Hero Stones / Veerakallu / Navakandam / Nadukarkal - நடுகற்கள்- at Thirukarai Eswarar Temple, Manampathy, near Thiruporur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th November 2019.

The visit to this Hero stones / Veerakallu / Nadukarkal Navakanda Statues kept in front of  Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple was a part of  Pallava  and Chozha period temples Visit scheduled on 24^th November 2019.

There are 7 Navakanda statues kept in a row abutting the east side wall of  Sri Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple. The statues are from 1.5 feet to 5 feet high. Of the seven 3 are Arikandam. In that one hero is cutting his head holding sword in both hands.  All the navakanda statues are shown with half dress shown below the waist and ornaments on the neck.  Two  navakanda statues  belongs to 16^th to 17^th century Nayak period ( Nayak style tuft and mustache ) and the rest belongs to 13^th to 14^th Century.  They are of Thondaimandala style sculptures with headgear and big mustache hanging down.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

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Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple / Tirukarai Eswarar Temple, Manampathy ( Near Thiruporur ), Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th November 2019.

The visit to this Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple was a part of  Pallava  and Chozha period temples Visit scheduled on 24^th November 2019. After Kattur Uthira Vaithyalingeshwarar Darshan, we came to Manampathy little late and found the temple was closed after Uchi kala pooja. It was told that the temple will be opened only after 16.30 hrs.  Decided to visit one or two temples around Manampathy. After Visiting Mullipakkam Parasuramar Temple and Agaram Sri Kailasanathar temple, came once again to Manampathy.

Moolavar  : Sri Thirukkarai Eswarar

Consort    : Sri Padalambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi are in front of the Mukha mandapam. Vallabha Ganapathy, Navagrahas and Parambarai dharmakartha photos are in the mukha mandapam. Chozha dwarapalakas are at the entrance of maha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In the inner prakaram Suryan, Nalvar, Two Veerabhadras, Urchavars, Mahaganapathi, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Two Bhairavas ( one Bhairavar is sitting on the Dog ) and addition to this a balipeda and Nandhi are there.  In the outer prakaram there are loose sculptures which includes Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Veerabhadra and a Jyeshta Devi.

Ambal temple is on the right side immediately after the 5 tier Rajagopuram.  Ambal temple is facing south with Sanctum and artha mandapam. Balipeedam and Simha vahanas are in the artha mandapam. Stucco images of Garbarakshambigai, Kamakshi, Sri Meenakshi,  Sri Lakshmi Durgai and Sri Saraswathy.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum is on pathabhandha adhisthana. The Vimana over the adhisthana is of Gajabrushta vimanam. The Vimana is of single tier. The prastaram is of kapotha style. The prakaram ceiling matches the level of prastaram.

 

HISTORY and INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was constructed during 10^th to 11^th Century Chozha period and Chozha period inscriptions are found on the sanctum walls and Kumuda. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Vanavanmadevi Chaturvedi mangalam, Kalakattur, and Lord Shiva was called as Thirukarapuramudaya Nayanar. The inscriptions are white washed and are not in readable condition. The front mandapa was constructed during Vijayanagara and Nayak's period. ( Inscriptions are recorded in ARE 1930 -31 and also Refer SII Volume XII  - 237, Volume XIII- 127, 191,192, SII Volume XIX- 385 ).  

The Pallava King Koperunchingan's 15th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning of sandhi lamp by Vanavanmadevi Udayan Sivadasan Rishabavahanadevan Thiruvegambamudayan and his brother Alavantha Pillai. For which 4 Cows of which 2 are milching and a calf. 

Kovi Rajakesaribarmar's ( Gandaraditya Chozha ) 5th reign year inscription records the endowment of a land for burning perpetual lamp, by a resident of the Village.

Rajaraja-I's 8th reign year inscription records the endowment of a land after purchase from Sabha of this village to this temple at Kalakattur in Amoor Kottam, by Araiyan Thillaikuttan Rajaraja animuri Nadalvan.

Another fragmentary inscription records some endowment by a Chief and his name is lost. 

Koparakesari Barmar's ( Uttama Chozha ), 15th reign year inscription records the endowment of 96 Sheep for burning a  perpetual lamp by Sri Madurantaka Muppathy Iladarajan.

Sambuvaraya king Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar's 9th reign year inscription records the gift of tax free land in the village of Vanavanmadevi, a quarter  of Thirukalukkundram to the temple of Thirukarapuramudaya Nayanar for offerings and repairs etc,. 

Another Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar's inscription records the gift of Lamp by Gunamenmani Sambandan, the Headman of Tattamadai.  

Vijayanagara King Venkalapatideva Maharaya  Saka 1523 records when as a result of a temple dispute between Kaikolas and the Merchants of Vanavanmadevi, the former were about to leave the place, Dalavay Senjama Nayaka the agent of the King ordered that they could remain in the Village and that the merchants had no concern in the temples of Udaiyavar, Perumal and Pillayar.   

Kumbhabhishekam was conducted 1960, 1989, 2002 and 2015.

 Inscriptions

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

Thiruporur to Manampathy a Town bus is available.

The temple is about 11.4 KM from Thiruporur, 9.5 KM from Tirukalukundram and   18 KM from Chengalpattu.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

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Sri Kailasanathar Kovil, Agaram, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th November 2019.

The visit to this Agaram Sri Kailasanathar Temple was a part of  Pallava  and Choha period temples Visit scheduled on 24^th November 2019. After Mullipakkam Sri Parasuramar Temple’s visit had been to this temple, which is on the way to Manampathy and about 500 meters from the Mullipakkam and Manampathy road Junction.

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar

Consort    : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with and entrance arch. Balipeedam and Nandhi are in-front of the temple. The Temple is about 3 feet above the ground level with a flight of 5 steps. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a maha mandapam. Moolavar is little big looks majestic.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In prakaram Ambal sannidhi facing east, Chandikeswarar. In the maha mandapam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, some loose sculptures, Bhairavar and Navagrahas. The Navagrahas are in sitting posture on their respective vahanas.

ARCHITECTURE.

The Sanctum sanctorum was built on a "Sroni pendham - "ஸ்ரோணி பெந்தம்"- padmam at jagathy, jagathy and tripatta kumuda adhisthana. Vimana was built over the sanctum do not comply any silpa sasthira or agama. A small Vimana like Ambal vimanam was built ( an unknown contractor had done it ).

The artha mandapam was built during Vijayanagara period and are supported by 16 pillars with reliefs like Garudan, Natarajar, Hanuman playing Mridangam, etc.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The adhisthana has the 12^th to 13^th Century and 16^th century inscriptions. The Original temple might have been constructed during Chozha's period and latter extended during Vijayanagara's period.

Nayaka period inscription

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since orkala pooja is conducted opening and closing times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from the Village.

Agaram is about a KM from Manampathy,  18.6 KM from Thiruporur, 12 KM from Tirukalukundram and   15 KM from Chengalpattu.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

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Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal Temple / Sri Vaikunta vasa Perumal / Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal Temple, Acharavakkam, Manampathy, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th November 2019.

The visit to this Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal Temple was a part of  Pallava  and Chozha period temples Visit scheduled on 24^th November 2019. After Kattur Uthira Vaithya Lingeswarar Darshan we proceeded towards Manampathy. Before entering the Village we happened to see this temple which is under renovation. The Front mandapa is under construction and Vimana is under renovation.

Moolavar  : Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal

Thayar     : Sridevi and Bhudevi

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a  entrance Gate. The Garudan, balipeedam and Deepa sthambam is after the entrance. Moolavar Sri Vaikunta vasa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi.  Thayar is in a small sannadhi on the back side in highly eroded condition.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and Mukha mandapam.The sanctum sanctorum is on a padmabhandha adhisthana with tripatta kumuda.  The Koshta niches are projecting out side  called patra salas with virutha kumuda, prati bandha adhisthana. There is no idols in the koshtas. Prastaram is of Kapotha style with karnakood.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION:

The adhistanam has the inscriptions of Vikrama Chozha, starts with his meikeerthi / title “Poomathu punara…பூமாது புணர...”. For this temple might have been constructed before 12^th Century. The Temple had the contributions of Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Nayaks. The Vijayanagara period inscriptions are also found on the mandapa walls.

Vikrama Chozha's 15th reign year inscription ( much damaged ) records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp for which cows were gifted.  

Vijayanagara King Ariyana Udaiyar's period inscription records the construction of Maha mandapa and the Mukha mandapa by Sirigirinadar son of Bolu Nayaka.

  

Vikrama Chozha Inscription

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is under renovation and orukala pooja is conducted. The opening and closing are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 500 meters from Manampathy Village.

The temple is about 11.4 KM from Thiruporur, 9.5 KM from Tirukalukundram and   18 KM from Chengalpattu.

Nearest Railway station is Chengalpattu.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

Durgai

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