08th June
2019.
Visit to this Shiva
temple was a part of the Temples Visit in
and around Villupuram. It was a two-day trip organized by Mr. Manoj, aimed to
cover 21 old, very old, and Historical temples, which include Thevaram Padal
Petra Sthalangal and 108 Divya Desa Sthalangal and we can cover 16
temples. Out of 16 Temples, I have covered 11 temples already which are recorded in my blog. The rest of the 5
temples will be posted one by one. This post will cover a Shiva temple built
during the 13th Century. The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ) and reconstruction is in progress. The
place Sendhamangalam is on the south bank of river Kedilam.
Entrance base of Rajagopuram with rebuilt balipeedam
Moolavar : Sri Abathsahayeswarar/Sri
Vanilai Kandeesuvaramudaiyar
Consort : Sri Periyanayagi
Some of the salient
features of this temple are….
This temple faces east with a two Rajagopuram base. A pandal pillar with a balipeedam is at the
center. On the right side, a mandapa reconstruction is in progress. Rishabam is in front of the sanctum sanctorum in a mandapam.
Both side steps are
provided between artha mandapam and maha mandapam. A two-tier stucco nagara Vimana
is over the sanctum. The Koshtams are empty now. The respective idols are kept
inside the maha mandapam. The Idols are Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Ashtabhuja
Durgai, Ashtabhuja Bairavar, Lingothbavar, and some sculptures are also kept in
the maha mandapam.
Sanctum View with Dakshinamurthy on the left
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is ona pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedhikai. The pilasters are Vishnu Kantha pilasters with square base, thamari kattu, kalasam, thadi, Kudam, Lotus petals mandi, Palakai, Veerakandam, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi, Kapotam with nasikudus and Viyyala vari. The Nasi Kudus do not have any bas reliefs. The praharam is on a
raised platform with vrutha pillars.
Similar to Chozha period architecture
Similar to Chozha architecture
A Corridor view
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Kadava King Koperunsingan’s father
Ezhisai Mohana Manavala Perumal ( 1200 – 1211 CE) ruled this region keeping
Sendhamangalam as capital. In 1231 CE Rajaraja-III, was defeated by the Pandya Kings and fled out of Thanjavur. At Thellaru
near Vandavasi Koperunsingan attacked ( 1231 CE ) and took him with all his wife
and children as prisoners. Rajarajan-III with his family was lodged at this
place in a prison. He was released after
his relative and Hoysala King Viranarasimhan came with his army.
The
inscriptions belonging to Kadava King Koperunsingan
( 1229 – 1278 CE ), and Vijayanagara King Hariharan-II are found in this temple. An inscription speaks about the donation of Land and gold to a person’s family called
Peththan Nayakar who sacrificed his life through Navakandam for the uninterrupted functioning of temple
activities even during war.
Recent period inscription
13th-century Inscription
LEGENDS
It is believed that Pancha Pandavas,
during their 14 years of exile, came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva of
this temple.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS:
There is no fixed
time for opening and closing. Hence readers are advised to confirm your visit with
Gurukkal. Since the temple is under renovation by the ASI, outside can be seen during the daytime.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
The Gurukkal Mohana
Sundaram may be contacted on his mobile 9442774505 for further details.
HOW
TO REACH:
The temple is about 2
KM away from the GST Road.
The place
Sendhamangalam/ Senthamangalam is on the Chennai to Trichy GST road.
Sendhamangalam is
about 13.8 KM from Ulundurpet, 26 KM from Villupuram, and 195 KM from Chennai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
A well
A Stone jolly/window
Outer prakara under reconstruction
Solar and Lunar eclipse bas-reliefs on the ceiling
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
eclipse image upside down - deer in the moon
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