Wednesday 31 March 2021

Sri Tiruviramisvaram-Udaiyar Temple / Thiru Rameswaramudayar Temple, Agara, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The visit to this temple at Agara was a part of our Chozha period temples Visit on the ancient trade route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal ( Gangapadi ), in Karnataka State. Agara.-Agara, a village in the Yelandur taluk in the Mysore District. Population 4,261. It has four old temples dedicated to Ramesvara, Narasimha, Varadaraja and Durga. Except Varadharaja temple the others were renovated during recent years.


In the Tamil inscriptions, the village is named Durgaiyur- agaram and in the Kannada Durgagrahara, thus showing that it derived its name from the goddess Durga of the place, though latterly the first portion was left out and the place came to be known as merely Agara. It will be seen from the Kannada and Tamil names of the village as given in the inscriptions that agara is only a Tamil corruption of the Sanskrit agrahara.

Moolavar  : Sri Rameswara.
Consort    : Sri Parvata Vardhini

Some of the Salient features of this temple are.....
The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram base Pillars. The Pillars has the bas-reliefs of Ganga & Yamuna ( Kodi penkaL ). A balipeedam is in front of Sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the front mandapam.
In prakara Nagars, Dakshinamurthy, Navagrahas, Chandikeswarar and Hanuman. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi on the left side of the main temple / Moolavar. An anthill with nagars are in front of the Ambal sannadhi.

In the navaranga / ardha mandapa of the Tiruviramisvara temple, has two entrances with porches on the east and south, are kept figures of Surya, Ganapati, Chandesvara, Virabhadra, Narayana and Dakshinamurthy. The Dakshinamurthy is a seated figure, about two feet high, bearing a snake, an antelope and a book in three hands, In a shrine the remaining hand being in the abhaya hastam.

In a shrine in the prahara is the goddess of the temple, known as Parvata vardhini, a standing figure, about five feet high, with four bands, the upper hands holding a noose / pasam and an elephant-goad / angusam, and the lower in the varada and abhaya hastam. This goddess in similar to the one in the Gangadharesvara temple at Turuvekere.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. A two tier vimana is over the sanctum. The temple was reconstructed during recent years with out disturbing the padabandha Adhisthana. The inscriptions are found on the adhisthana.


Ambal Sannadhi

Kodipen & Dwarapalaka reliefs on Pillars


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was believed to be constructed during Kulothunga Chozha-I, period.  There are about 50 inscriptions recorded from this temple. The inscriptions belongs to Vira Someswara Deva, Vira Vallalan, Vira Pratapa Chakravarthi etc.  The lineage of Vira Vallalan is Vira Ballala-I – VishnuVardhana – Narasimhan-I, – Vira Ballalan–II – Vira Narasimha-II – Vira Someswara – Narasimha-III – Vira Ballala-III. All the Kings Contributed to this temple.

As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Tiruviramisvaram-Udaiyar and this place was called as Virudharaja bayangara Chathurvedi Mangalam also called as Durgaiyur Agara, which is now called as Agara.

The Ramesvara temple has also several inscribed slabs scattered in the compound, and several more  built into the roof of the shrine of the goddess. Fragments which have fallen from the walls have been replaced by others, thus adding considerably to the difficulty of decipherment. The displacement of the stones, even of the basement in some places, leads to the conclusion that the temple must have undergone restoration at some former time. The oldest record here seems to go back to the 11th century. It is believed that Thayar Sannidhi was closed due to threat of snake.

The 13th Century inscription records the endowment of grant of lands to the god Tiruviramisvaram-Udaiyar by Manchapovan after purchase from Siman. It also records the gift of 6 gadayanas from out of Tax income for celebrating Panguni Uthiram festival.

A 13th Century inscription records the grant of 100 kuli land along with the tax income by Nachiyar who purchased for 200 gadayanas from Siyagan from out of his share of 200 kuli for burning perpetual lamp to the deity Tiruviramisvaram-Udaiyar.

A Fragmentary inscription records the gift of gold for burning a perpetual lamp, and the same was received by the Koil Stanapatigal.

The slightly damaged 13th Century inscription records the rule of Viravallaladeva, it also records Kuttadudevar, Danayakar, Malianan, Ganganan and others the head of 6 religions, met at the Tirukavanam of the temple of Tiruviramisvaram-Udaiya-Nayanarand gave an undertaking to the mahajanas, who endowed the wet and forest lands in the village Kungar as devadana to god Durgaiyur-agaram.  The boundaries of the lands are specified.Also the signatories of the grant like the Dannayaka and Malliyannan are mentioned.

A Fragmentary inscription record  mentions the individual’s name Bhaskara Bhattar and the village Kellur. All the other details are lost.  

Inscriptions
Inscriptions

LEGENDS
As per the Sthala purana gives a different derivation. It says that a king of the name of Vishnu Sharma, who, when on a visit to the place, was bitten by a cobra, got rid of the poison by his prayers to the deities Rameswara and Narasimha, and that thence forward the village became known as Agara ( free from gara or poison ).

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

HOW TO REACH:
This place Agara is on the bus route Chamarajanagar to Kollegal. 31.2 KM from Chamarajanagar, 7 Km from Kollegal, 61.8 KM from Mysore and 147 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE ( GPS Co-ordination   12.1172637,77.0735208 )

REFERENCE : Mysore District Gazetteer






Navagrahas
Ant hill with Nagas
Loose sculpture
Loose sculptures
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Bhaskareswarar Temple / Parithiappar Temple / பரிதியப்பர் கோயில், பரிதிநியமம் / Parithiniyamam, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This temple is the 218th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 101st Sthalam on the south of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called as “Paruthi Niyamam” during Thevaram period and now as “Paruthiyappar Kovil”.


In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Avalivanallur.

பழுதுஇல் சீர்த்திருப் பரிதிநன் நியமும் பணிந்து அங்கு
எழுதுமாமறை யாம்பதிகத்து இசைபோற்றி
முழுதும் ஆனவர் கோயில்கள் வணங்கியே முறைமை
வழுஇலார் திருப்பூவனூர் வணங்கிவந்து அணைந்து

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. A Thani padal mentions the temples where Suriyan – Parithi- worshiped Lord Shiva.

விண்கொண்ட தூமதி சூடி நீடுவிரிபுன் சடைதாழப்
பெண்கொண்ட மார்பில் வெண் ணீறுபூசிப் பேணார் பலிதேர்ந்து
கண்கொண்ட சாயலொடு ஏர்கவர்ந்த கள்வர்க்கு இடம் போலும்
பண்கொண்ட வண்டினம் பாடியாடும் பரிதிந் நியமமே
……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
                                                                -“கோதகன்ற
நீட்டுங் கருதி நியமத்தோர்க்கு இன்னருளை
நீட்டும் பருதி நியமத்தோய்
…… திரு அருட்பா
கண்டியூர் வேதிகுடி கற்குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம்
பண்பரிதி நன்நியமம் பாங்கார் தெளிச்சேரி
பொற்புறவார் பனங்காட்டூர் நெல்லிக்கா ஏழும்
பொற்பரிதி பூசனை ஊர்
……….தனிப்பாடல்
Moolavar  : Sri Bhaskareswarar, Sri Parithiappar
Consort    : Sri Mangala Nayagi, Sri Mangalaambigai.

Some of the salient features of this temple are......
The temple is facing east with a 5 Tier Rajagopuram. Thuja Vinayagar, Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. An image of Suriyan worships Lord Shiva is next to Balipeedam. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. In addition to this Gaja Samhara Moorthy and two more statues are in the koshtam. Suriyan's idol is installed in front of Moolavar.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Gajalakshmi, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar. In the outer prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Kala Bhairavar, Suriyan, Chandran and Navagrahas. The positions of Suryan and Chandran are inter changed. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east.

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a prati bandha adhistanam with vrutha kumudam. An eka thala  vesara Vimanam is  over the sanctum Sanctorum. A Pidari temple and Idumban temple are near this Shiva’s Temple.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century and the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozhas and further extended during Vijayanagara's period.

This temple was renovated and Kumbabishekam was conducted under Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi  Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal pon vizha scheme. The temple belongs to Keezhvengai  Nattars.

LEGENDS
It is believed that this Temple was a Sun temple and latter  converted as a Shiva temple. Suriyan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple to get rid of the sin caused due to attending Velvi conducted by Daksha. To signifies this legend, there is a bas-relief of Suriya worships Lord Shiva. 17th to 19th , 3 days during Tamil Month Panguni, sunrays falls on moolavar. This is one of the 7 temples where Sun Worshiped Lord Shiva, the other temples are. 1. Thirukandiyur, 2.Vedikudi, 3. Kudanthai Keezh Kottam, 4. Thelicheri, 5.Puravar Panangattoor and 6 Nellikka.

This place was called as Parithivanam and Parithikesuvaram. The devotees throng the temple to  get relieved from Pithru dosha. 



POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Aadi Fridays in the month  Aadi ( July – Aug ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Skanda Sashti in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.








TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS 
The Land line number +91 437 256 910 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH 
The Village Mela Ulur is very near to Paruthiyappar Kovil and is on the Thanjavur to Pattukottai / Orathanadu main road.
The Paruthiyappar temple is 3 KM from Mela Ulur. Town bus route no 64 is available from Mela Ulur.
The temple is 21 KM from Thanjavur, 33 KM from Pattukottai, 46 KM from Kumbakonam, 54 KM from Thiruvarur and 350 KM from Chennai.
Nearest railway station is Thanjavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE



A Kalyana mandapam belongs to the temple
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Tuesday 30 March 2021

Sri Mudikondeswara Temple, Mudigundam, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The visit to this temple at Mudigundam was a part of our Chozha period temples Visit on the ancient trade route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal ( Gangapadi ), in Karnataka State. During Chozha period this place was the capital of Mudikonda  Chozhamandalam ( a part of Gangapadi ), Hence it obtained the name as Mudikonda, which has corrupted to the present name of Mudigundam.


Moolavar  : Sri Mudikindeeswara.

Some of the Salient features of this temple are.....
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch and stucco Nandhi is over the arch. Moolavar is on a Square avudayar. A water pot is hanging on the top to drip water at regular intervals. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy ( on the back is Pichadanar fixed on the wall ), Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In Prakaram Chandikeswara ( in standing posture facing west ), Ambal sannadhi, Navagrahas, Nagars, Chandran and Suriyan.

Dwarapalakas

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Vimanam is over the sanctum with out any stucco images. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a simple Pada bandha adhistanam. The temple was renovated with out doing alteration of the adhistanam. Happened to see an Tamil inscription on the floor.  

Ambal is in a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. A small Vimanam is also on the sanctum sanctorum.
 


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple was built during Chozha period by the traders.   This place was called as Mudikonda Solapuram alias Desi-Uyyakondapattinam. This and four others below the inscriptions in Tamil and Grantha characters of 13th Century engraved on the pillars are in Tamil.

This mentions that Tiruvarangaperumal son of Kipa. Peruvaniyan-kuttandai of Mudigonda solapuram alias Desi-uyyakondapattinam, got the pillar made at the cost of 3 gadyanas.

An incomplete inscription refers to an individual ( name lost ) of Perumarudur Puduppalli who got a pillar made.

Another inscription records that a pillar was the gift of Siramadevan, son of Ayupillai of Perialttur.

The donor of this Pillar was Pattividivandai of the Village Ogaiyur.

Another Inscription gives the names of the donor of the pillar and of his father. But they are only partly preserved. It refers to Marudur.

Inscription on the Kumudam
Inscription on the floor slab - may be done during renovations

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since orukala pooja is conducted the closing and opening times are unpredictable. 

HOW TO REACH:
This place Mudigundam is on the bus route Chamarajanagar to Kollegal. 37 KM from Chamarajanagar, 3 Km from Kollegal, 63 KM from Mysore and 143 KM from Bangalore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE ( GPS Co-ordination 12.142887,77.092752 ).





Durgai - in koshtam
Dakshinamurthy - Pichadanar is on the back
Maha Vishnu in Koshtam
Brahma - in koshtam
Chandikeswara

Monkey stucco relief on Ambal Temple entrance
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Satchinathar Temple / சாட்சிநாதர் கோயில். Avalivanallur / அவளிவணல்லூர், Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 217th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 100th sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This place was called as per the sthala purana Aval+ival+Nallur, Avalivanallur.


In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this Temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirukarukavur. But, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupalaithurai, not mentioned in particular but mentioned as other temples on the way.

பதிகஇன்இசை பாடிப்போய்ப் பிறபதி பலவும்
நதிஅணிந்தவர் கோயில்கள் நண்ணியே வணங்கி
மதுரமுத்தமிழ் வாசகர் அணைந்தார் மன்னுள்
அதிர்சிலம்பு அடியார்மகிழ் அவளிவணல்லூர்
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and Vallalar  has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirugnanasambandar mentions Lord Shiva's name as "Thamparisunadyar".

கொம்பிரிய வண்டுலவு கொன்றைபுரி நூலொடுகு லாவித்
தம்பரிசி னோடுசுடு நீறுதட வந்திடபம் ஏறிக்
கம்பரிய செம்பொனொடு மாடமதில் கல்வரைவி லாக
அம்புஎரிய வெய்தபெரு மான்உறைவது அவளிவள் நல் லூரே
...... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
தோற்றினான் எயிறு கவ்வித் தொழிலுடை யரக்கன் தன்னைத்
தேற்றுவான் சென்று சொல்லச் சிக்கெனத் தவிருமென்று
வீற்றினை யுடையவனாகி வெடுவெடுத்து எழுந்த வன்றன்
ஆற்றலை அழிக்க வல்லார் அவள் இவள் நல்லூரே
...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
                                                            -“சரதத்தால்
ஏதும் அவள் இவள் என்று எண்ணாதவர் இறைஞ்சி
ஓதும் அவளிவணல் லூருடை யோய்”
..........திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar  : Sri Satchinathar
Consort    : Sri Soundaranayagi.

Some of the salient features of this temple are ………
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of Sanctum sanctorum. Statue of Shiva and Parvathi in standing posture at the back of Shiva Linga in the sanctum, as per sthala purana as Satchinathar on Rishaba. Moolavar is of swayambhu. Dwarapalakas are called as Aatkondar and Uyyakondar. In koshtam  Agathiyar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In the inner prakaram, Vinayagar, Nalvar, Paravaiyar with Kanva Munivar, Veerabhadra, Saptha Kannis,  63var, Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Arumugar, Mahalakshmi, Natarajar sabha, Mahalingam, Kumaralingam, Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Dhavasambal, Susilai, Kalabhairava and Suryan and Navagrahas. In the Navagraha group, all the grahas are facing Suriyan.  Urchavars are Somaskandar, Vinayagar, Sivakami, Natarajar, Nalvar Arumugar and Mahalakshmi. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi facing east.

ARCHITECTURE
The main temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. A Vesara Vimana is over the sanctum.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Since Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century. The same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period and further extended during Nayakas / maratas period.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Kulothunga Chozha-III (  1246 – 1279 CE ). As per the inscription This place in Nithavonadhavalanattu Aavoor Kootrathu Avalivanallur and  was Lord Shiva was called as “Thamparisudayar”.

The inscriptions recorded from this temple belongs to Rajaraja Chozha-III’s son Rajendra Chozha-III’s ( 1246 – 1279 CE ), 7th and 22nd reign year and some fragment, damaged inscriptions without king’s name and period.  As per the inscription Lord Shiva was called as “Thamparisudaya Nayanar”.

Rajendra Chozha-III’s 7th Year inscription records the lighting of Lamp after begging ( ..?) and Service  damaged many portions. Anther 22nd reign year inscription records the endowment of lighting a lamp for which land was gifted ( the inscription is incomplete and damaged ).

Rajaraja Chozha-III’s 10th reign year inscription records the that Nithavonadhavalanattu Aavoor KootrathuAvalivanallur Thamparisudaya Nayanar temple,  Vinayagar, Amberintha Peruman ( may be Lord Shiva as Thirupuranthakar), Nachiyar, Atkondanayagar and Nachiyar, Thiru Palliyarai Nachiyar, Aludaya Pillaiyar was established by a merchant Sathudayan Thamparisudayan Adhicha devan alias Amarakon.

To celebrate Margazhi and Chithirai Thirunal, land after purchase was donated by Emaloorudayan Thirupangudayan Thiruvandan’s father Kiliyudayan Anukkan ( The inscription was damaged in many portions ).


LEGENDS
This place was called as “Pullaranyam”, “Satchinathapuram” and “Pathirivanam”. It is believed that, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, Kashyapa Maharishi, Murugan, Suriyan, agasthiyar and kanva maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva of temple.

Maha Vishnu, during Varaha avatara, his horn was broken. So he came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him with horns as before. Kashyapa Maharishi also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. 

Lord Shiva gave witness that “Aval than Ival’’, after gave old beauty and eye sight to the Sivachariyar's daughter. Hence Lord Shiva is called as "Sri Satchinathar". The legend goes like this. During ancient times An adhi Saiva anthanar, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva worships Lord Shiva daily. He had two daughters. He arranged marriage to his elder daughter. After marriage the elder daughter’s husband went to Kashi Yatra. During that time She was suffered from smallpox decease and face was got disfigured. And She lost her eyes sight too. The Anthanar arranged marriage for his second daughter also. In the mean time the elder daughter’s husband returned home after Kasi Yatra. After seeing the disfigured face of his wife, he argued that She is not his wife and the younger daughter is his wife.

When the Andhanar prayed to Lord Shiva to save his elder daughter’s life. Lord Shiva appeared before the elder daughter’s husband and told him, that the elder daughter who was suffered from smallpox was his wife, by saying “aval than ivaL – அவள் தான் இவள்.”. Then Lord Shiva asked the elder daughter to dip in the temple theertha. The elder daughter had taken a dip in the theertha and came out with her old beauty and eye sight.  Since Lord Shiva himself came and gave satchi – witness, Lord Shiva is praised as “Satchinathar” and the place was also called as “Satchinathapuram”.

This is one of the Pancha Aranya kshetras / sthalas, they are 1. Mullaivana nathar Temple Thirukkarugavur ( Mullai ), 2. Sri Satchi nathar Temple, Avalivanallur ( Pathiri ), 3. Paathaleswarar Temple, Arathaiperumpazhi (Vanni ), 4. Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Thiru Irumpoolai – Alangudi ( Poolai ), 5. Sri Vilvavaneswarar temple, Thirukollampudur ( Vilvam ).

It is believed that it is auspicious to have the darshan at Avalivanallur in morning, Thirukarukavur in Ushakalam, Haridwaramangalam in Uchikalam, Alangudi in the evening and Thirukkollamputhur in night.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
One day brahmotsavam will be celebrated on Thai amavasya day ( new moon day ).

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Makar Sankranti and Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs and 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
Land line number is +91 4374 275 441, 264586 and mobile number +91 94421 75441 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH 
On Thanjavur to Thiruvarur  bus route, this temple is about 6 KM from Ammapettai.
The temple at Avalivanallur is about 3 KM from Haridwaramangalam, 20 KM from Kumbakonam, 29 KM from Thanjavur, 30 KM from Mannargudi, 44 KM from Thiruvarur and 314 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---