11th
November 2018
Visit
to this temple was a part of epigraphic study
in the temples of Ennayiram, Esalam & Brahmadesam was 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 Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) and renovation works are in progress. This place was gifted to
Anthanars during Chozha period and called as Brahmatheyam and latter the name
was corrupted as 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 a 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 upper hands holds 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 prakaram and Navagrahas on the north
east corner.
In
koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma ( with small mandapas built at a latter period ) and
Durgai. The Durgai statue was unearthed in the temple
premises and the experts of the opinion that Durga may belongs to 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 prakaram 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 the
contributions from Pallavas, Chozhas, Pandyas, Chalukyas, Vijayanagara,
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 speaks about Taxes levied, Punishments and gifts
were made to this temple in the form of Land, paddy, Coins, Cows, etc,. It was
told that there was a Vedic school was functioned and students stayed in the
temples it self. In addition to a Vedic school there was a madam called
Raja narayanam.
Rajagopuram, wasvbuilt by the Sambuvaraiyars ( 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 Chathurti, etc,. Masi magam festival is
celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
LOCATION:CLICK HERE
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
Since the temple is under renovation by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), kept opened 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 share 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.
SRI PATHALESWARAR
TEMPLE
This
shiva temple is in the middle of the Village. Moolavar is Sri Pathaleswara. This
temple is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India and renovation
work is in progress. The sanctum sanctorum
is on a raised level with steps between mukha mandapa and sanctum.
Moolavar is in the sanctum on a round avudayar. The Vimana is of vesara style built with brick. The
dwarapalakas looks cute and one of the dwarapalaka’s leg is resting on a Simham,
seems to 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 opened 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 share 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:CLICK HERE
---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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