Sri Mutheeswarar Koil / Sri Muktheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

A featured post on Indiblogger

21^st February 2020, A 14^th Oct 2018 post up dated.

The list of Shiva temples in and around Kanchipuram with link to Google Photos, Location link on Google Map and Location QR Code are posted already in this blog.  The visit to the Sri Mutheeswarar Temple on East Raja Street, Kanchipuram was as a part of 2020 Maha Shivaratri Temples Visit, on 21^st February 2020.

( 14^th October 2018

Tried to see this temple this in three occasions, but could not succeed. On the way to Kanchipuram, after visiting the Thiruputkuzhi Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, on 13^th October 2018, happened to see the gates were open and workers are engaged in renovation work. The temple is under palalayam).

பல்லவ மன்னன் இரண்டாம் நந்திவர்மன் காலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்ட இக்கோயில் அவனுடைய மனைவியின் பெயரால் தர்ம மஹாதேவீஸ்வரம் என்றும் இறைவன் மாணிக்கத்தேவர் என்றும் கல்வெட்டில் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இக்கோயிலில் பல்வேறு சிற்பங்கள் ஏராளமாக உள்ளன. கருவறையில் லிங்கத்தின் பின்னே சோமாஸ்கந்தர் சிற்பமும் உண்டு. வலபியில் வழக்கம் போலவே பூத வரி காணப்படுகிறது. முகமண்டபத்தில், ராவண அனுகிரக மூர்த்தி, கஜ சம்ஹரார், நடன மூர்த்தி, பார சிவன் ( சிவலிங்கத்தைத் தோளில் தாங்கிய மூர்த்தி - காளாமுக சைவம் ) என பல்வேறு சிற்பங்களும் சிம்மத்தூண்களும், துவார பாலகர்களும் உள்ளனர். பாத வர்க்கத்தில் பிரம்மசாஸ்தா, துர்கை, ஊர்த்துவ தாண்டவ மூர்த்தி, சண்டேசர்க்குக்கு கொன்றை பூவை சூடும் சிவன், கால சம்ஹார மூர்த்தி, கங்காதரர், லிங்கோத்பவர், சங்கர நாராயணன், பிச்சாடனர், திருமால், யோக மூர்த்தி மற்றும் உத்குடிகாசனத்தில் அமர்ந்த தட்சிணாமூர்த்தி என பல்வேறு வகையான இறை வடிவ சிற்பங்களை கொண்டு ஒரு பெரும் கலைக் களஞ்சியமாக உள்ளது.  Thanks to Babu Mano for the details in Tamil. 

The 18^th Century Sri Sivagnana Swamigal had mentioned this Temple in between Piravasthana Padalam and Iravasthana Padalam in Kanchi puranam.  

1660   முத்தீச்சரம்

      மேன்மை சான்ற பிறவாத் தான மேற்றிசை

      ஞான வாவி ஞாங்கர் முத்தீச் சரெனன

      மான முத்தித் தளியின் நிறுவி வாழ்த்தினான்

      ஏன வெண்கோட் டணியார்க் கினிதாம் அன்னதே  

Moolavar : Sri Mutheeswarar

Some of the details are....

The temple is facing west with a  Rishabam and balipeedam. Somaskandar panel is behind the moolavar. Moolavar is of Dharalingam. The Temple is constructed on a raised upa peeda of the adhishtanam.  

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is constructed on a raised plinth with 9 steps to climb. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a open mukha mandapa. The  front mandapa is supported with 4 Pallava lion pillars. This makes front mandapa in to three passages of which center leads to the sanctum. On the walls of the mukha mandapam sculptures of Gangadhara murti, Kala Samhara murti, Ravana anugraha murti and Gaja samhara murti. Apart from Shiva linga in the sanctum, on the back wall is the Pallavas favourite image of Somaskandar. The exterior wall has the images of saivite tradition and various form of Lord Shiva. Built very much similar to Piravatheswaram and Madhangeeswarar temples of Kanchipuram.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

This temple was built using sand stone by Nandivarman Pallava ( 800 – 900 CE ) in the name of his wife Dharma mahadevi and called as “Dharmamahadevicharam”. 

Nandivarman’s 28^th year rule inscription records the donation of lands made to this temple. The inscription also mentions the names of the persons Vamadatta Siva, Dharma Kannan, Ananta Sivan, who are responsible for the daily rituals. 

An interesting inscription records the names of the dancers Perunangai Ponnadi, Atimaani Mahadevi, Thigaimani Gunathungi, Chinthadi Kumaradi Vinchadi, Padhadi, who perform dance for Lord Shiva. 

Rajendra Chozha-I’s, 18^th year rule inscription starts with his meikeerthi, records about his visit to this temple and the donation made to welfare of the Village administration / Grama sabha.

This temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ). Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after renovation in 2019.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The opening time is unpredictable and also the temple in under the renovation.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from Kanchipuram bus Stand. 3 KM from Kanchipuram railway Station.

The temple is about 26 KM from Arakkonam Railway Junction and 77 KM from Chennai Central Station.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram and Nearest Railway Junction is Arakkonam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Natarajar

பார சிவன் ( சிவலிங்கத்தைத் தோளில் தாங்கிய மூர்த்தி - காளாமுக சைவம் )

Kalasamhara murti

Gajasamhara murti

Ravana anugraha murti

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple inside Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

25^th October 2018.

This is the 40^th Perumal temple of 108 Divya Desam temples of Maha Vishnu, in 6^th to 8^th Century, Sri Kulasekara Alwar and Thirumangai Alwar has sung pasurams on Sri Govinda Raja Perumal. The Chidambaram was mentioned in the pasurams as Thillai Vanam, Thillai Chitrakoodam. This Diya Desam Perumal temple is inside the Devara Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, Sri Natarajar Temple of Chidambaram.

PC. Taken from website 

அங்கணெடுமதிள்புடைசூழ்அயோத்தியென்னும்

அணிநகரத்துலகனைத்தும்விளக்கும்சோதி

வெங்கதிரோன்குலத்துக்கோர்விளக்காய்த்

தோன்றிவிண்முழுதும்உயக்கொன்டவீரன்தன்னை

செங்கணெடுங் கருமுகிலை இராமன் தன்னைத்

தில்லைநகர்த் திருசித்ரகூடந் தன்னுள்

எங்கள் தனி முதல்வனை யெம்பெருமான்தன்னை

என்றுகொலோ கண்குளிரக் காணு நாளே   

... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் ( 741 )

Moolavar:  Sri Govindaraja Perumal, Sri Parthasarathy, 

                Sri Chakravarthi Tirumagan.

Thayar   :  Sri Pundarikavalli thayar.

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

The temple is located in side Sri Natarajar temple inner prakaram with a Dwajasthambam, palipedam, Garudalwar. and a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, artha mandapam. Artha mandapam is also a front mandapa for Sri Natarajar, sanctorum. In this mandapam standing on place, we can have the darshan of Sri Natarajar, Sri Govindaraja Perumal and Brahma. 

Moolavar Sri Govindaraja Perumal is in reclining or Sayana  posture on Adhiseshan, looking Akasha.  Here Brahma with 4 head is in standing posture on the lotus. Sridevi and Bhoodevi are in sitting posture at the feet of Sri Govinda Raja Perumal. Urchavars are in front. Urchavar is in sitting posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Thayar Sannidhi is on the west side of Nirthya sabha.

ARCHITECTURE

Sannadhi for  Anjaneyar, Chakrathalwar/ Narasimhar, Alwars, Wodeyar, Narasimhar with Conch & Chakkara, Venugopal, Yoga Narasimhar, koorathalwar and Viswaksena.  

 

 Thayar sannidhi 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was believed that Urchavar Perumal was moved to Tirupati after keeping many places in Tamil Nadu ( Sathyamangalam Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple is also one of the place ), by Ramanujar during Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha –II. The same was brought back and installed during Krishnappa Nayak ( 1564 – 1574 CE ). During re-installation, the same was opposed by the Dhikshidhars and some of them even committed suicide after falling from the Rajagopuram.  In 1849 CE, a dispute between Dhikshithars and Vaishnavite was uphold in favor of Vaishnavites by the District court.

Even though actual year of construction of this temple is not known, the temple has received contributions from Pallava, Chozha, Panya, Chera, Vijayanagara and latter Nayaks.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 Hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line and mobile may be contacted for further details. +91 4144 222582 and 9894069422

HOW TO REACH:

The Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple is inside the premises of Chidambaram Sri Natarajar Temple.

About 2 KM from Railway station and Bus Stand.

Buses are available from all district capitals of Tamil Nadu.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple and one of the 108 Divya Desam, Thiruputkuzhi, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

A featured post on Indiblogger

14^th October 2018.

This is a part of Divya Desam temples visit in Puratasi Tamil month, last Saturday on 13^th October 2018. After Visiting Nilathingal Thundam ( Sri Ekambareswarar Temple ), boarded a Vellore bus to Thiruputkuzhi. Got down at Baluchetty Chatram and from there the temple was in  a walk able distance.

This is 57^th Divya Desam and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar. Manavala Mamunigal, Koyilannan, Vedantha Desikar, Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annan has sung hymns in praise of Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal.

Moolavar: Sri Viyaraghava Perumal.

Thayar   : Sri Maragathavalli Thayar

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Temple Tank( Jatayu theertham ) on the left. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the Rajagopuram in a recently built concrete mandapam. The Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers.

In the sanctum moolavar is in sitting posture, while the upper hand holds Chakra and Conch, the lower right hand in abhaya hastham and left hand in akhvana hastham. Bhudevi is on the right of moolavar  and Sridevi on the left side of moolavar ( interchanged from regular positions). Jadayu is on the laps of Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal. In Rama incarnation of Vishnu, Rama gave mukthi and as Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal gave blessing to Jadayu. Azhwar sannadhis are in the artha mandapam.

In the prakaram  Andal and Maragathavalli Thayar sannidhis are also interchanged from the regular architecture. The Maragathavalli Thayar sannidhi is like a separate temple, with Kannadi ( mirror) room and procession deities are kept. Ramanujar ( Ramanujar learned the vedas in this place, hence he is not holding the thandam ), Vedantha Desikar and Manavala Mamunigal sannidhis are also in the prakaram. This is the birth place of Pinpazhakaram Perumal Jeeyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum, Antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The steps to sanctum is between artha mandapam and muka mandapam. Stucco 2 tier Nagara vimana is on the sanctum. The Vimana  from the base to about 6 feet is very simple square shape with simham.

Ramanujar Sannadhi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple was built during 13^th Century and has Sundara Pandyan’s inscriptions. The inscriptions speaks about donations to this temple. Vijayanagara period thirupani can be  seen in the mandapams. Last Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1999.

The inscription of the wall of mukha mandapam is in the form a poem. This was constructed by “Eduthazhagiyan Pallavaraiar.  This poem inscription praises the Pandya Kings Sll Vol - 6 : 455. Thanks to Anbu Vanthiyathevan. The poem inscriptions reads as…

"வாழ்க கோயில் பொன்மேய்ந்த மகிபதி

வாழ்க செந்தமிழ் மாலை தெரிந்தவன்

வாழ்க மண்டலம் யாவையும்

கொண்டவன்

வாழ்க சுந்தர மன்னவன் தென்னானே."

இப்பாடலின் கீழ், ( Below the poem inscription, inscribed as  )

"பெருமாள் குலசேகர தேவர் திருத்தோளுக்கு நன்றாக எடுத்தகை அழகியான் பல்லவராயர் செய்வித்த தன்மம்"

Pandya period inscriptions - a measuring scale

LEGENDS

The issue in the child birth will be removed after praying to Sri Maragathavalli Thayar with the fried grams knotted in the saree on No moon day. The fried gram will sprout on the next day is a miracle of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

On the bus route from Kanchipuram to Vellore get down at Baluchetty Chatram and from there Thiruputkuzhi is about a KM.

10 KM from Kanchipuram.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple ( Inside Ekambareswarar Temple ), Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th October 2018.

This is the 49^th temple of 108 Divya Desam Temples of Vishnu and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Azhwar.

Moolavar : Sri Nilathingal Thundathan / Chandra Chuda Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Nilathingal Thunda thayar / Neroruval illa Valli.

This Nilathingal Thundam Temple is on the North east corner of Sri Ekambareswarar temple ( one of the Thevaram Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam ) prakaram. Moolavar and shrine are facing west. In the same shrine in addition to moolavar there is also another idol called Adhi Perumal.

As per the legend, Parvathi closed the eyes of Lord Shiva for a moment, the universe became stand still. Due to this Parvathi came to Earth to do thabas under the mango tree standing on one leg to reunite with Lord Shiva. During thabas, Lord Shiva  created a fire around her and the mango tree also caught fire. So Parvathi called, Vishnu for help. Vishnu came to rescue, removed the Chandran ( Moon and Nila in Tamil ) from Shiva’s head and put off the fire with the cool rays of Chandran.

Again Lord Shiva obstruct the pooja of Parvathi to Shiv Linga, which she made out of River sand, by sending river Ganga. By seeing the flood water of Ganga, Parvathi embraced the Shiva Linga. By this way Parvathi united with Lord Shiva.

Since Vishnu took the Chandran / Nila ( also called as Thingal in Tamil ) from Lord Shiva’s head, Vishnu is called as “Nilathingal Thundathan and the shrine is called as “Nilathingal Thundatham”.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH :

Sri Ekambareswarar temple is about 1 KM from Kanchipuram railway station.

About 3 KM from Kanchipuram Bus Stand.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal Temple, Thirukkalvamoor ( Inside Kamakshi Amman Sanctum Sanctorum ), Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th October 2018.

This is the 54^th temple of 108 Divya Desam, of Vishnu and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung pasuram in praise of Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal of this Temple.

Moolavar : Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Anjalaivalli

Perumal is not in a separate temple or sanctum. Moolavar and Thayar are on the back side of Sri Kamakshi Amman sanctum. Adhi Varaha Perumal is facing west and in standing posture. Thayar is on the side wall in a maadam. Thayar is with two hands in worshiping posture.

As per the legend, Perumal was hiding behind a pillar and  overhearing the conversation of Sri Parvathi & Sri Lakshmi, when they were taking bath in Kamakottam. Parvathi as Kamakshi had seen this and gave  a punishment of standing, sitting and lying down. Hence Perumal gives darshan of Nindra, Iruntha and Kindha postures. So the Perumal is called as “Kalvan” in Tamil ( Thief ) and Divya Desam is called as “Thirukkalvanoor”.

Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal gives darshan through a mirror kept at an angle, for general public. Special payment and special conditions are mandatory to enter inside the sanctum.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is about 1.5 KM from Kanchipuram bus stand and 1 KM from Sri Ekambareswarar Temple.

Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is about 3 KM from Kanchipuram Railway Station.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

PC- Website

Moolavar can be seen through the mirror, on the back side entrance of Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---