The
visit to this Shiva Temple at Irungal was part of a Heritage Visit to the Temples, Thavvai,
Kotravai, Durgai, and Hero Stone sculptures around Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai
District on 22nd August 2021. Thanks to Logesh for his guidance, Babu Mano, Manoj, and Logesh of Cheyyar, for taking me to this place.
Moolavar : Sri ChandramouleeswararConsort : Sri Anandavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…. The
original temple faces east on a small kundru or heap of debris. The temple
is in dilapidated condition. The roof slabs pothyals, pillars, and balipeedam are
strewn around. The original temple was built with simple pada bandha adhisthana
with three patta kumuda. The sanctum sanctorum was built with bricks.
With the effort of Udhayakumar, Two Shiva Lingas and balipeedas are salvaged from the
debris and installed under a metacolour sheet shed. Since the original Rishabam's / Idabam's head was broken, a new Idabam was made and installed.
Both Shiva Lingas are swayambhu on a round
avudayar of which one is shorter and the
other is Taller.
HISTORYSince
there are no inscriptions found, based on the structure of the temple, this
temple maybe 400 to 600 years old. As per the experts, it is believed that the temple might have been constructed by Sambuvaraya Kings, about 600 years before. As per the Purana, this place was called Iringalai and the same was corrupted to the present name of Irungal.
Due to the negligence of local people, the temple has become dilapidated. A metacolour sheet shed was constructed in front of the dilapidated temple, and the two Shiva Lingas were moved and installed on 15th August 2018. Efforts are on to conduct regular poojas and pradoshams and Maha Shivaratri. A new Amman idol was sculptured and planned to be installed on 24th August 2022.
The
Caretaker Mr Udhaya Kumar of this temple had prepared a video of this temple based on the present structures and the remains.
LEGENDSChandran’s
image as a bas-relief was carved on a flat stone slab salvaged from the
debris and installed inside the makeshift Temple. As per the Sri Vedhapureeswarar Temple of Thoruvothur near Cheyyar, sthala purana it is
believed that the Shiva Linga was installed and worshiped by Chandra.
சீதமதி இப்பரிசு சிறந்துயர் நல்வரம்பெற்றுவேதமணி நகர்க்குத்தென் மேற்றிசையில் எய்தியவன்தீதறுமோர் சிவலிங்கப் பிரதிட்டை செய்து அமிர்தால்ஏதம்றும் பூசனை செய்து இன்புற்றான் எனவுரைத்தான்
In another legend, Chandra worshiped Sri Vedhapureeswarar at, Thiruvothur near Cheyyar on the banks of river Cheyyar, to get rid of the sin caused due to the sexual affairs he had with another deva's wife. Satisfied with Chandra's worship Shiva and Parvati appeared in the form of Rishabaroodar and blessed him as the head of all Nakshatras. After getting the boon Chandra came to this place Irungalai (later it was corrupted to the present name of Irungal) on the southwest of Vedapureeswarar Temple. He established a Shiva Linga and worshiped with Devamirtha. As per Vedapureeswarar Temple's sthala purana, Suthapuranigar has told this legend to Naimisaranya munis.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart
from oru kala pooja special poojas are conducted on pradosam (100th pradosam is planned on 24th August 2022), Maha Shivaratri,
etc.
As
per FaceBook, with the effort of Mr Udhaya Kumar, 75 pradoshams were conducted, after
the Shiva Lingas were salvaged. All the functions are conducted with the help
of Sivanadiyars from Various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Readers
are requested to participate in this temple’s poojas and bring back this temple to its old
glory.
CONTACT
DETAILSMr
Udhayakumar may be contacted on his
mobile number +91 95000 24143 for further details. A
Facebook page on this Village and the Temple is also maintained by him.
HOW TO REACHThis
place Irungal is 7.2 KM from Cheyyar, 38 KM from Kanchipuram, 66 KM
from Chengalpattu, 70 KM from Arakkonam 75 KM from Thiruvannamalai ( District
Head quarters ), and 113 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram and Junction
Arakkonam or Chengalpattu.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
A Link to the Video: On one of the pradosam day ---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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