Sri Veetrirundha Perumal Temple / Sri Veetriruntha Perumal Temple, Veppathur near Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th July 2019.

The Visit to this Veppathur Veetrirundha Perumal Temple   was a par of  Kumbakonam Heritage walk organised by “Yaaooyakay” – யாஊயாகே and "Celebrate Kanchi" on 27^th and 28^th July 2019.  In this walk 13 temples were covered, which includes 6 Padal Petra Shiva Temples. Will be postings the details of the temples which are  not covered during my previous visits/ Paadal Petra Sthalangal Visit. The place Veppathur is on the banks of river Kaveri and in between Kaveri and river Palavar. 

HISTORY:

This Veppathur Village  was once a Vedic learning center compared to University of Prayag ( Allahabad ). This was mentioned by Maha Periyava in Deivathin Kural. He said the small hillock lying in the village is a submerged Vishnu temple of Pre-Pallava Period ( 560 AD) and wished someone to come forward for the renovation of this temple. As per Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, this Vishnu temple “Vittirunda Perumal Koil”  might be belonging to Pre Mahendra Varman ( 560 CE ) Period.   This brick temple constructed without using stone  indicates its early phase  and the remains of Pallava mural painting traces can be seen on the sanctum inside walls. 

The Veppathur Village was once a well established Chathurvedi Mangalams, that flourishes during Pallava, Chozha and Vijayanagara Period.   This may be only known Pallava period brick temple in Chozha mandalam. Latter this temple was patronized by the Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. Chozhas converted all the brick temples  with stone temples, but this was untouched. The traces of Mural paintings of the three rulers may be seen on the sanctum inside walls, one over the other.

As per the Rajendra-I ( 1021 CE ) inscription ( ARE 292 of 1908 ) at Thirukazhitittai, Sri Vedapurisvara Temple an Adjacent Village mentions this place Vempattur also called as Cholamartandachadurvedi Mangalam. Some people claims that this place was also called as “Avani Narayana Chaturvedi mangalam” and the temple was called as “Avani Narayana Vinnagar”.

The original stucco seated Vishnu idol was replaced with stone idols during 17^th Century Vijayanagara period, probably the original idol found damaged. Latter why the temple was abandoned is not known. It was told by the villagers that the idols were brought down and kept in a small temporary temple during beginning of 20^th Century. The idea of shifting the idols to another temple was abandoned by the Villagers as per the advice of Kanchi Maha Periyava during his visit in 1990.  He also advised the villagers to explore the possibilities of rebuilding the temple. The re-construction works has been started by R.E.A.C.H Foundation under the head of Dr Sathyamoorthy, the founder and  the former ASI Official.

   

The sanctum and Vimana was rebuilt using specially made bricks and binding were done with lime mortar. The Original vimana inner core was bonded with lime and the outer core was bonded with a thin layer of mud, to look like joint less metal mould finish appearance. The present re-construction of the temple also adopted the same old ancient method. Due to this, whenever there were external shear thrust on the Vimana the outer core moved without transforming the force to the inner core.  The newly rebuilt Vimana is about 90 feet high with 5 tiers.

HOW TO REACH:

Veppathur is about 4.5 KM from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 10 KM from Kumbakonam and 57 KM from Thanjavur.

Nearest railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Traces of Mural paintings

Traces of Mural Paintings 

Some more information & Comments from my Face Book page

Ramachandran Guruswamy Omitted to mention that Veppathur Thiruvisalur Idavai combined known as Vembil Fort. Vembil Fort was bone of contention between Maran Parankusan and Dantivarman. Sivaliganathar Koil and Karkateshwar koil were dear to Cholas up to Rajendra I. Rajaraja made neerkadan at Tiruvalanchuli and Tiruvisalur. Temple surrounded by moat was common. Sivalokanathar temple now in ruins is also having remniscene of moats
Most of early Perumal Temple were Sudhai
Our family had house at South Street for at least 250 years and my father's maternal grandmother in the absence of male heir donated house to Perumal temple. Hence the present Venkatachalapathi temple would have evolved at least 300 years. Kaiassnathar temple lies north east. Veetriirntha Perumal Temple lies to South West of present village nearer to Palavaru
Incidentally the Agraharam in Tiruvisalur with house of Sri Sridara Ayyaval is nearer to river Cauvery. Most historians omit one thing most of the habitations of Cholas were away from rivers. (Kumbakonam/Thiruvidaimarudur Mayiladuthurai etc.,) while new habitations of Vijayanayagar were near the river(eg., Yagasalai street David street Vijayendra Swamigal Mutt Kumbakonam Tiruvisalur present agraharam Tiruvalangadu present agraharam Mahadhana street Tiruvidaimarudur Mayiladuthurai etc.,
If the legacy of Veetriiuntha Perumal Temple is to be brought forth extensive excavation from Kovilacheri to old Tiruvisalur has to be done to trace VEMBIL FORT

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  Veludharan Thanks for all the information - I will Copy and paste in the post of my blog..

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  Ramachandran Guruswamy Veludharan Thanks

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