12th October
2019.
The visit
to this Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple at Vellalore was a part
of the Kongu Heritage Walk scheduled on the 12th and 13th of October 2019. Vellalore =
Velir + Oor, which means this place belongs to Velir, who engaged themselves in
agriculture and cattle husbandry. This Vishnu temple is on the banks of river
Noyyal also called Kanchima River ( காஞ்சிமாநதி ). Many Vishnu
Temples in Kongunadu are named Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple and this is also
one.
Vellalore has existed since ancient times. Megalithic period burial grounds are excavated in
this place Vellalore. The Rajakesari Peruvazhi / Trade Route from the West Sea
side Chera ports to Chozha Nadu Poompuhar passed through this place. It was a
Trade city and more than 500 Roman coins were unearthed on the
banks of river Noyyal. Out of the Roman Coins found in India,
70% are from the Kongu region.
Moolavar :
Sri Karivaradharajar
Thayar :
Sri Bhoomi Neela Nayagi
Some of the important
features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with a balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan. In the Sanctum Moolavar, Sri
Karivaradharaja is on an ant hill with Sridevi and
Bhudevi. Urchavars and Alwars are in the artha mandapam.
In the prakaram Sri
Varadharaja Perumal, Kalinga Narthanar, Nagars & Vinayagar are under a
peepal tree, Thayar Bhoomi Neela Nayagi, Andal, Veera Anjaneyar, Chakrathalwar
and Yoga Narasimhar.
It was told that
during the 8th century, archival Ulagalantha Perumal was
taken to Singanallur Perumal Temple when the Noyyal River was
flooded. (The Singanallur lake is in between Singanallur and Vellalore). The
same was not returned back and there is no Moolavar at the Singanallur Temple.
The stucco image of Ulagalantha Perumal is on the north side of the Vimana.
ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex
consists of a sanctum sanctorum, an artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam ( built
in recent years ). The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a pada bhandha adhisthana
with Yazhivari. The Yazhi vary along with dancing girls' bas-reliefs, Sri
Vishnu’s Sayana kola bas-relief is also there. Special poojas are offered to
this Sayana Perumal. Since out outside floor level is increased it forms a moat
around the sanctum sanctorum, from upana. The prastaram is of kapotha style
with nasikud. The sanctum sanctorum walls are very simple without koshta or
niches. The Two tier vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimana is built
with brick and stucco images of Sri Vishnu’s avatars on all four sides.
Adhisthana
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTION
The temple has existed since the 8th century and is believed to have been constructed during the Kalapirar period (mentions about Kalvaraiyin KaLvan – maybe Kalapirars). The temple
was affected many times due to floods in the river Noyyal. The Bhattacharyya
said that an Agraharam existed in front of the temple. The temple was
reconstructed during Nayak’s period. As per the inscription this place was
called Veerakerala Chaturvedi Mangalam.
Most of the
inscriptions were lost during reconstruction. The existing inscriptions belong
to Vikrama Chozha and Veera Rajendran. The inscriptions mainly speak about the donation of Lands, Gold, etc for conducting regular poojas and Naivedyam.
In the recent
period, Mahasamproshanam was performed after maintenance.
Inscriptions on the adhisthana
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be
kept open between 06.30 hrs to 10.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs and the
time will be extended on Saturdays and on special occasions.
HOW TO REACH:
Vellalore/ Vellalur
is about 6 KM from Podanur / Pothanur, 16 KM from Ukkadam Bus Stand, and 12.6 KM
from Coimbatore Railway Station.
Town buses are
available from Ukkadam and Gandhipuram City bus terminus.
Nearest Railway
station is Coimbatore Junction.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Ramar is being highlighted by the evening sun
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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