Pallava period Shiva Temple with Durgai, Mahavishnu, Murugan, Jyeshta Devi Loose Sculptures and Hero Stone & Sati Stone at Sendiyampakkam, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this small Shiva temple with loose sculptures of Jyeshta Devi, Durgai, Mahavishnu, and Murugan at Sendiyambakkam, was a part of the Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails, on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

These Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Mahavishnu, Durgai, and Murugan sculptures are installed in the outer prakara of a Small Shiva Temple on the east banks of the Eri.

Maha Vishnu…. Maha Vishnu is in a standing posture and is shown with 4 hands. The upper hands hold the Shankha and Chakra. The shankha seems too big, which is not proportionate to the Maha Vishnu sculpture. There is a halo ( ஒளி வட்டம் ) shown behind his head. The lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and the left hand is in kadi hastam. The dress frills are shown below his hip. He wears ornaments on his neck and ears and also wears a yagnopaveetha. This Maha Vishnu also belongs to the Pallava period.

Durgai…. Durga is in a standing posture and up knees are not visible. A Karanda makuta is shown on her head. Her upper hand holds the Conch and Chakra, which are not proportionate to the sculpture. The Lower right hand is in Abhaya hastam and the right hand is in Ooru hastam. She wears ornaments on the ears, neck, and hands. Her dress is shown beautifully.  This Durga sculpture also belongs to the Pallava Period.

Murugan…. This Murugan sculpture is also in the praharam. A Karanda makuta is shown on his head and wears ornaments on the ears and neck. He is shown with only two hands. The right hand holds a Vel/spear and the left hand is in ooru hastam. Below the knees is also not visible.

Jyeshta Devi… Thavvai / Jyeshta Devi is shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. She wears ornaments on the ears and neck. The right hand is in abhaya hastam and the left hand is holding something that couldn’t be identified. Her sons Mandhan and Mandhi are shown on both sides. Mandhan is shown with a buffalo’s head. Her usual attributes of the Crow flag and broomstick are missing. This  Jyeshta Devi belongs to the Pallava period.

HOW TO REACH

The place Sendiyampakkam is 4 KM from Perani railway station, 5 KM from Chennai- Trichy National Highways, 23 KM from Tindivanam,  26 KM from Villupuram and 149 KM from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Perani and the Junction is Villupuram.  

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE: CLICK HERE 

The Hero Stone and Sati Stone will be covered in a separate post

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---