Sri Apathsahayar Temple / Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Thirupazhanam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu

27^th July 2019.

The second visit to this Sri Apathsahayar  Temple was a part of the Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay" - யாஊயாகே”  and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  This post has additional details of the History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit to this  Sri Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam, were recorded in this same blog.

This Post is also updated with Thevara hymns, inscriptions, history, and legends. For the updated post details, please click this link.

 

This is the 104^th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 50^th sthalam on the north side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise of lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Apathsahayar

Consort      : Sri Periyanayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple faces east (a little skewed towards north) with two Rajagopuras. The front one has 5 tiers, and the inner one has 3 tiers. In the sanctum, moolavar is swayambhu. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east, standing on an Aavudai.

Navagrahas are opposite to Ambal. In that, all the eight grahas are facing Suryan, and Suryan is facing Ambal (West). On the left Murugan idol with six faces looks cute.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The sanctum from adhistanam to the first level of Vimana was built with stone. The Vimana is of Nagara style. In the 1^st level of the Vimana, on all three sala koshtas images of Shiva’s forms: Shiva in Sukhasana, Dakshinamurthy, and Gaja Samhara Moorthy. In the second level, sala koshtam Brahmi, Kaumari, Varahi, and Maheswari. On the Makarnasi kottam Shiva with Uma, Veena Dakshinamurthy, Chandrasekara. Devas in Panchara pathi and ladies in Karnakoods.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Even though the original temple belongs to the Pallava Period, later re-constructed by Aditya I. The temple has about 87 inscriptions, belonging to Aditya-I, Parantaka-I, Pazhuvettarayars, Vijayanagaras, Chitramezhi Periyanattar, and Mutharaiyars. The inscriptions mainly speak about donations made to this temple towards the burning of perpetual lamps and (Fruits) Poojas. The Amman temple was constructed and consecrated during the Parantaka-I period. As per one of the inscriptions, this place comes under Vikrama Chozhavalanadu. Ambal was called Thirukama Kottamudaiya Periya Nachiyar.

LEGENDS      

This is the second Sapthasthana sthalam. Lord Shiva helped a Brahmin boy/Andhana Siruvan, from Yamadharmaraja, hence he is called Abathsahayeswarar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Archakar Raja Gurukkal may please be contacted through his mobile +91 9790207773 for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses are available from Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam.

The temple is on the main road from Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Vinayagar image in place of Gajalakshmi at the entrance of the sanctum

A merchant inscription / Vanika kalvettu

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Gangadeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கங்காதீஸ்வரர் கோயில், புரசைவாக்கம் / Purasaiwakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. ( SRI GANGADEESWARAR TEMPLE, PURASAWALKAM, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU )

22, August 2019. 

This temple is at Purasaiwakkam / Purasawalkam, a part of Chennai City close to Egmore. This Post was updated with History, Legends, and Poojas and celebrations. Please Click the link for the Old post.

Moolavar    : Sri Gangadeeswarar

Consort      : Sri Pangajambal

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

The temple faces east, with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are on the front side.

In the outer praharam sannidhi for Urchavar Mandapam with 63var, Siddhi Vinayagar, Vaitheeswarar, Sri Balasubramaniar, Kuruntha Malleeswarar (North Indians do abhishekam on their own hands), Ambal Temple Simha vahana with balipeedam and Dwajasthambam,  Sathya Narayana Perumal, Bana Lingam without avudayar, Yaha salai, Navagrahas, and Sri Ramalinga Vallalar.

In the outer praharam walls stucco reliefs of Shiva’s leela. They are Shiva’s ananda thandava, Carried mud to stop the water of vaigai for Pittu, Shiva kicking  Yama for Markandeyar, Kannappar applying his eyes of Shiva, Burning Muppuram / Tripurantaka, Ravana lifting Kailash, Shiva gave darshan to Karaikal Ammaiyar.

The sthala purana stucco images are Bhakirathan not respecting Narada and Narada giving a curse, Bhagirathan worshiping Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva giving darshan to Bhagirathan.

The temple sthala purana - Bhakirathan Worshiping Lord Shiva – Ganga flowed from Shiva’s head and Bhagirathan got relieved from the disease. (In another version Bhakirathan got Ganga water to get rid of his ancestor's sin).

Ravana Lifting Mount Kailash

In the inner praharam sannadhi for Ambal, Naalvar, Maha Ganapathy, Nagars, Bhagirathan, Kasi Viswanathar, Sekkizhar, Kulachirai Nayanar, Suryan, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Uchishta Ganapathy, Sri Oondreswarar, Minnoli Ammai, Shanmugar, Durgai, Bhairavar, Dakshinamurthy, Palliyarai, Bhairavar, Chandran, Suriyan, and Natarajar Saba.

Poondi Temple Moolavar Oontreeswarar, Rishabam, Ambal, Vinayagar, and Arumugar

Nalvar Reliefs is on the pillar in front of Moolavar Sannidhi. Once this place was with a large number of Purasu trees, hence this place was called Purasawalkam.

Around the Sanctum is in the form of a moat/ agazhi type. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions, this place was in Puliyur kottam a sub-division in Jayangonda Chozha Mandalam during the Chozha period. 

The 13th-century inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp at Jayangonda Chozhamandalathu Puliyur Nattu Thiruvanmiyur Ulakaludaya Nayanar Temple, by Neelakangaraiyan.

The 15th Century Vijayanagara period inscription (maybe Devarayar), is found much damaged. The letters seems like kanda kanda, Samudrathi, Kesavettai, Sri Veeraprathapa, Raya maha rayar etc. The details couldn't be identified. 

The 16th Century Vijayanagara period inscription records the endowment of burning a lamp daily, for the same Kong.... kon Azhagu Perumal, one of the mandradis kudi amarthappattathu - settlement (may be given to this temple), belongs to Jayangonda Chozha mandalam. 

Another 16th Century Vijayanagara period inscription is much damaged and words like taxes, and Kanikkai are mentioned. 

Ref:

Chennai Mavatta Kalvettukal, Tamil Nadu, Archaeological Department

LEGENDS

The legends like Tripura samharam, Ravana Lifting Mount Kailash, Vinayagar get Gnanapazham, and Bakiratha's penance to bring the Ganga River is in the form of stucco images on the wall. 

CONTACT DETAILS :

The office telephone number is 044 26422487

The temple web site: http://www.purasawalkamgangadeeswarartemple.tnhrce.in/

POOJA TIMINGS:

The temple is kept open for darshan between 07.00 Hrs to 11.00 Hrs and 16.30 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH :

Bus facilities are available from various parts of the city.

2 km from Egmore station via Gandhi Irvin Road – Nair Road – Dr Alagappa Chettiar Road – Gangadeeswarar temple road.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thirukoteeswarar Temple / Sri Kodeeswarar Temple , Thirukodikaval, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2019.

The second visit to this Sri Kodeeswarar Temple, Thirukodikaval, was a part of the Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay"- யாஊயாகே”  and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  This post has additional details of the  History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit to this Sri Kodeeswarar Temple were recorded in this same blog.

 

Now this place is called Thirukodikaval. This is the 91^st Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 37^th Sthalam on the north side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar and Appar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of the temple. This temple is a Vaduga Bhairavar Temple.

Moolavar    : Thirukoteeswarar, Sri  Kodinathar, Sri Kodeeswarar 

Consort      : Sri Thiripurasundari, Sri Vadivambigai

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

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Nandhi are in a mandapam abutting the 2nd-level Rajagopuram of 3 tiers. Moolavar is on a square peedam and a little taller. In koshtam Narthana Vinayagar, Nataraja with Sivagami, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Ashtabhuja Durgai with Arikanda and Navakanta sculptures, Pichadanar, Agasthiyar, Arthanareeswarar. The sanctum outside is like a moat /agazhi style.

In the inner praharam, sannadhi for Karaiyetrum Vinayagar, Mayil vahana, Shivalinga Murthy, Gajalakshmi, Jyeshta Devi, Kala Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran, Bala Saneeswarar, Durvasa, Sundarar with his wives Paravai & Sangili Nachiyar, Viswanathar & Visalakshi, Ekambareswarar & Kamakshi, and Kahaneswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and Ardha mandapam. The ardha mandapam is of the Vavvaknethi style, built during the Maratha period.

The vimana over the sanctum is of Dravida style. The outer floor was raised, and the adhisthana was hidden. The upana is of Vedipathra with Dancing ladies, Kuda Koothu, Epic Ramayana, and Siva Purana in inch sculptures.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions, Vadakarai Brahmadeya  Nallatrur Nattu Thirukodikavalakiya Kannamangalam. The temple was believed to be constructed by Nandhivarman-III. This temple has the inscriptions of Nandhivarman-III, Niruthungvarman, Prantakar, Uthama chozha, Rajaraja Chozha-I, Rajendra-I, Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga, Rajarajan-III, Komaranchadaiyan, Kovilanga Mutharaiyar, and Kadavarkon Kopperunjinga. One of the inscriptions mentions that the dilapidated temple was reconstructed and the old inscriptions were inscribed once again. The inscriptions mainly speak about donations made to this temple in terms of land, gold, Goats/sheep towards burning Perpetual lamps, and the function of regular poojas.

LEGENDS

As per Legend, Karaikkal Ammaiyar came to this temple through the head.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS: 

My mobile number is 94866 70043

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is on the bus route from Kumbakonam to Kathiramangalam.

Mayiladuthurai to Kathiramangalam via Kuttalam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

  Inch bas-reliefs Manuneethi Chozha's story

  bas-reliefs at the Rajagopuram entrance

  Inch Sculptures

   Inch Sculptures

   Inch Sculptures

   Inch Sculptures

  Inch Sculptures

  Inch Sculptures

 Ashtabhuja Durgai

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kokileswarar Temple / Kozhambanathar Temple, Thiru Kozhambam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2019.

The second visit to this Sri Kokileswarar  Temple/ Sri Kozhambanathar Temple was a part of the Kumbakonam Heritage Walk organized by "Yaaooyaakay"- யாஊயாகே”  and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  This post has additional details of the History and inscriptions. The details of my previous visit to Sri Kokileswarar Temple /Sri Kozhambanathar Temple were recorded in this same blog.

 

Now this place is called Thiru Kozhambam near Melaagalangan Village. This is the 152^nd Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 35^th Stalam on the south side of the river Kaveri. This temple has the Thirugnanasambandar and Appar’s Devara Pathigam.

Moolavar    : Sri Kokileswarar, Sri Kozhambanathar.

Consort      : Sri Soundaranayagi.

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

The temple faces east with an entrance arch with stucco images of Shiva & Parvati, Vinayagar, and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar. There is a three-tier Rajagopuram in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam and Balipeedam are after the Rajagopuram. An eka-tala Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Agasthiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Natarajar, Pichadanar, Arthanareeswarar, and Durgai.

 

In the praharam Kannimoola Ganapathi, Appar (Thirunavukkarasar), Murugan, Chozha Lingas, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Suryan, and Chandikeswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandaapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with vrudha kumuda. The pilasters are Brahma kantha and Vishnu kantha pilasters. The pilasters consist of malai thongal,  

 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during Parantaka Chozha’s period, expanded by Kulothunga Chozha, and maintained by Vijayanagara Nayaks. Even though this temple was believed to have been constructed by Parantaka-I, the earliest inscription belongs to Uthama Chozha. Rajaraja-I, Rajendran-I, Rajathirajar, and Kulothunga period inscriptions are also there. As per the inscription, Lord Shiva was called Peravur Nattu Thirukozhamba Mahadevar.  In one of the koshta, a sculpture of a lady worshiping Lord Shiva. As per Historians, she may be Uthama Chozha’s daughter. 

 

 A Kulothunga period inscription

LEGENDS

A scar Impression of a cow's leg is found on the Avudayar (Archakar’s son showed me the same). Sri Parvati was cursed by Lord Shiva to be born as a Cow at Thiru Kozhambam and marry him after the curse period was over.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Land Line numbers are: +91 4364 232 055  and +91 4364 2320 005

HOW TO REACH : 

On the bus route from Kumbakonam to Karaikal, get down at S. Pudur (near Melaagalangan Village), and the temple is 1 km.

It can be reached from Thiruvidaimaruthur also.  (Thiruvalangadu) The distance is 5 km.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:  CLICK HERE

 Makara thorana relief

Makara thorana relief

 Makara torana reliefs above koshta

A Dwarapalaka

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---