Annan Perumal Temple / Annan Koil / அண்ணன் பெருமாள் கோயில், Thiruvellakulam, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

கண்ணார்கடல்போல் திருமேனிகாரியாய்!

நண்ணார்முனை வென்றிகொள்வார் மன்னுநாங்கூர்

திண்ணார்மதிள்சூழ் திருவெள்ளக்குளத்துள்

அண்ணா! அடியேனிடரைக்களைவாயே

திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் – நாலாம்பத்து – ஏழாம் திருமொழி

பூவார் திருமாமகள் புல்கிய மார்பா !

நாவார் புகழ் வேதியர் மன்னிய நாங்கூர்த்

தேவா! திருவெள்ளக்குளத்து உறைவானே!

ஆவா! அடியான் இவன் என்று அருளாயே.

….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்- பெரியதிருமொழி 4-7-9

This temple Annan Perumal temple is one of the 108 Divya Desam sthalam and 39^th sthalam of  108 Divya Desam in Chozha Nadu. The mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar.

Moolavar : Sri Annan Perumal  and Urchavar Srinivasa Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Alarmel Mangai Nachiyar & Urchavar Padmavathi Thayar

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a Temple tank with neerazhi mandapa and Swetha pushkarani. Sri Vijaya Anjaneyar sannidhi is in front of the 3 tier Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudalwar are in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Annan Perumal is in Standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.  Urchavars Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Padmavathi Thayar also known as Poovar Thirumagal. Alwars are in the mandapam.

In prakaram sannadhi for Sri Alarmel Mangai Thayar and Kumudavalli Nachiyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple  complex consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam.The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an Upanam and Pada bandha adhistanam. The temple was reconstructed with stone up to the half level of Bhitti. The first tala was constructed without stucco images. The tala and greeva koshtas have stucco images of Maha Vishnu's various postures. The sigram is of vesara style. The Vimanam is called as Swetha Vimanam. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

Kumudhavalli Nachiyar belongs to this place. The Kaliyan or Kalikanti a Military commander, Chieftain, and a robber turned Saint and Alwar Married Kumudhavalli Nachiyar and was called Thirumangai Alwar or Thirumangai mannan. The Villagers used to welcome Thirumangai Alwar from the beginning of the Village, whenever he visited the Village Coconut and send would also be given during his departure.

It was believed that the temple was built by early Chozhas and maintained by the latter Chozhas. The mandapam was built during Vijayanagaras / Nayaks. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhisthanam ( The stones were misplaced during renovations ) and Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the pranala. 

fragment inscriptions 

   Yaali PraNaaLa - யாளி ப்ரணாளா - with inscriptions - The inscription reads as  திருவேங்கட நாத பிள்ளை தன்மம்.

  Yaali PraNaaLa - யாளி ப்ரணாளா - with inscriptions. The inscription reads as தாண்டவ மூர்த்தி பிள்ளை தன்மம்

LEGENDS

Swethan was the son of King Thundu Maran, of the Surya dynasty. Fearing early death, Thundumaran sought the help of “Maruthuva Maharishi”, the son of the Sun god. He directed Swethan to do dhyana and chant “Mrityunjaya Manthiram”, under a bilva / Vilva tree on the banks of Swetha Pushkarani.  Lord Vishnu appeared before him and blessed him with a long life.

This Diva Desam is also called South Tirupati. The devotees who couldn’t go to Tirupati can offer to this Annan Perumal.  Since Annan Perumal saved the life of Swethan, Perumal is called Varadhar. Since this temple's Perumal this temple is older than Tirupati Srinivasa Perumal, called Annan Perumal.

This place Thiruvellakulam may be split as Thiru+Vellam+Kulam. Vellam and Kulam signifies water. Vellam can also be taken as Vellai ( white ), since Adhi Vishnu, Rama, and Balarama are white Colour, so this place is called Thiruvellakulam. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas conducted, as per Pancharathra agama, special poojas are conducted on Thirumangai Alwar’s mangalasasana Utsavam ( New Moon Day in the month of Thai- Thirumangai Alwar Utsavar will be brought from Thiruvali – Thirunagari ) and Garuda seva.

During Garuda Seva, all the 11 temple’s Utsavars on Garuda Vahanam and Thirumangai Alwar with his consort Kumudavalli Nachiyar, on Hamsa Vahanam are taken to Sri Narayana Perumal’s temple also called as manimaada Koil. After the Garuda Seva, Thirumangai Alwar with his wife Kumudavalli Nachiar will be taken to all the 11 divya desam temples of Thirunangur. The 11 Diva desams are 1. Sri Narayana Perumal (Manimaadakkoil),2. Sri Kudamaadu koothar (Arimeya Vinnagaram), 3. Sri Semponarangar (Semponsei Koil), 4. Sri Pallikonda Perumaal (Thiruttetriambalam ), 5. Sri Annan Perumaal (Thiruvellakkulam), 6. Sri Purushothama Perumaal (Vanpurusothamam),  7. Sri Varadarajan (Thirumanikoodam), 8. Sri Vaikuntha Nathar (Vaikuntha Vinnagaram),  9. Sri Madhava Perumaal (Thirudevanaar thogai), 10.Sri Partha Sarathy (Thiruparthan Palli) and 11. Sri Gopalan ( Thirukavalampaadi )    

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:

Temple website: http://sriannanperumal.org/Puranam.html

E-mail address: contact@sriannanperumal.org

Madhava Bhattar may be contacted on this landline at +91 4364 266534 and mobile at +91 9489856554 for poojas

The Temple may be contacted on the landline line at +91 4364 266566 and mobile number at +91 9444013814 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 8 KM from Sirkazhi on Sirkazhi to Karaikal NH45A,  High way. After reaching 7 KM there is an arch on the left side and the temple is about 1 KM off the main road.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sattainathar Temple / Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th & 15^th September 2019. 

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, Architecture, Legends etc,. For the updated post details please click this Link. 

The visit to this Sirkazhi Sattainathar Temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalangal darshan. This second visit was a part of the Temple's visit, in and around Sirkazhi on the 14^th and 15^th of September 2019.  On the 15^th morning, I had the chance to visit this temple since this was not planned in our program. This is the 68^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 14^th sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple is in the heart of  Sirkazhi city.

Moolavar : Sri Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Thoniappar, Sri Sattainathar.

Consort   : Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Thirunilai Nayagi.

Some of the important features of these temples are as follows.

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram, Balipeedam, Rishabam, and Dwajasthambam in front of the Mukha mandapa. The Temple tank is after the Rajagopuram. This is a unique malai Koil with  3 tiers above the Moolavar, Thoniappar – beautiful big sila roopam signifies Kailayam, and 3^rd tier, Sattainathar- can be viewed through a window.

There are Rajagopurams of 5 tiers East, South, and North. Ashta Bhairavar sannidhi is after the entrance of South Rajagopuram. In prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar and 63var.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing east and the temple tank is in front. A 3-tier Rajagopuram with a mandapam is in front. In koshtam Shyamala Devi, Icha Sakthi, Kriya Shakti, Gnana Sakthi, and Durgai. Sandikeswari is in the prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on Upapedam and Padma Bandha Adhisthana with Vrutha Kumudam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during the early Chozhas / Pallava Period. The temple has a lot of inscriptions which include Kulothunga Chozha –III (ARE 124 of 1896; SII, V, no. 989) and Rajadhiraja-II. The temple was further expanded during Latter Chozhas Kulothunga-I, II, III, and Vikrama Chozha. The inscriptions mainly speak about the donation of Lands, and cattle for burning perpetual lamps, celebrations, and poojas. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Tirut-Tonipuram Udaiya Nayanar  

LEGEND:

This is the birthplace of Thirugnanasambandar and he was fortunate to receive milk ( Ganappal ) from Ambal when he was a child. Gananatha Nayanar has done thiruthondu in this temple. Murugan, Kali, Brahma, Thirumal, Guru, Indran, Suryan, Chandran, Agni, Adiseshan, Raghu, Ketu, and Vyasar worshiped Lord Shiva of this  temple.

The place Sirkazhi was called by different names, Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Pukali, Venkudu, Thonipuram, Poonthurai, Sirapuram, Sambai, and Kazhumalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number 04364 270235 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH :

Buses are available from different parts of  Tamil Nadu to this temple town

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 

 ( 5 Tier Rajagopuram )

 ( front Mandapam )

 ( Temple tank with temple view )

 ( Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvati as Rishabaroodar on the top )

 ( Moolavar and Sattainathar vimanam )

                                               ( Moolavar and Sattainathar vimanam ) 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thirukolakka Sapthapureeswarar Temple, Thirukalakka, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Inscriptions, Architecture, Legends, etc,. For the updated post details please click this Link. 

The visit to this Thirukolakka Sapthapureeswarar Temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalams darshan. This second visit was a part of a Temple visit, in and around Sirkazhi on the 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. It was almost 20.00 hrs and the temple was about to close. The front arch with stucco images on both sides was constructed after my first visit. This temple is also called “Osai Kodutha Nayaki temple”. This is the 69^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 15^th temple on the north side of river Kaveri. This temple has got Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar Thevaram Pathigam. This temple is about a KM from Sirkazhi Sattainathar / Sri Thoniappar Temple.

 

Moolavar : Sri Sapthapureeswarar, Sri Thiruthalamudayar, 

                Sri Thiruthalapureeswarar.

Consort   : Sri Osainayagi, Sri Osaikodutha Nayagi, 

                Sri Thonipranthambal.

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

The temple faces west with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. Moolavar is a little large. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Vishnu Durgai ( Astabhujam ), Ayyappan, Suryan, and Chandran. In artha mandapam Natarajar, Sri Thalapureeswarar  and Osai Nayaki.

In prakaram Sambandha Vinayagar, Somaskandar,  Sri Subramaniar, Sri Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar, Shani Bhagwan and Shiva Lingas. Ambal is in a separate Temple with a separate entrance with an interconnecting gate (The main entrance is locked)

LEGEND :

Lord Shiva gave thalam to Thirugnanasambandar. There is a story that a dump boy was able to speak by the grace of Shiva of this temple, So his father denoted a golden thalam to this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number 04364 274175 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH :

1.0 Km from Thoniappar / Sattainathar temple.

Local people used to call this temple “Osai Kodutha Nayaki temple”.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

 ( Moolavar Vimanam with Dakshinamurthy sannadhi )

 ( Ambal sannadhi Koshtam image of  Kiriya Kakthi )

 ( Corridor view )

( Dakshinamurthy with Sanagatha Munivars )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Achalpuram Shivalokathyagar Temple, Thiru Nallur perumanam / Achalpuram, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, History, Architecture, Inscriptions, Legends and celebrations. For the updated post details please click this Link. 

This Achalpuram Shivalokathyagar Temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalangal Darshan. This second visit was a part of Temple's visit in and around Sirkazhi on the 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. After Thillai Kali Amman darshan on the way to Sirkazhi, we diverted to Achalpuram. In Thevara hymns this place was mentioned as Thiru Nallur Perumanam.  Now this place is called Achalpuram. This is the 59^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 5^{th Sthalam} on the northern side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Shivalokathyagar, Sri Perumanamudaya Mahadevar.

Consort      : Sri Venneertru Umainangai, Sri Swetha Vibhuthi Nayagi.

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

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam, and Dwajasthambam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar thirumeni to be seen. In Koshtam Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dakshinamurthy ( to see the beauty ), Sri Lingothbavar, Sri Brahma,  and Sri Durgai. Stucco image of Thirugnanasambandar with his wife merged with Shiva Jyothi above the entrance of Moolavar sannadhi.

In the prakaram Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Ranavimosanar, Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Sattainathar, Suryan and Chandran, Sri Rina vimosanar. Also Moorthis  of Tripura samharar, Chandrasekar, Sekkizhar, Pichadanar, Thiruneelakanda Yazhapanar, Madhanga soolamani, Neela nakkar, Muruga nayanar, Thirugnanasambandar in the prakaram.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. 

LEGENDS

This is the place where Thirugnanasambandar merged with Shiva Jothi along with his wife Thothira Poornambigai and relatives and a separate sannadhi is in the praharam.

Thirugnanasambandar Kalyana mandapam in which Thirugnanasambandar marriage festival  will be conducted every year. A separate temple for Sri Thirugnanasambandar and his wife Sri Sthothra Poornambigai in kalyana kolam is in front of Dwajasthambam.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

The temple was constructed during medieval Chozhas or Pallavas. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the walls of the 2^nd prakara. Lord Shiva is referred to as Nallur Peruman.  The inscriptions belong to Rajaraja-I, Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga-III, Rajaraja-III and Maravarman Sundara Pandyan. The Ambal temple was constructed in 1210 CE.

The inscriptions mainly speak about donations in terms of Land, Cattle given to this temple towards regular poojas, Naivedyam, and burning of perpetual lamps, etc,.

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 :

Contact phone number 04364 278272

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses from Chidambaram & Sirkazhi to Mahendrappalli pass through this Village.

8 KM from Kollidam on the left side after crossing the Railway track.

Nearest Railway station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

 ( Vinayagar Sannadhi )

  

 ( Dwarabalakis Stucco images )

 ( Dakshinamoorthy Stucco image above Dakshinamoorthy sannadhi )

( 5 Tier Rajagopuram )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thillai Kali Amman Temple / Thillai Kali Temple, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of the Temple's Visit in and around Sirkazhi on the 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. After the Darshan of Sri Raghavendra, at the Raghavendra’s birthplace temple, Bhuvanagiri on the way Sirkazhi,  visited this temple at Chidambaram. This temple is about 2 KM from Nataraja Temple.

Deity        : Sri Thillai Kali Amman

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple faces west with a mandapam and Kali’s stucco image is on the parapet wall of the mandapam. Soolam with balipeedam is in the mandapam. Vinayagar is on the left and  Karthikeyan (Arumugam) is on the right in front of the Rajagopuram. A 3-tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum complex. 

Kali Amman is in the sanctum with four faces. In Koshtam Brahma Sworubini, Naga Vaishnava Sworubini, Kadamba Vana Dakshina Sworubini, Sri Veena Vidya Ambigai. In Prakaram sannadhi for Urchava Ammans, Veerabhadra, Nagars, Bhairavar and Chandikeswarar.

In the mandapa on the left sannadhi for Veeraperumal ( A hero Stone Arikandam ), Navakanda statues, and Kali with ferocious face ( Nisumbasoothini ). Fully covered with saree / vasthra and kungum are sprinkled over the vasthiram. The Veera Perumal is a Hero Stone Arikandam or Navakandam. During the Chozha and Pallava periods, it was the practice of soldiers, to offer their heads to Kali, to get victory in the war or for the well-being of the King. A Hero stone will be erected in memory of the heroes in front of Kali.

ARCHITECTURE 

The temple consists of sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple prati bhandha adhistana with Jagathy, Vrutha Kumudam, and Yazhivari. The Prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, and Viyyalavari. In the prastaram, adhama padmam in the valabi and yazhivari on the in Bhumi desam. A single-tier gopura-type vimana with 5 kalasas is on the sanctum sanctorum. The main 3-tier Rajagopuram is with 7 Kalasas.

 Amman Vimana back side

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The presence of Kali as Nisumbasoothani with hero stones indicates that the temple might have existed during the Pallava or Chozha period as a brick temple. As per the 12 inscriptions (between 1229 – 1278 CE) available, this temple was reconstructed  as a stone temple by  Kadava King Kopperunchinga-I (1216-1242 CE) (called themselves the descendants of Pallavas or Latter Pallavas). 

The inscriptions (South Indian Inscriptions V-8, 706 to 717) speak about the reconstruction of this temple, the donation of land, and pooja articles like Turmeric, Kungumam, Oil, and naivedyam offered to Kali. As per the inscriptions Kali was called Pidari. The Inscription SI V-8, 717, speaks of the donation of land measuring 50 kuzhi with periphery limits of the land.

The temple is under the control of the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1987 and 2007.

Ref:

South Indian Inscriptions Volume-8

LEGENDS

The Sthala Purana story of Thiruvalangadu temple is applied to this temple also. As per the sthala purana, The argument of who is superior, between Lord Shiva and Parvati was resolved through a dance. It was agreed that whoever was defeated should go, outside the limit of Chidambaram. Knowing well Lord Shiva performed the “Oorthuva Tandav”, which Parvati couldn’t perform due to modesty and shyness. So Parvati as Kali went to the north side of the city Limit with anger. Kali was pacified by Brahma through the chanting of Veda and praising her. Since Brahma pacified Kali, this Thillai Kali has 4 heads.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 Hrs with 4 kala poojas.

CONTACT DETAIL:
The temple may be contacted on landline 04144 - 230251 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 1 KM from Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and 55 KM from the District headquarters.

A lot of buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu.

The nearest Railway station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Amman Vimana - view from the south

 Bhairavar Sannadhi

 Thillai Kali Amman - with a ferocious look

 Veera Perumal - A Navakanda ( Arikanda ) Hero Stone 

 Navakanda Hero stones

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---