19th February 2017.
Utilizing the opportunity to attend the
inauguration of the Salem Historical Research Centre, which functioned as Salem
Varalaru Thedal Kuzhu, visited the heritage sites around Belur near
Salem on 19th February 2017. More than 100 participants, including Scholars, enthusiasts, and College & School students, attended this Heritage walk. After the inauguration function, visited important sites like Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Sri
Theerthagireeswarar Temple, an inscription stone which speaks about the
village Kurichi donated to Sri Theerthagireeswarar at Kurichi, an
inscription pillar amid field at Chekkadipattu, which is the evidence
of Nayakas direct rule in this area, a Thannasi/ Komari Kal, Mookkaruppu
battle the only evidence inscription pillar standing amid a millet
field, a Parantaka Chozha – I, inscription at Angala Parameswari Temple and
Sri Ashtabuja Bala Madhana Venugopala Swamy temple.
A Royal treatment was given to all the
participants by the organizers. I extend my sincere thanks to the organizers
Mr. Aragalur Venkatesan Pon, Mr. Kalaiselvan, Mr. Srinivasan, Dr. Ponnambalam, Mr. Jeevanarayanan, Mr. Periyar Mannan, and other organizers. It was a nice
experience to interact with history Scholars like Mr. Veeramani Veeraswamy,
Mr. Sugavana Murugan, Mr. Mani, Mr. Edappadi Amudhan, and his Facebook
friends.
SRI THANTHONDREESWARAR TEMPLE, BELUR
This temple is the earth Sthalam, one of the Pancha bhuta Sthalams, on the banks of Vashista River aka Neevaa aka Vellaru
in Salem district. ( The other Pancha bhuta Sthalangal are water – Ethappur,
Sri Sambamurtheeswarar, Fire – Attur, Sri Karya Nirmaleswarar, Air-
Aarakazhur, Sri Kamanatha Eswarar and Space - Kookaiyur, Sri
Swarnapureeswarar ).
Moolavar : Sri Thanthondreeswarar ( Swayambhu )
Consort : Sri Dharmasamvardhini.
Some of the important features of this temple are …
The temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram. In front of the Rajagopuram, there
is a 4 pillar mandapam, a Garuda thoon and a mandapam ( This may be Sri Pachai
Kandha Swamigal’s madam, which has to be explored ).
In the outer praharam sannidhi for Pancha bhuta Lingas, Nayanmars, Kalyana Vinayagar, Nagars under dried Sthala
Vruksham, Subramanyar, Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Manthi,
Kaliyuga Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Navagrahas, Dhandayuthapani with Vinayagars
on both sides under Vanni tree, Kanampulla Nayanar (it was believed that
he is one of the 63 Nayanmars who lived here and worshiped lord Than
Thontreeswarar), Pichadanar, Bhairavar, Chandran and Suriyan.
Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sannidhi and look cute. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma
and Durgai. In artha mandapam urchava murtis. Everyone is
a masterpiece of its kind ( it was believed that the icons, Chandrasekar, Uma
Maheswarar, Saba Nayagar, and Vinayagar were unearthed while Ploughing the land
behind the temple ). In Saba mandapam, Nearby Vazhapadi Shiva temple’s
Nataraja looks very nice and the Muyalakan holds a knife, which is very
unique, The lamp lady looks awesome. Moolavar is about 3 feet tall, a little rough, and believed to be swayambhu.
Ambal is in a temple like Sannadhi on the
left side of Shiva facing east. Stucco dwarapalakis are at the entrance. Ambal
is in a standing posture with four hands. The upper hand holds the flowers, the lower right hand in abhaya hasta, and the left hand in vara hasta.
This relief is above the Palipeedam on the ceiling, is a rare one, which represents to leave aanavam, kanmam, maayai, maamayai and thirothaayi before entering the temple. ( பலிபீடத்திற்கு நேர் மேலே உள்ள சிற்பம், வேறுகோயிலில் காணமுடியாத அபூர்வ சிற்பம். இது ஆணவம், கன்மம், மாயை, மாமாயை, திரோதாயி என்ற இம்மலங்களின் உருவகம் இது ) .
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and Vasantha mandapam. In maha mandapam Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam Idabam The special feature of the Rishabam is both front legs are folded, which is very unique). The front mandapam pillars have the reliefs of Jwarakeswarar, Milaku Chettiar, Pachai Kandha Swamigal, Vasistha Muni, Adhikara Nandhi, etc,. The front maha mandapam pillars are of Nayak period Yazhi pillars and a rotating stone ball inside its mouth is a special attraction.
Mr Veeramani Veeraswamy and his ancestor Sri Pachai Kandha Swamy
A relief of a lady on the Artha mandapam pillar – see the hairstyle
HISTORY & INSCRIPTION
Even though it is claimed that the temple is 5000 years old, from evidence found in the form of inscriptions, the temple
must be more or less 1200 years old. The sanctum was constructed by Chozhas and the front mandapam was constructed by Nayaks.
There are 5 inscriptions documented so far inside
the temple complex. The inscriptions belong to the period of
Athithan- II aka Athitha Karikalan, ( 959 CE ), 3 nos of the 11th century
and the 20th century. As per the inscription the Belur was called Veliyur. The inscriptions mainly speak about the donations given to the
temple.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Arjuna had done penance here and
prayed to lord shiva, for water to worship him, Lord Shiva shot an arrow which
hit the hill in front of Belur. Water flowed from the place called Vellaru and the hill was called Arunutru Hill. Vashista Maharishi established 5 temples (later called Pancha bhuta Temples) along the river and worshiped Lord
Shiva, hence the river was called Vashista River.
THE TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to
12.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Siva Gurukkal may be contacted through his mobile at +91 96296 07409
HOW TO REACH:
The temple is about 30 KM from Salem and 6 Km from
Vazhapadi.
Town buses and share autos are available from
Vazhapadi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK
HERE
Dwarabalakar
Jeyeshta
Devi with Manthan and Agni matha ( Jyeshta has the trimmed stomach )
The
original sthala virukasham was jack fruit tree, which changed to Kattu
iluppai due to curse of Vashista
Maharishi ( பலா மரமாக இருந்து வசிஷ்டர் சாபத்தால் காட்டிலுப்பையாக மாறியது )
Bhirungi Muni
Natarajar – on the left Manickavasagar
This Natarajar
belongs to Vazhapadi Shiva Temple, kept here for safety reasons. . Please note
that muyalakan is holding a knife similar to the Natarajar & Muyalakan
available at Nallur, which is a rare one. ( இந்த நடராசர் வாழப்பாடி சிவன் கோவிலை சேர்ந்தது.
பாதுகாப்பு கருதி இங்கு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. முயலகன் கையில் கத்தி, நல்லூர் நடராஜர் சிலையில் உள்ள முயலகன் போன்று உள்ளது ) .
Dhandayuhapani
under with his brother Ganesha under vanni tree
Mr. Veeramani Veeraswamy explains at Golden Chariot
Inaugural function - Book release
Inaugural function
A section of my friends
FOR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS: CLICK HERE
…. To be continued ( Sri
Theerthagreeswarar Temple )
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Great info with pictures, request to remove spam comments please. Vanakkam.
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