The visit to
this Shiva temple was part of an Epigraphic study tour organized by the R.E.A.C.H
Foundation on 11th November 2018. When we went in the morning the
temple was not kept open and with great difficulty, the temple was opened
through the caretaker in the evening.
Moolavar : Sri
Ramanatheswarar / Sri Valeeswarar
Iraivi : Sri Tripura Sundari
Some of the
salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with an entrance arch containing the stucco images of Shiva’s family
with Vishnu & Mahalakshmi and Brahma with Saraswati. Moolavar is under the Rudraksha pandal. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the entrance arch. The entrance door to the sanctum is from the south. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( a new idol with mandapam was built at a later date ), Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.
In the outer
prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramanian and Chandikeswarar. Ambal Thiripura Sundari is in the mandapam facing south. Vishnu as Perumal is also in the mandapam
facing east.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The pillars in the artha mandapam look cute. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. An eka thala Vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The temple from adhistanam to Stupi was constructed with Stone. Natarajar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu & Yoga Narasimhar, and Brahma are in the nasi / griva koshta of vimanam. The koshta Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar, Brahma, and Durgai are found in damaged condition.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
In 1987, when the Northeast corner of the temple premises was excavated for renovation,
miniature statues, bells, doopakal, utensils, idols, Trident Asthra devar, Guru
of Rajendra Chozha, totaling 23 bronze images along with an inscription copper
plates (issued by Rajendra –I, during 1036 CE, which consists 15 plates
inscribed on both sides fastened in a
ring with Rajendra’s royal insignia/ seal) was unearthed. The articles were
buried in layers and each layer was covered with river sand. The articles are kept
in the mandapam at present.
From the
inscriptions the temple was believed to have been rebuilt with stone by Rajendra Chozha –I’s ( 1012 CE ) Rajaguru and
existed since Rajaraja-I. The temple was consecrated in 1027 CE. The places
Azhagiya Singaperumal Temple and Brahmadesam Pathaleswara temples are
mentioned in the inscription. The temple’s moolavar name was mentioned as Thiru
Ramadevar. The southern wall inscription starts with Rajendra’s mei keerthi. The
Place name was mentioned as a part of Sri Rajaraja Chaturvedi Mangalam (
Ennayiram).
The temple is presently under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI).
The inscriptions between Brahmakanda pilasters
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will
be open between 08.00 hrs to
10.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH:
About 7 KM from Nemur on Villupuram to Gingee ( Senji )
About 8 KM from Perani on the above bus route.
The nearest railway station is Perani, Villupuram & Tindivanam.LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Vesara Vimanam
Vishnu in koshtam
Natarajar and Dhakshinamurthy in nasi / Giriva koshta
Water spout- from the mouth of a Bhuta Gana
Damaged Subramaniyar statue
Balipeedam
---OM SHIVAYA
NAMA---
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