17th November 2019.
The visit to this temple was a part of the Thirumukkudal Temples visit scheduled on the 16th and 17th of
November 2019. After visiting Thirunathar Kundru, the Jain monuments, thought
of visiting this 7th century Pallava period Rock cut cave temple,
which is about 2 KM from there. This place is called in different names like
Simhachalam, Simhapuram, Vishnu Senji, etc,.
Moolavar :
Sri Ranganathar
Consort :
Sri Ranganayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple is on the hill and can be reached
through 163 steep steps neatly paved. A mandapa called oonjal mandapa (Swing mandapa) is at the
beginning of the steps with 4 pillars, of which one is original and three are
of concrete ( Perhaps the original pillars might have been damaged ). At the
start of the steps, the office is on the right, and Ranganathar’s footprint ( Conch and Chakra
are on both sides ) and 5 Hanumans as bas-reliefs on the left boulder. At the
top of the hill is the 5-tier Rajagopuram. Sri Varadharajar temple is just after
the Rajagopuram. Since this temple is not a constructed one, so the usual
architectural norms cannot be applied to this temple. A Garudathoon /
Deepasthambham, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam are on the east side. Nagars are
under a peepal tree.
Sannadhi for Chakkarathalwar, Hanuman, Garudan,
Sri Ramanujar, Desikar and Thayar Ranganayagi are in the mandapams. A Vimana is
on the Thayar sannidhi. A brick 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the moolavar sanctum.
Lakshmi Varahar sannadhi is near the Paramapatha vassal.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum is a rock-cut cave. The
sanctum and artha mandapam are excavated. The sanctum is supported by two square
pillars with octagonal shaft in
between and two pilasters. The excavation
of this cave reminds the Mandagapattu rock-cut cave. On both ends of the caves
are dwarapalakas. Vishnu as Ranganathar is keeping his head on the south side
and legs on the north side in Bhoga sayana on Adhiseshan, measuring 24
feet long. Adhiseshan's 5-headed hood is above his head and Ranganathar’s face is looking up. Brahma is
seated on a Lotus flower which emanates from Vishnu’s naval. Ranganathar’s left
hand is in kataka mudra and the right hand is stretched out, like patting
Adhiseshan. On the right side of Brahma a flying gana holds a weapon and a
sword is shown on the right. On the left of Brahma is the Garuda. His left hand
is raised in suchi mudra and his right hand is on his waist. His wings are
shown behind his body. On Garuda’s left are shown two demons Madhu and Kaitabha.
One of them is holding a club and the right hand stretched towards Ranganathar.
Another demon is also holding a club that rests on his thigh. This shows that
both are planning to attack Vishnu and
Garuda’s suchi mudra gives them a warning. At the same time, Adhiseshan is
spitting fire on the demons. Below the adiseshan are the Bhudevi, Naradhar,
Prakalathan, Athri and Bhrigu Maharishi. Urchavars are Kothandaramar, Lakshmi
Narayana, Lakshmi Varaha and Alwars.
On the left side of the Dwarapalaka is Durga, shown
as a basrelief. Durga is standing on the buffalo’s (Mahishasura) head in tribhanga
posture. While the upper hands holds Conch and Chakra, the lower hands are
resting on her thigh and waist. She wears minimum ornaments. On both sides are
two devotees in kneeling posture. One devotee is shown cutting his hand with a knife
to offer blood. The other devotee on the left is holding a flower in one hand
and the other hand keeping on his waist. This can be viewed through an opening
provided on the right side of Thayar Ranganayaki’s sannadhi.
HISTORY &
INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that Singavaram could be Simhapura, the capital of
Simhapuranadu founded by Simhavishnu. The presence of Rock Cut Cave Vishnu
temple and the Durgai in the same place, it is believed that the Rock Cut Cave was excavated during Mahendravarman-I’s period. However, some scholars believe that it could have been excavated during Narasimhavarman-II, which was
also called Simhavishnu.
Kulothunga Chozha, Kopperunchinga, and Vijayanagara
inscriptions are found in the front mandapam. The 1246 CE Kopperunchinga’s inscription
records the gift of 30 Cows for burning a perpetual lamp.
During 1323 CE Ulugh Khan's invasion at Srirangam,
Sri Ranganathar was brought to this temple. Gopanna, a Vijayanagara official
who had taken this temple’s Urchavar during the Muslim invasion of Tirumala. Subsequently brought back to
Singavaram and reinstated in 1371 CE.
Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 2010.
(A. R. No. 228 of 1904).
Singavaram, Gingee Taluk, South Arcot District.
On the left wing stone at the entrance into the central shrine
in the Ranganatha temple.
The
title ‘Avanialappirandan’ is added in the present inscription dated in the 4th
year, to the name Sakalabhuvanachakravarttigal Kopperunjinga. The inscription
registers a gift of 30 cows for a perpetual lamp in the temple of
Tiruppanrikunru-Emberuman by Ilaiyaperumal Vattarayar son of Tavancheydan
Vattarayan of Karuvili. The
astronomical details given in the record correspond to A.D. 1246, August 26,
Sunday; .53; the nakshatra Tiruvonam had, however, ended the previous day, and
‘Sravishtha’ was current till .75 on this day.
Chozha period inscription
LEGENDS
The King Raja Desingu, who ruled Gingee worshiped this
Ranganathar as his kula Deivam. He used to speak with Singavaram Ranganathar.
Once, Raja Desingu went to war without listening to Perumal’s words, so Perumal got angry and turned his head towards the South.
During Mahendravarman’s father Simhavarman's period,
a Varaha was found eating the flower in their nandhavanam. When it was chased,
it reached the Ranganathar Temple after climbing the hill and disappeared.
Simha Vishnu had the darshan of this Bhoga Sayana Ranganathar on this hill and
Mahendravarman, his son named this hill
as Simhachalam. The Hill also called as Tiruppanrikundru ( திருபன்றிக்குன்று ).
FUNCTIONS
& CELEBRATIONS
Apart from the regular Poojas Vaikasi Visakam,
Garuda seva, Masi maha theerthavari festival, Pavithra urchavam, which starts
on the Adi month second Friday is celebrated in a grand manner. It was said that
Urchavars were kept at Pondicherry during the Muslim invasion, so during the Masimaha
festival, Perumal used to Visit Pondicherry also.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs
to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS:
The following mobile numbers +91 8098329060 and
+91 9345879028 may be contacted for further
details.
HOW TO REACH:
Sri Ranganathar temple is on the top of a hill at Singavaram.
Singavaram is 4.7 KM from Gingee, 32 KM from
Tindivanam, 103 KM from Kanchipuram, and 204 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Tindivanam.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
Very well documented. All info provided, be it legend or historical. Well researched
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Sir, for visiting my blog and thanks for the encouraging comments...
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