Sri Panchamukha Anjaneyar Temple / தரமணி பஞ்சமுக ஆஞ்சநேயர் கோயில், Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

15^th January 2019.

While I was searching for an old Shiva Temple in the Taramani area on 15^th January 2019, I came across this Temple built like a 3-storied flat with small gopuras on the top with saffron flags. For almost 5 odd years, I used to travel on this Erikarai street to reach my office, not going inside the temple. Today I had the opportunity to visit this temple.

The presiding deity: Sri Panchamukha Anjaneyar.

The Anjaneyar is in a kneeling position with his right knee touching the ground. The Faces are Hanuman, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hayagriva. Anjaneyar has 10 hands holding weapons Kumbh, Soolam, axe, chakra, Sword, Shield, Thanda, and a pot. Lower right hand in abhaya hastha and left hand holds a curved knife.

The temple is being maintained by the Bhaktivedanta Trust, having its headquarters at Bhadrak, Orissa, but conducts programs throughout India. This Bhaktivedanta Ashram was founded by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada for the purpose of propagating sanatana dharma as taught by Lord Krishna. The main activities of the ashram include distribution of food to the poor and educating people in general public in the understanding of Spiritual life. The Ashram believes that if physical hunger is removed, then it will be possible for mankind to focus internally on spiritual advancements.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born in 1896 in Calcutta and was initiated by his Guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami in 1922. From 1950 Swamiji retired from his married life and stayed at Vrindavan. He took Sannyasa in 1959 and began his work on Bhagavatham and wrote spiritual books based on Bhagavatam. He traveled to many countries. Swamiji was instrumental in establishing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,  more than one hundred ashrams, schools, temples, institutes, and farm communities. Swamiji attained Siddhi in 1977.

The Temple is being managed by one Canadian national Mr Parker who changed his name to Nithaidass. The Panchamukha Anjaneyar sannidhi is on the ground floor, whereas the Madapalli or the kitchen is on the first floor and the persons who do pooja are staying on the second floor. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple timings are 05.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Mobile number 8300181008 may be contacted for further details.

e-mail address: bvashram@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH:

About 500 meters from Taramani Link Road on Erikarai / Erikarai street

About 500 meters from Taramani bus station ( Town bus route no 5C).

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamy Temple /அருள்மிகு சிவசுப்பிரமண்யர் கோவில், ஆலந்தூர் / Alandur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

15^th January 2019.

While I was grazing the Kanchipuram District Inscriptions, happened to see a Kamba Varman's period inscription in Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamy temple at Alandur. Thought that the temple may belong to the Pallava period and decided to visit this temple on 15^th January 2019, Thai Pongal Day. It was not so hard to locate the temple and a disappointment too.

Presiding deity: Sri Siva Subramaniya Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Temple pond in front. The Rajagopuram  is of 5 tiers. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Peacock vahana are immediately after the Rajagopuram, under a concrete mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of the Sanctum for Sri Vinayagar, Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Siva Subramanian, and Sri Visalakshi, constructed in a U shape.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for an Amman, Shiva lingam, Raghu, Kethu, Krishna with Radha & Rukmani, Bhaktha Anjaneyar, Bairavar, Veerabathirar. In the front Mandapa on 4 sides (top), stucco statues of Arupadai Veedu sthala purana.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

Looking at the ardha mandapa, the temple may belong to the Vijayanagara Nayaks Period. But there is an inscription stone laid as a stepping stone of the Rajagopuram. Only a part is visible now and the major portion was  worn out  due to continuous walking on the inscriptions. The inscription message is... 

The inscription stone belongs to a Jain School called "Thiruvaraanthanam - திருவராந்தானம்" was existed during Kamba Varman ( 875 CE ) 5^th year ( Chithirai month ) period at Mangadu Village. அருகன்தானம் ( அருஹத்ஸ்தானம் ). This word might have been corrupted to அராந்தானம். This word was mentioned as Araanthanam in Manimegalai ( 3:82, 5:23 ) and in Perungathai as அரா அந்தானம் ( 2:2:138, 2:6:161, 5:4:151). திரு was added with  அராந்தானம், and became as thiruvaraawthaanam-திருவராந்தானம்.  The  Arcot section ( kuRRam ) Paripandathurai Parisai, Village Headman’s daughter and the Jain’s school Teacher Ananda Veera Kuravar’s Student by name “ku..Adigal - கு... அடிகள்" ( குரத்தி அடிகள் ) donated 60 kaadi ( Kalam -கலம் ), one kuruni and 3 nazhi paddy for the AviHavis Padayal ( may be Naivedyam ) called Avihavis - ( அவி(ஹவிஸ் )) and a plate weighing 30 Palam. The further details of the endowment are not known since the last lines are worn out completely. 

The Arcot kuRRram mentioned in the inscription refers to the place called Arcot near Kandiyur of Thanjavur District. This was recorded in the Thirupazhanam inscription as "Arcot Kootrathu ParivaNdathurai Parisai ..". The same place is mentioned in the Alandur inscription also. This inscription seems to be a special one since it mentions a Lady who belongs to the Thanjavur area Chozha region, got educated in the Pallava Region, and gave donations. 

The Sadayavaraman's period ( 1256 CE ) inscription on the floor stone of Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple also refers to the same "Mangattu Thiruvaraanthaanam". 

The original inscription and the details are......

பல்லவ மன்னன் கம்பவர்மனின் 5ஆவது ஆட்சி ஆண்டு ( 875 CE )  கல்வெட்டு மாங்காடு ஊரைச் சார்ந்தது. மாங்காட்டில் இருந்த 'திருவராந்தானம்' எனப்பட்ட சமணப்பள்ளிக்கு திருவமுதுக்காக வேண்டி ஆர்க்காட்டுக் கூற்றத்து பரிசை ஊர்த் தலைவன் அமர்நிலையார் என்பாரின் மகளும், சமணப்பள்ளியின் ஆசிரியர் அனந்த வீரக்குரவரின் மாணக்கியருமான அடிகள் என்பவன் அறுபது காடி நெல் அளித்துள்ளாள். மேலும், முப்பது பலம் எடை கொண்ட தட்டு ஒன்றும் வழங்கியுள்ளாள் என்ற செய்தியைப் பதிவு செய்கின்றது. 

1. ஶ்ரீ கோவிசைய கம்ப விக்கிரம வருமற்கு யாண்டைந்தாவதின் சித்திரை முதலாகப் புலியூர் கோட்டத்து மாங்காடு நாட்டு மாங்காட்டு திருவராந்தானத்துக்கு ( ஆர்க் )
2. காட்டுக் கூற்றத்து பரிபண்டத்துறை பரிசை கிழார் அமர் நிலையார் மகளார் இப்பள்ளி உடைய ஆநந்தவீரக்குரவர் மாணாக்கியார் கு...அடிகள் திருவமுதுக்கு வைத்த நெல்லறுபதின்
3. (குறுணி) முந்நாழி நெல்லால்விக்கட்டு வோமானோம் அவி சொரியுந்தால் முப்பதின் பலத்தாவிட்டார் இதுக்கு முட்டாமைச்.....

Ref:

தமிழ் நாட்டுக்கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி - IX ( காஞ்சிபுரம் மாவட்டக் கல்வெட்டுகள் தொகுதி-5, தமிழ்நாடு அரசு தொல்லியல் துறை.

 

How and when this 9th-century inscription stone came here is not known. At the end of the British period, many temples in and around Chennai were constructed using other temple stones, for example, Thirisoolam/ Tirusulam temple's stones are used in Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple. This might have happened for this temple also. The inscription was identified by Mr K Sridharan and Mr Ramachandran, from Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department.

 

 The Pallava period inscription stone was used as a stepping stone 

 The Pallava period inscription stone was used as a stepping stone 

There is a history behind the Temple tank/pond also. The pond was dug in 1881. For excavating this pond the fund was aided by a British Major  J.B. Taylor Cant. Magistrate of Mount.  A Bore-well was also drilled by a Jain Lady K Kanchan Devi Jain & Rajan in 2009. 

 British period inscription for the construction of Temple Tanks

 Borewell donation inscription  

In addition to this, there is a Sri Sachithananda Harihara Bhajan Madam just opposite this temple, which was established in 1890 CE.

A Bhajan madam adjacent to the Temple tank started in 1895

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.   

HOW TO REACH:

About 2 km from Guindy Railway station and about 1,5 KM from Guindy MKN Road  Bus terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:     CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stones / Nadukarkal / Veerakallu / Pulikuthi Sati Stone, Dolmen, Menhir at Sevur, Mottanam, Malayapalayam, Pothampalayam, in Erode and Tiruppur Districts, Tamil Nadu.

06^th January 2019.

It was planned to visit some pre-historic period heritage monuments  like Menhir, Dolmen, and 16^th Century Hero stone ( Veerakallu ), Pulikuthi Sati Hero Stones of Kongu Nadu on the way to Avinashi from Gobichettipalayam Via Nambiyur and Sevur on 06^th January 2019. During our visit, the temples at Malayapalayam, Mondipalayam, and Alathur constructed during the Kongu Chozhas period were also included. 

  

PULIKUTHI SATI STONE At SEVUR – POLICE STATION.

This Pulikuthi sati stone is erected inside the Sevur Police Station. As per the Lady inspector, it was unearthed near the Perumal Temple and the same was shifted and installed in the present place.

This pulikuthi sati stone is a 3 tier Nadukal. In the first tier, the hero is killing the Tiger by shooting an arrow. His wife who took sati by jumping in the funeral fire after her hero husband’s death is standing on the right side of the hero, holding a kattar-like weapon on her right hand. The bottom tier is not fully visible. In the second tier, Both hero and wife are taken to heaven by the deva kanniyars. The deva kannis holds the hands of the hero and his wife in one hand and whisk/ samaram in the other hands. In the third tier, the Pulikuthi hero with his wife are in a sitting posture and worshiping Lord Shiva. Shiva Linga and Rishabam are also shown to signify that the hero was a Saivaite.

HERO STONE AT MOTTANAM

This hero stone is on the left side of the main road near Karuppa Swamy Temple at Mottanam. The Village is on the way to Gobichettipalayam from Avinashi. This hero’s head is turned to his left side holding a kattar in his right hand and bow in his left hand. A half-dress is shown from his waist. Since the place Mottanam is near Gobichettipalayam must be land with vegetation for gracing cattle. It was a practice in those days to steel the cattle of one group by the other group. The hero might have died in the process of recovering the cattle stolen by the other group.

   

DOLMEN AT MALAYAPALAYAM

Like today’s burial of the deceased, this is the prehistoric Stone Age burial. During the stone age, it was started with the marking of burials by placing stones around, called cairn circles. Later the deceased are buried in a pot and kept at the centre called cist. Then 4 slab stones are erected around the cist with a cover stone slab. When it is erected above the ground is called a Dolmen.

The dolmen at Malayapalayam is on the North side of Sri Muthu Velayutha Swamy, Ayyanar, and Veeramathi Amman Temples, in the midst of the field. The west side of the side wall is missing now. The Dolmen is about 6 feet high, 6 feet in length, and 4 feet in width. This dolmen is under worship. It was told that some more will be there around this dolmen.

MENHIR – A SHIVA TEMPLE BEFORE POTHAMPALAYAM.

This menhir is in a Shiva Temple on the left side of the main road from Sevur to Nambiyur before Pothampalayam. On seeing the temple’s structure, thought the temple must be very old. We happened to see a stone standing in between Shiva and Ambal temple. As per the experts, this stone is a menhir. This menhir is about 4 feet high and 1.5 feet wide. This Menhir may belong to the Stone Age period 3000 to 1800 BC.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kasthuri Ranganatha Perumal Temple / கஸ்தூரி ரங்கநாத பெருமாள் கோயில், Erode, Tamil Nadu. RI KASTHURI RANGANATHA PERUMAL TEMPLE, ERODE, TAMIL NADU – A PART OF KONGU TEMPLES.

06^th January 2019.

During my last visit to Sri Arudra Kapaleeswarar Temple, Could not see this Sri Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal Temple, since the temple was closed. So this time, after visiting Sri Mahimaleeswarar Temple, visited this temple also before boarding the train to Chennai.

Moolavar : Sri Kasthuri  Ranganatha Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Kamalavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing south with a Deepasthambam / Garuda thoon. The 5-tier Rajagopuram is in front. Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Garudalwar are in the mukha mandapam. The Sanctum is in rectangular shape to accommodate Sri Ranganatha Perumal's Sayana kolam on Adhiseshan. Dwarapalakas Jayan & Vijayan are on the east wall of the sanctum. Lord holds Brahma in the left hand, and Sridevi ( near the head ) and Bhoodevi ( near the feet ) are in front of Sri Ranganatha Perumal facing each other. Perumal is placing his right hand on Durvasa Maharishi’s head. Since the sanctum is in rectangular shape the vimanam is also in rectangular shape like Rajagopuram. The Mukamandapa top has the yazivari with a stucco image of Sri Ranganatha Perumal.

Thiruvenkadamudayan Sannadhi, Venugopala Swamy, Palliyarai are in the artha mandapam. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chakkarathalwar, Sri Kamalavalli Thayar ( facing east ), Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva, Dhanvantari, Vishwaksena, Ramanujar, Alwars, Andal, Sri Patham with a 4 pillared mandapam and Anjaneyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum is about 3 feet above the ground level. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The entrance steps are on both sides of the Mukha mandapam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

From the inscriptions inscribed on the adhistanam, the temple belongs to the 10^th Century. The Thirubuvana Chakravathi Veerapandyadevar gave Moovendrachola Chathurvedhimangalam to this temple Moolavar Pallikonda Nayanar. Another inscription mentions Perumal as Pallikondaruliya Perumal and Erode as Poonthurai Nattu Kanchithundathu Erode. 

The Chozha king Parantaka Chozha's inscription ( When Kongu region was under the direct control of Chozhas ) on the door jamb records the Erode as "Erode" and Maha Vishnu as "Palli Konda Alwar". The Inscription reads as...

  ..ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ மதிரை கொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரி பந்மற்கு யாண்டு பதினஞ்சாவது ஈரோட்டில் பள்ளிகொண்ட ஆழ்வார் கோயிலில் எங்கள் வெண்ணெய்க்கு கூத்தர்.....

Another inscription mentions that the temple mandapas were renovated by Chinna Murari Naikar son of Kondamalli Vengayya Naikar and Lakkapuram Muthukumara Gounder. An inscription tablet erected at the left entrance of the mandapam speaks about the paving of prakara ie Circumambulatory pathway with Cuddapah stone by Chinnathayammal wife of mandi  E Venkata Naikar ( EeVeRa Periyar – the leader of Dravida Kazhagam and who was against  worshiping of Hindu Gods ) Son of Thamma Naikar and her aunt Chennammal. The amount gifted was from their savings as “Siruvattu Panam” which means, the balance money of the purchase of groceries is saved for a long period.

LEGENDS

As per Sthala Purana, Durvasa Maharishi went to Vaikund after a long-delayed time. He was stopped by Vaikunta Dwarapalakas Jayan and Vijayan. Durvasa got angry and cursed them to be born on earth. When the Dwarapalakas requested to show mercy on them to get rid of this curse. Durvasa gave them two choices. one Born as friends in 5 births or two born as enemies in 3 births before returning to Vaikunda. The dwarapalakas Jayan & Vijayan choose the option 2. So they were born as Hiranyaksha & Hiranyakashipu, Ravana & Kumbakarna, and Kamsa & Sisupala and were killed by the Lord in each birth.  

As per another sthala purana, a pregnant woman offered Kasthuri ( herbal medicine ) for safe delivery to the Lord. From then on Lord Ranganatha is called Kasthuri Ranganatha Perumal. This practice is not continued now.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The landline may be contacted for further details at 0424 2267578

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is just in front of Arudra Kapaleeswarar Temple.

About 3 Km from Erode Railway Junction and 4 KM from Erode Bus stand.

A walkable distance from Periya Mariamman Temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Sri Patham with a 4 pillared mandapam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Mahimaleeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ மகிமாலீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், Erode, Erode District, Tamil Nadu

A featured post on Indiblogger

06^th January 2019.

Visit to this temple was a part of the Kongu Temples Heritage visit organized on 6^th  January 2019. Coupled with the visit to the Kulatheivam temple darshan. Before boarding the train to Chennai visited this Temple in the Erode Fort area.

Moolavar    : Sri Mahimaleeswarar

Consort      : Sri Mangalambigai

Some of the important salient features are…

The Temple is facing west with a three-tier Rajagopuram. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.  In the artha mandapam, sannidhi for Vinayagar, Bala Dhandapani and Ambal sannidhi.

In the prakaram sannadhi for  Saraswathy, Veerabhadra, Saptamatrikas, 63var, 12 Shiva Lingas, Ganapathy, Subramaniyar, Bairavar, Chandran, Suryan and Chandikeswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of a sanctum sanctorum, antarala and Artha mandapam.  Rishabam, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam are in the Mukha mandapam.  The gopuram above the sanctum was renovated in recent years. A lot of Stucco images are added during the renovation. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

As per History, it is believed  to  be built by Kodumbalur Irukku Velir one of the descendants, of Mahimalaya Irukkuvel Paranthaka Veera Chozhan ( 940 to 980 CE ). He was a Chieftain with Parantaka Chozha and also acted as the 1^st King of Kongu Chozhas of the Kongu region.

Before Chozha Kingdom the Kongu region was an independent country. Chozha King Adhithan ( 870 – 907 CE )  captured Kongu and delegated the power of ruling and also allowed them to name themselves with Chozha king’s names like Rajendran, Vikrama Chozha, etc,. Hence they were called Kongu Chozhas.   Even though it is believed that Irukku Velir King Veera Chozhan, built this temple, experts believe that the temple might have existed before the 10^th Century ie between the 08^th to 9^th Centuries by the early Chozhas as a brick structure.

LEGEND

As per the legend, the demons Mali, Sumali, and Makima constructed the temple, hence Lord Shiva was named after the Asuras. Since Moolavar is larger than the door's width, it was assumed that this temple was built by the Asuras,  on the contrary, if the Lingam is smaller than the door then the temple might have been built by Devas and if both are equal then the temple might have been built by Human beings.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open for darshan between 07.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is situated in the middle of the city Erode Fort and close to Panneerselvam Park.

The temple is about 3.5 KM from Erode bus Stand and 2 KM from Erode Railway Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

 Stucco images are added to the original Vimana

Stucco images are added to the original Vimanam 

 Stucco images are added to the original Vimanam

Dwarapalakas

                       Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash

 Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash 

Old Photographs PC: Mrs Sakthi Prakash

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---