Friday 16 November 2018

Sri Ramanatheswarar Temple, Esalam in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

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11th November 2018.
The visit to this Shiva temple was a part of Epigraphic study tour organized by R.E.A.C.H Foundation on 11th November 2018. When we went in the morning the temple was not kept open and with a 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 is facing east with an entrance arch contains 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. Entrance door  to the sanctum is from south. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy ( a new idol with mandapam was built at a latter 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 sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam.  The pillars in the artha mandapam looks cute. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhisthanam 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, 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 North east 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 a 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. ) were unearthed. The articles were buried in layer 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 be re-built 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 Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI).
  
 The inscriptions between Brahmakanda pillasters

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept opened 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.
Nearest railway station is Perani, Villupuram & Tindivanam.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Vesara Vimanam 
 Vishnu in koshtam
 Natarajar and Dhakshinamurthy in nasi / Giriva koshta
 Water spout
 Damaged Subramaniyar statue
Balipeedam 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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