11th
November 2018
Visit
to this temple was part of an epigraphic study in the temples of Ennayiram, Esalam & Brahmadesam organized by
R.E.A.C.H Foundation on 11th November 2018. This is one of the
Brahmadesam in Tamil Nadu near
Villupuram. There are two Shiva Temples in the same village, constructed during
the same period. Both temples are under the control of the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) and renovation works are in progress. This place was gifted to
Anthanars during the Chozha period and called Brahmatheyam and later the name
was corrupted to Brahmadesam.
Sri Brahmapureeswarar
Temple.
Moolavar : Sri Brahmapureeswarar
Consort : Sri Periyanayaki
The
salient features of this temple are…
This
temple is on the north side of the Village facing east with a base ( mottai
gopuram ) of a Rajagopuram, built by the Sambuvaraiyars ( signature can be seen
at the end of the inscription). Balipedam, Rishabam pedestal, and an open mandapam (
the round pillars with beautiful capital ) are on the right side, immediately
after the entrance. The mandapa might have been used for Thirukalyanam or a
Shrine for Ambal. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastham and her upper hands hold Lilly and Lotus. Moolavar looks new even after 1000 years on a round avudayar.
The pedestals without idols for Vinayagar, Sri
Valli Devasena Subramaniar are on the west praharam and Navagrahas on the northeast corner.
In
koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma ( with small mandapas built at a later period ), and
Durgai. The Durgai statue was unearthed in the temple
premises and the experts believe that Durga may belong to the Pallava period.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. Ambal Sri Periya Nayaki is in the mukha mandapam. A square hole is provided on the left side of the mottai gopuram through which Shiva linga can be seen. The front mandapa is supported by 24 pillars with reliefs of Cow, crow, snake & Panchathanthiram stories.
The vesara style Vimanam above the sanctum was built with stucco and the giriva koshtam do not have any idols.
The praharam is on a raised platform around the sanctum sanctorum, supported by two rows of round pillars with simple capital.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
In
1918 CE, about 34 inscriptions were recorded,
by the Archaeological Department. From the inscriptions, the temple has contributions from Pallavas, Chozhas, Pandyas, Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, and Sambuvarayar. The inscriptions belongs to Rajendran-I (1036 CE ), Kulothunga
Chozha-I (1111 CE ), Vikrama Chozha ( 1132, 1136 CE ), Kulothunga-II (1138-1146 CE ), Rajarajan-II (1159 CE ), Kulothunga-III( 1182-1204 CE ), Kopperumsingan-II
(1248 AD), Jadavarma Sundara pandyan (1265 CE ) Maravarman Vikrama Pandian,
Chalukya King Narasinga Maharajan, Veera Prathapa Rayar of Vijayanagara &
Veerappukkannu Udayar and Samburaiyars.
The inscriptions mainly speak about Taxes levied, Punishments, and gifts made to this temple in the form of Land, paddy, Coins, Cows, etc,. It was
said that there was a Vedic school was functioned and students stayed in the
temples. In addition to a Vedic school, there was a madam called
Raja Narayanam.
Rajagopuram was built by the Sambuvaraiyars (their signature can be seen at the end of the inscription).
LEGENDS
The
temple was mentioned in Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai’s “Meenakshi Kalithokai”, Kanchi Sankaracharya’s Theivathin Kural, and
Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan. Kalameka Poet who had debated with Avvaiyar was from
Ennayiram, which is about 2 KM from Brahmadesam.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on important days like Maha Shiva Ratri, Pradosham, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc,. Masi magam festival is
celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since the temple is under renovation by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), open between 09.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. But darshan can be done only through Sivachariyar.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Sivachariyar may be contacted through his mobile 9751624822 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The place Brahmadesam is about 21 Km from Villupuram on Villupuram to Senji bus route.
Nemur is about 15 KM from Senji ( Gingee ) and shared autos are available from Nemur.
On the Tindivanam to Villupuram cross route Kooteripattu & Sankara Parani River reach Perani Koot road and from there Brahmadesam can be reached via Periyathachur, Esalam.
SRI PATHALESWARAR
TEMPLE
This
Shiva temple is in the middle of the Village. Moolavar is Sri Pathaleswara. This
temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India and renovation
work is in progress. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised level with steps between Mukha mandapa and the sanctum.
Moolavar is in the sanctum on a round avudayar. The Vimana is of vesara style and built with brick. The
dwarapalakas look cute and one of the dwarapalaka’s legs is resting on a Simham, which seems to be unique. The side mandapas are
in dismantled condition. It was told that a Vedic school was running in this
temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since the temple is under renovation by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), kept open between 09.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs. But darshan can be done only through Sivachariyar.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Sivachariyar may be contacted through his mobile 9751624822 for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The place Brahmadesam is about 21 Km from Villupuram on Villupuram to Senji bus route.
Nemur is about 15 KM from Senji ( Gingee ) and shared autos are available from Nemur.
On Tindivanam to Villupuram cross route Kooteripattu & Sankaraa Parani River reach Perani Koot road and from there Brahmadesam can be reached via Periyathachur, Esalam.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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