VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Koranganatha Temple / Kurangu Nathar Temple, ( Thirukkuruuthurai Perumanadikal ) / குரங்குநாதர் கோயில்/ Srinivasanallur, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

Sunday, 6 August 2017

Sri Koranganatha Temple / Kurangu Nathar Temple, ( Thirukkuruuthurai Perumanadikal ) / குரங்குநாதர் கோயில்/ Srinivasanallur, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The second Visit to this temple was a part of the “Trichy Heritage Walk” organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20^th & 21^st March 2021. ( This is the updated post and the visit details of our first visit are given below ). Even after the damages done by the Muslim invaders, they still stand majestically with 1000 and odd years of history, Heritage, and cultural values. Even though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings, and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular. The temple is on the northern banks of River Kaveri. This place was called Mahendra Mangalam, which signifies that this place was a big and famous city during the Pallava period.


Lord Shiva Devotees claim that this temple is a Vaippu sthalam, which was mentioned in Thevaram sung by Sundarar. In that, he mentions this temple along with the temples of Courtallam and Thiruvaimur. Also, Kongu Satakam mentions Kulithalai, where the temple was situated on the southern periphery Limit of Kongu Nadu.

கொங்கிற் குறும்பிற் குரக்குத் தளியாய் குழகா குற்றாலா
மங்குல் திரிவாய் வானோர் தலைவா வாய்மூர் மணவாளா
சங்கக் குழையார் செவியா அழகா அவியா அனல்ஏந்திக்
கங்குல் புறங்காட்(டு)ஆடிஅடியார் கவலை களையாயே
----சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்
வடக்கு தலைமலை வைகாவூர் தெற்கு
குடக்கு பொறுப்பு வெள்ளிக்குன்று
களித்தன்டலை மேவு காவிரிசூழ்
நாடு-குளித்தன்டலை அளவு கொங்கு
.... கொங்கு சதகம்
Moolavar : Thirukurakkuthurai Perumanadigal
Consort :

Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple faces east. The temple might have been constructed on an elevated level, bow now the same is about 4 feet below the ground level. The koshta murtis are damaged during the Muslim invasion.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with stone from Adhisthanam to prastaram and the superstructure was constructed with brick.

The Southern side of Pichadanar with Jadamakuda is in a standing posture wearing high-level Paduka – padakoradu. He is wearing a Hara and snake as Thol valai. One hand holds Damru and the other one feeds grass to Deer. A Dwarf Bhuta Gana near him is playing a musical instrument with a smile on his face. If the Nose was not damaged, he would be more beautiful.

The Dakshinamurthy is sitting under the Kal-alamaram. An owl, and a squirrel jumping for a fruit, acca mala, and Pokkanam ( Vibuthi ) bag are nicely shown on the Kal-alamaram. Dakshinamurthy is in Veerasana sitting posture with Jada Makudam. Flower and Kapala ( Skull ) are shown on the Jadamakuda. Dakshinamurthy is wearing Makara and Padra Kundala, Snake, Deer, and Muyalakan are under his feet. Two munis are on both sides holding palm leaves. Two simhas and Bhua Ganas are on the right side. On the left side, Kinnaras are playing Veena and Thalam, Tiger sleeping on its mate with ears up straight as if they are listening to Dakshinamurthy’s teaching. In the Chitra Thorana, looks like Mahishasura Mardini and her crew of warriors fighting with asuras sitting on the lions.

Dakshinamurthy panel

Next to Dakshinamurthy Panel, a man with protruding teeth and folding arms, holding simha faced Tholvalai. He is wearing Karanda maguta, padre Kundala in the ears, Sarapalli, and Yagnopaveetha and wearing a half dress below the hip.

The west koshta is empty. On both sides are ladies with smara ( whisk bearers). They were shown wearing silk sarees ( frills and folding are neatly carved ), Pavalabaranam, and yagnopaveetha. Legs and hands are broken.

The west side of Chithra torana, Varaha with Bhoomadevi sitting on his lap is shown at the centre. While Varaha’s upper hands are holding conch & Chakra, the lower hands are holding Bhoodevi. On the above warriors fighting with each other sitting on Simhas, Dwarf bhuta Ganas and Asura like Mahisan are also shown. On the left Nandhi is shown playing Kinnari. A Bhuta Gana with a keerthi Mukh in its stomach opens its mouth and mocks at Nandhi. Right side Bhuta Ganas sitting Lalitasana in malai thongal. The Yazhi warriors are shown emerging out of Makara thundam.

Chitra torana on the western kostam
Chitra torana above Dakshinamurthy

On the North side, Koshtam Brahma’s legs and hands are damaged. Wearing a silk dress, Jada makudam, Kundalas in the ears, Kandigai, sarapalli savadi on the neck, and yagnopaveetha on the chest. Brahma is Holding Akkamala and Kundigai in the upper hands. On both sides are the devotees in Anjali hastham with flowers in their hands.

On the North side Artha mandapa koshtam a damaged Dakshinamurthy, brought from elsewhere was installed. Some of the inch sculptures / miniature sculptures there like, Chandesa Anugraha, Ladies helping a pregnant lady, dancing girls, and Gajasamhara Murthy are worth seeing.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was constructed during the 9^th century, Parantaka Chola Period. The temple was reconstructed in recent years by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and declared as a Protected monument. As per the inscriptions, this place was called “Kurukkuthurai” and Lord Shiva is called "Kurukkuthurai Perumanadikal". As per the historians, the original temple might have been constructed by Pallavas, and the same was reconstructed with stone by the Chozhas.

Aditha Chozha’s 24^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Sathavethneelan of Thottiyam. For the same, a land measuring 1.5 ma was gifted to the temple.

Parantaka Chozha’s 29^th reign year inscription records that land was purchased as irayili for 156 kalanju & 8 Manjadi gold.

Rajakesari Varmar’s 7^th reign year inscription records the endowment of land measuring one makani gifted to this temple after sale by Panachchan Thoovethi Narayanan Kali. The Periphery limits are mentioned in the inscription.

Parantaka Chozhas 37^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp and a Stand land by Kilinallur Kizhavan Pagan Sarpadevan alias Chembiyan Kizhar Nattu Kon. For the Perpetual lamp, 12 Kalanju gold, and for the stand lamp Cheppu pot and a Silver plate were gifted.

Parantaka Chozha’s 30^th reign year inscription records the gift of one ma land by Panachchan Narayankrishnan’s wife Kalineeli and the periphery limits are given.

Parakesarivarman’s 14^th reign year inscription records the endowment for burning a day lamp by Thenkarai Kurunaganattu Valakkootran Pidaran Kandan’s wife Chathiramani for the same 4 buffalos and male buffalo/ bull was gifted to this temple.

The inscription mentions as Thirukurakkuthurai Perumanadigal

LEGENDS
Since this place is on the banks of river Kaveri, the place where people enter the river is called “Thurai”, due to this, this place might have obtained the name “Kurukkuthurai”.
Since Sugriva worshiped Lord Shiva in this temple, Lord Shiva is called Kurangunathar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
No poojas and celebrations are conducted in this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), declared as a protected monument. The time of opening and closing depends on the ASI rules and regulations.

CONTACT DETAILS
The caretaker is near this temple and may be contacted for opening.

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Srinivasanallur is 45 km from Tiruchirappalli, 47 km from Karur, 51 km from Namakkal, 94 km from Thanjavur, 125 km from Kumbakonam and 355 km from Chennai.’
The nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

(GPS coordination 10.973421,78.388723 ).

Makarathundam

Maharathundam

Devotee

Dancing to the music

Attendant

Dancing Girls

What a beautiful face..?

Ladies helping a pregnant lady with the delivery

Lord Shiva as Nataraja

See the saree frills and folds

27^th July 2017.

After we visited Namakkal Fort, had our lunch at a hotel near the Bus stand. The next destination was Srinivasanallur to see Sri Kurangunathar Temple, which is about 40 KM from Namakkal. When we tried to hire a Taxi, they demanded Rs 1500, which is exorbitant. So decided to go by bus. Went by bus up to Thottiyam and hired an auto with two drivers. The auto also had a breakdown before 3 KM of Srinivasanallur. To our luck, the second auto driver managed to get another auto from Thottiyam and reached our destination. The entrance grill gate was kept open but the door was closed.

The temple was constructed during the 9^th century, Parantaka Chola Period. As per the inscriptions, Iraivan is called "Kurukkuthurai Perumanadikal". Up to the roof level, the temple was constructed with stone and the superstructure was constructed with brick. Earlier this temple was a brick temple and Aditya Chola tried to convert it to a stone Temple, but he could not do so. His son Parantaka Chola had completed the same.

The adhistanam has the yazhi line. In the niches, Dakshinamurthy, Lady statues, Brahma, a semi-finished Dakshinamurthy. The west side niche was empty, might have Vishnu since the Varaha is there in the Chitra thorana. There is also a Chitra torana above the south side of Dakshinamurthy. Both the Chitra toranas are the masterpieces of the sculptor. The Chitra Thorana contains, dwarfs, and their expressions, Yazhi, warriors on lions, and horses are excellent.

In the Dakshinamurthy panel, while the Rishi and dwarfs are listening to Lord Shiva, a cat is also hearing by raising its ears. The miniature sculptures inside the mouth of yazhi look very very beautiful. Most of the sculptures are vandalized.

We wound up our Heritage visit around 18.00 hrs after visiting Sri Ranganathar Rock cut cave Temple, which was written separately.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE