Sri Vijayalaya Chozhiswaram, Pathinen Bhoomi Vinnagaram & Pazhiyili Eswaram, – A Rock Cut Cave Temple at Narthamalai in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

30^th September 2018.

This hill Nagarathar Malai was turned into Narthamalai. This hill is one of the group of 9 hills of Pudukottai, dominated by the Nattukottai Nagarathars ( Chettiars ), who are involved in business. It was believed that the stones required for Thanjavur Rajarajecharam were sourced from these hills. The Narthaamalai Temple complex consists of  Vijayalaya Chozheswaram, a structural Temple built by Mutharaiyar during the 9th Century and a Rock cut cave temples for Shiva and Vishnu, which houses ‘Pathinen Bhoomi Vinnagaram’ and ‘Pazhiyizhi Eswarar shrine’. In addition to this, there are two unfinished small caves. ( This post was updated with Jwarahareswarar Rock Cut Cave and more details. Please click this link for more details )

FRONT MANDAPAM ( ONLY BASE )

The rock-cut cave front Mandapam base is in front of the Vijayalaya Chozheeswaram. The Base is about 1.78 meters high from the ground level with 8 steps. The round Kumudha has the inscriptions. In the open mandapa base Sculptures of Sukhasana Shiva, Saptamatrikas in two panels, Veenathara Dakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Dwarapalakas, Elephants, and Makara thorana.  The  mandapa base is with Yazhi vari & the images of Yazhi, Elephant, Simha, Purusha mugam, etc,.Mahara is at the corners. Saththam Pazhiyili’s daughter and Minavan Tamizh Athiraiyan Vaalan  Anantha’s wife Pazhiyili Chiriya Nangai constructed the front Mandapam, Rishabam, and balipeedam.

PAZHIYILI ESWARAM.

This rock-cut cave shrine was excavated on the east side of the hill facing east. From the inscription, the cave was excavated  during the Pallava King Nirupathungavarman’s  7^th year of rule, by the Vidael Viduku Muththaraiyan’s son Saththam Pazhiyili. Dwarapalakas and Nandhi are in front. In the sanctum, a damaged flat Shiva linga  is on a square avudayar carved out of mother rock.  Savainjathan belongs to Peruvilaththoor of Annal Vayil Kootram and donated land to  Naivedyam of this temple. The land was handed over to Uruthiran Theyupukki by Chiriya Nangai to pay 25 kalanju gold as a penalty if default occurs.

PATHINEN BHOOMI VINNAGARAM

In front of Pazhiyili Eswaram sannadhi, there are 12 Vishnu statues carved out of mother rock, 6 on each side. Shiva Temple’s artha mandapam acts as a shrine for this Vishnu shrine. The mandapa is supported by 2 pillars and 2 pilasters. Out of 12 Vishnu's 10 are facing east and 2 are facing South and North. All the 12 Vishnu statues are similar in appearance and size. As per the iconography the experts of the opinion these Vishnu’s sculptures may belong to the 9^th or 10^th century. The Sundarapandiyan’s  ( 1227 AD ) 12th-year rule inscription calls this Vishnu’s shrine “Pathinen Bhoomi Vinnagaram”. The inscription also speaks about the Tax to be paid by the Newly wedded couple’s parents to the temple.

The mandapa base also has the Kulothunga Chozha’s ( 1115 AD), 45^th year rule. The inscription mentions that this Village's name is “Thelingakulakalapuram” in Annal Vayil Kootram of Irattappadi Chozhavala Nadu. This rock-cut cave was named Thirumer Kovil and the Lord was called Thirumanikkathalwar. In addition to this, the Telelingakulakaala merchant Thevan Periyan Mudi Konda Chozha Thelungaraiyan donated land for Thirupadi, and the 75 kalam  paddy/year yielded will be given to this temple.

 

VIJAYALAYA CHOZHEECHURAM

The temple is on the opposite Pazhiyil Eswarar Rock cut cave temple. Facing west with a Nandhi in front.  Might have a mandapam initially but only pillars exist now. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandpam with 6 pillars, built in Dravidian style. Pallava period dwarapalakas are at the entrance of artha mandapam. Shiva linga is in the  round sanctum, whereas the outer is in a square shape. Vimana above the sanctum is in a round shape ( Vesara ).   In the outer praharam, there are 6 more shrines  without any images. The paintings in the mandapa will be covered in a separate post.

The inscription below the north side Dwarapalaka mentions that this temple was originally constructed by a small regional king  Saththam Bhoothi aka Ilangovathi Muththaraiyar in the 9th Century and after it collapsed due to rain, the same was re-constructed by Mallan Vidhuman also known as Thennavan Tamizh thiraiyan.  The Original temple name was not known and the present name is known from the Sundara Pandiyan’s inscription as Vijayalaya Chozhiswaram.

HOW TO REACH:

This Narthamalai is 20 KM from Pudukkottai on Pudukkottai to Trichy road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---