Sunday 20 September 2020

Swarna Kaaleeswarar Temple / Sri Sorna Kaleeswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு சொர்ணவல்லி சமேத சொர்ணகாளீஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில், காளையார் கோவில் / Kalayarkoil, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 254th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 10th Sthalam of Pandya Naadu. This place was called as “Kanapereyil – கானபேரெயில், since sangam period and continued up to 15th Century. As per inscription, from 16th Century onwards this place is being called as Kalayarkoil. In 1325 CE, Thimiski an Arab traveler, mentions this place as “Kaikan”1325. There is a proverb about this place is ..kaalai Theda... Somar Azhikka .. Chokkar Sukikka காளைதேட.. சோமர் அழிக்க... சொக்கர் சுகிக்க”. 
 

As per Sekkizhar Periya Puranam Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupuvanam

    பற்றார் தம்புரங்கள் மலைச் சிலையில் செற்ற
        பரமனார் திருப்புத்தூர் பணிந்து போந்து
    புற்றுஆரும் பணிபூண்ட புனிதனார் தம்
        பூவணத்தைப் புக்கு இறைஞ்சி புகழ்ந்து பாடிக்
    கற்றார்கள் தொழுது ஏத்தும் கானப்பேரும்
        கை தொழுது தமிழ்பாடிச் சுழியல் போற்றிக்
    குற்றாலம் குறும்பலாக் கும்பிட்டு ஏத்திக்
        கூற்று உதைத்தார் நெல்வேலிக் குறுகினாரே

Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Vallalar, Kabiladevar, and Baranadevar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

    பிடியெல்லாம் பின்செலப் பெருங்கை மா மலர்தழீஇ
    விடியலேதடமூழ்கி விதியினால் வழிபடும்
    கடியுலாம் பூம் பொழில் கானப்பேர் அண்ணல்நின்
    அடியலால் அடைசரண் உடையரோ அடியரே
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
    தொண்டர் தமக்கெளிய சோதியை வேதியனைத்
        தூய மறைப் பொருளா நீதியை வார்கடனஞ்
    சுண்டதனுக் கிறவா தென்று மிருந்தவனை
        யூழிபடைத்தவனோ  டொள்ளரியும் முணரா
    அண்டனை அண்டர் தமக்காகமநூன் மொழியும்
        மாதியை மேதகுசீ ரோதியை வானவர்தம்
    கண்டனை அன்பொடு சென்றெய்துவ தென்று கொலோ
        கார்வயல் சூழ் கானப் பெருறை காளையையே
...... சுந்தரர்
                                                --“சேடான
    வானப் பேராற்றை மதியை முடிசூடுங்
    கானப்பேரானந்தக் காளையே
...... திரு அருட்பா
   முலைநலஞ்சேர் கானப்பேர் முக்கணா னென்னு
    முலைநலஞ்சேர் மொய்சடையானென்னுமுலைநலஞ்சேர்
    மாதேவா வொன்று வளர்கொன்றை வாய்சோர
    மாதேவா சோரல் வளை
...... கபிலதேவர் ( பதினோராம் திருமுறை )
   நிலைத்திவ் வுலகனைத்து நீரேயாய் நின்றீர்
   நிலைத்திவ் வுலகனைத்து நீரேநிலைத்தீரக்
    கானப்பே ரீர்கங்கை சூடினீர் கங்காளீர்
    கானப்பே ரீர்கங்கை யீர்
....... பரணத்தேவர் ( பதினோராம் திருமுறை )

The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

    கோலக் காதிற் குழையாலே – கோதிச் சேர்மைக் குழலாலே
    ஞாலத்தாரைத் துயரேசெய் – நாரிக்காசைப் படலாமோ
    மேலைத் தேவர்க் கரியானே – வீரச் சேவற் கொடியோனே
    காலப் பாசத் துயர் தீராய் கானப்பேரிற் பெருமாளே.

Moolavar                              Consort

Sri Somesar                        Sri Soundaravalli
Swarna Kaleeswarar            Sri Swarnavalli
Sri Sundaresar                    Sri Meenakshi

Some of the important features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with Two Rajagopuras.  The 9 tier 130 feet high Gopuram was built by Marudhu Pandyars and the 90 feet high 5 tier Gopuram in front of Swarna Kaaleeswarar Temple was built by 7th Century Varagua Pandyan. There are Three sanctums and Centre one is the Paadal petra Sthalam and moolavar is of swayambhu. All the three sannadhis has the  Balipedam, Rishabam  and Dwajasthambam. All the three Ambal sannadhis are built in a row facing South. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.  

In the inner prakara, Vinayagar, Murugan and Chandikeswarar. In Prakaram Sahasra Lingam, Vallabha Ganapathi, Nalvar, 63var, Bhairavar, Saptamatrikas,  Vinayagar, Chandrasekar, Pancha lingas, Varuna worshiped Varuna Linga, Ashta Lakshmis, Senthil Murugan, Saneeswarar and Natarajar in Sabha mandapam.

Ambal Swarnavalli is in a separate Sannadhi with beautiful architecture. In Palliyarai, the ponnoosal / swing is made of gold and ivory. 

ARCHITECTURE



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Sundareswarar & Meenakshi Amman- When Varaguna Pandiyan ( 792 - 835 CE ) was struggled to find the way to Madurai after hunting, Lord Shiva guided him and gave darshan at this Temple. This Sannadhi was built in remembrance of the darshan. The sannadhi is located between Sri Kaleeswarar and Swarnavalli Ambal sannadhi. Parivara devata Sannadhis, Natarajar and Navagrahas are located near this Sannadhi.

In the front Mandapa statues of Sivaganga’s second king Muthu Vaduga natha Periya Udaya devar ( 1750 – 1772 CE – killed by the Britishers through the hand bombs ), Ramanathapuram Mannar Kizhavan Sethupathi, Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu ( 1789 -  1794 CE).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The Temple has the Pandya, Ramanathapuram Sethupathis, Sivaganga Samasthana Kings, Marudhu Pandyas and Nattukottai Nagaratar’s contributions. The 5 tier Rajagopuram was built by the 13th Century Varaguna Pandiyan ( 1251 – 1261 CE ).

From the Agananooru a Sangam Literature, Kanaper is the name of the place and Eyil means a strong wall… Kanaper was ruled by the King Vengaimarban with safe & strong wall, moat and forest around it. When Vengaimarban challenged, Pandya King Ukra Peruvazhuthi captured the Kanaper with strength. Hence he was called as “Kanapereyil kadantha Ukra Peruvazhuthi”  

As per the inscriptions this place was called as Kanaper and from 16th Century inscriptions as Kalayarkoil. Lord Shiva was called as Kanaperudaya Nayanar and Kanaperudaya Nayanar Kalayar Somanathar. Ambal was called as Nachiyar ThaNmenmulaiyal, Aludaya Nachiyar and Vinayagar's Names are added with Chella, Ariya, Sakthi, Ganapathy peruman, etc. ( Ref from Kudavayil Dr. Balasubraaniyan article )

Pandya King Sundra Pandya’s 12th year Reign inscription (  AR 575 of 1902, SII,VIII- 166 ) records the  endowment  of Thirumanjanam ( A sacred bath ) and Naivedyam by Kizhavan Udaya Perumal Somanathadevar. For which a land 4 ma was gifted to this temple after exempting the Taxes

Pandya King Kulasekara Pandya’s 14th year reign ( end of 13th Century ) inscription ( AR 577  of 1902, SII, VIII – 169 ) records the gift of Lands to the dancers of the temple who are given with title “Thalaikoli”, Nakkan Cheyyal alias Kalingaraya Thalaikoli, The Land was purchased and gifted to this temple. The tank/ kulam was rectified and the made facility for the irrigation of dry lands from the tank. The taxes like Ponvari, Thattarpattam, Inavari are also exempted. The land was measured by “Sundarapandiyan Kol” ( a measuring scale ) and the place was named as Veerapandiya nallur. From the donated Land the Dancer  Kalingaraya Thalaikoli  has to give Paddy of 2 kalam and money 14 kasu to the temple. This was signed by the Grama sabha members Rajasinga theva, Nalla singa Theva, Chozha Ganga Theva, Athigai Singa Theva and Vazhuthi Singa Theva.

Pandya King Veera Pandya’s 14th Year reign inscription (  AR 578 of 1902, SII,VIII- 170 ) records the endowment  to Aadhichandeswarar sannadhi  by three people, Alalasundara Thirumadam Mudaliyar, Pathiyilarila Nakkan Muvaayira Thalaikoli, Aalasundara Thirumadam…. Sambanda Perumal and chokkan Sambandan towards purchase of land and the payment of grains like Paddy and Varaku and panam 18 to this temple.

The inscription without King’s name and year (  AR 581-C of 1902, SII,VIII- 175 ) records the endowment of  Naivedyam of Kariyamuthu, Adaikkaiamuthu, Neiyamuthu, Uppamuthu, Milakamauthu and vasthiram  to ....Kottathu Nachiyar ThaNmenmulayar, Aludai Nachiyar, Ariya Pillayar, Chella Pillayar  for  which the the kuruni paddy rice  out of which 2 Nazhi Arisi choRu to be prepared from the income of the gifted Land. This was donated by the person who constructed the sannadhis.

The inscription without the name of the King (  AR 582 of 1902, SII,VIII- 176 ) records the endowment of  Naivedyam and Thirupani to Kamkottathu Alidainachiyar, Thiruveethi Nachiyar, Nayanar Sundarapandyathevar and Azhakiya chokkanar, by three people Thavachakravarthi, Vayiratharayan and Yathavarayan  on Vishu and Thirukarthikai functions. The above mentioned temples are built by these three donors. The income from the 50 ma lands measured through 16 jan kol  gifted as Gurudakchina / Thevathanam by Vikarama Pandyan. If nothing is yield equivalent amount of money of  2 Achchu, to be given to the Temple.

The Sundara Pandyan’s 10th year reign inscription (  AR 584 of 1902, SII,VIII- 178 ) records the gift of Land sale for 30 panam by the Thevan Thongan alias Malava dheventhara Parayan with trees like  and wells. This has to be utilized for the pooja in the name of a merchant Mangudayan avudayan Perungarunaiyalan sandhi. When others are signed Malava Theventhara Parayan had placed his thumb impression, since he was not educated. The mistakes are corrected by two persons. The next inscription (  AR 585 of 1902, SII,VIII- 179 ) records the 30 panam gifted to the temple.

The inscription with out Kings name, ( may be the latest )  (  AR 587 of 1902, SII,VIII- 182 ) records the Ilaiyathangudiyathan Kulasekarapuraththu Kalayar Kavala peruntheru Thiruvepurudayan Thirumundamazhakiyan Azhakaiya Konar Azhakiya Chokkan  reconstructed the Madapalli, which was found dilapidated condition on four sides. The required found was taken from the Treasury and for the balance his own fund was used. The next inscription 587-A also records the reconstruction of the Kalanivasaludayan Adaikalangathaar Chidambaranathar Sannadhi and arrange for Naivedyam for which a land was donated. 

The other inscriptions mainly records the donation of Lands, Paddy, made to this temple  and the trees grown like Neem, Aththi, Pungan, Puli/ Tamarind, Iluppai etc. To our surprise none of the inscriptions talks about burning of the perpetual lamps or Sandhi Lamp and donation of Cows, goats etc.

During Pandya period a land was gifted to their Guru Dhabasvi Somanathar as Guru Dhatchina / fees.  The same Pandya King built the Ambal Temple with cheppu Procession deity,

Marudhu brothers constructed the front Mandapa, Temple Chariot, gave 40 Villages and 2 lakhs worth of Gold jewellery to this temple between 1789 to 1794 CE.

During recent times an inscription  ( Thanks to Saravanamaniyan PA and his team ) dated to 13th to 14th Century, on a  slab stone was found near Vinayagar temple of Kalayarkoil. The inscription is in the form of a song. The Details of the inscription is, even-though the Sanakathi munis learned the literatures and practiced dhabas didn’t gained the Gnana. But they gained the real knowledge and Gnana from Lord Shiva as Dakshinamurthy’s Chin Mudra. The inscription reads as ….. 

    1.அருந்தவஞ் செய் நால்வற்கோராலின் கீழன பாற் கருந்தடஞ் சூ
    2. கானப்பேர்க் கண்ணிற்றிருந்தவறஞ் சொல்லுவார் போலச் ..
    3.ராந் திருந்தார் வெல்லுவாரென பிறபடை வெ

The 130 feet 9 tier Rajagopuram was built during Marudhu Pandyars.  It was told that Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple Rajagopurams can be seen from this Tallest Rajagopuram, even-though the distance between KalayarKoil and Madurai is 63 KM, may be seen at horizon. There is a local folk kummi -கும்மி song available on this Rajagopuram.  

   ‘‘கருமலையிலே கல்லெடுத்து
   காளையார் கோயில் உண்டு பண்ணி
    மதுரைக் கோபுரம் தெரியக் கட்டிய
    மருது வாரதைப் பாருங்கடி’’

   சாந்துபொட்டு பளபளக்கச்
   சந்தப்பொட்டு கமகமக்க
    மதுரைக் கோபுரம் தெரியக் கட்டிய
    மருது வாரதைப் பாருங்கடி’’

Between -1800 to 1810 CE this place Kalayarkoil  was a battle field between Britishers and Marudhu Pandiyar. The Britishers declared war against Marudhu brothers for helping  Oomaithurai, the brother of Veerapandiya Kattabomman to escape from the Palayamkottai Jail and declaring the freedom movement.  On 1st Oct 1801CE, Marudhu brothers moved their 78000 soldiers towards the Kalayarkoil, to recover the Kalayarkoil and the temple, which was captured by the Britishers. During the  war Chinna Marudhu was suffered with a bullet injury on his thigh and surrendered.  Periya marudhu was forced to surrender. ( If not surrendered Britishers threatened to demolish the Rajagopuram ). All the family members along with Marudhu brothers were taken to Tirupattur. When they were asked their last wish, Marudhu brothers wants them to be buried in front of the Temple Rajagopuram, All the orders they issued by them both in written and verbal, as gifts to be continued and the same should be carried out with immediate effect. The Carnal agniu had assured to carry out and  hanged about 500 people which includes all their family members and soldiers on 24th October 1901 CE. Marudhu brothers  were brought dead with heads cut state  after three days ie on 27th October 1801 CE. As per their last wish they were buried in front of the Temple Rajagopuram on the same street. A Manimandapam was constructed in 2006 by CN Paramasivan of Coimbatore.

The temple thirupani and Neerazhi mandapam was built by Devakottai Jamin family. Now the temple is under the control of Sivaganga Samasthanam.

Muthu Vaduganatha Periya Udayadevar 
Marudhu Brothers
Marudhu Brothers

Manimandapam
PC -Saravanamaniyan P A
Manimandapam Inscription
LEGENDS
This place was called in 4 yugas as Dakshina Kalipuram, Jyothivanam, Manthaara Vanam, Moshapratham, Agasthiya kshethram, Thava siddhikaram, Devathaaru Vanam, Bhooloka Kailasam, Mahakalapuram. Iravatha kshethram, Anjinan Pukazhidam, Somanatha mangalam and Eraiyur. During Historic and Sangam period Kanapereyil, ThiruKanaper, Thalaiyilanganam. In Thevaram it was mentioned as “Kanaper”.

In Sundarar’s dream, when he was at Tiruchuli,  Lord Shiva came in  the form of Kalai madu ( bull ) with sendu in one hand and Chuzhi on the forehead, said that he is in Kanaper. Since Lord Shiva came in the form of “Kaalai madu” the place is called as Kalayar Kovil.

As per the legend, Kali obtained the black colour during the process of Killing Pandasuran. Goddess Kali worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and turned to swarnam ( Golden colour) and Married Lord Shiva as Swarna Valli.

Iravatham the Indra’s white elephant, came to this temple took bath in Aanaimadu and worshiped Kaleeswarar and Someswarar to get rid of the curse given by Nandhi.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha shivaratri, Thai Poosam, Markazhi Thiruvathirai, Pournami, Navaratri, Swarna Kaaleeswarar Chariot festival in Thai poosam, Someswarar Chariot festival  in Vaikasi and Swarna Valli Amman Chariot festival in Adi pooram. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The land line number +91 4575 232 516 and mobile number  + 91 94862 12371 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:
Buses available from from Karaikudi, Sivagangai, Devakottai, Madurai to this place.
On the train route get down at Nattarasankottai on the Chennai to Rameswaram and Trichy to Manamadurai.
The temple is 17 KM from Sivaganga, 30 KM from Devakottai,  36 KM from Karaikudi, 56 KM from Ramanathapuram, 63 KM from Madurai and 445 KM from Chennai.'
Nearest Railway station is Sivaganga.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

The Tallest is the Marudhu Pandyar's Gopuram
Swarna Kaleeswarar Rajagopuram



Murugan Sannadhi

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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