Sri Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu,

May 2019.

This Sri DevanathaSwamy temple is one of the 108 Divyadesams, dedicated to Maha Vishnu, and the mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar. The temple is on the banks of the river Kedilam. Since Aheendiran (Ananda Azhvaan Adhiseshan) worshiped Perumal of this temple, this place was called “Aheendirapuram,” which later corrupted to the present name of (Thiru) Vandhipuram. 

 

Painting at Lakshmi Hayagirivar Temple

Mangalasasanam of this temple was done by Thirumangai Alwar. 

மூவராகிய ஒருவனை

மூவுலகுண்டுஉமிழ்ந்துஅளந்தானை

தேவர்தானவர்சென்றுசென்றிறைஞ்சத்

தண்திருவயிந்திரபுரத்து

மேவுசோதியை வேல்வலவன்

கலிகன்றிவிரித்துரைத்த

பாவுதண்தமிழ்பத்திவைபாடிடப்

பாவங்கள்பயிலாவே. (2)

....... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்

Moolavar : Sri Devanathaswamy

Thayar    : Sri Lakshmi Hemabhujavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Garudalwar are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In the sanctum, Sri Devanathaswamy is in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. 

Thayar is in a separate sannidhi and faces east. Thayar is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam. 

 

In the praharam, Rama with Sita and Lakshmana, Anjaneyar, Chakarathalwar with Yoga Narasimhar, and Vedantha Desikar (who lived and did seva for about 40 years in this temple)

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum was built in Dravidian architecture. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam, and vyyalavari. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus, and vyyalavari. The vimanam over the bhumidesam was built with bricks and consists of one tala, greevam, and Dravida sigaram. Maha Vishnu's various forms are on the tala and greebva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS.

The temple was believed to have been built during the Pallava (Nandivarman) period and reconstructed during the medieval Cholas and further expanded by the Pandyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagaras. The temple has about 50 inscriptions recorded from this temple and they belongs to Chozha Kings Kulothunga Chozha-I (1070-1120 CE), Vikrama Chozha (1118–1135 CE), Rajaraja Chozha-III (1216-1256 CE), Pandya Kings Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251-1268 CE), Vikrama Pandya, Vira Pandya-III, Vijayanagara King Achutha Deva Raya (1529–1542 CE), and Kopperunjingan. 

The inscriptions primarily mention grants, including land and the funds allocated for regular poojas, as well as the burning of Lamps. As per the inscriptions, Maha Vishnu was called Thiruvayinthipurathu Alwar.

Kulothunga Chozha I’s 22+1 year of reign, 1093 CE, inscription on the north wall of the mandapam in front of Devanayaka Perumal shrine starts with his meikeerthi, records the endowment of worship of Utsavar of functions and offering of 10 kalam/ per day (thiruvakiram). For the same, land was gifted to the temple, and the periphery limits are also given.

The Pandya king Kosadayabarmar Thiribhuvana Chakravrthi Sri Sundarapandyan’s 10^th year of reign inscription on the north wall of the praharam records the gift of land to Nayanar Deivanayakam, Nayanar Ezhisainatha Perumal and Irandayiravan madam, as per the notice issued by  Perumal Sundarapandyadevar Perumal Vikramapandyadevar. The lands are situated under Marudhadu Keralanthaka Nallur, and the places are Varkalpattu Pullavai Tiruchitrambala Nallur and Suryanmedu.

The Chozha King Thirubhuvana Chakravarthikal Kulothunga Chozha’s 41^st year of reign inscription on the north wall of the praharam records the endowment of a burning sandhi lamp by Umbarpadi Pattinavan Nambi Eran’s daughter Serinangai. For the same, 12 savamoova ewes were gifted, and the same was handed over to mandradi Koothan Villi.

The Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha’s 50^th year of reign inscription on the north wall of the praharam records an endowment of burning a lamp by Palli Eran Thunaiyan for the benefit of Palli Sanan Periyan. For the same, 33 ewes are gifted to the temple. Out of 33, 13 ewes are handed over to the manradi Kavan Karai Kandan, 12 ewes to Pullasootri, and 8 to Devan Periyan, to supply the ghee for burning the lamp.

The Chozha King Vikrama Chozha’s 5^th year of reign inscription on the north wall of the praharam records the endowment of feeding to Vaishnavas who came for worship on Amavasya day, by the priest who does the poojas, Mathisoothan Kannabhattan, alias Gangaikonda Chozhhavalanattu Pattanpakkainattu Chozhakulavallinallur Eithalur meikilan Senanthiruvayinthiran. For the same Kulothunga Chozha period, in the 35^th year of the reign, 3 kasu as capital, and the interest will be one kasu for every 3 months. And another one Kasu was gifted by Kannabhattan Thiruvaikulamudaiyan. The paddy to be supplied for the interest.

The Pandya king Komarabarmar Sundarapandya’s 13+3 year reign inscription on the north wall of the praharam records that the Dhanathar of this temple instructed Kaniudaiyar Parasivars to observe the place of (நன்மை - தீமை) Nanmai – Theemai, similar to the places in Pandimandalam, Chozhamandalam, Makaramandalam and naduvilmandalam. 

The inscription on the west wall of the prahara was recorded in Epigraphia Indica, Volume 7. (Page 160), South Indian Inscriptions Volume – VII and ARE 142 of 1902. The inscription records….

(Line 1.) Hail! Prosperity! In the year which was opposite to the 15th year (i.e. in the 16th year) of the emperor of the three worlds, the glorious Rajarajadéva,- when king" Pratapachakravartin, the Hoysana, the glorious Vira-Narasimhadeva, heard that Kõpperuñjinga had captured the Chôla emperor at Sendamangalam, that he destroyed the kingdom with his army, and that the temples of the god (Siva) and the places (sacred to) Vishnu were destroyed, he exclaimed: "This trumpet shall not be blown unless (I shall) have maintained (my) reputation of being 'the establisher of the Chôla country.

(L. 3.) He started from Dôrasamudra, uprooted the Maha[ra] kingdom, seized him, his women and treasures, and halted at Pachchûr.

(L. 4.) Then the king was pleased to order: "Destroy the country of Kôpperuñjinga and liberate the Chôla emperor." - Hail! (We), the glorious great minister, the very confidential servant, Dandinagopalo Jagadobbaganda Appana-Dannakka and Samudra-Goppaya-Daņņākka, took leave (from the king) and started.

(L. 5.) (We) destroyed (the villages of) Eļļêri and Kalliyûrmúlai where Kôpperuñjinga was staying, and Toludagaiyûr where Sõlakon was staying; killed ..... .....  among the king's officers Viraganganadálvân (and) Chinattarayan, and 4 officers including Parakrama, among the bahu, the king of Îlam; seized their horses; and seized the horses of Kolli-Ŝôlakôn.

(L. 6.) Having worshipped the god of Ponnambalam, (we) started (again), destroyed rich (?) villages including Tondaimânallûr, caused the........ .... forest to be cut down, and halted at Tiruppadirippuliyûr.

(L. 7.) (We) destroyed Tiruvadigai, Tiruvekkarai and other villages; burnt and destroyed the port-towns on the sea and the drinking-channels to the south of the Varanavasi river and to the east of Sendamangalam; and seized and plundered the women.

(L. 8.) When (we) advanced against Sendamangalam and were going to encamp (there), Kõpperuñjinga became afraid and submitted to the king that (he) would release the Chôla emperor.

(L. 9.) As he (viz. the king) agreed and dispatched a messenger to us, (we) liberated the Chôla emperor, went (with him), and let (him) enter (his) kingdom.

The Pandya King Komarabarmar Thiribhuvanachakravarthikal Vikrama Pandya’s 3^rd year of reign inscription on the south wall of the praharam records the sale of land by Pattanpakka nattu Chozhakulavallinallur Pullali Velan Karpakaperuman, Thiruvannamalai Peruman, Arayan Udhayaperumal alias Chembiyatharayar, and Velan Pattaladevan alias Mooventharayan to Meyur Milaiyangmanrilakizhan Kunikkum  Peruman alias Abimanathunga Pallavarayar. This is for the burning of 2 lamps during Sirukalai sandhi, 2 lamps for Uchakala poojas, 8 lamps for night poojas, oil bath 4 times/ per month to the deity.

The Pandya king Komarabanmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Sri Veerapandyadevar’s 10^th year of reign, inscription on the west wall of the Visvaksena shrine, records the gift of lands to Malanthipara (…..) Paravaikarasubattan, one of the Nambimar of this temple. In turn, he has to supply rice to naivedyam and burn 24 sandhi lamps.

The Pandya king Komarabanmar Thiribhuvana Chakravarthy Sri Veerapandyadevar’s 13th year of reign, inscription on the west wall of the Visvaksena shrine, records that the temple nambimars, Thirupathiyar and Thirumeikappar (watchman), reached an agreement to cultivate Thenguma (Coconut trees), Pala (jackfruit), Tamarind, Amla, Iluppai, in the Thiruthoppu created by Udayan Puththoozhan Thiruvaranga Selvan Villavarayan. In turn, the Nambimars have to supply 1500 coconuts, 3 perpetual lamps, oil for the sacred bath, and the Thirumeikappar has to supply oil for the 15 sandhi lamps at Nachiyar Sannidhi.

The inscription on the western gopuram of the temple, right side of the entrance, records the construction of the gopuram by Chenkanivayan Chozhakon brother Perumal Vennadudayan for the benefit of Sri Avani Alapiranthan Kopperunjingadevar.

The inscription on the western gopuram of the temple, left side of the entrance, is in the form of a poem recorded as….

"அருள்புனை தொண்டையர் கோமா

    னடைய வளைந்தபிரான்

பொருபடை மன்னவர் வீர

    மொன்றே பொரும்போர் தொலைந்தும்

வருகதிர் முந்து குணதிசை

    ஆள்வர் வடக்கிருப்பர்

வெருவரு தென் திசை கொள்வர்,

    செல்லாநிற்பர் மேற்றிசைக்கே."

அருள் நிறைந்தவனும், தொண்டையர் கோமான் அடையவளைந்தான் என்று அழைக்கப்படுபவனுமான அந்த மன்னனின் போர்ப்படையில் உள்ள வீரர்களின் தனிப்பெரும் வீரச் சிறப்பை இச்செய்யுள் விவரிக்கிறது. போர்க்களத்தில் எதிர்த்து நின்று போரிட்ட பகை மன்னர்களின் நிலையை திசைகளின் அடிப்படையில் இது நகைச்சுவையோடும் போர்க்கள யதார்த்தத்தோடும் குறிப்பிடுகிறது:

• குணதிசை (கிழக்கு): போரில் தோற்று ஓடிய பகைவர்கள், சூரியன் தோன்றும் கிழக்குத் திசையை நோக்கி ஓடி அதை ஆளத் தொடங்குவர்.

• வடக்கு: மானம் காக்க வடக்கிருந்து (உண்ணா நோன்பிருந்து) உயிர் துறப்பர்.

• தென்திசை: அஞ்சத்தக்க தென்திசையான எமலோகத்தை (மரணத்தை) அடைவர்.

• மேற்றிசை: தப்பிப் பிழைப்பதற்காக மேற்குத் திசையை நோக்கி ஓடிச் செல்வர்

Reference

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume – VII.

2. Annual Report on South Indian Epigraphy, Year 1902. 

HAYAGREEVAR TEMPLE 

Even though the main temple is dedicated to Vishnu, a small Hayagriva temple on a small hill opposite the main temple is very popular. Utsavar is called "Moovaragiya Oruvan," ie, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It was believed that Indira got the Vajrayudham from Vishnu to fight demons/asuras in this place. This is the prarthana Sthalam for Good education. Arjuna had done penance on this hill, and the hill was a piece that fell down while Hanuman carried the Oushadha hill.

Vedanta Desikar had composed 32 Slokas on Hayagreevar. 

ஞானாநந்தமயம் தேவம் நிர்மலஸ்படிகாக்ருதிம்
ஆதாரம் ஸர்வவித்யானாம் ஹயக்ரீவம் உபாஸ்மஹே

ஸ்வதஸ்ஸித்தம் சுத்தஸ்படிக மணிபூப்ரருத்பிரதிபடம்
ஸுதாசத்க்ரீசீபி: த்யுதிபி: அவதாதத்ரிபுவனம்
அனந்தை: த்ரய்யந்தை: அனுவிஹித ஹேஷா ஹலஹலம்
ஹதாசேஷாவத்யம் ஹயவதனம் ஈடீமஹீ மஹ:

LEGENDS

Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Adiseshan, Markandeyan, and Indira.

The Hayagreevara avathara is not one of the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. In this Hayagreevar avathara, Maha Vishnu took the avathara to retrieve the Vedas and made Saraswati and Brahma the deities of knowledge and wisdom. Hence, this is the prarthana Sthalam for Good education. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, Krishna Jayanthi, Ram Navami, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Deepavali, Aadi Pooram, and the 10-day Chithirai festival will be celebrated with a Chariot procession during April - May.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be open from 06.30 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 21.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Bhattars may be contacted on a landline at +91 4142 287575, and mobile numbers +91770864038 / +918903305789 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruvanthipuram is about 5 km from the Cuddalore bus Terminus, and Route No. 16 passes about 500 meters from the temple.

The temple is 30 km from Pondicherry, 39 km from Villupuram, and 180 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Cuddalore, and all the express trains used to stop here.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Hayagreevar Temple Vimana

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---