3rd February 2019.
Unexpected events happened during this Kongu Temples's
heritage Visit. It was around 14.00 hrs when we reached Annur, Shiva temple.
To our surprise, the main entrance was kept half open and cleaning was in
progress. When we asked to see at least outside of the sanctums and
inscriptions, we were allowed to do so with the restriction of taking
photography. The
place Annur was called Anniyur ( அந்நியூர் ), before the 12th Century. This place is also called Then Kalathi and Metralai
Thanjavur. (A Part of the Kongu Heritage walk to the Chozha temples, we went
to this temple a second time on the 12th and 13th of October 2019).
Presiding deity : Sri Manneeswarar
Consort :
Sri Arunthava Selvi
The Salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing west with a 7-tier Rajagopuram. A
Garuda thoon is in front. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are immediately
after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Brahma. The Koshta Murtis are added at a later date. A mandapa was
built in front of Dakshinamurthy to form a separate sanctum.
In praharam Ambal Arunthava Selvi (also
facing west direction), Chandran, Suryan, Pradhana Ganapathy, 63var, Nagars, and Pancha Lingas.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, three patta kumudam,,, and Vyyalavari. The Bhitti starts with vedika. Brahmakantha pilasters are on the Bhitti with kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandai, palakai and vettu pothyal. A Three tier Nagara vimana and Dravida sigaram is on the sanctum sanctorum. From Adhistanam to prastaram, built with stone.
INSCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS:
There are 41 inscriptions in this temple. The inscriptions
belong to Kokalimoorka Vikrama Chozhan ( 1004.. 11th Century),
Kulothunga Chozha –I and II ( 12th and 13th century ), Virarajendra
Chozha (13th Century ), Vikrama Chozha – II & III ( 13th Century
) and Hoysala King Vira Vallalan ( 15th Century ).
The inscriptions mention this place as Vada Parisara Nattu Manniyur,
Vikrama Chozha Valanattu Mathurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, and Kuzha Mangalam alias Virapandyanallur alias Manniyur (Pandya Rule). The 11th Century, incomplete Vattezhuthu inscription on the south wall mentions this place as
‘’Paampuni Kootraththu Pazhaiyatru Manikka…“
Donations were made in terms of Gold, money, land, land with
wells and trees, grains, groceries, Ghee, and Oil to this temple for daily pooja,
Naivedyam, conducting functions, burning of lamps and perpetual lamps
in the temple and to feed Travelers ( Desandiris ), poor
& Sadhus. The place where the food is served is mentioned as
Thirugnanasambandar madam. The account of Lamps donated as – existing 114 and
additions 15 and total 129 is also recorded.
From the inscriptions, It is understood that the upper caste and
lower caste (idangkai & Valangai) existed or were created in the 11th … 12th centuries.
An Interesting inscription of Kongu Pandyas: A Kongu Pandya
Sundara Pandya’s 6th-year rule inscription stone – Soolakal- installed in
a field at Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from
Annur mentions that field land was donated to this Shiva
temple. The inscription mentions this place as “Kuzha Mangalam alias Virapandya
Nallurana Manniyur”.
Since the inscriptions available are from the beginning of the 11th Century, the temple might have existed from the 10th or 9th Century.
A Vikrama Chozha inscription
The Vattezhuthu inscriptions
LEGEND:
As per the legend, This place was once a beet / tapioca forest ( Valli Kizhangu ). Hunters used to dig out the same for eating. A Hunter by the name Anni, in the process of digging his crowbar hits the Swayambhu Shiva Linga under the earth. Blood was oozed out. After hearing this the Chera King also tried to pull out through elephant assuming that it must be a big beet or Tapioca. Shiva appeared in the form of a thunderous cloud and said that he was under the earth. The Chera King and the Hunter Anni prayed to Lord Shiva for pardon. The Chera king built a temple at this place and the place was called after the hunter's name "Anni" and later corrupted to the present name of Annur.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between 05.40 hrs to 12.30 hrs
and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The landline is 04254262450 and the mobile 9842238564 may be
contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH:
The place Annur is 20 KM from Sevur, 23 KM from Mettupalayam,
35 KM from Tiruppur, and 20 KM from Avinashi.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Ambal sannadi
63var
The fate of donors
Photos taken during the Second Visit is uploaded in the Google Photos. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALBUM
An Interesting Soolakal with the inscription of Kongu Pandyas:
A Kongu Pandiya
Sundara Pandya’s 6th-year rule inscription stone –Soolakal--
installed in a field at Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from
Annur mentions that field land was donated to this Shiva
temple. The inscription mentions this place Karia Goundanur as “Kuzha Mangalam alias Veerapandiya Nallurana Manniyur”. Thanks to the Land Lord and the Shop owner, who
showed us this Soolakkal, and in the inscription book it is mentioned as
Kuththukkal"
An Interesting inscription of Kongu Pandyas: A Kongu Pandiya Sundara Pandya’s 6th-year rule inscription stone – Soolakal-- installed in a field at
Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from Annur mentions that field
land was donated to this Shiva temple. The inscription mentions this
place Kari Goundanur as “Kuzha Mangalam alias Veerapandiya Nallurana Manniyur”. Thanks to the Land Lord and the Shop owner, who showed us this Soolakkal, and in the inscription book it is mentioned as Kuththukal"
LOCATION OF THE INSCRIPTION STONE: CLICK HERE
( 11.270597, 77.085038 )
---OM SHIVAYA
NAMA---
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