Kali Temples at Chengamedu, Veerareddy Street, and Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

22^nd July 2017.

Even-though had visited twice to this Gangai Konda Chozhapuram temple, this visit is a special one. In connection with the Avanam 28^th year book release decided to attend the function and to see some of the temples around Gangaikonda Chozhapuram. Initially planned to start from Chennai on Saturday morning along with Raja. Due to dropout of Mr Raja, travelled alone and Mrs Sakthi Prakash and Mr Srinivasan joined at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram from Erode and Omalur.

After attending function, hired a Taxi and visited Kali statues installed at Chengamedu on east direction and Veera Reddy Street on the south direction of Gangaikonda Chozhapuram.

“தஞ்சாபுரீம் சௌத சுதாங்காராகாம

ஐக்ராஹ ரந்தும் ரவி வம்ச தீப:

தத:பிரதிஷ்டாப்ய நிசும்ப சூதனீம்

சுராசுரை:அர்ச்சித பாத பங்கஜாம்

சது : சமுத்ராம்பர மேகலாம் புவம்

ரஹாஜ தேவோ தத்பராசதந”

Meaning: As pee Thiruvalandau Copper plate, The idol of Nisumba soodhani, who conquered and annihilated the demons Shumba and Nishumba, was consecrated in Thanjavur. With the grace of the worshipful feet of Nisumba soodhani, the king ruled the earth surrounded by ocean with the ease, as if wearing like a garland.  

KALI  TEMPLE AT CHENGAMEDU

The Kali and Durga, Bairavar and Bhairavai sculptures are brought from Kalinga ( the northern part of present Odisha State, India was called as Kalinga in ancient times ) as a mark of Victory by Rajendra Chozha –I. The sculptures are made out of red sand stone. Looks beautiful, but in my opinion these sculptures are not in par with Gajalakshmi, Gnana Saraswati, Chandeswara anugraham, etc, installed at Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Shiva temple. The Kali kept in a separate sannadhi is about 8 feet tall.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

KALI TEMPLE AT VEERAREDDY STREET.

This Kali is also one of the eight kali sculptures brought from Kalinga made of Red stone. This in smaller in size compared with Chengamedu, Regular one kala pooja is conducted and gate will be locked rest of the time.

LOCATION:

GANGAIKONDA CHOZHAPURAM.

It was an unforgettable visit this temple, since Mr Sasidharan took us around the temple and explained in detail about original structures & the latter period additions and beauty of the various forms of Shiva sculptures installed in the koshtam. Finally Mr Sasidharan took us in batches  to 1^st floor and second floor santharam of Vimana. In the second floor the inside view of the vimana was awesome and unbelievable. He also explained us how the vimana starts at square and ends with octagonal. The echoing of OM mantra  chanting was experimented at the centre of second floor, above moolavar.

Had the opportunity of seeing the stucco images on the eastern side of the Vimana very closer, which cannot be seen from the ground level. Really we are blessed by Lord Shiva for the rare opportunity. Thanks to Sasidharan.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---