Sri Murugeeswarar Temple / அருள்மிகு மரகதவள்ளி சமேத முருகீஸ்வரர் கோவில், OMR ( Old Mahabalipuram Road ), Thaiyur, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

It was planned to visit 4 Shiva Temples and an Amman temple on OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road), Thaiyur, near Kelambakkam on 21^st July 2021, of which Sri Azhakeeswarar temple was kept closed during my Visit. This place was called “Thaikaja Muruganoor” (Thaikajam means sandstone in Sanskrit) since Lord Muruga was made of sandstone, which has corrupted to the present name of Thaiyur. It was learnt that there were 7 Shiva Temples in this Village Thaiyur of which 3 are not exists now. This Murugeeswarar temple is on the west side of the Village.

  

Moolavar  : Sri Murugeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with a Mandapam, and the temple tank is on the back/west side of the temple. One of the Mandapam pillars has the bas–relief of Murugan keeping his leg on his vahana peacock, and Vinayagar is on the left side wall. Stucco images of Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and Murugan are on the top of the Mandapam. Dwajasthambam (installed in the year 2021), Balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the entrance mandapam. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is with Ambal Piriyavidai Nayagi. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Durgai.

In praharam Vinayagar and Chandikeswarar. The construction of the Navagraha sannidhi is in progress. In Maha mandapam Ambal Maragathavalli faces South, Nagars, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Parasakthi, Kala Bhairavar, Chandran, and Suriyan. In Artha Mandapam Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (Made of Sand stone found disfigured due to age and abhishekams – devotees believes that Murugan is of swayambhu) with Peacock in front, Kasi Viswanathar, Chandikeswarar in worshiping posture, Urumetru Vinayagar holding Mazhu and Thandam  (inscription is on the base, as per experts this Vinayagar belongs to 9^th Century), Shanmugar sitting on Peacock and Utsava Murtis. Bala Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. There is no Dwarapalakas.

Urumetru Vinayagar and Thaikaja Murugan- PC Uma Mahesh 

Ambal and Lord Shiva - PC - Uma Mahesh

Vinayagar - Dakshinamurthy - Durga

Maha Vishnu and Brahma

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple complex consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and maha mandapam. Originally, Ambal Temple was built separately with sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. The main shrine, mukha mandapam, was joined with the Ambal temple, which forms as ardha mandapa from the Main Shrine and maha mandapa for the temple. The original temple was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Vijayanagara Period. The Ambal temple, built during the Chozha/Pandya period, was not touched.

The main sanctum sanctorum adhisthana is of Kapothabandha adhisthana with virutha Kumuda. Lotus petesdal is on the jagathi. The Wall portions has the Kumbha panjaram and Koshtapancharam.  The wall has the Bas reliefs of Chandran, Suriyan, Brahma, Krishna, Mahishasuramardini, Ambal worshiping Lord Shiva, Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar temple Sthala Purana, Viyagrapada Worships Lord Shiva, Rishabaroodar, Pichadanar, etc. The bas-relief has the full story of Arjuna’s penance  on Lord Shiva to get the pasupata astra. Lord Shiva came as Hunter/Kiratha, both shot a pig, Fight between Lord Shiva and finally Lord Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar blesses Arjuna.

In valapi, the Vijayanagara period Pothiyals instead of madalai or Bhuta Ganas. The kapota Nasikuds has the images of Vinayagar, Mahisasuramardini, Narasimhar, Ambal, Pichadanar, Elephant worships Lord Shiva, Vyaghrapada worships Lord Shiva, Bairavar, Murugan, Ashtadikpalakas, Monkey, etc.

A 3-tier Dravida vimana is on the Bhumi Desam above the Viyyalavari. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the stucco/brick Vimana.

  

Kapota Nasikudu sculptures

  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan's period inscription, Lord Shiva was called “Azhakiya Chokkanar” and the Vijayanagar period “Murugeeswarar”. (Azhakan – Murugan, Chokkanar – Eswarar). This place was in Amoor kottam, Komuzhi Nadu, and was called Sthala Sayanapuram and Rajakesari Nallur during Rajarajan-I’s period (Thiruvidanthai Temple inscriptions) and “Ayiramvelipatru” during the 15^th Century, Vijayanagara Period.

As per Dr. S Ramachandran, Epigraphist of Tami Nadu Archaeology Department, based on the architecture, the present temple belongs to the 13^th Century (some of the experts' opinion is 14^th to 15^th Century Vijayanagara Period), and Chandikeswarar and Vinayagar idols belongs to 9^th to 10 Century. Hence, the original temple might have existed before the 09^th Century as the brick temple (may be constructed by Pallavas) and was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Vijayanagara period. Since the Ambal temple was constructed as a stone temple initially, no reconstruction was done latter.

Sadaya Varman Sundara Pandian’s 19^th reign year (13^th Century) inscription of Ambal Temple Thiripatta kumuda records that “Nayanar Azhagiya Chokkanar” was established by 6 persons, and they are Mullikudayan Kolavarha Mudaliya Periya Perumal, Thiruvekambamudayan, Kaariyazhwan, Devanayagan, and Varamtharum Perumal. For the same they had given a gift as per the request of Thevar Swamithevar, the Kani land at Chemmugampakkam as Thirunamathukani.

Another inscription traced from the Urchavar’s platform in Mukha mandapa belongs to the Vijayanagara King Achutha Devaraya’s period. It mentions the Saka year 1458 (1536 CE) Bramathi Samvathsara.  Lord Shiva was mentioned as Amoor kottam Kumizhi naatu Ayiramvelipatru Sri Rajakesari Nallur alias Thaiyur Nayanar “Thirumurugeesvaramudaya Nayanar”.  From this inscription, it is understood that the present name of Lord Shiva has been in use since the Vijayanagara period. This inscription records that Ayyapillai ‘s son Thirthar Pillai of Puzhal Kottam Soundarya Chozhapuram Abasthamba Soothiram Kashba Gothra gifted Kundranallur Kundru (which may be a small Hill), situated at Amoor Kottam 2000 veli land in Nayakatha and Dakshina Seermai, as manyam to this temple.

Another inscription of the 16^th Century  (Krodhana year Aadi month 31^st day) records the name of the King as Maha Mandaleswaran. Immadi Thorathara (Va) Vijaya Kumara Thiruvaladeva Maharaja gave a Dharmasathanam. (the King may be Vijayanagara King Thirumalaideva Maharaja) and may be inscribed in 1565 CE. In this, Lord Shiva was mentioned as “Thirumugeeswaramudaya Thambiranar”. This inscription records that a rent (சோடி) was collected from the Villages belonging to this temple. In front of Seermaiyar and Iratti Appar, the King changed as sarvamanya Viyavastha instead of rent at this temple. This means that the temple lands were converted to sarvamanya lands instead of Manya lands.

The one-line inscription on the pedestal of Vinayagar reads as “Sri Urumetru – ஸ்ரீ உருமேற்று”.  Exactly what this means is not known and needs to be explored further.  Dr. S Ramachandran believes that this Vinayagar idol may belong to the 9^th to 10^th Century  Abarajithan or Kambavarman period. and may denote Pallava Kings' titles like “Pakapidugu” (pidugu – Thunder)  or may represent the name of Vinayaga, which is not known.

Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan period inscriptions

Ref:  1. Kalvettu -65, Magazine

        2. Videos from websites

Thanks to Mr Uma Mahesh for providing me the above details and some photos.

LEGENDS

As per the Legend, Lord Muruga went to Thiruporur to fight with the Tharukasura and was vanquished in the air after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. A Bas relief of Murugan keeping the Leg on his Vahana is in the front Mandapa, this signifies that Lord Muruga proceeds to fight with Tharukasura from This temple. Since Lord Muruga worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, Shiva is called as Murugeeswarar.

Murugan is starting from Thaiyur to Thiruporur

The Legend behind the Urumetru Vinayagar is… The word Urumeru means IdiyeeRu – இடியேறு, ie Thunder. This may be compared with the titles of Pallava Kings as “Mahapidugu” in that Pidugu means Thunder. This Vinayagar may belong to Pallava Kings Aparajithan, Kambavarman. Whether this statement may apply or not to this Vinayagar and whether it represents this Vinayagar has to be explored further. This sort of Thunder with Lightning used to happen in west Bengal on new Year Day. This Thunder Lightning will be in the shape of Vinayagar’s face, hence, this is being called “Hasthikara” and worshiped as “Khanbaisagi”. Whether this is related to the Vinayagar worship and Bengal’s worshiping Culture has to be explored further to get the meaning of “Urumetru”. 

    

Urumetru Vinayagar

Urumetru Vinayagar

It is believed that this temple is a Parihara sthalam for Rahu, Ketu doshas, Pillai Peru dosha, to get relieved from the chronic deceases, Child boon, to get relieved from the marriage obstacles, etc,.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Theipirai Ashtami, Sankatahara Chaturthi,  Krithigai, Arudra Darshan in the month Margazhi, and Annabhishekam in the month Aippasi. Special abhishekam will be conducted to Lord Muruga on Karthigai Deepam, Thiruvathirai, and Thaipoosam. Murugan's Thirukalyanam will also be grandly conducted on Vaikasi Visakam day.  

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 07.30 Hrs to 09.30 Hrs and 18.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS.

Mr. Uma Mahesh may be contacted on his mobile number +91 9940126814, for further details on this temple.

HOW TO REACH

This temple is on the West side of the Village Thaiyur.

The temple is about 2 km from Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar Temple on Old Mahabalipuram Road. From Kelambakkam to Thiruporur, the road immediately after the Sri Chenganmaaleeswarar temple leads to this Village  Thaiyur.

City  buses are available from Tambaram ( 55 K ) and T. Nagar.

The temple is 5.1 km from Kelambakkam, 8.7 km from Thiruporur Murugan Temple,  27 km from Mahabalipuram & Vandalur, and 40 km from Chennai Central.

The nearest Railway Station is Vandalur. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 

Arjuna's Penance - Arjuna and Lord Shiva fight with each other for the pig

Arjuna is blessed by Lord Shiva and Parvati 

Vyaghrapada worships Lord Shiva 

Patanjali, in the form of a snake, worships Lord Shiva 

Elephant worships Lord Shiva (Kalahasti Temple Sthala Purana)

The cow worships Lord Shiva

Kanchipuram Kamakshi Amman & Ekambareswarar Temple Sthala Purana 

Kannappa Nayanar

Karaikal Ammaiyar

Kinnaras

Lord Shiva with Parvati

Mahishasuramardini

Monkeys on the Kumbha panjaram kodikarukku

Pichadanar

Listening to Dakshinamurthy, a bas-relief on the side of Dakshinamurthy 

Lakshmi Narasimhar

Pothiyal in the valapi

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---