Sri Yamadhandeeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ எமதண்டீஸ்வரர் கோவில், ஆலக்கிராமம் / Alagramam, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this temple was a part of the Viluppuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. The temple is under renovation, and the works are moving at a snail’s pace due to a shortage of funds. Temple authorities requested to donate liberally to this temple to bring this temple back to its original glory.

Moolavar  : Sri Yamadhandeeswarar

Consort    : Sri Thirupurasundari

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

The temple is under Palalayam during our Visit, and Parivara sannidhis are under construction. The temple is facing east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram (under construction). A Soolakal (Ashtra Deva ..?), Balipeedam, and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco Vinayagar, Lord Shiva, and Parvati as Rishabaroodar and Murugan are at the top of the entrance. Moolavar in the sanctum sanctorum is a little big square banam on a square avudayar. (As per the Historians, Moolavar belongs to the Pallava Period). In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Maha Vishnu. Dakshinamurthy’s hands are in a broken condition. In antarala, a 5th-century Vinayagar, Arumuga, and Urchavars. In Mukha Mandapam, Lakuleesar, Veerabhadra, and Vinayagar.     

In praharam Nagars, Chandikeswarar, Saniswaran, Vinayagar, Murugan without consorts, Natarajar, and a Jeeva Samadhi of a saint.

Ambal is in the Mukha Mandapam facing south. Ambal Thiripurasundari is in a standing posture with abhaya and varada hastam. Upper hands are holding nilotpala flowers. Ambal is about 6 feet tall.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a newly built mukha mandapam. Stucco Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, and Murugan are in the mukha mandapam. The adhistana is of simple pada bandha with threepatta kumuda. The walls and vimana are constructed with brick above the stone adhistana. A 3-tier nagara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. Vishnu kantha pilasters and kapota are built with brick.    

In 2015, thirupani, A bas relief of Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu, and Lakuleesar sculptures were unearthed. As per the historians, these sculptures belong to the Pallava period.

It is believed that Rishabam breathed during the Pradosham abhishekam. To prove the same, the nostrils are a little different from the usual posture. Also, it is believed that Moolavar also breathed during Poojas, and breathing sounds were heard by the devotees. 

பிரதோச காலத்தில் நந்தியும், பூசனைகள் செய்யும் போது மூலவரும் சுவாசிப்பதாக பக்தர்கள் நம்புகின்றனர். 

Vinayagar... The Vinayagar’s base has inscriptions, which change from Tamil to Vattezhuthu. This was identified by Mr. Veeraraghavan and his wife, Mangayarkarasi, as older than Pillayarpatti Vinayagar and belongs to the 4^th to 6^th Century. As per the late Mr. Iravatham Mahadevan, this Vinayagar may belong to the 5^th Century. The Vinayagar Panel is 75 CM high and 40 CM wide. Vinayagar is with 2 hands holding the thandam and broken tusk. The inscription on the base reads as...

“பிரமிறை பன்னூரு சேவிக…. மகன்…. கிழார் கோன்….. கொடுவித்து”

As per the historians, this inscription mentions the name of the sculptor, who had sculpted this Vinayagar. 

வினாயகர் 75 CM x 40 CM அளவுள்ள பலகைக் கல்லில் புடைப்புச்சிற்பமாக செதுக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளார். வினாயகர் இரண்டு கைகளுடன் காணப்படுகின்றார், அக்கைகளில் இடது கரத்தில் தந்தத்தையும், வலது கரத்தில் தண்டத்தையும் ஏந்தி காணப்படுகின்றார். பீடத்தில் தமிழியில் இருந்து வட்டெழுத்துக்கு மாற்றம் அடைந்த காலக்கட்டத்தில் எழுதப்பட்ட எழுத்துப் பொறிப்புகள் காணப்படுகின்றது. அக்கல்வெட்டு.... 

"பிரமிறை பன்னூரு சேவிக .... மகன்.... கிழார் கோன்... கொடுவித்து"

எனப் பொறிக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளது. இதில் வரும் கிழார் கோன் என்பவர் இந்த வினாயகரைச் செதுக்கிய சிற்பியாக இருக்கக்கூடும் என்று இதை இனம் கண்ட திரு வீரராகவன் தம்பதியர் மற்றும் (மறைந்த) திரு ஐராவதம் மகாதேவன் அவர்களும் கருதுகின்றனர். இந்த வினாயகர் 4-5 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாக இருக்கலாம் எனவும், பிள்ளையார்பட்டி வினாயகருக்கு முன்னவராகவும் கருதப்படுகின்றார்.

Mahavishnu…. Mahavishnu is in a standing posture with Venkotrakudai and a samara/whisk. Makuda is of Pallava style, greeda makuda. Mahavishnu’s upper hands hold Shankha and Chakra. The lower right hand is in abhaya hastam, and the left hand is in kadi hastam. He wears ornaments in the ears, neck, Yagnopaveetha, and a uthara bandham. Sridevi and Bhudevi are shown on both sides of his feet in a kneeling worshiping posture with flowers. This Mahavishnu may belong to the 7^th century.

Lakuleesar… This Lakuleesar / Lakulisar sculpture was unearthed during thirupani near the sanctum. Lakuleesar, who lived in the 2^nd century, is believed to be the 28^th Avatara of Lord Shiva. He established a sect, Shaivam, called Lakulisa Pasupata for worshiping Lord Shiva. This flat stone sculpture of Lakuleesar belongs to the 5^th to 6^th Century Pallava period.  Lakuleesar is in a sitting posture, wearing ornaments like a King. The Jadamaguda is shown with a knot on the top. He wears ornaments, padra kundala in the ears, and neck, and Urethra Bandham. Lakuleesar holds a dhandam on which a snake is coiled it and their left hand is on his thigh. The thandam is like a lathe finished. His ankuri/penis is shown protruding outside. The dress frill is shown touching the ground after the right leg.

This Lakuleesar is one of the more than 10 Sculptures unearthed in the Viluppuram District. This indicates that Lakulisa Pasupata Shaiva was at its peak during the 5th to 6^th Century around the Viluppuram District. The Inscription vattezhuthu records as ...ஆலக்கூரை .... லகுலீச... செய்வித்தது... Since the inscription is heavily eroded, it can't be further. (Thanks to Mr. Veeraraghavan, Villupuram, who identified this Lakuleesar Sculpture). 

     

Arumugar… Arumugar is without his consort, Sri Valli Devasena. Arumugar is sitting on his vahana, Peacock, with 12 hands holding various weapons. Thiruvasi, shown behind, is an integral part of the sculpture and looks beautiful.

Dakshinamurthy…  Looks beautiful even after the left leg and hand are broken, maybe during a Muslim invasion. He wears patra kundala in the ears, ornaments, Yagnopaveetha, Uthara bandham, and Rudraksha mala. His upper hands are holding a Lamp and a snake (similar to the Kalakkad Temple).

   

Mr. Sundaramurthy, a caretaker of the temple, pointed to one tree and claimed it as  “Thiruvodu maram”. Actually, the tree is not a Thiruvodu maram, and the Botanical name is Crecentia Cujete calabash. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentia_cujete). It has its origin in Africa. Actual Thiruvodu maram is the seed of a Palm tree, and its origin is Male Island. For the details, please click these links.  (http://namathu.blogspot.com/2020/06/2-calabash.html).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the Historians and researchers, the original temple was built during the Pallava period with later Cholas and Vijayanagaras' contributions. As per the inscriptions, this place was called “Arkamoor PaRRu,” which was corrupted to the present name of Alagramam.

The available inscriptions read as…

“ஸ்வத்திஸ்ரீ இக்கோயிலில் கார்த்திகைக்காக… ங்கொண்டு இந்த நத்த மாக்கரிய பெருமாள் திருமேனிக்கு….”

“மண்டலேசுவர மேதினி யீரகக்கண்டகட்டா ஆர்காமூர் பற்று நடக்கையில் இவ்வாண்டு….

“ஸ்வத்திஸ்ரீ திருமன்னி வளர….”

The inscriptions are in a badly damaged condition and don’t have continuity. Rajendra Chozha’s inscription records the endowments for poojas, naivedyam, etc, for which donations were made.

It was said that Kanchi Maha Periyava Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal paid visits to this temple in 1943, 1952, 1966, 1969, and 1972, during a yatra on this side.

LEGENDS

This temple’s sthala purana is a continuation of the Thirukadaiyur sthala purana.  Mrukandu Maharishi did a penance on Lord Shiva for a Child boon. Appreciating his penance, Lord Shiva asked the Maharishi whether he wished a child with a longer life, but without any wisdom, or with brilliant wisdom, who would live only 16 years. Mrukandu Maharishi had chosen the second option. When his son Markandeya was nearing 16 years, Mrukandu Maharishi told the truth to his son that his life in this world would come to an end when he completed 16 years.

Markandeya went to many temples, worshiped Lord Shiva, and finally came to Thirukadaiyur when he was nearing his end. With the power of his penance, Markandeya knew that Yama was approaching him to take away his life. Markandeya prayed to Lord Shiva and embraced him. To Yama’s eyes, only Markandeya was visible, and he threw the Pasarope at Markandeya. Since Markandeya was embracing Lord Shiva, the rope also touched Lord Shiva. Angered Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Rudra Murthy and kicked Yama with his leg, hence called Kalasamharamurthy (Yama is also called kala). Markandeya was blessed with 16 years ever (Chiranjeevi).

To get rid of the dosha incurred for throwing the pasa rope on Lord Shiva, seek advice from his father Suriya. Suriya suggested Yama create a Shiva Linga on the banks of the River Varaha, create Ganga Theertha, and do a penance on Lord Shiva. Satisfied with the penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked what he wanted. Yama requested Lord Shiva to pardon him for the sin caused due to the rope on him. Lord Shiva pardoned Yama and gave back his powers and Thanda. Hence, Lord Shiva is called “Yama Dhandeeswarar”. There is a Temple called Dhandeeswarar Temple at Velachery, Chennai, with a similar sthala purana. Saniswaran also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Yama also requested Lord Shiva to bless all the devotees who offer worship at this temple. It is believed that Devotees worship Lord Shiva and Ambal of this temple to get rid of Chronic disease, to extend life, to get a child boon, and to remove marriage obstacles.

It is believed that Ambal’s face changes every day to bless the Devotees, ie, with a childish face on Pournami / Amavasya Days, a beautiful face on Sundays, a smiling face on Mondays and Tuesdays, ugra on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and with Sahanti & Peace on Thursdays and Saturdays. It is believed that those who worship with lighting Ghee lamps of Ambal on 7 consecutive Fridays will get a Child boon.   

It is believed that Nandi breathed during the Pradosham abhishekam. To prove the same, the nostrils are a little different from the usual posture. Also, it is believed that Moolavar also breathed during Poojas, and breathing sounds were heard by the Devotees.

There is a lone Shiva Linga installed in the Prahara. It is believed that this is a Jeeva Samadhi of Siddha Purusha who served in this temple. Devotees expressed good vibrations observed from the Jeeva Samadhi / adhistanam.

It is believed that Saniswararn also worshiped Lord Shiva of this Temple, and he gave a longer life. Hence, people offer prayer to Saniswaran.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Chithirai Maha nakshatra day, when Lord Shiva gives darshan, and Somavara Poojas.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Mr Sundaramurthy, who possesses a doctoral degree, takes care of the temple. He may be contacted on his mobile at +91 9629628900 and Venugopal at +91 8825624566  for Further details. 

HOW TO REACH

Alagramam is about 4 km from Mailam, 6.4 km from Kooteripattu Road, 10.3 km from Perumandur, 13.9 km from Thiruvampatty, 14.6 km from Tindivanam, 14.8 km from Theevanur, 29 km from Villupuram, 31 km from Gingee, 52 km from Pondicherry, and 144 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi

 Veerabhadra

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---