Stepwell at Uthukuli and Narasamangala – A Kongu and Karnataka Heritage Visit.

7^th December 2018.

Stepwells are common in  Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Hampi in Karnataka. The wells are dug up to 100 to 120 feet and steps are constructed in various designs to reach the bottom.  The water may be used for  many  purposes like, drinking, agriculture, bathing, etc,. Some of the wells are dug in memory of some persons.  In some cases, walls are constructed with multi-stories with rooms. The walls will also have God images, floral designs, etc,.

There are stepwells in Tamil Nadu too. A Swastik well at Thiruvellarai, A well with mandapa called Nadai Vavi near Kanchipuram ( Sri Varadaraja Perumal used to visit this well mandapa and Uthukuli. In addition to this, we saw a well near Narasamangala, Chamraj Nagar, in Karnataka state during our recent visit.

A STEPWELL AT UTHUKULI

The well was dug in a rectangular shape. Steps are provided from the south side. To decrease the length of the flight, the steps are constructed in L shape up to a depth of about 15 feet from the ground level. The walls are constructed with granite stone from the bottom to the parapet wall. Four Nandhis are installed on all the corners of the well and 2 elephants are also installed at the entrance of the step. Rectangular Stones are kept projected inside the well, which serves as a step for maintenance.  A platform is also constructed on the opposite side of the steps to draw water from the well. The platform is supported by two carved pillars ( like temple pillars ).

Based on the reliefs and construction, this stepwell may belong to the 17^th to 18^th century. The purpose of the well is not known. Since this well is a little away from the Village,  might have been used for funeral ceremonial purposes. The sad part of the well is the people do funeral rituals near this place and dump the banana leaves, pindam, garlands, and flowers into the well.  In recent years, A group called Iyalvakai has taken care of this well by providing a fence around the well.

LOCATION OF THE STEPWELL: CLICK HERE

Stone water tub

A WELL AT NARASAMANGALA.

Happened to see this square well without steps, about 5 KM from before Narasamangala, near Chamarajanagar in Karnataka. All the 4 sides of the well are constructed with stone. This well was dug purely to draw water for the cattle. A stone tub was also kept near the well  for the cattle to drink water. The well is being protected by erecting stone pillars around the well to avoid falling animals accidentally.  This may belong 18^th to 19^th Century.

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Athikosa Memorial Stone Vinayagar & Ayyanar - Loose Sculptures of Kongu Nadu, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu..

7^th December 2018.

ATHIKOSA MEMORIAL STONE
During our visit to the Kongu Chozha period Temples, near Dharapuram, Mr. Thenkongu Sadhasivam, took us to this Adhikosa Memorial relief stone kept near a Shiva Temple at Kannadiputhur near Kozhumam & Udumalpet. This Athikosa Memorial relief stone has reliefs on both sides. On one side, reliefs of elephants, Horses,  tools, and war weapons like, Angusa,  Knife, Katar, arrows, bows, hammers,  etc,.The other side has the reliefs of an Arrow, shield, bow, etc,.

It was said that during the Chozha period, the Merchants were permitted to have their own army to safeguard their animals and goods from the robbers/thieves.  This sort of Athikosa memorial stones are erected on the trade route. As per the scholars, this Arhikosa memorial Stone belongs to the 10th to 11th Century. 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

VINAYAGAR

Also, we had seen a beautiful Vinayagar statue on the banks of a water channel. It had damage on the hands, head, pasa, and ankus. etc,.

AYYANAR
Then we saw an Ayyanar sculpture on the back side of the Shiva Temple in the same Village Kannadiputhur in the thorny bush. The Ayyanar is in sitting posture with left leg up with yoga patti. His consorts are not shown or sculptures are not seen in that area.

 

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Vishnu Durgai at Sarkar Kannadiputhur, near Kozhumam, Udumalpet, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

6^th December 2018.

After the visit to Sholamadevi Shiva Temple, had went to this Vishnu Durgai temple near the banks of river Amaravathi. A small temple in which Vishnu Durgai is installed in the open sky. The Vishnu Durgai measuring about 7 feet high is in standing posture on a buffalo head ( demon Mahisha ). The Vishnu Durgai is in the form of bas-relief. Out of 4 hands, the upper hand holds Shankha and Chakra the lower right hand is hanging and the left hand is on the hip/ thigh. Vishnu Durgai wears a half dress below the waist and ornaments on the neck and ears. Bangles are also seen in the hands. This Vishnu Durgai is under worship.

Even though it was claimed that this Vishnu Durgai belongs to the 10^th Century, experts believe that this may belong to the 13^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

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Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Sarkar Kannadiputhur, Near Udumalpet – A Part of Kongu Heritage walk ART OF KONGU TEMPLES

07^th December 2018.

After the visit to Vishnu Durgai temple, it was learned that a Kongu Chozha period Vishnu temple is at Sarkar Kannadiputhur  with Chozha period inscriptions on the banks of River Amaravathi.

Moolavar : Sri Varadharajaperumal

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Garudalwar.  Anjaneyar Sannadhi is on the right side of the main entrance. There are no Murtis in the koshtams. Reliefs of Perumal’s avatars are in the Makara thorana. A simple vimana is on the sanctum.  Moolavar Sri Varadharaja Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi in the sanctum and there is no separate Thayar Sannidhi.  There are no Urchavars in front of the moolavar. Painted with unusual colours during the recent Kumbhabhishekam including makara thorana too...

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and artha mandapam. The sanctum was built with simple pada bandha adhistanam. A Nagara-Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum Sanctorum. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

The Backside wall has the 12^th to 13^th Century Kongu Vikrama Chozha inscriptions. The inscription speaks about donations made to this temple.

No. 232 (Page No 151)

(A. R. No. 220 of 1909.)

Kannadiputtur, Udumalaipet Taluk, Coimbatore District

West wall of the Kaliyaga-Varadaraja-Perumal temple in the village.

Tribh Konerinmaikondan : Vikramacholadeva (?) Year 3, 257th day=1276 A. D.

This inscription records an order of the king confirming as Iraiyili, a piece of land that was situated at Solamadevinallur in Karaivali-Nadu and was originally granted as Iraiyili by Sundarapandya to the temple of the god Sokka Narayanapperumal at Kannadipputtur alias Virapandya Chaturvedi Mangalam in Karaivali-Nadu. The order is addressed to the Nambiyar and the Sri-Vaittinavar of the temple.

 

 inscriptions. 

inscriptions. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 09.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Battar may be contacted on his mobile 9788814863 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Sarkar Kannadiputhur is about 5 KM from Karatholuvu from Udumalpet to Dharapuram.

About 20 KM from Udumalpet and 34 KM from Dharapuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Anjaneyar 

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Sri Kulasekara Swamy Shiva Temple at Sholamadevi near Udumalpet, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu – A part of kongu Temples.

07^th December 2018.

The visit to this temple happened accidentally. On the way to Vishnu Durgai (Which will be covered in a separate post) at Sarkar Kannadiputhur, near Udumalpet, A Shiva Temple, Solamadevi painted in bright brick color on the banks of river Amaravathi attracted us through the paddy fields.

Moolavar    : Sri Kulasekara Swamy Temple

Consort      : Sri Kunkumavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with Rishabam and Balipedam. The temple complex does not have an entrance arch, Rajagopuram, or compound wall. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai were installed at a later date.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Navagrahas and Ambal Temple. The Ambal temple also facing east might have been built/ renovated in recent years.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum was built with a simple pada bandha adhisthana, bootha ganas on the ceiling level, and vyyalavari on the parapet level. Brick and mortar two-tier nagara vimanam is above the sanctum.

 Bootha and Yzhi vari

 Kostas

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION

The Adhisthana and Temple walls have the 12^th to 13^th Century Kongu Chozhas Vikrama Chozha and Veera Rajendran’s inscriptions. The inscriptions speak about the donation of lands made to this temple for the burning of perpetual lamps and poojas.

Vikrama Chozha inscriptions

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

On the road from Udumalpet to Dharapuram turn right at Karatholuvu towards Madathukulam / Kozhumam to reach Solamadevi and the temple is just before the Village.  

The temple is 5 KM from Karatholuvu, 21 KM from Udumalpet, and 27 KM from Dharapuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

Ambal Temple

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Sri Nirmaleswarar Temple, Ponnivadi near Dharapuram, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu – A PART OF KONGU TEMPLES.

07^th December 2018.

This Shiva temple is on a small Hill or kundru without any trees on it, by the side of Nallathangal Odai Reservoir.

Moolavar    : Sri Nirmaleswarar

Consort      : Sri Periya nayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Rishabam in a mandapam. In koshta only reliefs of Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, and a Shiva Lingam. Ambal Periya Nayagi, Vinayagar, Murugan with Peacock are in the artha mandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chandikeswarar, Vinayagar and a mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of SanctumSanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The Artha mandapam was built at a later date. A Vesara vimana is on the sanctum. The adhistanam is of pada bandha type with a raised upanam. The adhistanam has the reliefs of swan, Dancing girls, Rishabam, Elephant, Hanuman, Viyakrapadar, Kamadhenu, etc,.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the 10^th Century inscription (Tamil + Grantham), the temple was built by the Chera King Kokandan Ravi's servant Kalingarayan. The specialty of the temple is, the inscriptions are not inscribed on the temple walls or the adhistanam, but on the rock surface of the hill itself. 

The inscriptions include 13^th Century Kongu Chozha Veera Rajendran, Vikrama Chozhan, 18^th Century fragment stone, and a 19^th Century Thirumalaiswamy. Veera Rajendran’s period the inscriptions  are more in numbers.  The inscriptions mainly record about donation of land, money towards the burning of perpetual lamps, and Naivedyam to Lord Shiva.

  

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 08.00 Hrs to 09.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a Km from Nallathangal Odai Reservoir.

The temple is about 15 km from Dharapuram bus Stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

Chandikeswarar

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Sri Chokkanathar Temple, Kolinjivadi, Dharapuram, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. – A PART OF KONGU NADU TEMPLES

07^th December 2018.

This Shiva temple is at Kottaimedu a part of Dharapuram and a part of Kongu Temples. About a km from Amaravathi river.

Moolavar    : Sri Chokkanathar ( Sokanadhar )

Consort      : Sri Meenakshi

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple faces east without any entrance arch or Rajagopuram. The palipedam and Rishabam is in the mukha mandapam. Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Durgai are in the koshtam. Navagrahas and Natarajar are in the artha mandapam.

In the praharam a Temple like sannidhi for Sri Meenakshi Amman facing east, Chandikeswarar and Nagars under a peepal tree. Old sculptures of Amman, Vinayagar, and Murugan Raishabam are kept under the peepal tree.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam with an arch on the top.  The sanctum is built on a pirati bandha adhistanam and stucco Vesara vimana is on the sanctum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Adhistanam has the 13^th  Century, 13^th Century Veera Pandiyan, Vikrama Chozha-III, and 15^th Century Vijayanagara King Mahadevarayar inscriptions. The inscriptions mainly record the donation of lands to this temple. It is interesting to note that the donated land names  like Kaathoonkani, Aparapayangara Mannari, Kulothunga Chozha Mannarai, and Kumanarayan Parru are mentioned in the inscriptions. The 15^th Vijayanagara King Mahadevarayan’s inscription mentions that an old gifted land was re-gifted to the temple to rectify the damage caused by to invasion of Muhamadiyars. A 14th-century Sundarapandian period speaks about 2 doors donated by Rajarajapuram Vellazhan’s wife Sadaiyammai.

The temple was maintained by a Siddhar Sri Balasubramanian Gurukkal and after his demise, his wife is taking care of the temple.

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. K S Harihara Sivachariyar may be contacted over his mobile at 98657 04780 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

This Shiva temple is a part of Dharapuram in the Kottaimedu area and the place is called Kolinjivadi.

The temple is about 4 KM from Dharapuram Bus Stand.

Dharapuram is about 80 KM from Erode and 35 KM from Palani.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

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