The
third visit to this Sri Markasahaya Eswarar Temple at Maduravoyal was a part of the “Lesser Known Vishnu, Shiva,
Amman Temples of Chennai Visit”, on 23rd October 2022. Most of the
temples were reconstructed in recent years and some retain their original
structure. All these temples have a long history of Pallava, Chozha, and Vijayanagar.
Visited
this temple twice earlier, as a part of Cooum – A Cultural Mapping in July 2017 and a personal Visit on 30th January
2022. During my second, found there was no progress even after 5 long years of
reconstruction. Thanks to Padma Priya, for her book on “Gods of Holy River
Cooum”, which helps to know more about the temple.
Moolavar
: Sri Margasahayeswarar
Consort
: Sri Maragathavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are...
The
temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Sri Shiva with
Parvati as a Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniam are
on the entrance arch. Kodimaram / Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam /
Idabam are on the east side after the entrance arch. A Jala is provided on the
east wall of Maha mandapam, for Idabam to see Moolavar. The entrance to the Maha Mandapam is from the south side. Moolavar is a little short. In Koshtam
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.
In
the outer prakaram sannidhi for Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamara Vinayagar and
Nagars, Navagrahas and Karunakara Perumal sannidhi. The sanctum pillars have the
relief of Bhageeratha and Harichandra etc,.
Sri Karunakara Perumal Sannidhi on the right side with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
Sri Karunakara Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha
mandapam. The temple floor level has been raised during these recent
renovations. The temple from Adistanam to prastaram was constructed with stone
and the superstructure / Vimanam was constructed with Bricks. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, muppattai kumudam, and
pattikai. The Bhitti / walls starts with vedika. The Vishnu kantha pilasters
are with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, Veera kandam, and Poo
mottu pothyal.
The
prastaram consists of Valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. The Bhoomidesam is
without Viyyalavari. The Vimanam is of two tiers which includes adhi tala. The
vesara Vimanam is constructed with bricks, and stucco images of Shiva,
Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma in tala and Greeva kostams. 4 Maha
Nasis and 4 alpha nasis are on the sigaram.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple belongs to the 13th century Telugu Chozha period and
inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. As per the article in The Times of India, 07th March 2011, these 13th Century inscriptions belong to Telugu Choha Vijayakandagopalan ( 1246 - 49 CE ), who ruled this region for about 25 years from 1242 CE and a feudatory ruler of Chozhas. They also had a marriage relationship with Chozhas. These Telugu Chozhas reigned between the 07th and 13th Centuries and adopted the title of "Chozha" to show the feudatory status they had under Chozha-Chalukya rulers. The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang also referred to these Telugu Chozhas as "Chulias". The two inscriptions record the gifts to this Temple on different occasions.
The 1246 CE inscription records the gift of 4 Cows and a lamp for burning to this temple.
The 1249 CE inscription records the gift of farmlands situated in Sembakkam Village, Singalur of Tiruvallur District. The revenue in the form of taxes earned should be spent towards the maintenance of this temple.
Ashta Bandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was
conducted on 24th June 2022. Special
poojas are conducted after 48 days of mandala poojas as a completion of one
mandala on 11th August 2022. Utsava Murtis are taken in procession
in Sannidhi and mada veedhis.
The
Renovation was done at a cost of 36 lakhs of which 25.5 lakhs were shared by the HR
& CE Department and the balance of 8.6 lakhs was from donors.
The
Karunakara Perumal was originally in a nearby place. The same was moved inside
the Shiva Temple since the land was completely encroached.
During
our first and second visit, found it difficult to reach the temple due to
encroachment from all sides. The encroaches are cleared to some extent after
Kumbhabhishekam. The temple is under the
control of the HR & CE Department.
Telugu Chozha’s inscriptions
Telugu Chozha’s inscriptions
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, Shri Shiva of this temple was worshiped by Rama and his
fingerprints can be seen on the top of the moolavar.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 Hrs
CONTACT
DETAILS
Mr
Jagan caretaker may be contacted for further details on his mobile at 9940634777
HOW
TO REACH
On
bus route Poonamallee to Koyambedu, get down at Maduravoyal market bus stop.
From the Maduravoyal market bus stop the temple is about 500 meters.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
The Status before Kumbhabhishekam ( From the earlier post ).
The temple is facing east with only an entrance arch. The temple is under palalayam and Moola lingam is kept in a shed. The temple is under renovation moving into a snail space for the past 8 years. The base was raised to about 3 feet and the old structure was dismantled completely and reconstructed. Before dismantling identification numbers were written. Vimanam for both Moolavar and Ambal are in the process of reconstruction.
In the outer prakaram sannidhi for Vannimara Vinayagar, Arasamara Vinayagar and Nagars, Navagrahas and Karunakara Perumal sannidhi. The sanctum pillars have the relief of Bhageeratha and Harichandra etc,.
It was told that most of the statues were moved to Koyambedu Kurungaleeswarar temple for safe custody.
Nature's twist - The roots formed like Pillayar / Vinayagar
Visited this temple on 30th January 2022, and found it in the same condition without any progress, even after 7 long years. Some of the photos taken are ...
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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