Thyagaraja Temple / Sri Thiyagesar Temple / Arulmigu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple / Padampakkanathar Temple / Adipureeswarar Temple / Manickathiyagar / Vadivudai Amman Temple / திருவொற்றியூர் ஆதிபுரீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Tiruvottiyur / Thiruvotriyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 20^th thevara Paadal Petra Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. This is an updated post on this temple and for the earlier post please click this Link. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Apart from moovar, Saints Maharishis, Vallalar, Pattinathar, and many more praised Lord Shiva of this temple. Sekkizhar has written about this place, and how it flourished with various trees and plants even though it was close to the sea in Periyapuranam and calls this place "Adipuri" /Adhipuri. Sekkizhar describes the arrival of Sundarar  to Thiruvotriyur as…

அண்ணல் தொடர்ந்து ஆவணம் காட்டி ஆண்ட நம்பி எழுந்தருள்

எணில் பெருமை ஆதிபுரி இறைவர் அடியார் எதிர்கொள்வார்

வண்ண வீதிவாயில் தொறும் வாழைகமுகு தோரணங்கள்

சுன்ணம் நிறைபொன் குடம் தூபம் தீபம் எடுத்து தொழ எழுங்கால்

Appar, Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Pattinathar & many others have sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple.

விடையவன் விண்ணு மண்ணும் தொழநின்றவன் வெண்மழுவாள்

படையவன் பாய்புலித் தோல் உடையகோவ ணம்பல்கரந்தைச்

சடையவன் சாமவேதன் சசிதங்கிய சங்கவெண்தோடு

உடையவன் ஊனமில்லி உறையும் இடம் ஒற்றியூரே

… திருஞானசம்பந்தர் தேவாரம்

ஒற்றி யூரும் ஒளிமதி பாம்பினை

ஒற்றி யூரும்அப் பாம்பும் அதனையே

ஒற்றி யூர வொருசடை வைத்தவன்

ஒற்றி யூர்தொழ நம்விணை ஓயுமே

…. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்தேவாரம்

ஐயுந்தொடர்ந்து விழியுஞ்செருகி அறிவழிந்து

மெய்யும்பொய்யாகி விடுகின்றபோ தொன்று வேண்டுவன் யான்

செய்யுந் திருவொற்றி யூருடையீர்திரு நீறுமிட்டுக்

கையுந்தொழப்பண்ணி ஐந்தெழுத்து ஓதவங் கற்பியுமே

...பட்டினத்தார்

Sundarar came to Thiruvottiyur after the darshan of Sri Kalahastheeswar at Kalahasti. In his hymns, he recollects the memories of Thiruvarur and feels very sad for not having a darshan of Thiruvarur Thiyagarajar and also separated for a long period. So he has sung as “paththimaiyum – பத்திமையும்” 

பாட்டும் பாடிப் பரவித் திரிவார்

ஈட்டும் வினைகள் தீர்ப்பார் கோயில்

காட்டும் கலமும் திமிலும் கரைக்கே

ஓட்டும் திரைவாய் ஒற்றி யூரே

… சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்

பத்திமையும் அடிமையையும் கைவிடுவான் பாவியேன்

பொத்தினநோய் அதுஇதனைப் பொருளறிந்தேன் போய்தொழுவேன்

முத்தினைமா மணிதன்னை வயிரத்தை மூர்க்கனேன்

எத்தனைநாள் பிரிந்திருக்கேன் என்ஆரூர் இறைவனையே

… சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்

Moolavar  : Sri Padampakkanathar, Sri Adipureeswarar,

  Sri Manickathiyagar, Sri Putridamkondar, 

  Ezhuththariyum Peruman ( எழுத்தறியும் பெருமான் )

Consort    : Sri Vadivudai Amman.

Why this place is called Thiruvotriyur..?

This place Thiruvotriyur has existed since the Paleolithic period with human habitation. As per the literature, this place was called Adhipuri, hence this temple’s Lord is called Adhipuriswarar. Another version is, that the creator of this universe, Brahma created this place first, hence this is called Aadhipuri. This place is also called Thiruvotriyur. Thiruvotriyur has different meanings. In Tamil “oath” means a mortgage. Another meaning is the “wiping out”. During piralaya, this place was completely covered with water and Shiva wiped out water, hence this place is called Thiruvotriyur. From the copper plate of Velanchery near Thiruthani, Vijayalaya Chozha’s father's name was mentioned as "Votriyuran". The same name appears in the Tiruchengode inscription also.  As per the Thevara hymns, the sea was very near, and able to hear the roaring sound of the sea waves.

The Rajagopuram and front mandapam…The east side of Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers, with stucco images related to Saivam. Kumba Pancharam between the pilasters of the walls. This might have been built between the 10^th to 13^th centuries, probably during the Rajendra Chozha period. The stucco images belong to the 16th-century Nayaka period. 

The front mandapam of the main shrine was built during the Chozha period. It is to be noted that the main sanctum and Rajagopuram are not in the same straight line. Thiyagesar Sannadhi was built during the 16^th to 17^th centuries. The fusion of the Chozha period mandapa with the latter period Thiyagesar Sannidhi can be seen from the outside. The outer praharam has the 27 Shiva Lingas, ( old Lingas ) represent the 27 nakshatras, on the south side of the outer praharam.

The main sanctum front mandapa is called a "Nithya Yaga Sala", where yagam used to be conducted daily. This mandapa might have been built during the 12^th Century, a later Chozha period. The ceiling has statues of Shiva’s Various forms. In that, an amazing one is the small size Bickshadanar.  Dwarapalakas at the entrance of the main sanctum are worth seeing. The laladam of the crown has the simha image. Both crown images are different. Also, both are not installed on a pedestal. Since the inscriptions are on the back side wall of the Dwarapalakas, they were brought from elsewhere and installed here. In the Nithya yaga mandapam near Natarajar Sannidhi there is a Chandikeshwara, which belongs to the 8^th to 9^th Century.

 

Dwarapalakas

Dwarapalakas

In the inner praharam near Kaliya Nayanar Sannadhi, there is an old Chozha painting faintly visible, which was discovered during renovation. Kaliya Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar belongs to this Thiruvotriyur. He spends all his money on lighting lamps for this temple. When he does not have money, he intends to light the lamp with his blood. When tried to cut his head, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him. The inner praharam may belong to the 9^th to 10^th century. The pillars have the Chozha period inscriptions. The original temple may be of brick temple with a square base sanctum.  During the Chozha period, this was reconstructed as Gaja Prishta sanctum with stone.

Vattaparai Amman temple. This is actually a Saptamatrikas temple facing North. The Priests are not the usual Sivachariyars. For this sannidhi and Ambal Sannadhi, Kerala Namboothiris, who are too unmarried are doing pooja. It was learned that this Vattaparai Amman was treated as a Village deity and animals were sacrificed. A balipeedam and Soolam were there in front of this temple, which was removed in recent years. The practice of sacrifice was also stopped a few years before. Since this sannidhi is very close to the main sanctum, the sannidhi might have been constructed at a later period.

Moolavar Sannadhi.. Moolavar is in the form of an anthill, abhisheka is done only to the avudayar. Moolavar is usually kept covered and will be opened only three days a year from the Karthigai Deepam festival. Punuku and oil are applied. Iraivan also called as Padampakkanathar. As per the legend, The Snake Vasuki worshiped Lord Shiva and joined with Shiva with its body. This legend is very much associated with Kayarokana – Lakuleesa Pasupatha- cult worship, ie attaining Mukti and joining with Lord Shiva with the physical body. Incidentally, all Kayarokana Shiva temples are on the sea coast, Nagapattinam, and a temple in Gujarat.

Thiagarajar sannadhi.  Thiyagesar is in the form of a Somaskandar. The flower decorations are done in such a way that Swamy and Ambal’s faces with hands are only seen. The Nadanam of Thiyagesar is Ajaba. It was told that this Thiyagesar worshiping cult may belong to the Kalamukha sect which wears spatika Kundala and Yagnopaveetha made out of hair. They ate food in Kapalam ( the skull of the human head).  Appar has sung that Bikshadana came here after wandering Mylapore. Thiagarajar is a Boga moorthy. During the procession, SomasKandar used to come out full of decoration and pooja articles. 12 people used to carry the open palanquin. On the outside of the inner Praharam wall and near the Thiagarajar Sannadhi, north side, inscriptions were there. Which speaks about donations like 28 Samaram, and Thivetti made by the devadasis. One of the donors’ names was mentioned as “Sani Otriyur Akki”. Iraivan was also called as manikka Thiyagar. The sad part is, that the inscriptions were covered by the flooring done in recent years. It was also said that, olden days Somaskandar was brought out by the Devadasis. The main sanctum was built during the Chozha period. Later the mandapam was added and renovated during Vijayanagar Nayaks.

                             

Kowleeswar Sannadhi…. Kowleeswar Sannadhi is on the back side of the Thiyagesar Sannadhi. A form of Shiva holding a kapala and Trishul on the upper hands and lower hands are in chin mudra and meditating posture. This moorthy may be called "Agora Dakshinamurthy". People by mistake claim him as Kowleeswarar and somebody, Lakuleesar.

 

"Agora Dakshinamurthy" and not the Lakuleesar or Kowleeswarar

Bhairavar sannidhi…. A beautiful life-size Bhairavar with Jadamudi hangs up to the floor. A half-buried Bairavi is also inside the Shiva’s main sanctum just opposite Bhairava. The presence of Bhairava and Bhairavi indicates that Kapalika cult worship existed earlier.

Bhairavar sannidhi

Vadivudai Amman Temple… The Amman faces south with a separate balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Simha vahana. The whole  Temple is also called Vadivudai Amman Temple. For this sannidhi and Vattaparai Amman Sannadhi, Kerala Namboothiris, who are too unmarried are doing pooja. It was said that Sankarachariyar brought Namboothiris from Kerala to do pooja to Ambal. A chakra was also installed by him. Thyagaraja Swamikal has sung hymns on this Ambal. Vallalar also sung Navamani malai. Pattinathar, Vallalar, Sankaracharya, Kanchi Periyava worshiped Lord Shiva and Ambal of this temple.

 

The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar has also sung hymns on Murugan of this temple

கரியமுகில் போலு மிருளளக பார கயல்பொருத வேலின்      விழிமாதர்

கலவிகளில் மூழ்கி ம்ருகமத படீர களபமுலை தோய              அணையூடே

விரக்மது வான மதனகலை யோது வெறியனென நாளு           முலகோர்கள்

விதரணம தான வகைநகைகள் கூறி’விடுவ தன்முன் ஞான  அருள்தாராய்

அரிபிரமர் தேவர் முனிவர்சிவ யோகர் அவர்கள்பு ழோத          புவிமீதே

அதிகநட ராஜர் பரவுகுரு ராஜ அமரர்குல நேச                                குமரேசா

சிரகர் கபாலர் அரிவையொரு பாகர் திகழ்கனக மேனி                யுடையாளர்

திருவளரு மாதி புரியதனில் மேவு ஜெயமுருக தேவர்               பெருமாளே

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple existed during the 6-7^th Century and was reconstructed in 750 CE during the Thondaiman period.  In 1936 CE, Kumbhabhishekam was conducted after renovation by an ardent devotee called Thiruvottiyuran Adimai. The renovation work took 14 years and he was present on all days. Later Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1998 and 2013.

As per the inscription Thiruvottiyur was under Jayangonda Chozha mandalam, Puzhal Kottam, Puzhal Nadu. The Grantha inscription mentions Adipuri and Lord Shiva was called Adipureeswarar.  During the Chozha period, Lord Shiva was called Mahadevabhattaarar, Thiruvotriyur Mahadevar, Otriyur Alwar, Thiruvotriyur Nayanar, and Padampakka Nayakadevar. The inscriptions also mention the festival celebrated as Panguni Uthira Thiruvizha ( on the 6^th day Urchavar will be kept and the pooja was done under Mahizha Tree and Sundara’s Sripuranam will be staged  ), Ani Thiruvizha, Masi maga Thiruvizha,

A Pallava King Kampa Varman's ( 855- 856 CE ), 7th-year reign inscription records the endowment of lighting a perpetual lamp by one Vemban KuNungamman who belongs to Mylapore Iraiyanchri, gifted 15 Kalanju gold. The same king's 9th-year reign inscription was found on the floor of a mandapam after the Sanctum Sanctorum. It records that Mylapore was under Kampa Varman.     

The sanctum adhistanam has inscriptions of the Rajendra period in Sanskrit, and many inscriptions speak about the donation made to this temple for burning lamps. Some of the donations are in terms of “Sava Moova Peradu /ewes" – which means at any point in time the number of goats offered should not decrease. The name of the architect/sculptor of this temple is mentioned as Veera Chozha Ravi Thachan. One of the inscriptions speaks about an officer who has not collected the tax from the property belonging to this temple was called “Shiva Thuroki” and his property was confiscated and attached to this temple.  In one inscription 15% interest in terms of gold as tax to be collected once in six months and food for this collector should be served.

The inscription on the right side wall ( back of right side Dwarapalaka ), records a land distributed to 10 people who staged the life story of the Sundarar in the presence of Sathuranthantha Pandithar, Vasika Pandithar, Soma Siddhanatha Pandithar, and Otriyur Battar. In that, it is mentioned the land value should be the same value of the land that sold at Dhandeeswaram, part of Chennai City.  

As per the Kerala Culture website the 960 CE Chozha period inscription records that Valluvanad ( a part of Malai nadu, present Kerala ) King Vallabhan who was a friend of Chozha King Rajadithya, who was killed by Rashtrakooda King Krishnan-III ( his price Bhutuka ). The depression over his failure to join his friend in the war and death prompted him to abandon worldly pleasures and adopt the name Sathuranana Pandithan to become the head of Tiruvottiyur Madam. Kulasekara King Vijaya Ragadevan is mentioned in the inscription. The Rajendra Chozha-I’s 31st-year reign inscription mentions that on Rajendra Chozha’s birthday ie Margazhi Thiruvathirai, Thiruvotriyur Thirumayanamudaiya Sthuranana Pandithar deposited 150 Kasu  for ghee to this temple Lord Shiva.   

There were lot of madams existed during the Chozha period and some of them are Sathuranan Pandithar Madam ( Rajendran-I Inscription ), Kulothunga Chozhan Madam, Rajendra Chozhan Madam ( Built by Nagalavvaisani, an Arya woman belongs to Mehalapuram of Arya desam) and Angarayan Madam (Vijayanagara King Harihara-II period ).

LEGENDS

As per the legend Thondaiman was ruling Kanchipuram and this place was a part of it. Two small kings Onnan and Vannan ( Demons ..?)  refused to subjugate Thondaiman’s authority. Thondaiman led a war against the two Kings. The two Kings ( demos ) ate the Thondaiman’s army. Thondaiman sought the help of Sage Vromasa to fight against the demons. The sage gave a Dharbai leaf which he threw on the Demons. The Tharbai leaf transformed into mazhu ( a weapon of Lord Shiva ) and chased the demons away from the territory. Thondaiman was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and he reconstructed this temple in 750 CE. He also constructed parivara devadas temples and installed 1000 Lingas, brought from Kasi.   

Moolavar is called Padampakkanathar since “Vasuki” who has got Sivadeeksha from Upamanyu Maharishi and worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Lord Shiva accepted  Vasuki on his body, hence Lord Shiva is called Padampakkanathar.

Lord Shiva is called Ezhuththariyum Peruman – எழுத்தறியும் பெருமான்- since during Kings rule all the orders/circulars are sent, in which it was stated as – except Otriyur “இவ்வாணை ஒற்றியூர் நீங்கலாக”- This is mentioned in Periyapuranam written by Sekkizhar.

    ஏட்டு வரியில் ஒற்றியூர் நீங்கல் என்ன எழுத்து அறியும்

    நாட்டம் மலரும் திருநுதலார் நறும் பொன்கமலச் சேவடியில்

    கூட்டும் உணர்வு கொண்டு எழுந்து கோதுஇல் அமுதுஇசை கூடப்

    பாட்டும் பாடிப் பரவி  எனும் பதிகம் எடுத்துப் பாடினார்

Kaliya Nayanar one of the 63 Nayanmars was from this place. He used to worship Lord Shiva daily by lighting a lamp. He continued even during poverty. At one stage he couldn't do it and tried to kill himself and Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him. 

Kaliya Nayanar

POOJAS & CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are done on Vattapparai Amman Urchavam in Chithirai, Vasantha Utsavam in Vaikasi, Aani thirumanjanam in Aani, Aadi Pooram, Avani Moolam, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Navaratri, Kanda Sashti Utsavam, Thirukarthigai ( Moolavar Kavasam will be opened and "Thaila Kappu" will be done, kept open for 3 days to general public’s darshan ), Manickavasagar Urchavam, Thai Poosam with Theppotsavam, 10 days Brahmotsavam in Masi ( which includes Mahizhadi Thiruvizha, Mahashivaratri and important days.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Temple office Phones: 044-2573 1032, 2573 3703

E-Mail: vadivudaiamman@tnhrce.com.

Temple website: http://www.vadivudaiamman.tnhrce.in/ 

HOW TO REACH

City Town buses are available from Various parts of the City.

The temple is about, 1 km from Tiruvottiyur Railway Station,  11 km from Chennai Central, 26 km from Koyambedu, and 28 km from Meenambakkam Airport.

Nearest Railway station / Junction is Chennai Central.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Votreeswarar Sannadhi

Tripada Tirimurthy

Ayyanar

Valapi sculptures

Valapi sculptures

Dakshinamurthy

Nandhavaneswarar Sannadhi Under construction

Nandhavaneswarar Sannadhi After Completion

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---