Monday 4 November 2019

Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple / Karivaradharajar Temple, Vellalore / Vellalur, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

12th October 2019.
The visit to  this Sri Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple at Vellalore was a part of Kongu Heritage Walk scheduled on 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 as Kanchima River ( காஞ்சிமாநதி ). Many Vishnu Temples in Kongunadu are named as Karivaradharaja Perumal Temple and this also one.


The Place Vellalore exists since ancient times. Megalithic period burial grounds are excavated in this place Vellalore. The Rajakesari Peruvazhi / Trade Route from 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 Kongu region.

Moolavar  : Sri Karivaradharajar
Thayar     : Sri Bhoomi Neela Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are…
The temple is facing 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 8th century, urchavar 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 sanctum sanctorum, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam ( built during recent years ). The Sanctum sanctorum is on a pathabhandha adhisthana with yazhivari. In the Yazhi vari 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 side floor level is increased which forms 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 image of Sri Vishnu’s avatars on all the four sides.
         

 Adhisthana

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION
The temple exists since 8th century and believed to be constructed during Kalapirar period ( mentions about  kalvaraiyin kaLvan – may be kalapirars ). The temple was affected many times due to flood in the river Noyyal. The Bhattacharyya told that an agraharam was existed in front of the temple. The temple was reconstructed during Nayak’s period. As per the inscription this place was called as Veerakerala Chathurvedi mangalam.

Most of the inscriptions were lost during reconstruction. The existing inscriptions belongs to Vikrama Chozha, Veera Rajendran. The inscriptions mainly speaks about 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 opened 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: CLICK HERE


 Ramar is being highlighted by the evening sun


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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