Saturday, 14 August 2021

Nadavavi / Nadaivavi / நடவாவி கிணறு, Ayyangarkulam / ஐய்யங்கார்குளம், Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this 16th to 17th Century Vijayanagara period Nadavavi at Ayyangarkulam was a part of the visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10th July 2021. This Visit was combined with the Ayyangarkulam Sanjeevirayar Temple, Thirupanangadu Sri Thalapureeswarar Temple, and Sri Swarna Kala Bhairavar Temple at Azhividaithangi.


The huge Sri Sanjeevirayar Temple ( Hanuman temple ) complex was constructed by one “Sri Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”, “Ettur  Lakshmikumara Thathacharya”, who was the minister in the Vijayanagara Dynasty from 1585 to 1614 CE. Sri Thatha Desikan was a philanthropist and conducted many marriages for the poor hence had the title of “Koti Kanniyadhana Lakshmi Kumara Thatha Desikan”. He holds as Minister and Rajaguru for the Vijayanagara Kings Venkatapathy Rayas-I and II also called Sriranga Rayas. He was made in charge of Divya Desams at Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, and Kumbakonam. He also excavated a huge tank called “Thathasamudram”, which is located on the northern side of the Temple.

As per the legend once Thatha Desikan and his disciples were traveling with wealth earned/ Gifts received from the King to offer to Sri Varadharaja Perumal of Kanchipuram. It was dusk when they reached this place and decided to stay that night. When they were in deep sleep, some thieves took off all their wealth 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 was guarded by the head of the monkeys. Thatha Desikan felt that the monkey was none other than Anjaneyar or Hanuman. As a part of thanksgiving Thatha Desikan built this beautiful temple for Anjaneyar. He also composed a song called “Srimad Hanumath Vimsathi”. The same is inscribed boldly on the back side wall of the sanctum sanctorum. In addition to this, he also built 3 wells around the “Thatha Samudram”. Of the three wells, one is no more the second one is in dilapidated condition and the Third one is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department

SECOND NADAVAVI OF AYYANGARKULAM
This is a smaller well compared to the third one. The construction is very similar to the third one with an entrance arch, steps, and the well. The front arch top has the image of Gajalakshmi and Pillars has the Yazhi riders. The sculptures are in good shape. On the back of the well, provision has been given for lifting water from the well. Now the well is in dilapidated condition and hides in the shrubs and bushes. Trees were grown inside and outside the well.

There is an inscription reads as 
"னெல்லுக்கார தெரு செங்கல்வராயரு தருமம்"..

LOCATION OF SECOND NADAVAVI: 12.788, 79.667 - CLICK HERE











 (Cleared the shrubs around the arch - Photo as of 1st May 2024 )

THIRD NADAVAVI OF AYYANGARKULAM
This Third Nadavavi  is much bigger than the second one. The entrance arch has the relief of Gajalakshmi on the top. The arch-supporting pillars Pillars have the bas-reliefs of Yazhi riders. On the vertical face of the Pillars are the dancers and Kodipens may be Ganga and Yamuna. There are 27 steps to reach the Underground hall. The underground hall has 16 Pillars with a Cloistered verandah.  Provision has been given to lift water from the well through Yetram. The Pillars and the canals still exist now. Nowadays this Yetram is not used for lifting water, instead, a diesel engine-driven pump is used. Since it is very close to the Thatha Samudram, it never dried up, and the water level is always maintained in this well.

Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal used to travel to many places throughout the year to give darshan to Devotees. This is one of the places where Urchavar Varadharajar will brought to this Nadavavi on Chitra Pournami day ( Full moon day ).  After Thirumanjanam and Alangaram Sri Varadharajar will give darshan to the Devotees and stay in the night. During this time, Ayyangarkulam Sri Sanjeevi Rayar ( Hanuman ) will come to this well along with Ramar, Sita, and Lakshmana.

HOW TO REACH
This Nadavavi 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 NADAVAVI: CLICK HERE








After the Chitra Pournami festival, had went to Ayyangarkulam, Nadaivavi on 1st May 2024. The photos taken inside the mandapam are uploaded. 


























 A Three headed Narasimhar

Hanuman
Hanuman
Ramanujar 
 A Devotee 
 A Devotee 
Kinnarar 
The Herdsman sculpture- the iconic sculpture of Vijayanagara




The erotic sculpture
The erotic sculpture 
The erotic sculpture 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

No comments:

Post a Comment