The
Visit to this 16th to 17th Century Sri Sanjeevirayar
temple was a part of visit to the Temples and heritage sites around
Kanchipuram, scheduled on 11th July 2021. This Visit was combined
with the Ayyangarkulam Nadavavi and Thirupanangadu Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple
and Sri Swarna Kala Bhairavar Temple at Azhividaithangi.
Moolavar : Sri Sanjeevi Rayar
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…This
temple is facing North with Reservoir called “Thatha Samudram” also called as
“Lakshmi Saras” measuring between 135 to 150 acres. Moolavar Sri Anjaneyar is
in standing position with anjali hastham.
There are no images in the Koshtam.
It has two prakaras of which the inner prakara is narrow around the
sanctum sanctorum. Mahalakshmi, Rama, Sita & Lakshmana, Garuda (about 6
feet tall with wings and beautiful smile on his face ) and a Thulasi Madam. Both
Moolavar and Garudan are carved on a stone slab in the form of bas – relief. In
prakaram a stone uruli / bowl and a huge stone slab.
ARCHITECTUREThe
temple complex consists of Sanctum sanctorum artha mandapam, maha mandapam and
Mukha mandapam. There is Tall 4 Pillar
mandapam with a stucco sikara on the western side entrance. Mahavishnu’s
dasavatharam stucco images are on the top of the southern side entrance wall (
Inside ) There is a 4 Pillar mandapa on the left side after the south side
entrance. Faint Vijayanagara period painting of Gajalakshmi can be seen on the
ceiling. In addition to this there is a 4 pillar mandapam with stucco Vimana on
the east side outer prakara (not easy to approach ).
A
Nagara style Stucco 3 tier Vimana is
above the sanctum sanctorum. The Vimana do not have much images except in the
salaipathi and Greevam. A 4 Pillar mandapa is in front of the temple / at the
beginning of the steps to Thatha Samudram. A Three tier Rajagopuram is on the
east side between Mukha mandapa and the maha mandapa. There is a 24 Pillar
mandapam in between north side 4 Pillar Mandapam ( Thatha Samudram ) and
Rajagopuram. The 24 Pillar mandapa / Mukha Mandapa stone pillars has the bass
reliefs 83 ( 85..?) different postures of Anjaneyar, in addition to other bas
reliefs.
A
big granite stone slab is placed on the east side of the temple in the second
prakara. As per the experts this might have been used to preparing tamarind
rice / puliyodharai and distribute as Prasad
or making Garlands ( Thirupalli Thamam ).
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSThis
huge Temple complex was constructed by one “Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”,
who was the minister in the Vijayanagara Dynasty from 1585 to 1614 CE. Sri
Thatha Desikan was a philanthropist and conducted many marriages for poor hence
had the title of “Koti Kanniyadhana Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan” also called
as”Ettur Lakshmi Kumara Thathacharya”. He holds as Minister and Rajaguru for
the Vijayanagara Kings Venkatapathy Rayas-I and II also called as Sriranga
Rayas. He was made as incharge of Divya Desams at Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur
and Kumbakonam.
He
also excavated a huge tank called “Thatha Samudram”, which is located on the
northern side of the Temple. Besides this, there are two Huge wells Known as
“Nadai-Vavi” excavated by him. The details are written as a separate post.
Out of the two Grantha inscriptions, one inscriptions praises the Thathathreyar in the for of a poem. The other inscription records the construction of the Temple for Hanuman and excavation of "Thathasamudram" eri. ( He also excavated a lake at Thenneri near Kanchipuram. There also an inscription was inscribed in the form of poem.
Vjayanagara King Venkatapathirayar's ( Saka 1530 ) 1609 CE inscription records that the Villages Ayyankulathur and Enathiputhur are gifted to this Hanuman.
Krishnadevaraya's inscription records the reconstruction of Punya kodi Vimanam in to a Kalyana kodi vimana since the old Vimana was completely destroyed. He also plated Vimana with Gold, and constructed as Mandapa with Vahanas by Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar ( 02-01-1614 ).
As per ARE 91-96 of 1923 inscription, during Damal Chennappa Nayakan was as an administrator ( 1622 CE ), records that the Merchants assembled and established an endowment to conduct special poojas on Amavasya days, monthly special poojas.
LEGENDSAs
per the legend when Anjaneya was carrying the Sanjeevi Parvatha ( Hill from the
Mount Himalayas, which contains Herbel to save the life of Lakshmana during the
war at Sri Lanka with Ravana ) piece or a
small portion of it fell down at this spot. Sanjeevi Rayar Hill and the temple
is known as Sanjeevi Rayar Temple.
In
another legend once Thatha Desikan and his disciples were travelling with
wealth earned / as gift received for the King, to offer to Sri Varadharaja Perumal of
Kanchipuram. It was become dark after sun set, when they reached this place and
decided to stay at that night. When they were in deep sleep, some thieves took
off all the wealths and tried to run. Suddenly some monkeys came and fought with the thieves and chased them away. This was known to Thatha desikan in his dream.
When he woke in the morning and found all his wealth are guarded by the head of
the monkeys. Thatha Desikan felt that the monkey is none other than Anjaneyar
or Hanuman. As a part of thanks giving Thatha Desikan built this beautiful
temple for Anjaneyar. He also composed a poem in Sanskrit called “Srimad
Hanumath Vimsathi”. The same is inscribed boldly on the back side wall of
sanctum sanctorum ( Thanks to the unknown contributor ).
guNAbhirAmamindirAkumAratAta
vAridhiprasiddhimadramA
taTAka tIrasImni mArutim |mudAdhiruhya
mAdhavo vrshAcalasthalAdapiprakalpate
nikAmamatra pAlanAya dehinAm ||
குணங்களால் அழகியவரும், லக்ஷ்மீஸரஸ் என்னப்பட்ட ஸ்ரீஐயங்கார் குளத்தின் கரையில் உறைபவரும் ஆகிய
ஸ்ரீ ஹனுமானின் மேல்
திருமலை எம்பெருமான் ஸ்ரீ
மாதவன் ஏறி எழுந்தருளி, ஸ்ரீ வேங்கடாசலத்தைவிட மேலான மகிழ்வுடன் இங்கு உலகிள்ளோரைப் பாதுகாக்க அமைந்துள்ளார்.
Since
this place was a part of Sanjeevi Hill, it is believed that people will not die
due to poison or will not harm anybody bit by poisonous insects. Devotees also
prays Lord Sanjeevi Rayar for Child boon especially male child.
Temple View from Lakshmisaras / “Thatha Samudram”
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe
temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to
19.00 hrs. CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW TO REACHThe
temple is 9 KM from Kanchipuram, 25 KM from Cheyyar, 35 KM from Vandavasi, 45 KM from Chengalpattu and 85 KM from
Chennai.Nearest
Railway station is Kanchipuram
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Gaja Lakshmi Painting 
Stone Uruli
Stone Slab 
Garuda
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Temple View from Lakshmisaras / “Thatha Samudram”
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Gaja Lakshmi Painting
Stone Uruli
Stone Slab
Garuda
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
No comments:
Post a Comment