VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Sthambeswarar Temple / Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple - a Rock Cut cave Temple at Seeyamangalam, near Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu. NEAR VANDAVASI, THIRUVANNAMALAI.

Thursday 30 November 2017

Sri Sthambeswarar Temple / Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram Temple - a Rock Cut cave Temple at Seeyamangalam, near Vandavasi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu. NEAR VANDAVASI, THIRUVANNAMALAI.

26^th November 2017.

Visit to this cave temple was a part of Heritage Visit to Vallam, Seeyamangalam, Thirumalpadi, Kanchipuram temples, caves and Heritage structures. After visiting Thirumalpadi Sri Ranganathar Temple headed towards this rock cut Cave Temple at Seeyamangalam. Visited this cave temple earlier along with R.E.A.C.H. Foundation, a part of epigraphy field Visit. 11 heritage enthusiasts led by Mr Venkatesh visited this Rock cut cave temple on 26^th November 2017.

It was drizzling when we landed and stopped after we came out of the cave. When we reached it was around 13.00 hrs and the Gurukal was kind enough to open the temple and explained us.

Moolavar : Sri Sthambeswarar

Consort : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

An early period Vinayagar facing east at the entrance of Gate welcomes us. The temple is facing west with a 4 tier Rajagopuram on the north side. There is a mandapam abutting the rajagopuram. There are two empty shrines built before the mukha mandapam. Rishabam mandapam and balipeedam are in front of Mukha mandapam.

Ambal, Bairavar, Vinayagar, Chandikeswarar and Navagrahas are in the maha mandapam. There is also a Vamana statue in the mandapam. A Murugan Sannidhi is on a small boulder with steps chiseled on the rock to climb.

Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of cave sanctum. The left side dwarapalakas head gear has the horn and it was told that Yama guards Shiva in the form of Dwarapalaka. The mandapa pillars has the relief of Natarajar, Rishabandhikar and warriors. The details of Natarajar relief is worth to watch. The warriors face expressions are like before and after war. It was not known how the Shiva Linga was moved inside the sanctum with a small door way.

Dwarapalakas, similar to Vallam rock cut cave

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and artha mandapam ( both are rock cut cave ), a maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam ( are built separately at a latter stage ). A 3 tier vimana like rajagopuram is also there above sanctum rock.

LEGENDS

As per the legend Shiva is in the form of sthambam and Gurukkal showed us a sthambam in the midst of a small lake by the side of this rock cut cave temple ( This is a menhir as per the experts, which will be written separately ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions This temple was called as "Avanibhajana Pallaveshwaram" Temple. This rock cut cave was excavated during 7^th century by Mahendravarman – I ( 600 to 630 AD). This Rock cut cave temple is under the control of Archeological Survey of India ( ASI ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Rajasekara Gurukkal, mobile number 9578160058, may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Seeyamangalam is about 130 KM from Chennai and 66 KM from Kanchipuram and 25 km from Vandavasi via Mazhaiyur and Desur.

Town bus Route No 144 from Vandavasi to Gingee and a private Bus from Desur to Gingee passes through the Village and this Jain cave is about a KM from the Village.

Auto is also available from Desur.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Rishabhanthikar

head crown with horns - may be soolam but the Gurukkal claims as Yama.

It was told that this relief of Nataraja in Anandha thandavam is the first and earliest. Natarajar is not dancing on muyalakan and cobra is on the ground with its raised hood. While one Shiva gana is playing a musical instrument muzhavu sitting on a stool and other is worshiping Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is with 4 hands, the upper hands holds fire and Mazhu and lower right hand in abhaya hastham and other in dola hastham. The waving of hair to the rhythm of dance was beautifully chiseled.