Sri Brahmeshwarar Temple / Eswaran Temple, Brahmadesam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

 03^rd February 2020.

This Brahmeshwarar Temple’s visit was a part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. During Chozha’s rule, a village gifted to a temple was called Brahmadesam. By seeing the name of the Village as Brahmadesam, we thought that there must be an old temple, built during the Chozha period. But to our disappointment, we landed in this temple and couldn't find antiquity, since the temple was reconstructed many times, and the original structures are not maintained.

Moolavar  : Sri Brahmeshwarar

Consort    : Sri Brahmeshwari

Some of the important details are …

The temple faces east with a Balipeedam and Rishabam. The sanctum sanctorum niches/koshtas are empty, but Dakshinamurti, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai are installed in front of the koshtas. The thorana, above the niches, with Bootha gana heads with protruding teeth & various expressions. Ambal is in a separate temple, like a sannidhi, facing east. A simha vahana is in front of the Ambal sannadhi.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Saneeswarar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Suryan, and Chandran.

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum of Shiva and Ambal temples is constructed with pada bandha adhistanam. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The koshtas depth is less to accommodate the images. The toranas above the niches/koshtas are carved with Bhuta ganas with various facial expressions & protruding teeth. The prastaram is simple with nasis and without images in the koodu. A two-tala nagara vimana is in the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Going by the architecture of the temple, the temple may be 300 to 400 years old and re-constructed in recent years. 19th-20th-century inscriptions are found on the walls of the ardha mandapam. Two times renovations have been carried out in 1999 and 2011, and Kumbhabhishekam was conducted.

A 19th to 20th century inscriptions

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The Gurukkal may be contacted on his mobile at 6381646716 and 7502845238 for further clarifications.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 250 meters from the village.

Brahmadesam is about 21 km from Bhavani, 34 km from Erode,  124 km from Coimbatore, and 421 km from Chennai

The nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Anthiyur Gurunatha Swamy Vanam Temple / குருநாதர் கோவில் / VANAKOVIL, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

                                                                            03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Gurunatha Swamy Temple’s Visit was part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This is one of the 800 and odd years old temples of Erode District. A Unique Market for the Horses. Happened to see some abandoned horses roaming on the street, which are not sold during the festival. This article deals with the temple that one in Vanam (வனம் - காடு) and not the one in the Village.

    

 Sivagurunatha Swamy

Moolavar: Gurunatha Swamy

Some of the important features of this temple…
This is a unique temple in which a boulder is worshiped as Lord Shiva and Muruga as Moolavar Gurunatha Swamy. It is believed that Muruga taught/உபதேசம் Panchatcharam mantra to Shiva, hence called Gurunatha Swamy.

The other deities, Sri Kamakshi Amman, Vishnu, Veerabhadra, Nava Kanniyars, Anjaneyar, Pavalamalai Eswaran, Siddheswarar, Bhandheswarar, Kundrudayar, Pancha Pandavas, etc, are in the form of Stones.

FESTIVAL
The annual 4-day festival will be held in August (Aadi month). During that time a cattle market with indigenous breeds of cows and horses will be held. People from various parts of our country will attend. Breeds such as Alambadi and Bargur will also be on display. Dwarf cows from Andhra Pradesh, goats, buffaloes, and oxen will be sold. The locals will also gather to buy domestic goods. The local agricultural products will also in display. Some of the horses which not sold and are not worth taking back will be left behind.   

TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs. This VanaKovil will always be open.

HOW TO REACH:
This temple is about 2 kilometers from Anthiyur Bus Stand.
Anthiyur is 18.5 km from Bhavani, 25 km from Erode, 23.8 km from Gobichettipalayam, 108 km from Coimbatore, and 400 km from Chennai.
The nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Pancha Pandavas

 Vishnu & Anjaneyar

 Navakanniyar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Anthiyur Chelliswarar Temple / Sri Chelleeswarar Temple, Anthiyur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Chelliswarar Temple’s Visit was a part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This is one of the 800 and odd years old temples of Erode District. This temple has an inscription, in which The King had issued an order in favor of a community to abolish the restrictions imposed on them, by another community.

Moolavar  : Sri Chelliswarar

Consort    : Sri Chelliswari

Some of the important features of this temple…

The temple faces east with a balipeedam and Nandhi.  Vinayagar and Nagars are under a tree on the outside of the temple complex. The temple complex is about 3 feet below the outside ground level. Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, and Durga are not inside the koshtam but kept outside.

In prakaram Suryan, Chandran, Kannimoola Ganapathi, Arumuga Subramaniyar with Sri Valli DevaSena, Veera Kala Bhairavar and Saneeswaran, Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi facing east like moolavar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The 2 thala vimana is on the simple pada bandha adhisthana and Vedhika.  Since this temple was reconstructed many times, we do not know the original construction of this temple. The present temple looks like a 16^th to 17^th Century temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are two inscriptions recorded in this temple.  The 13^th Century Kongu Pandyar Veerapandian period inscription on the west side wall records the abolition of restrictions imposed on 5 sections of Kammalars ( Acharis / Viswakarmas / Asaris ),( கொல்லர், தச்சர், கன்னார், கற்சிற்பி, பொற்கொல்லர் ) by another community. The King’s order permits the 5 sections of Kammalars /  Acharis can wear footwear, plaster their houses, blow conch on Good and bad events /functions, and play drums ( பேரிகை ). A copy of this inscription is also available at the Perur, Gudimangalam, Karur, Kadathur, Modakkur, Pariyur, and Avinashi temples.

Another 13^th Century Kongu Pandyar Veerapandyan’s 11th-year rule period inscription records the donation of 10 panam ( money ) towards the burning of Sandhya Deepam by Vadakarai nattu Anthiyur Narambarkal Nattu Kamindan and Kasiba Gothra Periya Thevan Pillai Theva Narayana Narpathennayira Nambi.

The 16^th Century Ummathur Veerananjarayar period inscription records the donation of Land to this temple. It mentions that Ponnankattiyar Venkadanathar’s farmland after his death was sold to and purchased a new land for 20 Panam and a Samadhi was built for him. The new land with Samadhi was donated to this Shiva temple. This was done by 5 persons, whose names are also inscribed.

Inscriptions on the adhisthana

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 500 meters from Anthiyur Bus Stand.

Anthiyur is 18.5 KM from Bhavani, 25 KM from Erode, 23.8 KM from Gobichettipalayam, 108 KM from Coimbatore, and 400 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Veerabhadrar Temple / Sri Veerabhadra Temple, Anthiyur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

 03^rd February 2020.

This Veerabhadra temple’s visit was a part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. When we were looking for a Hero stone, we landed in this temple. The Hero stone is installed in the temple complex, on the right side of the entrance, with a separate entrance. The details of the Hero stone will be written separately. 

 Vimana with Suka nasi ( extended maha nasi above antarala )

Moolavar: Sri Veerabhadra 

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a Nandhi in front of the sanctum. Moolavar is Lord Shiva as Veerabhadra in a standing posture. A stucco image of Veerabhadra is on the top of the front mandapam.

ARCHITECTURE

This is an old temple, renovated during the recent period, and Kumbhabhishekam was also conducted. The new temple has with sanctum sanctorum, antrala, artha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam (a meta-colour sheet shed). The sanctum adhisthana was built like a typical Kongu Village temple.  There are no koshtas in the sanctum walls. The Vimana is of eka thala vesara vimana, and the east side maha Nasi is extended. The extended nasi has the image of Veerabhadra and 5 kalasas in addition to the one at the center. Stucco images of Dakshinamurthy and Brahma are in the Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may belong to the Vijayanagara Nayaks period or even earlier than that,  ie, 300 to 400 years old. The mandapa pillars, Capital or pothyals, are strewn around the temple. The pothyals are pushpa pothyals. 4 pillars with a Shiva Linga and Ambal are kept outside, along with a Japanese Kubera / laughing Buddha. The pillar omam or the base has beautiful images of Kali, Lord Shiva, Shiva Linga, Saints, etc. In addition to this, there are many stone balls scattered around this makeshift structure for Lord Shiva, and the purpose is not known.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is about 500 meters from Anthiyur Bus Stand.

Anthiyur is 18.5 km from Bhavani, 25 km from Erode, 23.8 km from Gobichettipalayam, 108 km from Coimbatore, and 400 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Old temple's pillars - On the right is the Kubera Buddha

 Old Temple pillar capital / Pothyal

Old temple pillar capitals / Pothyals

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kariyakaliamman Temple / ஸ்ரீ கரியகாளியம்மன் கோயில், Patlur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd February 2020.

This Sri Kariyakali Amman Temple’s visit was part of a Heritage Visit to temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 3^rd February 2020. This temple is about 2 km from Patlur. When we were in search of a Hero stone, it happened to land in this temple. Many interesting features are found in this temple. As per the inscriptions, this place was called Pattil Oor, which has been corrupted to the present name of Patlur. 

Moolavar: Sri Kariyakali Amman.

Some of the interesting features of this temple are…

This Kariyakali Amman is a Village guarding deity facing north. This temple also faces north, without any entrance arch / Rajagopuram.  A Terracotta Muneeswaran is before the entrance of the temple.

An asbestos sheet shed is in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum and an artha mandapam. At the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, the Dwarapalakas, both Male and female, are made of terracotta. In addition to this, there are two terracotta horses donated by the devotees on a platform. Under the front asbestos sheet shed, an oonjal, and a balipeedam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

In addition to this, there is a Pulikuthi Sati stone, a Nadukal (the details will be posted separately), and an Amman’s  Head. A broken Kali statue is lying on the west side of the sanctum. The Pulikuthi sati stone belongs to the 16^th to 17^th Century. The Compound walls are built with stone stacked excellently. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum and an artha mandapam. At the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, the Dwarapalakas, both Male and female, are made of terracotta. As per the experts, Terracotta Dwarapalakas signify that this is an extension of ancient worship. Hence, considering the Terracotta Dwarapalakas, Pulikuthi Sati stone, and broken Kali statue, the temple might be more than 500 years old.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
The annual festival will be celebrated for 15 days in the month of Aani. The celebration will begin with Poochatu on Wednesday and end with Manjal Neerattu. Theemithi Thiruvizha (Firewalk - தீமிதி திருவிழா) will be held on the previous day of Manjal Neerattu. 

 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted by the Poojari, a non-Brahmin, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.  

HOW TO REACH:

This temple at Patlur is on the Bhavani to Vellithiruppur Road, about a km from the Anthiyur – Ammapettai Road Junction.

The temple is 22 km from Bhavani, 40 km from Erode, 120 km from Coimbatore, and 400 km from Chennai.   

The nearest Railway Station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Terracotta Dwarapalaka & Dwarapalaki

 Terracotta Horse

 A Beautiful wall

 Terracotta Ayyanar / Muneeswaran 

 A Kali sculpture broken into pieces

 Terracotta Vinayagar

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Chendraya Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீ சென்றாய பெருமாள் கோயில், பட்லூர் / Patlur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd February 2020.

This Chendraya Perumal Temple’s visit was part of a Heritage Visit to the temples, Hero stones, and Heritage sites around Anthiyur and Athani, scheduled on 03^rd February 2020. This temple is very close to the Sri Vageeshvarar Shiva Temple of Patlur. As per the inscriptions of the Shiva Temple, this place was called Pattil Oor, which has been corrupted to the present name of Patlur. 

Moolavar: Sri Chendraya Perumal.

Some of the important details are….

This temple faces east with a dilapidated mandapa in front. The mandapa is a typical Village-type house built with brick and a sloped roof paved with Mangalore tiles. A Kongu-style Deepa sthamba with a mandapa is after the front entrance mandapa. Nagars (Including Shiva Linga and Krishna) and donor sculptures are in front of the artha mandapam entrance.  Perumal is in a standing posture. There are no images in the koshtam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. Garudan is in the artha mandapam. The whole temple was built with brick on the stone pada bhandha adhisthana. This temple is very similar to the Sri Vaagheeshvarar Temple, which is 10th to 12th centuries. The original temple may belong to the 10th to 12th century, and the Nayak period donor bas-reliefs on the pillars indicate that this temple may have been extended/renovated during the 16^th to 17^th century. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.  

HOW TO REACH:

This temple at Patlur is on the Bhavani to Vellithiruppur Road, about 500 meters from Anthiyur – Ammapettai and Bhavani – Vellithiruppur Road Junction.

The temple at Patlur is 22 km from Bhavani, 40 km from Erode, 120 km from Coimbatore, and 400 km from Chennai.   

The nearest Railway station is Erode.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Naga bandha

 Nayak period Donors on the mandapa pillars - 

 Donors

Nagars & Donors

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---