Ayyanar/ Sastha, Kotravai, Hero Stones, Saptamatrikas and Saptha kannis at Esalam and Chemmaneri Sastha Temple, near Villupuram, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

11^th November 2018.

During our epigraphy study visit to Esalam, Ennayiram, and Brahmadesam Temples, We came across these unique Ayyanar, Kotravai, and Hero stones. To Chemmaneri Sastha Temple The Brahmadesam Sivachariyar took us.

AYYANAR AT ESALAM

This Ayyanar on a pedestal is on the south side compound wall of Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple. Ayyanar is sitting in Rajalila asana posture with his right leg up and left leg hanging. A globe-type head hairstyle arrangement is shown. His Vahana elephant is in front. As per the experts, the Ayyanar may belong to the 6^th century Pallava Period.

LOCATION OF THE AYYANAR: CLICK HERE

KOTRAVAI AT ESALAM

This Kotravai is on the south side of Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple and in front of a Vinayagar Temple. The worship of Kotravai was discontinued long before. Kotravai is facing north with 8 hands. On the right side except the front hand, the rest are found broken.  Bell, Snake, Parrot, Conch, Bow, and Shield are in the hands. The hair is neatly tied. The Kotravai is wearing ornaments on her neck, and ear, bangles in her hands, and silambu on her legs. She is wearing a half dress below her hip and bra. On the left, a deer and a man on the right are shown. A two-line  inscription is also found below the hero. As per the experts, the Kotravai belongs to the 6^th Century Pallava period.

  

LOCATION OF THE KOTRAVAI: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE, SASTHA, SAPTAMATRIKAS AN SAPTHA KANNIS AT CHEMMANCHERI.

This Chemmaneri Sastha Temple is about 2 KM from Esalam. There are three eri / lakes around the temple. It was said that the temple has existed since the 10^th century. Sastha or the Ayyanar is with his consorts Purna and Pushkala. A lot of stone elephants were offered by the devotees for the grand of their prayers. The elephants are of various sizes kept in front of the temple.

The saptamatrikas and saptha Kannis in 3 panels are kept in a sannadhi. There is no roof for the sannadhi.

A Hero stone is also found in the mandapam The hero is in a standing posture looking straight. While the left-hand holds the bow and the right hand holds the arrow. The hero’s posture is shown such that the hero is ready to shoot.

In addition to this, there is a Siddhar Samadhi with a pot ( to put the earth/mud in the pot and pray before cultivation). There are terracotta horses also found in front of the temple, offered by the devotees for their prayer. Local people used to worship this Sastha as their kula Deivam.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---