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 “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised 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 up dated post and first visit details of our first Visit is given below ). Even after the damages done by the Muslim invaders, they still stands majestically with 1000 and odd years old history, Heritage and culture 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 as Mahendra Mangalam, which signifies that this place was big and famous city during Pallava period.


Lord Shiva Devotees claims 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 this temple situated was 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 is facing east. The might have at an elevated during construction of the temple. The koshta murtis are damaged during muslims invasion.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with stone from Adhisthanam to prastaram and super structure was constructed with brick.

The Southern side Pichadanar with Jadamakuda is in standing posture wearing high level Paduka – padakoradu. He is wearing Hara and snake as Thol valai. One of 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 in his face. If the Nose was not damaged, he would be a more beautiful.

The Dakshinamurthy is sitting under the Kal-alamaram. An owl, a squirrel is jumping for a fruit, akkamala 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 one 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 Dakshinamurthy’s teaching. In the Chitra Thorana, looks like Mahishasura Mardini and her crew 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 maguda, padre Kundala in the ears, Sarapalli, Yagnopaveetha and wearing a half dress below the hip.

The West koshta is empty. On both sides are ladies with smaha ( 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 Chithra thorana, 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 it’s mouth and mocking at Nandhi. Right side Bhuta Ganas sitting Lalitasana in malai thongal. The Yazhi warriors are shown emerging out of Makara thundam.

Chitra thorana on the western koshtam
Chitra thorana above Dakshinamurthy

On the North side Koshtam Brahma’s legs and hands are damaged. Wearing a silk dress, Jada makudam, wearing 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 North side Artha mandapa koshtam a damaged Dakshinamurthy, brought from elsewhere was installed. Some of the inch sculptures / miniature sculptures are there like, Chandesa Anugraha, Ladies helping a pregnant lady, dancing girls, Gaja Samhara are worth to see.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple was constructed during 9^th century, Parantaka Chola Period. The temple was reconstructed during recent years by Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and declared as a Protected monument. As per the inscriptions this place was called as “Kurukkuthurai” and Lord Shiva is called as "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 a 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 the stand lamp Cheppu pot and a Silver plate was gifted.

Parantaka Chozha’s 30^th reign year inscription records that 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 enters the river is called as “Thurai”, due to this, this place might have obtained the name as “Kurukkuthurai”.
Since Sugriva worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, Lord Shiva is called as Kurangunathar.

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple is under the control of 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 care taker 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.’
Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

( Gps co ordination 10.973421,78.388723 ).

Makarathundam

Maharathundam

Devotee

Dancing to the music

Attendant

Dancing Girls

What a beautiful face.. ?

Ladies helping for a pregnant lady for delivery

Lord Shiva as Nataraja

See the saree frills and folds

27^th July 2017.

After our visit to Namakkal Fort, had our lunch at a hotel near Bus stand. The next destination was to 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 break down before 3 KM of Srinivasanallur. To our luck the second auto driver managed to get an another auto from Thottiyam and reached our destination. The entrance grill gate was kept opened but the door was closed.

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

The adhisthanam 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 thorana above south side Dakshinamurthy. Both the Chitra toranas are the master pieces of the sculptor. The Chitra Thorana contains, dwarfs and the their expressions, Yazhi, warriors on lion, horse are excellent.

In Dakshinamurthy panel, while the Rishi’s and dwarfs are listening to Lord Shiva, a cat is also hearing by raising it’s ears. The miniature sculptures in side the mouth of yazhi looks very very beautiful. Most of the sculptures are vandalized.

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

LOCATION:CLICK HERE