Saturday, 18 November 2017

Sri Ganda Mathappa Shiva Temple / ஸ்ரீ கண்ட மாதப்பா கோயில், நெய்தாளபுரம் / Neithalapuram, near Thalavadi, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

04th November 2017.
Visit to this Ganda Mathappa Shiva temple was a part of the Thalavadi Heritage Visit and Thalavadi is on the way from Erode to Mysore via Bannari on the Western Ghats. This temple is a little off from the main road in the midst of the forest. The approach to the temple is through a mud road laid up to a check dam built to store water for the animals to drink. During our visit the road was washed away by the recent rain and at one point the driver refused to drive the vehicle beyond that. We got down and removed the boulders that obstructed the path and continued up to the temple.  It was said that the wild animals used to roam in this area and drink water in the check dam and the pond behind the temple.


Finally reached the temple. The Shiva temple is facing east, without a vimanam and Rishabam is sitting in front. Above Rishabam a pandal was erected. Observed that a lot of Iron bells were hanging from the roof. Mr John Peter, former archaeologist said that these sorts of bells were unearthed near the temple in large numbers.  Hope this might have been offered to Shiva, to protect their cattle from wild animals.  Happened to see deer on the way and near the check dam. Thanks to John for this wonderful heritage Visit.


 Iron bells offered to Lord Shiva hanging from the roof of the shed/pandal 
 Iron bells offered to Shiva are hanging from the roof of the shed/pandal 


 The mud road which leads to the temple from the main road 

 Old damaged iron bells

 A Pond behind the temple

 Check dam 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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