a pleasant journey with a lot of information pouring in from Mr. Ramachandran, Mr. Vakula Varadharajan, and  Mr. Madhusudhanan. Our group also added flavor to it. Learned a lot throughout the journey and from the field visit.

The village of Kappalur is a heritage treasure. It has 20 temples, Nadukal, Hero stones, Komarikal, Vijayanagara period granite panel slabs erected in the 4 corners of the village, and many others. The main aim of this field visit was to learn to read the inscriptions and gain hands-on experience in taking estempage of the inscriptions. Mr Ramachandran encouraged the students to read the inscriptions. From the inscriptions, it was learned that the original name of the Village was “Kamapullur”  and has the contributions of Pallava, Chozha, Early period Chozhas, Rashtrakutas, latter period Pandyas,  Sambuvarayar, and Vijayanagar rulers. We started our field visit from  Sri Kamesuwarar Temple.

SRI KAMESUWARAR TEMPLE

Moolavar    : Sri Kamesuwarar

Consort      : Sri Kadina Kujambal.

Some of the important features are...

The temple faces east with Balipeedam and  Rishabam mandapam. Even though we enter through the mottai Gopuram Main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is from the east. Dwarapalakas are on the east side immediately after the main entrance on both sides of a granite jolly work. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy (installed separately, not installed in the niche), Vishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. In the maha mandapam, Urchavars, Suryan, and Vinayagar. 

In the outer praharam sannadhi for Naalvars, two Vinayagars, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Shiva Lingam & Ambal, Annapoorani, Natarajar Saba (with a separate vimanam), Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, and Navagrahas. The bell is in the northeast corner of the outer praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam, and a maha mandapam. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi with a front mandapam on the right side of the moolavar sannadhi, which may have been reconstructed during the Vijayanagara Period. Their emblem is on one of the pillars. 

 The emblem of Vijaya Nagaras (at the entrance of Ambal Sannadhi)

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION:

The inscriptions are there around the sanctum adhistanam (base). There is a separate Rajendra Chozha two-sided inscription granite slab measuring 185 cm x 138 cm, on the northwest corner. The inscription records that the Chief of Army Rajaraja Bhiramarayan’s son donation of ninety goats for burning a perpetual lamp, land donated to nandhavanam (Garden), and land donated for pooja with naivedyam to Dakshinamurthy.

The pillars of the mandapam bear the inscription about the donation made for burning the lamp.

Rajendra Chozha two-sided inscription granite slab measuring 185 cm x 138 cm (Northside)

Rajendra Chozha two-sided inscription granite slab measuring 185 cm x 138 cm (south side)

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 09.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr. B. Raghupathy may be contacted on his mobile at 9442810617

HOW TO REACH:

About 5 km from Polur. Since the frequency of the bus is limited, hire a taxi from Polur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 

 

....... to be continued ( Sapthamathirika Temple )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---